Edge of the Ravine

39

Chapter Thirty-Nine

      It never occurred to me that that moment could be one of the most—if not the most—life-changing experiences of my life. Adhering to Layla's request was to open the doors to a world I had once only stood without. But with her persistence and the encouragement of my friends, I took to the profession like a swan to a peaceful lake.

      My first sitting went much better than I expected. Layla had a gentle way of guiding my form and directing my stances. It was easy to work with her and, I confess, I was always a very malleable person. Perhaps the most pleasing of the photographs, however, were the ones where she would allow to do as I pleased while she secretly snapped photo after photo. In my very untarnished opinion, those were actually the best of them all. Layla agrees. As did Jace.

      It was she who convinced me that, if my first experience went well, why not earn a little more by posing again? Soon after, I was fully at the behest of my photographer. Between Tess, Jace, and Viv, I was quickly entered into the company of their modeling agency. Were it not for them, I was certain the agency wouldn't take such an obvious newcomer. But my friends were emphatic and the productions of Layla's work involving me could not be discriminated against. Thus was the beginning of a career.

      I couldn't hardly believe it when a year marker came since my entrance into my friends' lives and we were all three happily employed and often worked together. It became an even greater shock when mine and Layla's shoots rose to the attention of her own mentor. Having dismissed my need that first shoot, I was instantly boasted to how incredible he thought Layla's work was. A coup for both of us occurred immediately afterwards when I was welcomed into the photographer's usual array of models, and he didn't even shoot me himself and instead gave the honor to Layla. In so short time, our fates and our success were inexorably linked.

      Only shortly after I was thus tied to her, Layla informed me that her stay in London was only temporary. Soon, she and her mentor would return to their main studio in Paris. It took no pleading on her part for me to agree to travel with them. I had agreed to it before I even thought of my friends, so great was my attachment to my newest acquaintance.

      Viviane, it was easy to console. Of the three, though we really loved one another as siblings, she was the least concerned with my running off on my own. She even ruffled my hair playfully and remarked on my widely-used moniker 'Hummingbird' came to be.

      Tess was more than pleased when I was able to relay the news to her. She'd been longing to return to her home country and had only delayed because the work London had promised. With the subject of my traveling influencing her, she quickly offered to show me all that her beloved Paris had to offer. I couldn't have been happier to learn that at least one of my wondrous new friends was to join me.

      Then there was Jace.

      My strongest champion in all matters—even against my own nature—Jace was the hardest to face. It didn't strike me as ungrateful until after I'd made the arrangements with Layla not to include him in the decision making. Perhaps, however, my own instincts were the chief reason I acted first and thought of it later.

      That I held a long-standing crush on him for some time, I was incapable of denying. His charm and grace were captivating. Obviously beauty was something he did not lack. And he was always so clever and intelligent and witty. Is it any wonder that his constant support and graciousness towards me could lead to anything but a crush?

      Yet, in the depths of my soul, I knew that we were never to be. Jace was very much unlike myself in this regard. Where I had admitted to myself long ago my preference for men, I don't think the question had ever crossed Jace's mind. Therefore I was certain there was no hope between us.