He Said I Was Unphotogenic Yet My Photos Shocked The Entire School Chapter 04

He Said I Was Unphotogenic Yet My Photos Shocked The Entire School Chapter 04

I walked toward the Public Affairs Office gripping my phone. The whole way, notifications kept coming. New comments kept flooding in:

[She’s actually going in for questioning?]

[Not looking good.]

[Ambassadors represent the school. This kind of packaging is a joke.]

[What’s her relationship with that photographer anyway?]

I stopped for a second.

Those accusations weren’t about my photos anymore. They were dragging me through the dirt.

Inside the office, the admissions coordinator, the public affairs director, and the student conduct officer were all there. Printed forum screenshots and my video stills sat on the table.

The coordinator looked at me seriously.

“Ms. Calloway, a student filed a formal complaint alleging your submission was produced by a commercial team. There are also questions about an improper exchange of favors with the photographer.”

“Because this involves institutional integrity, we have to investigate.”

That word, integrity, landed like a blow. My throat tightened.

I handed over my phone. “I didn’t hire a team. There’s no excessive retouching. The photographer was hired through Jason Whitmore’s post on Campus Voice. For twenty dollars.”

They reviewed the chat logs and payment screenshots, but the coordinator’s brow stayed furrowed.

“However, the difference between these images and your past photos is substantial, and that needs explanation.”

Then Jason knocked and walked in.

The coordinator turned to him. “Jason, you’re the club president. You know Emma’s on-camera history. Can you speak to that?”

I looked at him, still clinging to a faint sliver of hope. He knew he’d posted that thread. He knew those bad graduation shots were his work.

Jason paused. “She’s not unattractive.”

I felt a brief wave of relief. Then he continued, “But she’s always been stiff in front of a lens. I’m not saying she faked anything. I’m just saying this level of polish doesn’t add up for a twenty-dollar shoot.”

The room went quiet. He hadn’t accused me outright. But he’d anchored every doubt firmly onto me.

I looked at him. “Jason, you posted that thread. You said I was unphotogenic and asked someone else to shoot me. Now that someone did it well, you say it’s not real.”

“You’re not doubting the photographer. You just can’t accept that without you, I looked better.”

Jason’s jaw tightened. A small noise came from the doorway. Claire stood there, eyes red.

“Can I say something?” she whispered. “I’m not doubting Emma. It’s just… she used to avoid cameras so much.”

“What if someone took advantage of her need to prove herself and gave her a makeover that’s not really her?”

She didn’t finish, but everyone understood.

I stood there, frozen.

The coordinator sighed. “Ms. Calloway, until this is resolved, your finalist ranking will be held. Please submit your raw files, behind-the-scenes footage, and the photographer’s identity.”

I walked out into the hallway.

Students had gathered outside, murmuring. “Held means there’s something wrong, right?” one said. Another added, “School promo isn’t personal art. She shouldn’t have pushed it.”

At the stairwell, my mom called. “Emma, the school contacted us. It’s just photos. Don’t let this affect your graduation.”

I said quietly, “Mom, I didn’t cheat.”

A pause. Then my dad’s voice came through, “If you didn’t cheat, why is the school investigating?”

I hung up, my fingers numb.

Jason caught up. “The smartest move now is to pin it on the photographer. Say you didn’t know he had a team. The school won’t come down hard on you.”

I looked at him and laughed. “Now you’re worried about the school coming down on me? You’re the one who posted that ad for twenty bucks.”

Jason’s face went completely still.

My phone buzzed. The photographer: [I’m at the office downstairs. Emma, don’t be scared. I’ll prove it.]

I stared at those words, and warmth finally returned to my numb fingers.

Jason saw them too.

“He actually showed up?” he muttered.

I didn’t answer. I turned and walked downstairs.

Outside the Public Affairs Office, a young man in a black button-down stood by the steps, holding a file folder. When he saw me, his first question was, “You holding up alright?”

My eyes stung. I nodded.

He said, “Don’t worry. I brought everything we need.”

Jason came out behind me. When he saw the guy’s face, his own changed. “Derek Stone?”