When We Happened

Chapter 20: The Hand Model (pt. 1)

Chapter 20

The Hand Model

I stared at the final looks the stylists, make-up artists, and the whole of creatives picked for the layouts chosen for my long-awaited editorial shoot. I believed we're going to do ten layouts today and they were all approved by Sir Simon, Sir Red, and the TMA CEO I haven't been introduced to.

Looking around, you will know this editorial shoot is a huge deal. No expense was spared. Kumbaga, may malaking budget na nilaan dito... and that just makes me want to freak the fuck out because that means all these people are really betting on me to succeed.

'Where are u????'

Hindi ko na alam kung pang-ilang text message ko na 'yun kay Yap. Hindi pa naman siya late, but I kinda expected him to show up earlier. I know I am being overdramatic, but I just want him around me as much as I can. He grounds me... and he makes me feel so at ease.

He makes me feel like I can do anything because he believed in me from the jump. He literally is my Day 1.

"C'mon, Asher. Let's get you prepared," bati sa akin ni Shea bago ako pinaupo sa tapat ng sobrang liwanag na vanity mirror.

"Ano nga ulit first layout natin?" I asked, even though I already memorized all ten mood boards the creative director made for today's shoot. Hearing Shea talk will hopefully help me get the distraction I needed now, while Yap is still not here.

"We'll be doing the fembot a la Barbarella layout first," mabilis na sagot nito. "And then, the Vintage Parisian Glam Rock layout. After that, yung Androgynous layout naman with you wearing a pixie cut wig. Ituloy ko pa ba?" natatawang tanong naman nito.

Sobrang halata na siguro sa mukha at body language ko ang kaba kaya willing rin ito na tulungan akong ma-distract habang wala pa ang best friend ko.

"Saang layout ka pinaka-excited?"

"To be honest? I wanted to see how the nude illusion layout will turn out since it's for your beauty shot. Pero super excited ako na pumayag ka to pose with spiders and snakes. Hindi ka ba natatakot or kinakabahan about it?"

Umiling ako bago pumikit at hinayaan siyang simulan ang skincare prep ko before the actual makeup application. "Honestly, mas kinakabahan ako sa dominatrix layout."

"Why? Magiging balot na balot ka naman mamaya," natatawa nitong sabi. I get it. Out of all the looks, parang doon ako pinaka-balot pero doon talaga ako kinakabahan.

"I mean, I'm the least sexy person I know. Paano ako magiging super sexy with dominatrix clothes? I've never felt sexy before, so I don't know how I will project that later."

With my eyes closed, I let her kind words wash over me. "The photographer will guide you, pati na rin kami dito behind-the-scenes. Hindi ka naman namin pababayaan, Asher. This is a safe space for you to experiment and learn."

"Thank you, Shea."

"You're very much welcome," masayang sagot nito. "Anyway, nasaan na nga pala si Yap? Akala ko sasamahan ka niya today?"

I sighed in annoyance. "I'm not really sure since hindi siya sumasagot sa text messages ko." That shithead still hasn't replied to me. Nasaan na ba 'yun? Don't tell me, na-corner na naman siya ni Stella... ugh. Wala nang pag-asa na mag-show up siya if that's the case.

I opened my eyes, just in time to see her give me a sad smile. "I'm sure he will show up."

It's as if we have summoned him, Yap suddenly showed up at my dressing room's door. He's holding boxes of pizzas and donuts and everyone almost immediately helped him carry them to the closest table.