“Just Eric would do, Hillary-sshi,” he shrugged. The man was never fond of formalities as most would have realised soon enough. Chuckling at her words, Eric nodded slightly, hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans, “if cameras isn’t enough to ignite a certain emotion within me, than I believe I would have wasted years in this career. So you’re an art student, then?” The man stepped to the side, avoiding a collision with someone and kept to it with the sudden human traffic, making sure to keep pace with the girl. “I won’t consider it noble - it’s nice at times, but I’m sure your seniors would have warned you, it’s not something that will earn you the bucks.” The man laughed, shoulders shrugging and stepped in line again, humming. It’s something he’s learned from experience, and while many of his peers had taken a liking to that path, Eric preferred earning some stability before embarking on the journey of freelancing. Like what he’s doing nowadays. “That’s pretty new to town then. I live about…a 2 hours train ride from home? Not all that far, but I’ll admit, this isn’t a place I visit often.”
“All right, only Eric.” It wasn’t easy for Hillary to address him simply with the given name. She was directed to, and used to be formal with people around his age. Actually, the young female didn’t know how old he might be, but the first impression he gave was enough for her to be proper around him; as much as possible, composed and serene. Hillary nodded to his additional comment and smiled behind her palm, the beep alarmed both individuals, including the other pedestrians waiting for a minute now, to cross the street. “Yes, I’m a fine arts student to be exact. Also, I’ve been told about that.” She responded with a meaningful sigh that the male probably know so well. “I’ve known several artists receiving public recognition only after they left this world. Sad huh?” She remained focused on crossing the road while saying this. “But it’s not the wealth and fame that matters all the time. I don’t know what will happen to me if I’d pursue that path when we’re in the generation where money solves mostly everything and anything. But I want to inspire people to see the world the other way around.” She then smiled. “Yup, I’m pretty much new, but not so much. I’m always on the streets and I’m already getting familiar with every building and known areas. And two hours? Woah, I can say that’s far, but I bet you’d love that vintage store – might see you often by then.”
Catching up with her pace in a few wide strides, Eric made sure not to fall too far back, moving past the few passerby along the way. “Thank you,” he nods, glad for the help as he stepped to the side once, avoiding the elderly couple. “Name’s Eric,” he introduced himself, nodding with a smile, “yes, a professional photographer - how did you guess?” The man tilted his head lightly, taking two wide strides to walk in pace with Hillary, “Freelancing right now though. I assumed that you’re a student then, having just transferred over to the place.”
“It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Eric.” Hillary said after hearing his reply, making sure not to bump against another person’s side while walking in a busy sidewalk, holding the strap of her sling closer to her body. “And you’re welcome too. I’m always willing to help as long as I’m able to.” She turned towards the side to see Eric walking beside her. Hillary smiled as well and nodded to let the other know she was sincere before answering to feed his sudden wonder. “Cameras, although fascinated by many, there would be a different emotion emitted by photographers upon the mention of such item. Probably because that’s how I feel for my paints and I saw that expression to you. It was a good guess after all, wasn’t it?” She almost chuckled upon saying that, but her attention went immediately to the post in the intersection and pressed the button so they could cross the street. “Freelancing is a noble job, and I’d like to be one when I grow older. Yes, you’re right. I’m still a student who recently transferred in this area. Mmh, about four or six months ago? How about you? Do you live near?”
He snapped out of his reverie at the sound of the girl’s seemingly excited cheer, facing her yet again. “Vintage store?” Eric echoed, a wide smile breaking onto his face. It sounds pretty close to what the store he’s been looking for had been, and the photographer hoped it was the same bunch of people running it. “I would love to,” he replied with a firm nod, crumbling the piece of paper he’s got in his hands and tucking them into the pockets, before adding, “if it’s not much of a bother that is!”
“Yes, a vintage store.” Hillary repeated with a smile, happy that she made the male beam as well. And when he said ‘he would love to come’ and firmly nodded, Hillary immediately turn on her heals and began to walk, leading the way towards the building that was just a couple of blocks away. Probably a five to ten minutes walk. “Nope, I’m more than willing to help.” Hillary said in a light tone as she glanced over her shoulder to look at the male. By the way, I’m Hillary, and yours? And by any chance, are you a professional photographer?” she inquired, decreasing her pace as she waited for the male to walk beside her.
“Ah,” he could only manage, lips pursed as he cast a glance back at the store. The man couldn’t remember the last time he’s been to the area, but never actually know it had been years. “Yeah, I supposed so,” he shrugged, turning back to the girl with one hand rested on the back of his neck. “That’s a shame,” he mumbled under his breath, a small sigh coming out at the end before straightening up. With a curt smile he nodded once, “thank you anyway. I guess I’ll just look around for any camera stores, then.”
Hillary bit the inside of her lower lip while noticing how slightly disappointed the male seemed to be, as she on the other hand, tried to smile just as light to brighten up the mood that was brought upon her news. “That’s not a problem,” she started before a gasp escaped her lips as then remembered a store nearby the area where most photographers stop by, snapping her fingers once. “That’s right! there’s actually a vintage store here where photographers often visit. Would you allow me to show you there?”
A soft voice slightly startled the man, turning around to find a young woman looking back at him. He blinked, before rubbing the back of his neck, feeling slightly foolish for being caught staring into an empty store. “There used to be a camera store here, right?” he eventually asked, tilting his head a little, hoping that the girl would perhaps be familiar with the place, “any idea where it could have been relocated?”
Hillary shook her head with a slight frown forming her lips as she then replied, “I’m not quite sure. I’ve only transferred in this area three months ago. No one has told me there used to be a camera store in there. And with that said, it’s quite a shame that I can’t give you any useful information of where they could have possibly relocated.” She ended with a soft sigh, puffing her cheeks with a sorry face, brows slanted downwards. “This building was abandoned for a couple of years now, they said. Mmh, you never came back here for that long?” She randomly asked.
He was positive that it was the right address. Or so he had hoped it was the updated one, because right then, all the man could see was a run-downed two-storey building with a ‘caution’ sign plastered on the door. Eric peered though the dusty glass, frowning when all the supposed store had were wooden planks and large tins of paint. The small camera store was long gone, along with the restaurants at the side of it.
Eric sighed, adjusting the strap of his bag - it had been three years after all - but he wasn’t about to give up. Perhaps a local could direct him…
“Excuse me, Mr.” Hillary tried to pull the male out from his busy thoughts while peering through the dusty glass of a two-story building that as far as she was informed, was abandoned for a couple years now. “Are you in need of something?” She broadly asked, her head slightly tilted towards the side to get a better view of the male’s face. Hillary furrowed her brows and in a knowing manner, she then noticed the male was a new around the area, and he was in dire need of help - or at least that was how she assumed his need.