The Beautiful and the Psychotic

Chapter Nine

Note: Don't kill me. Please.

David looked into my eyes, and there was a moment of silence, just sitting there, so close.

"Did she give you contacts?"

"Um, no," I said as he leaned back to a normal stance. 

"Oh, just looked like it."

I stood there awkwardly. I had thought, for a moment... no. Never mind, I thought to myself. That wasn't happening.

We approached B122, which was the photography room as well as the evaluation room. The door was already open, and inside Bella was milling around talking to someone I'm pretty sure was Sophie and another girl I didn't recognize.

The other girl was facing us and noticed that we were there. She was tall and bony, with hazel-green eyes and long, long hair that was debatably dark blonde or light brown. 

Bella and Sophie both turned around at the same time. "Ah, Alexis is here," Sophie said. I noticed she had quite a high-pitched voice. "Alexis, this is Natasha. Natasha, Alexis."

Natasha waved. 

"Natasha came here the same day you did," Sophie said. "We picked you two, Layla and Xavier on the same run. Same place."

Huh. Natasha and Bella went past David and I, leaving us alone with Sophie. 

Sophie went into the closet and pulled out a weird costume that looked like it was made of seaweed. But maybe that was the point.

"Okay, so this may seem like a strange idea, but I've come up with stranger. So for this, we're going to pretend you're stranded on a deserted island. You go get changed into this while I fix the set. David, help me please."

I walked into the closet and put the flimsy outfit on.  It covered about as much skin as a bikini, and I felt so bare wearing it. I'd never been one of those girls who wore slutty clothes for attention. In fact, I hated wearing exposing clothes. I always felt like I'd be judged.

I tentatively walked outside in bare feet, shivering at the air which suddenly seemed so much colder.

David was setting up a little pool on the ground with a metal frame and tarp, positioning it so it would look like the sea in a photo. Sophie was fixing a projector for the background, snapping it on to show a beautiful island scene. Bella had come back from taking Natasha somewhere at this point. Turns out I'm not the only one who is clueless at finding their way around. I guess it's to be expected, seeing as this is only my second day.

"Oh, honey, you look beautiful. Just let me do your makeup," Bella said, pulling me over to a chair. David came over and started giggling to himself as Bella wiped foundation down my face.

"What?"

"Twinkle twinkle little whore...." he began.

"This is work, not Jersey Shore!" Bella joined in. Together they sung, "You're a slutty orange mess, please go find a longer dress!"

"Inside joke," Bella explained as David burst into laughter. "I can't remember how it started. It's okay, you're not a whore." She started running eyeshadow over my eyelids.

David stopped chuckling and poked my stomach. I tried to hit at him in revenge, but be backed away quickly, leaving Bella to complain about how I made her mess up.

I laughed. At least I had friends here.

Until Jamey walked in and grabbed David by the back of his neck. Bella dropped the lipstick and I stood up, surprised. But Jamey dragged David away without a word.