Thursday April 25th, 8.30am - a Starbucks somewhere in London...
I walked into Starbucks, I didn't even know how I made it in. I couldn't keep both eyes open at the same time, the last time I had a decent sleep was 72 hours ago. I went to sit on one of the comfy couches. My head was throbbing and my back killed me since the bed in the hotel I was staying in was too uncomfortable. It's been three days since I arrived in London, and I still had no idea what I would do.
What I did was I strolled the city all day, trying to get signed by a model agency. I didn't even know why I did this. It was just an instinct. I was constantly sleep-deprived, moody and had an aching back. But I put on a smiling face every day. You never know who you might run into, right?
On this early morning I walked into the same Starbucks I went to for the last three days and greeted James, the barista who always worked the early shift.
C: Hey James.
J: Morning beautiful. Still no luck?
C: Nope.
J: Don't worry. Things will work out. What are you having today? The usual?
C: Yes, please.
James then brought me my double shot of espresso and a caramel brownie. He leaned in and whispered in my ear.
J: Don't look, but on your left are One Direction. They came in here about an hour ago so it wouldn't be too crowded. Don't scare them away, I want the tip.
C: Okay...
I bit into the brownie and took a sip of my coffee. I pulled the laptop out and signed in to WiFi. I googled One Direction and saw the boys just finished the UK leg of their 2013 world tour. They had their next show in Paris in four days.
I made sure to never look up, not even when I realized the boys had noticed me and were probably wondering why I didn't go over to their table to ask for an autograph or a picture.
James on the other hand was enjoining this situation a bit too much.
J: So how's the modeling?
That was his plan? To engage me in a conversation about my modeling to get the boys' attention? Why was he doing it anyway? It's not like I told him I was a fan.
Sure I knew who they were and I knew their songs they played on the radio - all two of them.
But that was about it. I didn't need an autograph or for them to notice me. Not like that anyway. Though I made sure to dress cute, my outfit would be considered casual rather than spectacular.
C: It's tough. I never pictured London to be such a tough city. I mean I come from New York. People are ruthless over there, I imagined London to be a walk in the park. It's not.
I heard chuckles coming from my left, but didn't look up.
Okay, so it was easy to get their attention, but that didn't mean anything. They simply overheard our conversation.
J: I don't understand why you left New York in the first place? If I had a chance to live in New York I would be out the door in a matter of seconds.
C: Believe it or not the city is boring. I had to leave.
I took the last sip of my coffee and ordered a second one. James brought me my beverage and winked at me.
J: Eeek! It's working! They all turned around and looked at you. Now you need to give them something or else they'll get bored.
I furrowed my eyebrows. Since when was James my pimp?
C: Leave me alone, you daydreamer!
I chuckled and took a sip from my coffee. I almost chocked on it. That bastard forgot to pour in sugar. I looked at him and saw him smiling. He did this on purpose?!
How convenient that the sugar station was behind the boys' table.
You're gonna pay for this, James.
J: Over there.
With his eyes he motioned to the left.
I got up and started walking towards the boys' table. I looked up and saw the looks in their eyes. A mix of astonishment, anxiety and awe. I flashed my killer smile and brushed my hair off my face. I swayed my hips from side to side. I didn't do it on purpose, it's the way I walk. Just as I was about to reach behind them, one of them, Harry Styles to be exact, opened his mouth to say something but I beat him to it.
C: I was just aiming for the sugar.
My voice was low and husky. Mainly because I was still tired. A part of me, however, was enjoying flirting with them. I smiled again and turned around to leave. I really expected someone to whistle but of course that didn't happen. The only one who was heard was James.
J: Strut it baby! Yeah, shake that ass!
I had to laugh hard at that comment. It was the same comment I heard the first time I walked down a runway. My runway coach at that time was this eccentric diva named Bob. Bob always wanted me to shake my stuff. Ass, boobs, you name it. I really missed Bob. He would've have been proud of me today.
J: If I was running a model agency I'd totally sign you, darling. You're banging.
