Paris

The Beginning

My name is Katelynn Brant and I haven't stop jumping up and down since my boss, Mr Xavier called me this evening. I'm going for a photo shoot for Miranda Genève in Paris! Miranda has always been my favourite designer and I'm so honoured to work with her masterpieces. I'm also invited for her premiere runway, also in Paris. That's the reason I can't breathe normally since half an hour ago. Like, can you believe it? I'm going to be one of the firsts to see her latest collections and even better, meet their professional outstanding models. I'm dying of happiness.

As a beginner, my existence as a fashion photographer is pretty well. I've travelled to a few awesome places out of this nation to take pictures of top rated models. This is also not the first time I go to Paris, but in my last visit I have no time to spend out of the studio. Yes, this time I don't want to repeat the same mistake. I'm going to stay for two months in Paris. First, so I don't get too stressed with my works and second, for my own vacation. Besides, I have an old friend there who has been waiting for my visit since a long time. She's my best friend in college, but she moved to Paris after marrying a French guy that doesn't want to leave his hometown. Leaving Manhattan will be hard - mostly because I've never travelled alone in a very long term like this - but this opportunity is more important than my fear, no regrets.

"Hello?" I said, waiting for a response from the other side of the line. "Kate?" she said. "Yes," I said while smirking to myself. "Oh my God, I missed you so much, girl!" she shouted. "Hey, slow down dude," I said with a flash of giggle. She giggled too. "Let's go out for lunch. I'm going to treat you," I said. "Whoa, there must be something big," she guessed. "You bet," I said. "So, where and when?" she asked. "The mall, eleven?" I said. "Okay, see you later!" she ended up the line. I can't wait to tell her THE news.

A few hours later, i was standing alone at the mall. "Katie!" I heard a scream from my back. "Jennie...!" I shouted back and rush to hug her. She gave a hug back. "I'm so curious, you're going to tell me something, right?" she said. I nodded while walking next to her. "Okay, so..." I said after we both were sitting on the chair inside a western food restaurant. "So...?" she repeated in excitement. "I'm going to Paris next week for a photo shoot!" I said in a low tone so no one would hear it but us. "And guess, who's the designer I'll be working for," I said. Jenny looked confused. "James Burton?" she made a guess. "Nope," I shook my head. "Audrey Alaina?" she continued. "Close enough," I said. "Oh I give up!" she finally said. "Well, okay then, but make sure you won't scream," I said. She's also a fan of Miranda and she probably wouldn't expect that I'm almost officially being on her team. "It's Miranda," I said clearly. "Oh my, gosh!" she squealed. "I'm so happy for you!" she poked my shoulder. "Yeah, it's crazy!" I said to her and to myself.

A few minutes later, we're sinking inside a deep conversation. I haven't seen her since our holiday last summer and it was a few months ago. I've missed her a lot. "Excuse me," suddenly a well-dressed waiter approached us. "Yes?" I said, innocently. I supposed to know that he has been watching us since we're squealing and screaming inside the restaurant without ordering anything. "Are you guys ready to order?" he said. "Oh, yes, of course, sorry," I said, full of nerves. I opened the menu book. Being treated this way wasn't comfortable at all. "I'll have this," I said while pointing at a picture of beef steak. I looked at Jenny and said, "What's yours?" She's still turning the pages over and over until she stopped and said, "One salad please," then she close the menu book and handed it to the waiter. "Are you sure it's enough?" I asked; she has never order JUST salad before.

"I'm on a diet," she said with a smile. "Wow, you're so dedicated," I said. "Yeah, it's for Theo," she stared blankly at the floor. "What happened?" I asked. "i guess... he-he's cheating," she said with a flat tone. "What?!" I almost screamed from my chair. She nodded sadly. "I saw him in a bar with a hot model-looking girl," she said. "Sorry for you, but you don't deserve him," I said, feeling unfair for her. "I know," she faked a smile on her face. "I love him too much; beside, I can't cancel our wedding," she continued. Jenny's wedding will be held this December and all the preparations are almost completed. "I've wasted too much money - I even owe my parents. If this wedding is cancelled, I have nothing left," she said. I can see a drop of tear trickled down her face. "Jenny, you should've said this to him," I said, defending her own self. "Well, I had. But he said I have to look better - in the other word, prettier - to preserve this wedding," she covered her face with both of her hands and start crying. I rubbed her back smoothly. "I'm so sorry..." I hung my words and put my arm around her shoulder. "It's okay, I'm fine," she wiped out her tears with her hands and clear her throat. "I guess, it's my fate," she said pretending to be tough. I gave her a warm hug. Now I feel bad for her, and for leaving her alone when she really needs someone to comfort her.