Wandering Visitors .

I take a few calming breaths and try to smooth down my hair with my fingertips. My entire reputation is riding on this one picture; the one that will be immortalized forever. I stayed up the night before, mulling over the final details. Would a classic smile or serious, thoughtful look best represent me? Maybe I should go for something completely off-the-wall and memorable?

Before I can make up my mind, the bulb goes off in a blinding flash. I blink the stars away and feel disappointment catch in my chest. I’m sure that didn’t turn out how I imagined it at all.

“Excuse me,” I say politely to the photographer. “Can I re-take that one?”

The police officer doesn’t say anything. He can’t even look me in the eye.