Chapter 10

Jes didn't know why that realization unsettled him.

Maybe because it made everything feel too real.

Ngern wasn't just playing around—he was invested. And Jes wasn't sure how to handle that.

He shifted slightly, putting some space between them as he reached for his coffee. "Alright," he said, forcing himself back into teacher mode. "Try adjusting the shutter speed now. If you're shooting something fast-moving, like sports or concerts, you'll need a faster speed to freeze motion. But if you want motion blur, like for light trails or water flow, you slow it down."

Ngern nodded and adjusted the settings carefully. Jes found himself watching the way his fingers moved over the camera, precise and deliberate. Focused.

It was almost... impressive.

Jes had seen people take photography lightly before. They thought it was just about pressing a button, about catching a moment without thinking of the mechanics behind it. But Ngern wasn't like that.

He was actually trying.

Jes wasn't sure what to do with that.

"You're good at this," Jes muttered before he could stop himself.

Ngern looked up, startled. Then, he grinned. "You think so?"

Jes rolled his eyes. "Don't let it get to your head."

"It's too late," Ngern said smugly, flipping to a fresh page in his notebook. "Alright, what's next, Teacher Jes?"

Jes groaned, but the corner of his lips twitched despite himself. "You're insufferable."

"And yet, you're still here," Ngern pointed out.

Jes had no comeback for that.

Because Ngern was right. Jes was still here.

And for some reason... He didn't mind it as much as he thought he would.

..............................................................

Jes did not want to admit it, but teaching Ngern wasn't as terrible as he thought it would be.

For one, Ngern actually listened. He wasn't just nodding along to look interested—he was genuinely absorbing every word, every tip Jes threw at him. He asked the right questions, jotted down notes like a diligent student, and even repeated the explanations back to Jes to make sure he understood them.

Jes had met professional photographers who didn't put in half this effort.

"Alright," Jes sighed, leaning back against the booth. "One last thing before we call it a night. Composition."

Ngern straightened, eyes lighting up. "Finally! I thought you were going to make me read an entire camera manual first."

Jes scoffed. "You'd probably do it."

Ngern grinned. "You're right. I would."

Jes huffed a quiet laugh despite himself. "Okay, look—composition is everything. It's what separates a good photo from a great one. You could have the best settings, the best lighting, but if your composition is off, the photo won't hit the same way."

He reached for Ngern's camera and flipped it on, holding it up between them. "See the grid lines on the screen?"

Ngern nodded.

"That's the rule of thirds," Jes continued, pointing at the intersections. "The idea is that placing your subject along these points makes the composition more balanced, more naturally pleasing to the eye."

Ngern leaned in slightly, studying the screen. "So... you're saying if I take a selfie, I should put my face right on this spot?"

Jes gave him a deadpan look. "That is not what I'm saying."

Ngern laughed. "But it's technically correct, right?"

Jes sighed. "Yes, technically. But the point is to use it thoughtfully. Sometimes you want symmetry, sometimes you don't. Photography is about knowing when to break the rules."

"Hmm," Ngern hummed, tapping his chin. "So, does that mean I should break the rule of thirds by putting my face right in the center?"

Jes rolled his eyes. "I give up."

Ngern grinned. "You love this, admit it."

Jes did not dignify that with an answer. Instead, he stood, stretching his arms over his head. "Alright, class is over. I'm going home."

Ngern pouted. "What? No graduation ceremony?"

Jes ignored him as he gathered his things. "You can have a certificate when you actually take a decent photo."

Ngern gasped dramatically. "I have taken decent photos!"

Jes smirked as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "We'll see."

Ngern chuckled, but there was something softer in his gaze now, something almost thoughtful as he looked at Jes.

Jes suddenly felt too aware of the warmth of their booth, the way the night had passed faster than he realized, the way this—them—felt strangely easy despite everything.

And that scared him a little.

Jes cleared his throat. "I'll see you around, I guess."

Ngern leaned back, resting his arms against the seat. "Yeah. See you around."

Jes turned to leave, but as he reached the door, he heard Ngern call out—

"Hey, Jes?"

Jes glanced back.

Ngern smiled. "Thanks for tonight."

Jes didn't respond. He just lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave and walked out into the night.

But as he made his way home, a thought slipped into his mind before he could push it away.

Maybe tonight wasn't so bad after all.