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the slut. the whore. The hurtful words are written upon yet another magazine, claiming I have slept with the manager of the NBA team. I may have daddy issues but I'm not into 90 year old men who are overdue for the grave. I swing my legs, my feet landing on cold, wooden floors as I take a look at my bedroom. Multiple articles of clothing are trashed around, shoes is places they shouldn't be and presents. Lots and lots of presents line the wall, most from various suitors full of hope for a "night of their wildest desires". I don't do charity work. When and who I sleep with is for my pleasure and my pleasure only. Instead of attempting to clean my room, I dress myself in dirty green cargo pants and a grey hoodie with 'new York' writing in black, bought by me when I first came to New York, enchanted with the city and the possibilities it held. I throw on my Nike air forces and swing my door open, almost colliding with Naomi, wide eyed and staring at me while holding a plate of sugar cookies shaped like hearts. "What are you doing" I ask. "It's 1pm. You slept in. I thought you might be hungry" she says. Protect this girl and her big heart at all cost. I grab a cookie with a smile on my face which she returns, only 10 times brighter than mine. "Thank you" I kiss her cheek and interlock our arms as I head for the living room which is rather a big space combined with the kitchen and a small table to eat. "How about we go shopping?" I ask. Athelia should be on board with the idea and I know for a fact there is nothing Naomi loves more than shopping. "Yes" she says as she starts jumping up and down. I love this girl. "I'm going to get ready" I laugh as she stumbles to her room so fast I almost miss her and I head towards Athelia's room, walking in without knocking like I own the place. I kind of do. Partially. I look at the bed and a bump in size and shape of my best friend. Athelia grumbles as I uncover her from the various different layers. This girl is always cold. "Good morning babe" I say. Athelia's reply is a mumble as she attempts to cover herself back up but I don't give up quickly as I shove her out of her bed and she lands with a thud. "Shit" she says, lifting her head up and glaring at me. "Good morning" I repeat as I start towards her closet. "Wha ou doin' " she mumbles, too tired to form a proper sentence "We're going shopping. Get your pretty ass up" I say "Okay. But leave my clothes alone" she says protectively, walking towards me and dragging the various blankets with her. "Give me five minutes" I nod, as I smile at Athelia's lazy attempt to glare.
•••
Minus 500 dollars later, the New York streets start to look dull. Strolling with Naomi and Athelia with our arms connected, we form a line, our steps syncing together, our bags hitting against our knees. Naomi looks like a kid on Christmas Day, absolutely dazzled with every shop, every sparkle. Athelia is more cautious about what she buys, making sure everything fits nicely on her. She doesn't like to waste money on stuff we won't use, weird thinking coming from someone of her upbringing. Me, on the other hand, I buy what I want and need, making sure the stuff is something to my liking. The peace ends when we round a corner, coming head to head with a swarm of paparazzi, the clicking of the cameras and shouting hits my ears, making me squirm. "Are the rumours true?" "Athelia! How do you feel, being the current fashion legacy?" Click, click,click "Do you miss your home, Naomi?" Click, click,click People start grabbing my arms, pulling me in all directions as questions flow through my head. "How would your father will about your lifestyle?" "Do you think you are inspiring young girls?" "What is your comment on..." The sounds melt together. I become disorientated. My vision blurs. Someone pushes me. I don't know where I am. I want this to stop. "Take deep breaths" The familiar voice advises me as I realise I am not longer on the street. The hands are not grabbing me anymore and the sound of the cameras is gone. Athelia's face searches mine, looking for any evidence of the panic attack I just had. Anxiety is a bitch. So is PTSD. "I'm fine" I say, breaking the silence of the cab we are in. Someone must have pushed me into it after one of the girls stopped it, escaping the hands of paparazzi. "Talk to us" Naomi urges, hugging her shopping bags for comfort. "I'm fine" I shake my head. She doesn't look convinced but knows when to drop the subject. Athelia takes my hand in hers, not uttering a word for the rest of the ride, simply holding me, knowing what and when I need it.
•••
"I am telling you! I. Don't. Care." I repeat the words for the eighth time over the phone. "It is bad for your publicity to not give a statement" Celia pressures me, yet again to give an official statement to the press regarding my father. Ever since someone leaked my background to the press, they do not leave it alone. Celia has been trying to convince me to do an interview for a long time, without any avail. She sighs, knowing my decision "think about it". I hang up the phone, throwing it onto the white sofa before heading towards the white screen, the photographer ready to take my pictures. While Athelia works with more prestigious brands, I work with brands that are attractive for most 'average' people, like Urban Outfitters or sports brands like Nike. The photographer, Chris, starts putting up the lights, adjusting them as I stand on the white background, waiting for his signal. The usual wave of his hand follows and I start posing, fast, each pose different than the last, presenting the clothes I am currently wearing. Chris takes pictures at a speed of lighting, professional as always. The door opens and a sneak a peak between the takes to notice Athelia walking in, three cups of coffee positioned on the coffee holder as her other hand holds her Prada bag. Her heels click as she walks to the couch, dropping herself onto it. Naomi would be here too if it weren't for one of the designers of Chanel, in need for assistance, picking up some articles for a shoot. Naomi is more than happy to help, she's just nice like that. Hours and too many clothes later, we finish. Every stylist and makeup artist start packing up, ready to go home and done for the day. Chris heads towards Athelia, kissing both her cheeks "hey gorgeous". We hang out with Chris and his boyfriend sometimes. Models and Gays need to stick together. I slump down onto the floor facing Athelia, sitting comfortably on the couch. She hands me the coffee and one for Chris, sitting on the couch as Athelia's drapes her long legs over him. "There is a party tonight" Athelia says as she sips her coffee. "Oh. Do tell." Chris is enthusiastic about anything involving sweaty bodies and alcohol. Athelia leans forwards, putting her elbows on her knees "It's some Noel Brinks' party. It's in his apartment, the one with like a million bedrooms". I'm usually always up for partying "I think we should go" I say, thinking about it, the fun about Noel's parties is no paparazzi rule. The apartment is highly protected and so high into the sky the only way to get to it from the outside would be by a helicopter. That's why most celebrities get high and drunk and passionate during it. Making it so fun to watch...or participate. "I'll meet you there at ten" Chris says,getting up with a smirk as he grabs the camera "do you wanna see the pictures"
••• The upper west restaurant is busy at eight in the evening. Naomi, Athelia and I squeeze into a four person table in the middle, underneath a big chandler that probably costs more than most people's lifetime savings. "And I'll get the...chicken salad" Athelia says, pointing at the menu so the servant knows which one. Naomi ordered a pizza while I went for the pasta. "Are you sure that's all you want" Naomi asks, sceptical. Athelia nods as she hands her menu back to the servant "Thank you" she turns to Naomi "Im not that hungry" I give her a questioning look but she nods again so I don't press her. We have many rituals that we tend to do. One is always having a big dinner out before a party. One because you should never drink on an empty stomach and two because we like it. It feels nice to spend time together, just the three of us. Even though we live together, our messy lifestyles refuse to give us free time at the same time. Naomi sips on her iced tea as she says "so who exactly is Noel?". I answer "he's a rapper. Mostly raps about ass and sex". Athelia raises her eyebrows, smirking "do you listing to him". I smirk back "you know I love ass" that gets me a smile from Athelia as Naomi adds "and sex" I burst out laughing, people turning heads at my sudden reaction. We drink our wines, chatting about anything and everything when there is a commotion coming from the door, Naomi's eyes grow larger as she stares at something behind me. Athelia and I turn at the same time, noticing about twenty paparazzi, flashing their massive cameras as they try to get in, flocked by security yet they still manage to take pictures of us. The security pushes them outside, closing the door as they apologise for the interruption. The waiter brings our food, Athelia, Naomi and I push our food around not looking at each other as we do so until Naomi sighs deeply and says "I really hate paparazzi" She looks at both of us. "Me too" I say as Athelia nods. They both look so terrified. We all have our sets of misfortunes to do with them. Like when I was almost attacked while waking out of an NBA game, or Athelia when paparazzi started touching her without permission or Naomi when the paparazzi chased her in her car on the outskirts of New York. She doesn't drive anymore. I don't go to NBA games anymore. Athelia never goes anywhere without at least one security guard hired by our mutual manager. We all sigh again as we dig into our foods, my phone starts to vibrate on the table. Picking it up, I notice an unknown number. The girls give me a questioning look as I accept the call. "Hello?" I say. "Hello, this is a call from Texas prison for inmate Matthew Camden. If you would like to accept this call, press one. If you would like to decline this call, press zero." I press the button.
AUTHORS NOTE
Remember to eat, sleep and drink some water Ily <3
