e m b r a c e

01

❧

I WOULD HAVE MISSED MY subway stop if my AirPods hadn't died and shut off my music at the exact same time I was supposed to get off.

I hadn't been sleeping or anything, just completely zoned out. Either way, I was late, and the crowded sidewalks of Manhattan hadn't helped much either.

I had to race through the Central Park West neighborhood until I made it into the shabby apartment building lobby from the address I was given.

As the elevator I found myself alone in moved up towards the thirtieth floor, I studied my reflection in its mirrored wall.

My outfit wasn't anything special. Seeing as it was a freezing, late January day in New York, I wore a simple white long sleeved turtleneck, mom jeans, converse, and heavy faux leather blazer.

Everything else was definitely worth observing though.

I had recently switched to a chopped, shaggy pixie cut that left me feeling badass. My rich brown skin was glowing, winged eyeliner dramatic in the best way, and lipgloss made my full lips stand out.

I felt confident enough that I winked at myself before stepping out of the elevator and heading down the hall to the correct unit.

I was told that the door would be left unlocked so I entered without knocking.

Off the bat, I was met with an open spaced, French Art Deco styled living room and kitchen that was the definition of picturesque, with modern pieces and sculptural, statement making decor.

There were three massive floor to ceiling windows with an immense amount of natural light pouring through and perfect views of the city.

Bold, graphic, and with a touch of timeless romance.

"I can't believe you get to have this boujee ass place for three months," I exclaimed, slipping off my shoes and socks and setting them to the side.

Setting up her camera in front of the sofa, was Nyx Tyler in all her goddess-like glory. Sorting through pieces on a clothing rack near the kitchen island was her trend setting, fashion stylist girlfriend of almost two years, Eddie Oshiro.

Both women snapped their heads in my direction upon my entrance.

"Oh sh*t, you're here!" Nyx appeared to be surprised. "You're just late... by twenty minutes."

I gulped. Punctuality was key for Nyx Tyler, especially today.

Nyx was a freelance photographer. She had gotten popular through her photography account on Instagram back in high school, which heavily showcased diversity in a strikingly raw way.

Ever since then she had built up her credibility and garnered campaigns from brands, magazines, and agencies left to right.

The project she convinced me to be part of, was one that the iconic 'Urban Magazine' asked her to work on. They even rented out the apartment we were in for three months to get it done.

It was supposed to be a 12 part series about perspective and vulnerability, and titled, Embrace.

Each part was going to involve two strangers of different backgrounds. Together, the strangers were to shoot intimate photos that would be in Urban's next digital issue.

Then, they'd sit down and film an in depth interview where they spoke to one another about their insecurities and struggles and how they were able to overcome them or hoped to, which would go up on Urban's YouTube channel.

It was going to be out of my element, and I knew certain people in my life weren't going to be happy about it once they found out, but part of me felt like it would sort of be a therapeutic experience. Though, I was also scared sh*tless.

"We thought you bailed since you didn't text back. Better late than ever though, so don't go complaining babe," Eddie wagged a finger at a tensed up Nyx and then beckoned me over. "Now you c'mere and I'll give you your first look. You look hot as hell by the way. I knew the cut would frame your face perfectly. Right Nyx?"

Eddie Oshiro was more cool and collected in comparison to my best friend, but together, they balanced each other out.

"Okay, I won't be petty, the hair looks good. You look like a rockstar," Nyx acknowledged. "I told you short hair girls and bald girls do it better."

Eddie raised a brow and feigned hurt.

"Thanks ladies. And by the way, I almost missed my stop, so I wasn't thinking about sending a text or calling, but I'm sorry," I apologized, walking over and taking the black, satin slip and matching satin robe that Eddie held out for me.

"Well the stranger who's name I will not reveal to you isn't here either, but they just texted that they'll be here in about five. So you're forgiven," Nyx said mindlessly, focused back on her camera.

"Phew. So, can I please just see a picture of this stranger?" I asked slyly.

"Uh, no!" She sent me a sharp look. "You have to wait! Now go change. The bathroom is down that little corridor to the right."

I scrunched up my face at her but did exactly as I was told and found myself undressing in a bathroom bigger than my bedroom. As soon as I slid everything on, I observed how it looked.

Okay, I was hesitant about being in something that showed a lot of skin, but I couldn't deny that the outfit had my boobs looking amazing and my legs looking long and toned.

"You look good. You feel good. You're going to do this and go straight home. No going out afterwards," I told myself after staring in the mirror for what was probably far too long.

I folded up the clothes I had been wearing and left them on the counter, only taking my phone with me as I walked back to my friends. To grab their attention I snapped my fingers and did a twirl.

"Holy crap! Wild thing!" Eddie shouted at the sight of me. 

"You make my heart sing!" Nyx added back dramatically, grabbing her video camera from the coffee table and aiming it in my direction.

I laughed as the two of them sauntered over and had begun to dance sensually around me.

Unable to hold back, I joined in and did what I would call the performance of a lifetime.

"You make everything groovy, wild thing," we sang together.

I dropped to my knees and arched back up slowly. Then I blew a kiss into Nyx's camera and fluffed up my hair before dragging my hands down my body, all while swaying my hips at the same time.

"Wild thing, I think I love you."

I dropped my phone. All of us halted, attention going to the person standing at the opened front door and staring right at... me?