"Here you go." I passed the last bags to Loui and he pulled them in the trunk, shutting it with a loud thud.
"Alright." he brushed his hands on his jeans and adjusted his glasses before smiling at me. "Then I guess we're done for today. You don't need to come back to the Studio."
"Oh." I knitted my brows together, taken aback. I always go back with him and then we inspect the pictures we'd made, chosing the best ones. That's how it always work. That's how we roll. Why was he getting rid of me now? "But I took the bus by the Studio, remember?"
"Not today."
The knot in my stomach clenched. Had I done something for him to get mad at me? Usually the weekends working with Luoi were my break from the stressful week's torment. I was allowed to photograph events and get paid for it. I met Loui about two years ago on some exposition here in the city and we connected immediately. Within these years he'd become more like an older brother then an actual boss. Lucky him, at his only twenty-two years he'd inherit his uncle's Photography Studio. And in all this time we'd met he'd been nothing but lovely, he made me laugh and helped me in everything he can. Like handing me this 'job', for example.
So I literally had no idea why was he mad at me now.
He packed everything else and moved to the driver seat, with me following him like a lost puppy.
"B-but why?" he almost looked amused when he turned to me. Why? "I don't even know how long would it take me to found the proper bus back home from here. What am I supposed to do?"
"I got the feeling you'll be fine."
"What?" my scowl deepedned when his only reaction was an almost imperceptive nod, pointing behind me.
Just before I could questioned his crazy mood today another voice came from where Loui pointed.
"Hey, there." I turned to Dylan, finding it would be rude to gave him my back, and politely smiled but contiued eye-pleading Loui. "Well, my mother said today's session was awesome."
Dylan was a boy my age, a cloth model since five. We met when we made him a book last month. He's handsome, of course, tall frame and green eyes. But unlike other pretty boys I'd known he's also a sweetheart. Dylan must had really loved our work 'cause ever since our first session he'd done a couple more. I don't know how many photos does someone need to apply in magazines and stuff, but they must be a lot due to what Dylan needed.
We'd talk and I got to admit he's cute, and the fact that he treat me like he actually felt genuine interest for what I had to say was like fresh air compared with the treat I received in Clayton High.
"I think so as well." nodded Loui in response to the compliment, grinning knowingly. "Better than last week's, either way. I just hope this last longer."
Dylan's eyes widened a fraction, briefly metting mine before clearing his throat and waved it away nervously laughing. "My mother told you, it was an accident. Someone must had delated it mistakenly. " his cheeks faintly brushed and I felt sympathy in the pit of my stomach, I knew what it was like to accidentally messed something, I was the queen of bad timing mess ups! So I gently smiled at him.
"It's fine. No big deal."
Dylan smiled back, a beautiful shinny smile, and I heard Loui coughing something against his fist. I eyed him weirdly, the hell was wrong with him today? But he just shrugged with a grin and took out the car's keys, ignoring my begging look. He was going to leave me here just like that! What had I even done?
"Well, uh, you want me to drove you somewhere or are you heading off with Loui?" Dylan asked me out of courtesy, as always, and I usually gently declined, but today when my eyes met my boss' amused ones I suddenly realized this was his plan all along.
He was playing matchmaker on us. Di I looked that desperate to Loui that he took it upon himself to found me someone? How emabarrassing was that? My stomach constricted at the thought.
"Alyson?"
"I.. uh, mm..." my cheeks heated immediately and my tongue seemed to had troubles forming words.
At my lack of response Dylan frowned and turned to the chuckling man beside me. "Is she-?"
"What Alyson is trying to say so eloquently is that she is in need of a ride." If posible, I blushed harder. "Isn't that right, hun?"
I glared at him but nodded slightly, knowing he would continue to refuse giving me any kind of lift. Dylan face lighted up, trying to made me feel better about forcing him to drive me around. "Really? I can drop you of somewhere. If it's fine."
Pushing my embarrasment at Loui's attemps aside; I grinned at him, fiddling with the camera in my hands. "Thank you. I, mhm, if you could take to the nearest bus station it would be great..."
"Bus station?" huffed Loui, decided to squeez as much shame as he could out the situation he just caused. "She leave in northtown." he imformed Dylan. "It's only about half an hour from here. You could as well drive her home."
"Loui!" my eyes widened. How could he ask something like that? Dylan must have things to do, he was just being polite by asking. But before I could lectured him the model stepped in.
"No, it's fine." he smiled at my bewilderment and casually slipped his hands on the pockets of his trousers. "I can totally drive you there, no problem."
"Oh." Too kind to openly take back an offer.
Loui clapped his hands together, a satisfied expression pursing his face. "Everything settle up then." he glanced pass out shoulders towards where Dylan's mather and his manager were discussing legal terms, hands full of papers. "Should I go check on them?"
"Don't worry, my mother said as always, once you got it done we'll arrage the exchange."
"Perfect." his smile grew, extending his hand for him to shake. "As usual, a pleasure working with you. Alyson."
I grunted in response, glaring at his smug expression as he made his way inside the car and suddenly there was just me and Dylan. Talking about awkward. I absently bounced on the balls of my hells, still fiddling with the camera in my hands, not knowing what to do next and too aware of his glance on me.
I rose my gaze and met his. Something in my stomach fluttered. He really was gorgeous. I blushed looking down again, shyly.
"So..." I mumbled bitting my lip.
"Let's get going, shall we?" he gently purposed and I thankfully agreed, making my way towards his car. My heart fluttered when he oppened the passenger's door and I gave him a quick smile before sliding in. Not everyday a guy would actually be this nice to me.
Dylan get in as well, waving her mother goodbye and starting the engine that purred softly through the car. "Okay, so Northtown?" he asked while pulling out, the park where the sessions had been taken getting smaller on our backs.
"Mm," I nodded really nervous, still not believing Loui actually let me to deal with Dylan. I mean, true, I kinda fancy him a bit, but this was way too obvious for him to do. What would Dylan thought? That I was desperate? "I'm really sorry you had to do this."
"It's fine, really." his grinned was enough to lightened my chest at least a bit. "I offered remember? And this way maybe we could get to talk other than as model and photographer."
He was just so sweet... but that, instead of smoothing me only made me guarded further immediately.
The only time that I'd felt a this tug in my guts other than with Brett was with Jace Tormunt, eight grade's starters. When we come back from summer he told me he found me pretty and he asked me out. He was the first boy who ever shown interest in me, at that time I'd came in terms with myself that the stupid, massive crush I got with my best friend at time would only ever be that. A crush. But then Jace came along and made me feel desirable.
Brett wasn't fond to the idea I get out with him, on my very first date ever; but Macy was on my side and I remember the butterflies in my stomach as she helped me get ready for him to come to the park by my house. The date wasn't bad. I thought he was sweet and funny, and we even held hands at the end. Such a massive thing for a naive thirteen year old like me...
The nightmare began the next day.
Apparently he told everyone we kiss at the park, and that I let him... do inappropriate things to me. Everyone called me slut and easy, and I got this huge argue with Brett that let me see how he really was for the first time. And Jace, that was supposed to be my sweet prince charming, decided he didn't want nothing else to do with me and jumped to the next girl.
That was the very first time I get actually humiliated.
That was certainly a wake up call for me. I realized how mean people can actually be, how false they can prove themselves. I was called ugly names for the next weeks and, most decisive; Brett never looked at me the same. Something in him snapped and was like all the sudden he'd realized what a mistake he'd done by befriending a bitch like myself.
It hurt like hell.
I spent nights sleepless, repeating myself what a fool I been for throwing my friendship and reputation away over holding hands with Jace. Maybe I did was a slut and all those awful things they say. But over everything I lost Brett. My best friend. My crush. The boy I thought I loved more than the world even tho I couldn't even understand the feeling yet.
He was suddenly against me.
No need to say that no other boys had come this close ever again. Whether because of my lack of attractiveness or because my history, not a lot of people came close to me, let alone get interessed in that way.
I hadn't had practice with anyone after Jace, and that was years ago. So now with Dylan and his sweetness I was as clueless as an octopus on a hardware store. I was clumsy and awkward, and that only stirred my nerves making everything even worst.
He managed to made the carpool endurable, tho. He just got this talent. A few words and the tension smoothed away. When we reached that park beside my house, you know, the one where everything with Jace happen, I told him to drop me there.
"You sure?" he frowned slowly pulling to the side. It was practically sunset and the light was orangish over the place. The park was almost empty but I caught a glimps of some girls playing at the swings and a group playing with a ball ont he grass. "I don't mind bringing you closer."
"Oh, no, this is closer." I assured Dylan pointing the second street diving on our left across the field. "I live right there. Not even two minutes from here. And it's a really messy street to get in, you'll be forced to go practically 'til the market before been able to turn around."
"Nice." he chuckled and turned to me, the space in that car suddenly too intimate all of the sudden and my guts churned when he smile. "I like talking to you, Alyson."
My cheeks warmed but I returned the grin shyly, looking down at the camera. "Me too."
He keep staring at me; expecting me to lead the conversation I guess, since he'd been the one doing it so far. I could feel my face flamming red without knowing what to say and keeping my nervous ramble down, aware he would run away as soon as I start. But now it was worst! I didn't know what was I allowed to say or do on that particular social event.
Gosh why was I so awkward?! Oh, right, I never actually socialized before.
So all I was able to do was constantly bounce my head in an endless nod, my eyes widening when I realized I was doing it. I immediately stop, squeezing my brain for the right words in this situation to appeare. A little spoiler? They never did. And at my obvious nervous stated I felt my stomach churning when Dylan's lips slightly began moving upwards.
Freaking do something Alyson!
"Mh, yeah, so... bye."
Really smooth, I inwardly cringed pulling my door open.
"Wait." his voice froze me in place, hesitant of what he might want. Laughed at me? Holding my breath I turned to face him again and surprisingly he was... smiling. But a warm smile, not a mocking one. "What would you say if I told you next week I got this friend that really want you to take her pictures too. For a book, I mean. And she would gave you credits."
"Oh," I blinked, not having expect him to say something like that at all. Credits were something really important in this industry. Usually since I worked for Loui, even if the costumer wanted one of the pictures taked by me, it would be signed with the Studio's name. "And w-why would she do that?"
"She saw mine and really like them, and got this interview for Nebraska's Univerity modeling in the Art department." Dylan scratched the back of his neck nervously. "And, you know, since Loui said the other day you were applying for colleges with a photography program I thought that, uh... that maybe you would be interested in them knowing you?"
I gawked at him, not believing what I was hearing. Right, Nebraska University wasn't USC but a chance with them would be thousand times better than nothing, which is what I got now.
"Oh my- That would be awsome." I grinned widely. "She'd do it?"
"Sure." he smiled back, more relief now that he took in my reaction. "So... what do you say?"
"I would love that!" I grinned widely and he mirrored it but more charmingly.
"Perfect. Same hour same place? I could her your number and you talk about it."
I began nodding as he put out his phone but then remembered about Loui. "I can't decide that. You should call the Studio and they'll stablish it officially."
"Oh," he froze a moment, frowning, but then shook his head and passed me his phone as well. "Either way gave me your number and this way you could talk about details and stuff."
My smile was so big as I tipped my number that I was afraid I might broke my face.
"Dylan that's awsome." I tossed it back and his lips tugged upwards satisfied. "Thank you so much."
"It's nothing." he brushed it off. "I told her to call and all. See you there, then."
"Of course!" I realized then I was still keeping him there and quickly unbuckled and openned the door. "Thank you very much for everything."
"It's really nothing."
I smiled him one last time and carefully closed the door, waving as he pulled out and moved down the street, my chest filled with joy. Nebraska... I never actually considered going there. I must stalked their schedule when I arribe home. Dylan is amazing! So sweet and careless and-
"Why are you standing there smiling like a moron?"
And with that all my glee faded into apprension. Of course they'd ruined it as well. I didn't need to turn around to know the one there was Noel Whickmann. Great.
I knew sometimes they came here to play soccer, and I usually was careful not to bump into them. But today I was too distracted. If he was there, the rest of the team shouldn't be far.
"What?" I gasped when Noel grabbed my shoulder and forcefully spun me to face him. "You become deaf now on top of everything?" he snarled and I whinced as his grip tightened.
I took in his appearence briefly, catching his sport clothes and the ball stuffed under his arm. Since his mates weren't seen but heard somehwere in the distance, I guess that ball must had get kicked too far and he was the responsible to go get it. Him, of all the people. Just my luck.
"Who was that?" he suddenly gestured to where Dylan had left, an malicious grimace taking over his lips. "Your last client?"
I gasped, of course he would say something like that. "No."
"Of course not." he gave me a once over, face twisting in disgust and I felt my eyes began to water. "No one would fuck such scum. In fact, you should consider changing your job since it certainly is more likely you'll be the one in need to pay whenever you feel like showing your whore-self."
"Stop-"
"So gross, not even your parents could stand you so they had to go and crash just to spare the sight of you." He fake a gag dramatically and I stumbled back, turning around but not before he saw my tears and his laugh tore everything it found in my chest, leaving me in the verge of sobbing as I sped away from him.
I haven't done anything today. Weekends where my break. I didn't need to be reminded how disgusting everyone found me those days too. It was like all the cheering Dylan had achived turned upside down after Noel's words. And he brought my parents on that. I knew it was bullshit but his statement hurt like hell, digging deep in my soul as I struggle to keep my cries on a bay.
Just get home, Alyson. Get home and there you can crumble. Just-
I stepped out the path between some trees and immediately appeared before me a field of grass between me and my street, casually filled with half Clayton's soccer team.
My eyes widened and immediately began making my way head down, praying with all my might for them not to notice me. As usual, God must had been too busy to hear me 'cause I heard my name been called and not long after someone jogged to catch up with me, stopping right in my way forcing me to halt as well. I knew who he was before even raising my gaze for the way my heart jolted in my rib-cage.
"Hey," Brett regained his breath holding on his knees for suport. "Don't you heard us call you?" I shrugged, carefully looking around for something, anything, that would gave me an excuse to avoid whatever he was about to put me through. But there was nothing. "How are you?"
His casual tone didn't fool me. Brett never spares a chance to put me down. It's who he was. No matter that his friend just did it for him in the most brutal way. My throat still closed off for that. Maybe I should be glad he'd given me this first week of peace at least. My guts crumbled when he took one step forward and I immediately snapped my eyes up, alert, realizing I still yet to answer.
"Fine, fine, I'm fine." I rushed out and he gave me the weirdest expression, tensing me further. He must want an answer. "How are you?"
"Good." he frowned, like he couldn't understand what was wrong with me. No, Brett you won't catch me out of guard today. He must sense it somehow on my eyes 'cause he shook his head like erasing some thought but then tilted his head eying me from a different angle. "Hold on." the took even other step closer and my stomach dipped. "Were you crying?"
"No?" I tried to round him but Brett got other plans.
"Yeah, right. You think I'll believe that?" he snorted irritatedly and my anxiety rose, if he realized I indeed was about to break down he'd keep pushing 'til getting his prize.
"I- I told you, I'm fine." but it was like he wasn't hearing me.
"What's wrong?"
I could feel the nerves like a spike in the pit of my stomach. "Please, Brett." I gulped, helding the camera tightly with my shaky fingers.
"Why are you like this?" each word sounded more aggravated. "I'm just trying to talk here."
"I just wanna go home..." I once more tried to surpass him but again he stepped in front of me.
"Then what? You let that guy dropped you off but you can have a proper conversation with me." he was mad now, and his mention to Dylan got my heart racing.
"You saw that?"
His eyes narrowed. "Noel told us."
Oh, my godness. Only God know how twisted a truth can get in Noel's mouth.
"W-what did he say?"
"Who is he?" Brett choose to ask instead.
"N-no one. I met him at work."
"And?"
My chest tightened. The hell is wrong with him? "And nothing. T-that's it."
"Really?" I knitted my brows together, unable to understand where was he heading with this charade. "You gotta know how this looks from here." It was like each word infuriate him, the previous softness completely gone now. "Are you dating or something?"
My eyes widened in disbelief. "What?" but he just kept glaring. "Of course not."
"So you just jump to take ride with whoever offers? Are you really that easy?"
I gasped, my heart doing a painful somersault at the insult, unable to understand what had I done to get him this angry all of the sudden. Yeah, I took a ride from Dylan. He was sweet and kind enough to do me this little favor. Did that automatically made me a slut? Yes. In Brett's, Noel's and who know who else's eyes; it did. And I was pretty sure the rest of the gang that was oggling the scene from distance would agreed with him.
Just like when Jace.
It was like the story was repeating itself but worst cause now if rumors like that were spread they certainly would be more trustful than when they were about a thirteen-year-old.
I lowered my face, eyes tearing quickly once more.
All I wanted was to get home.
I heard him sighing, shifting slightly in front of me. "Lys, I didn't mean it like that..."
"Stop-" but he was all focused on his frustrated rambling.
"It's just that it's pretty weird some random person decided to move all the way down here just to drop you-"
"Stop..."
"-and after what Noel saw you expect me to believe that? Look, don't get this the wrong way, but you know what those girls are in the eyes of everyone, I just thought you-"
"Stop STOP! Stop it!" I finally snapped, his eyes widening and bringing his hands up in a surrender manner as I gaped at him in disbelief. "What the hell is your problem? Those girls? I could easily list up a good amount of your friends that have twice the sexual partners those girls do."
The way he was talking, so paternalistic, took the remain patience I got. How dare he to judge me about something I hadn't even done with the kind of people he surrounded himself with? Brett looked completely in shock, not having expect me to finally explode and give him a piece of my mind.
"Dylan and I are friends, so what? How does that concerns you in any way?" I threw my hands up in frustration, tired of always been afraid of their reactions. Of always being afraid of everything. Dylan wasn't even from Clayton High, they judging me or him for whatever was ridiculous in so many ways. For the first time since he came back, I was so done with their bullshit that I didn't even think about the consequences of my outburst. "Whatever we did or didn't is not your goddamn business so can you p-please just leave me alone?!"
Not giving him time to overpower the shock I moved pass him and practically jogged towards my street. I got to admit that besides the cramps I felt all over my guts for what I'd just done, leaving him speechless for once was nice.
But my relief was cut short when I hear footsteps behind and I knew I had dug my own grave. "Where did that even came from?" so much for leaving me alone. I heard his chuckling behind me. "Who would had thought you do had some backbone in you?"
I speeded my pace but it was no use, as soon as I reached my street, two houses away from mine, my arm was grabbed; spining me around before been yanked towards him.
"Lately you'd been all shut down and quiet but..." My heart skipped a beat as Brett smirked down at me, too close. "That was so hot."
My cheeks burned but no matter what I couldn't diverted my gaze. It was like those blue orbs had some kind of spell on me, they pulled my will like a magnet... No. Focus, Alyson, you get over his good looks long ago.
"Let me go." I squirmed in his hold, struggling to break free but instead of releasing me his arm snaked around my waist pulling me flush against his body. For anyone that passed by we would look like a pair of lovers but I knew better, even if my stupid heart refused to let go my childhood infatuation with him. Heat ignited everywhere we touched and climbed up my neck as a furious blush. "Brett."
"So you can spend time with Dylan but not with me?" he mocked a pout as I pushed his chest uselessly. "How's that fair?"
"He is my friend."
"I'm your friend."
I gave him a glance of astonished disbelief. "You got to be kidding."
"What?" he furrowed his brows, baffling me with a genuine clueless look. Man, he was either bipolar or better actor than what I gave him credit for. "We were." he stated as a matter fact but that remind only made my heart painfully ache.
"Exactly. Were." I grunted in frustration when my attempts to push away were futile once more and he smirked proudly. "Besides, you were j-just all but insulting me some minutes ago."
"I was not."
"Calling me easy?"
"That was a question!" he defended in frustration but I shook my head finally managing to snapped my gaze from his, instead looking anything but him. I'd refused to argue with him long time ago. It was useless. "And I've apologized for that."
No, you haven't, but as I'd said, I was done arguing with him. "L-let me go."
He huffed. "I swear you are so dense sometimes..."
Great, more insults.
Luckily he did loosen up his hold and I wasted no time in putting some distance between us, feeling like I could finally breathe again. His gaze shifted over my shoulder and then he frowned. "Mh, I don't want to scare you or anything, but isn't that your grandmother?"
My eyes widened. "What?" I turned to face what he was pointing so fast it was a miracle my neck didn't snap and then is when I saw Granny on top of the ladder, doing something on the roof. "Oh, Gosh." I swore and waved him off, desperate to get rid of him before Granny saw him or it would be awful. "Whatever, see you tomorrow."
The jaw-dropping smirk was back. "Can't wait." But I ignored the shudder that gave me and was already bolting to that crazy woman that would gave me a heart attack one of this days... If she didn't get another first.
"Granny, get down here!"
She frowned and looked at me, smiling when he recognized her granddaughther on the bottom of the wavery silver ladder. "Oh, sweetie, you're back."
********************
QUESTION: Favorite book?
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