Leave It To Me

Chapter Three// Stall Talk & Night Shifts

By the time I had walked home, Reece and I had well over 200 text messages. It was currently 1:59 as I entered the apartment. "Mom! Are you here?" I yelled into the dark hallways.

"You made it!!!! I seen you! You were on TV! Three judges wanted you on the team!! And you cried!" My little brother rambled, hugging my waist.

He's 7 and a ball of energy. We get along really well. "Thanks kid! Where's mommy?" He pulled away and pointed to her room.

We both walked past our own rooms to reach hers. "Knock..." He told me. I widened my eyes. "No! You knock!!!" He looked at me like I was crazy.

Mom only closed her door when she was upset about something. And neither of us wanted to be the one to interrupt. "Mom... You up?" I called through the door.

It swiftly swung open and she stood there with tears streaming. "You made it..." She smiled. I hugged her and she squeezed me as close as I could possibly get to her. "Is everything ok, mama?" Justin asked her.

She nodded excitedly. "Everything's good, baby. I just can't believe your sisters so grown up. You go to college in a little over a month... And you just got chosen on The Voice. I am so proud of you."

She grabbed Justin's cheeks. "You too. You are such a good little one and I love you so much. And you are so good in school. Let's go celebrate!" She cheered. Me and Justin agreed.

We all left the house and began walking towards a little diner that was down on 7th street. It was our absolute favorite place to be.

It was old school. From the tiled floors, to the bright walls, tinted windows and shiny jukebox. It was amazing. We all took a booth and waited for the waitress. "I'm going to use the restroom." Mom said excusing herself.

We watched as she walked away, disappearing behind the corner. Justin was sitting beside me, on the inside of the booth, and I was across from a empty seat.

Well, what was an empty seat. "So we meet again." I look up from Justin and see Reece. "Oh, hi." I smile. Justin clears his throat. "Who are you?" He asks rudely.

"Justin!" I smack his arm jokingly, "Play nice. Justin this is Reece. Reece, this is my little brother Justin." They looked at each other and waved.

He returned his gaze back to me. "I never got to tell you congratulations. Pharrell is a big deal." He said, just above a whisper. "Do you have a table?" I asked, seeing my mom round the corner; nothing but confused. He nodded, "Good, let's go sit." I said standing.

"I can't just tear you away from your family like that." He spoke, I shook my head. "Just for a minute. I'll be right back, mom." We walked over to a table on the other side of the diner.

It was full of people that were just like him, gorgeous. I instantly felt nervous and out of my element. He grabbed my hand and led me to two empty seats. He let go of my hand and pulled out my chair.

"Thank you... So what about this... Thing?" I asked. "Your manager or whatever referred to it as a business meeting, but you called it a date." I said, not giving him a chance to answer. "Actually, you called it a date! I just didn't disagree." His hand found mine on top of the table.

His friends snickered and whispered, that only made me more uncomfortable. I pulled my hand away and smirked, a little embarrassed.

"Look, I think you are drop dead gorgeous. You're perfect. And I mean that. I want you to be my model." He said, casual as could be. I grew angry. "You want me to be your model?? Do I look like a piece of equipment??!"

He sat up, worriedly. "Oh no! I think you misunderstood. I'm saying, I'd like you to be my partner. Do photoshoots with me. Business partners." I was shocked.