"I'm running late, get the bag three and six." was the greetment Loui gave me as soon as I unlocked the door of the Studio. "Chop chop! We got no time!"
I sighed, moving to do as he said and hanging them over my shoulder as my boss keep rambling to himself and running up and down getting everything needed. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Loui was such a mess, and nine over ten times this is what it was like. His pictures are impolute, but everything else was kinda rushed up with him. He used to say I was the order after he went all tornado mood. And, I mean, he wasn't wrong. I ruled his schedule and his notes, organized the projects and bergain the final dates. Loui put his art and teached me a thing or two along the way.
Not that I'm complaining, I love this 'practices' I'd get here.
"Come on come on come on! We have to save the previous work. And have you already talk to Mrs Lania?" he lowered the stairs two at time, even more loaded than me, his hair disheveled and one shoe untied. "She asked for her- Oh, hi?"
All my amusement at his appearance suddenly faded into anxiety when I remember the scowling boy by the door that had refused to go home yet.
The car ride had been surprisingly... not awful.
Don't get me wrong, I was still too tense for it to be comfortable, but when Brett had slide in as well the whole angry halo he had when he practically force me to get in was almost gone. He actually tried to apologyze and erased the tension with a smirk and his usual jokes. I swear he was driving me crazy. One moment he's playful, the next he bullies me; one moment he's mad and angry, and the next he was back to his joker self. God, made up you're mind already! He need treatment.
And once he drop me and I went to bolt out and away, not wanting to push my luck and made mad Brett appear again; he got out as well and insisted in go with me. I panicked at him ruining my time here as well as everything else, but as Loui said, we were about to be late, and I couldn't afford to lose such a good chance as the one Dylan had get me here. So I prayed for the best and just let him come along.
"Oh, yeah." I coughed awkwardly, fiddling with the strand of the bag. "This is Brett. We, um, go to the same school."
The auburn grimaced at my words and rolled his eyes.
"Wow, Lys. That's deep." and outstratched his hand for the other to shake.
"Loui." my boss introduced himself, and then turned at me not even trying to hide his thoughts. Why bother? He's Loui after all. "Lys?" he rose one brow. "You never told de you got a nick name."
"That's because I don't."
"Oh, but they call you 'Lys'?"
"Nobody call me that."
"I call you that, Giggles." Brett's smirk was laced in his voice and Louis's jaw dropped.
"Giggles?! Well, well Miss Liar. Not only one but two. And here I am, calling you by your full name. Like if I'm some unimportant somebody!" he shook his head and I felt my cheeks flushing. "You should be ashamed."
"Loui please-"
"Mr. Louissiano for you."
Brett laughed and Loui high-fived him. High-fived him. Him. The gesture felt like a stab right on my guts. True, Loui didn't know who the boy really was but seeing them both teaming up to mess with me didn't sit me well. No, Loui, not you too. My hand fisted tightly around the camera hanging by my neck.
"Well, we got work to do, if you two are done."
And with that stormed out but kept hearing them chuckled in my back. I blinked when first tears burned my eyes. I knew my boss didn't mean anything bad but to joke a little, but it was Brett. My worst fear when I'd left the car was becoming true under my eyes. He would mess with me in the almost only safe place left I had.
The van was right in front of the Studio, the trunk opened with a couple bags in, proofing Loui had start packing it... Loui's style. I redid it properly adding the ones I was holding and slid in the passenger seat just as the guys left the Studio.
Much to my dismay, Loui encouraged Brett to tag along and help with the set up once we arribe. And to even add more cramps, he had to seat in the front of the van as well so I was practically sandwiched between them two. My lungs stop working from the moment the side of his thigh pressed mine. Was he for real? Well, it would be a looong ride.
I didn't said anything in the way to the meeting spot but they took it upon themselves to fill the silence with the effortless chat. For a couple social butterflies, it flued naturally and I couldn't help but to tense at how nice Brett was being. I could feel his stare on the side of my head every now and then and it made me more uneased. What was he doing? I still couldn't believe my boss allowed him to come to 'help with the bags'. Who in their right mind woud done that? And that Brett'd agreed!
Loui tried to dragged me into the conversation a couple times but I dodged it with monosyllables. Let's just hoped Brett didn't mess this miracle Dylan had gotten me, but knowing him...
We made it to the bridge where we'd accorded to made the seassion and the production team was already there, having set up the fundamental and were waiting for Loui's arribal and intructions for the lights and stuff. The river had dried long ago and there were only the artistic ruins of the stucture and nature that had grown under.
As my boss moved straight to the ones waiting to instruct properly how to create the proper scenareo before Dylan and his friend came, he ordered us to unpack the van. We did in silence and luckily it went on without much of a burden... but it was Brett. I couldn't relax. In the moment I did he'd crush me once more.
At the third trip to the van it was only left the bag four where Loui keep Elvis - that's how we'd baptizied the great camera, the one that cost almost as much as the Studio and that was able to do the most beautiful pictures. I loved that camera and could only dream about the day I'll be able to have one of those in my own studio.
Very carefully I reached to grab it and my heart stopped when someone else did as well.
Of course. He knows what the most precious piece is.
My throat closed as I focused on holding my end tightly in case Brett decided to drop his. "It's fine, I'll take this one."
One of his brows perked up. "It's really heavy, Lys. I can carry it."
I shook my head rather franticly. "It's very delicate."
"I'm just trying to help. It won't drop." he rolled his eyes in a duh-tone but I won't fell again.
"Heard that before."
His gaze widened for a fleeting second in realization and finally loosened his hold on the strand. I snatched it out his grasp, spinning around and struggled to hold it up and ignoring the weird look he gave me. Man it was heavy. I heard his steps following. "I told you that was a mistake."
I snorted at the lame unoriginal excuse.
"Okay."
"I didn't mean to drop your camera." he insisted quietly, and I sighed, already tired of this conversation and not wanting to felt bad about something that no matter what was lost forever.
"But you did." I came to a stop only when I reached the place where everything else was being prepared and crounched beside the bag to carefully pulled out the pieces and assembled them.
"Fuck, Lys, just... How long would it take for you to forgive me?"
I froze. Forgive him? Was he nuts? I looked up at him briefly in disbelieve and he seemed more serious than I would had expected.
The camera had only been one of the things he'd done. The most trascendental, yeah, but not the worst. Let's not forget earlier this very week I'd been puking my guts out thanks to him and his toxic crew. And the way he was looking at me now... Damn, he really know how to act. But I bet he just want me to drop down the guard to pull something worst on me.
My teeth greeted together and I went back to mounting Elvis. From the corner of my eyes I saw his fist clenching.
"You're doing it again. You can't just decide you're mad and not let me fix it."
My mouth dried. Was he really bringing that up? I know exacty what moment was he talking about. Back to when we first split. Apparently he didn't saw anything wrong in treating me that bad and tried to talk to me as if nothing but I was too pissed and hurt. Let's not forget that was after the whole mess with Jace. When he got mad at me and called me easy or whatever thing those rumors say about me. Brett didn't take well my silent treatment and confronted me... let's just say I ended up with a broken arm.
And now he was bringing that up?
"Well, last time you fix it pretty well, didn't you?" I couldn't help but mumble and he tensed even more if possible. Great, Alyson, give him more reasons to hate you.
"I... I forgotten you were on roller skates." More excuses. "I never meant for you get harmed."
"You never do, uh? But you did pushed me anyways, what would you want to achive if not me being harmed?"
"I... You..." I dared to looked up again and had to remind myself his unease was fake. I'd fooled myself long enough but he would never change, no matter how many times I'd prayed for him to. Once you pass certain line you can't go back. He gulped regaining his determination. "It has nothing to do with anything now. I apologized for that at its time. Why are you bringing it up?"
"You did!"
"I..."
"And you're really wondering why I can't forgive you?" I let out a small laugh, too done with the whole situation. A pang of pain hit my chest when his face grimaced in ache but I ignored it. It's fake, Alyson. It's all false. "You can't be serious. You keep bothering me, tormenting me dayly... Damn, you forced yourself here when I clearly told you I want you away. You can mess with me in school but this is my work place. You got no right coming here as well. And... what's even the point? What is it that you want?"
"Maybe I just want to spend time with you," he dead panned harshly and my heart halted. "Is it really that hard to believe?"
"Obviously." I huffed. How silly did he think I was? But the expression when he stepped away made my chest hurt. Don't let him get to you. He's pretending, messing with you again. "Just... If you really want to help just leave me alone so I don't mess this oportunity since, you know, after your stunt last year would provably be the only chance I get."
I didn't know where that bravery came from. It's been years since I straight talk him like that. I don't know what impulsed me to snapped but I just did. And Brett eyed me like I just slapped him, his fake hurt and regret at the mention of last year fiasco harmed me.
His jaw clenched, eyes burning, but his respond surprised me. "Fine." and after staring at me hard another couple seconds he marched towards where Loui was directing the crew.
That's it. This was what I wanted, right? Then why did I feel bad about telling him off like that? I pushed it all to the back of my mind and focused on Elvis, making sure he was perfect and ready for some action.
People moved around, fixing things and preaparing all for the model's arribal. From what Dylan had told me through texts and what the girl's manager had instructed Loui, it apparently was the book she'd be showing the college scouts in order to apply for the place. It need to be perfect and shown not only her natural skills in the profession but also made her the center of the project. So that beautiful surrounders we'd chosen for the scenario needn't to outshine her.
I still yet to see her but already could tell she must be a true beauty. Great, guess I'd barely pass as a human being by her side, more points to my self-esteem. But well, I usually work with perfect-looking girls and by now I'm used to be invisible for the male population in any type of situation. That's why it shocked me so much Dylan sweetness. But never mind, whatever it was that might had the chance to start would surely fly out the window when he get the chance to compare me with his model friend.
Worst, when he met Brett.
My eyes widened. I hadn't thought about that possibility.
Holly shit.
"Hello there."
I almost jumped out of my skin at the sudden greetment and immediately looked up to the person standing by my side. Dylan himself.
"Hi." it came out too high and I cleared my throat already feeling my cheeks heaten up. I get on my feet, dragging Elvis with me now that it was mounted properly, shifting my weight one feet to the other awkwardly. "How's eveything?"
"Good." his smiled was toothy and it made my chest fluttered. "How about you?"
"So far so good." I shyly grinned back and cleared my throat once more, apparently once hadn't been enough. "Is everyone already here?" I wondered glancing around and seeing the crew shaking Loui hands and marching away and some other people gathered around him. I couldn't see the auburn but that didn't eased me a bit.
"Yes... Come, I'll introduce you."
Dylan's hand carelessly landed on my shoulder to guide me forwards and I immediately felt a tickling sensation in the pit of my stomach. Not as heavy as when Brett did but- The hell? Why did I even think something like that? Frustrated I let it fade away from my mind as Dylan approached us to the rest of the group. More concretly to the stoic man and the gorgeous girl talking to Loui.
I had been right. This Drew Fannigan, aka Instagram celebrity with over one million followers was absolutely radiant. From her medium lenght platinum hair to her slender perfect shaped legs, passing for her immaculate body and face. How do you not feel self conscious with a girl like that? Drew would even put Jade in shame.
As we approached I felt my anxiety tightening the plump in my throat and it gets worst when her eyes fell on me as the adults keep talking. She smiled warmly and approached us nonchallantly.
"Hey, you must be Alyson." and surprised me further when she launched for a direct hug, completely taking me out of guard.
"Drew, let her breath." sighed Dylan when I got overpower by shock.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. Maybe if someone hadn't been talking about her this whole past weeks..." she rolled her eyes and I didn't know who was more blushed, me or Dylan. Drew laughed. "Never mind. Now you." her attentions was fully on me again and I swallowed painfully.
"Me?"
She nodded. "I heard you'll be doing some of the pictures, and since my father is already scaring your boss in doing everything convencionally perfect, " again she rolled her eyes. "I was thinking we should talk on our own."
I nodded fiddling carefully with Elvis. Those photos I'd take not only would had to shown her potential but mine as well. If I wanted any chance to get selected by Nebraska University I needed to step up my work.
"I had a couple ideas, actually." I mumbled quietly. "Been thinking the whole week."
Drew's face lighted up like a christmas tree. "Great. I have some too." her arm intertwined with mine, making even more evident she was some inches taller and was also wearing platforms. "I knew Dylan would had a great taste. Let's show them how to improve."
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Hey! I know I take forever to update and I'm really sorry, next chapter will be out soon in compensation. What are your thoughts on Brett? Are his intentions honest or Alyson shouldn't trust him?
Don't forget to comment, vote and share.