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Chapter 6

Chapter 6



Renee's POV



I couldn't sleep last night, so I got up way earlier than I needed to and got ready for the day. I put on something pretty, dabbed some makeup on my face, and practiced smiling and being bubbly. It wasn't all that hard, surprisingly.

I ate breakfast, got in the car, and went to the park, since I had about two more hours alone before I needed to go to work.

I wandered around the park and went to the garden where the nerdy college students and old people sat. No one was there now, so I took a seat smack-dab in the middle of the garden, right in front of the water fountain.

I played with my camera for a moment before taking a picture of the beautiful fountain. It was a lucky shot, in my opinion. With the sun rising behind it and the water glistening on the marble, it almost looked painted a shiny orange color. It was really pretty.

I found myself thinking about One Direction. I felt much more intimidated thinking about them then of Justin Bieber. There was five of them and only one of me. Would I be able to handle it?

Sure, I didn't like them as much as most girls on the planet. I'd only listened to about two of their songs, and, I'll admit, they were pretty good. Just not I'd-die-for-them good.

Maybe they're mean. I stiffened. Maybe their nice, boy band act was just... well, just an act.

No, that's crazy. Management wouldn't do such a thing, not even for money. I nearly face-palmed. Renee, you're an idiot. Just because you're a nice person doesn't mean the whole world were nice people too.

I checked the time and decided to get to work early. I was starting to stress myself out. I needed to be by other, positive people.

I returned to my car and drove to the studio. In the lobby, I paused. The front desk lady wasn't very positive, and nearly all of the offices were closed.

But not for long.

The doors opened behind me, and I turned around to see who it was. I smiled. It was Leo, and he looked surprised to see me. "Oh, hi, Renee," he said. "What are you doing here? You're early."

I glanced down at my feet sheepishly. "I'm kind of stressing out," I mumbled half-heartedly.

"What about?"

"My photo shoot with One Direction."

To my surprise, Leo laughed. He actually laughed. Indignant, I demanded, "What's so funny?"

"It's just One Direction, love," he said, and I felt my face heat up. I'd never heard him call anyone else "love" before. Maybe it was a sign. I forced myself to focus.

"It's just One Direction!" I exclaimed. "Are you crazy? They're the most popular boy band in the world! What if I mess up?"

"What would you mess up?" Leo asked with a knowing smirk. I faltered. "Um...." I hummed, trying to think of stuff I could mess up. Wait, what?

Leo laughed again at my expression. "You're so cute, Renee," he said, and I blushed again. "Just keep it cool, even if they piss you off, and get on with it. And so what if you mess up? Everybody makes mistakes."

I smiled again. "Thanks, Leo," I said shyly.

"Let's go to the cafeteria," he suggested. "I haven't had breakfast yet."

"Okay."

We headed down there silently, but I was too busy thinking to come up with a conversation topic. I hoped Leo was right. I really hoped that One Direction was decent and wouldn't give me a hard time. I should just stay calm and make friends with them, like I'd done with Justin Bieber.

"Hey, Renee," Leo said suddenly. I glanced up at him. "Can I ask you a question?" he asked me.

"Sure," I replied with a nod.

"Okay...." His voice faltered for a moment, but then he randomly blurted out, "Do you think Elise likes me?"

I stared at him. What kind of question was that? Of course she did! Every woman did! And I really wanted to tell him that.

But I felt a small twinge of some feeling in the pit of my stomach. I realized it was jealousy. I pushed the feeling away. It wasn't fair to Elise nor Leo.

I also didn't want to give Elise away, even if it was kind of obvious. I didn't want to embarrass her, plus we were best friends. Second to Lacy, that is. And best friends don't tell the other's secrets.

"I can't answer that," I said solemnly, looking straight ahead and not at his face. But out of the corner of my eye I could see him giving me a look of a mixture of frustration, confusion, and disappointment. "Why not?" he asked.

"Because that's for her to tell you, not me."

Leo didn't say anything for a while, so I decided to ask him a question. "Why?" I asked. "Do you like her?"

He looked surprised, then he blushed. I sucked in a breath. Oh my gosh, he looked so hot when he blushed.

"What? No!" he exclaimed. "I like her... but as a friend!"

"Then why would you ask?" I inquired, frowning. Leo was acting weird. I was totally unconvinced that he didn't like-like Elise. She was cute and awesome, after all.

"I guess I was just... making sure?" he replied. It came out like a question.

"Leo, every woman in this building like-likes you," I said matter-of-factly, then I clapped my hand over my mouth. Stupid Renee, why would you say that? Now he knew!

Leo laughed. "Does that include you and Elise?" he asked, smirking.

I felt my face turn crimson. "Nooo," I lied unconvincingly. "We just like you as a friend."

"Liar," he chuckled. "But that's okay."

I had no idea what he meant by that. I wanted to pester him, but I was too embarrassed to even look him in the eye, much less start a conversation about crushing on him. So I stayed silent.

That was so embarrassing. I thought my life was supposed to be about me, and nobody else! I had to keep that in mind. I couldn't crush on anyone. I couldn't fall in love with anyone. This was my life, and I wanted to live it my way.



*~*~*~*



Leo and I stayed in the cafeteria for the most part and talked about anything and everything. We avoided the topic of crushes on Leo, and thankfully he didn't seem to want to talk about that anyway.

I drank out of my cup of coffee. Leo checked the time on his watch, and his eyebrows raised. "You better get to Leeann's office, Renee," he said. "It's seven."

I nearly spewed coffee out of my mouth, and I started to cough loudly and harshly. I was supposed to be at Leeann's office at six-thirty!

Leo gave me a look of concern. "You okay?" he asked. I nodded, my eyes watering and throat sore. "I have to go," I rasped. "I'll meet you and Elise at the cover room after the shoot."

"Okay. Good luck; you'll need it."

"Thanks."

I flashed him a small, grateful smile before scrambling out of the cafeteria. I rushed up the steps, ignoring the elevator, and didn't bother knocking as I barged into Leeann's office. "Sorry I'm late!" I started to apologize. "I just got so caught up talking with--" I interrupted myself as I frowned at the person in front of me.

"Elise? What are you doing here?" I asked. "You're early."

She gave me an excited smile. "I'm just so happy for you!" she cried. "You get to photograph One Direction! OMG, I'm so jealous!" I gave her a half-smile and she hugged me tight. "I'll meet you in the cover room," she told me. "Make sure to get me some autographs!" I chuckled as she left the room.

I turned to Leeann, who had watched the whole scene. "Sorry I'm late," I began to apologize again. "It's just--"

"It's okay, Renee," Leeann said solemnly. "Just try to be more punctual in the future."

"Yes, Ms. Leeann," I said quickly, relieved. "Which studio room number is One Direction showing up at?"

"Studio 12. Like I said yesterday, be on your best behavior."

I nodded once before leaving her office.

I power-walked down to Studio 12, which was near the front of the building. Since Leeann's office was around the middle of the building, it was a long walk, but I didn't mind.

When I walked inside, there was only about three other people there. One was setting up lights, another was getting out her makeup supplies, and the last disappeared into the dressing rooms. I was early.

I wandered around the studio and took pictures of my experience. I made sure not to use too much storage so I could still take pictures of the boys.

I wanted to capture everything of this building. I never wanted to forget this amazing job. It was probably temporary, but it was good while it lasted. Maybe I could always work here. It was good pay, and I was a pretty good photographer. What could make me leave? Or, God forbid, get fired?

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted something that caught my interest. It looked like a massive light/fan, and I turned around to get a better look at it. Curiosity got the best of me, and I ventured closer to it.

It really did look like a massive light with a fan inside. Maybe it was both? I squinted my eyes near the inside of it, trying to see it better in the shady studio.

I took a step back and I realized it must be under repair. There were little screws and wires surrounding it, and a tool box sat to the right of it. I walked around it, and in the back I noticed an open box-kind-of thing. There were wires poking out there, too, and I reached inside and curved a long one to another. I twisted them together. They had looked snapped, like they were once together but then broke off.

Looking back on it, that was really stupid of me. I could've gotten electrocuted, but since that didn't happen, I was punished another way.

Behind me, I heard voices. I turned around quickly, stepping back from the strange machine so I wouldn't get in trouble for being near it. But it was only a couple of boys messing around together. One of them had a mop of chocolate curls upon his head, and the other was wearing suspenders, oddly. I rolled my eyes and went back to the light/fan.

I came back around to the front of it, and leaned my head in close. I thought I could see the open box-thing on the other side. The glass was murky, so it was difficult to tell.

"Here, I'll prove it to you," a voice said, and I heard a small 'thwip!', like something was being flicked. "Stop!" I heard another person yell, but it was too late.

Suddenly, there was a bright white light being beamed into my face. Right into my wide-open eyes. I screamed in pain and shock. It burned! The light kept shining on for at least another five seconds, and I was unable to close my eyes. I teetered backward, clawing at my eyes, my mouth still screaming.

Then the light turned off. At least, it looked like it. It definitely didn't feel like it. My vision was hazy, and my eyes still burned. Black spots danced before my eyes, and I fell backwards, my legs like jelly. I heard feet stampeding towards me, but everything went black. I slipped into unconsciousness.