Next Door Lover

11.

Scarlett's POV
I watch the young girl sit on the couch in between Lizzie and I. She takes large gulps from her glass and places the glass on the coffee table nervously, I can tell by the shakes in her hand. My heart instantly contracts at her feelings of anxiety. I grab her hand and interlock my fingers in them, ignoring Lizzie's look. I gently stroke the back of her hand with my other hand and when she looks up into my eyes I can sense the thank you she wants to say a loud but won't.

"Scarlett has told us that your mom doesn't like you doing photography, so I was just thinking if she asks, we can say you work in literally any other department. The Row is a high end fashion brand with over 200 boutiques and not to mention we model clothes in a number of designer fashion shows. I can't see her having a problem with you getting a job for us, especially if she knows you're working in, let's say advertising." Ashley says.

I quickly look back to Katie who looks like she's thinking really hard.

"Talk to us Katie. We can help you think of options if you're questioning anything." I gently say to her.

She looks up at me and then glances around at the twins and Lizzie. "I-Im afraid my mom will find out." She says lowly and terrified. I've never seen her like this. She always comes off so confident and funny, even when she's in a serious conversation.

"Your mom really doesn't like you with a camera huh?" Lizzie asks hooking her arm around the other arm of Katie's.

"She doesn't like anything I do. She found my dark room earlier today." She pauses and closes her eyes like she's remembering. "She destroyed everything. I don't have much equipment left that's salvageable besides my camera. I'm not sure I'm qualified for something like this with just a camera." She says while playing with the ring on my thumb finger. She twists it around and slides it up and down a couple times.

"You actually don't need anything. Everything you use will be where you are. It's only a bonus if you bring your camera so you can practice what the photographer is doing while he does it."MK explains.

"Did you finish those prints?" I ask, curiously. I know she was so excited to get a project that big.

"All but one." She sighs and I see tears threaten to fall from her eyes. Oh now I really don't like her mother. "She destroyed the one for the school. I don't know what I'm going to do."

"What kind of print is it?" Ashley asks her

"C-type. 41 to be exact with a 16x20 enlargement." She says and MK and Ashley's eyes light up. I have not a clue what that means.

"You did that in your basement!?" Ashley gasps and Katie just nods her head. "You can use our studio. You can't print it there, you still have the sample or negative?" Mk asks and Katie perks up next to me and shakes her head frantically.

"Thank you! That would save my ass." Katie smiles making us all laugh a little.

"Will you work for us now?" Ashley asks Katie and she thinks for a second.

"I guess I have to now." Katie laughs. "But know if my mom finds out I'll be in deep shit." She warns. "Thank you for this opportunity."

"It's our pleasure. I'm looking forward  to seeing what you can do." mk answers for the both of the twins and Katie stands to hug them both. She hugs Lizzie next and then she sits down and hugs me last.

"Thank you" she whispers in my ear and pulls away with a smile.

"You'll have to come in sometime this week and meet with HR. Just to fill out some paperwork and banking information for your paychecks." mk says and Katie nods.