The Memory Archive

Love + growing up + reflections on life + everyday moments + a change of perspective

He stood under a plane tree in a black windbreaker, adjusting his tripod. The moment the lens cap slipped into the snow, our fingers touched the same piece of metal beneath it.

"Newbie?"

He picked up the snow-dusted lens cap, tiny ice crystals clinging to his eyelashes.

I tugged my wool gloves tighter. "A veteran newbie who's broken three mirrorless cameras."

When he smiled, he lowered his eyes first, like some large canine drawing in its fangs.

After we wrapped up, we went to the cozy cafe behind the classroom building for hot chocolate. As he paid, the screen stayed on the QR code for adding someone on WeChat for a full five seconds.

"Need a moment to work up the nerve?"

I laughed around my straw, my breath fogging my glasses.

The tips of his ears turned red. "I was afraid you'd think I was trying to sell you a campus card."