The Project

Chapter Six - So It Begins Saturday

I decide to set my alarm for 9:00am so I could get ready and still have enough time to get there.

After having a shower, I tie up my hair into a simple bun and throw on the most decent clothes I could find. I really need to go and buy some new things.

I check the time before heading off to Starbucks.

-

10:45

No sign of him

11:00

Still no one. Where is he?
I hope he shows, because if this is a prank by Adam, I won't be impressed.

Being socially awkward doesn't help this situation. People will have noticed I'm waiting for someone and when he doesn't turn up, I'm going to look like a right idiot.

I take out a little sketchbook I have in my bag and start to doodle.

"Have you always got a pencil in your hand?" Someone says and I look up to see Ben. Relief floods over me as I realise he hasn't stood me up and it wasn't a prank.

"No, just something to help pass the time" I say, smiling at him.

"Oh sorry I'm late, I kinda slept in and then had to rush around. I was going to message you but then realised I don't have your number" he says, handing me his phone.

"Smooth move" I laugh as I type my number, giving him his phone back.

"Thanks, I'll text you later, you know...ear...so you...have mine" he says, playing with the back of his hair. How can someone be so confident one minute and then like a shy school girl the next.

"Do you want another drink?" He says, jest using towards my nearly empty hot chocolate.

"Er yeah. Hot chocolate please" I smile

"I'll be right back" he says, as he turns around he lets out a sigh, as if he's been holding his breath the whole time. If he is so nervous about doing the project, why did he agree to be a model?

-

"So what will I have to do?" He asks, propping his head up with the palm of his hand, watching me intently as I try to explain.

"Well at some point we will need to do a photo shoot, so I have something to work with. I could get you out of a lesson or we could do it sometime after school"

"Skipping maths sounds great" he laughs.

"Ok then, saving you from equations is what I'll do" I say. He takes a drink of his hot chocolate.

"Thank you, I just hope I'm a good enough model for you" he says, looking down.

"Well I already know you'll be great. Besides, I have the best model out of the class" I look up from my drink to see him staring right back at me. He smiles and I can't help but smile back, it was so contagious, it could make anyone happy.

His phone rings, ruining the moment.

He takes it out of his pocket, looking at the screen. "It's my mam, I've gotta go. See you on Monday" he says, getting up and rushing out.

Ok that was weird.