I pulled up to the gallery and told the man that was asking for payment or a ticket "I'm Connor with an o, not an e." And he let me in.
I began looking around, admiring the paintings. The gallery wasn't really the people that worked there's paintings, there were a few scattered around that were the workers', but the vast majority were replicated paintings of extraordinary works of art. I could spy a few of Hayley's works. She truly is a great artist.
I felt a light tap on my shoulder and I turned around. "Umm, hey, sorry. I just saw you from across the room and I noticed what an amazing modeling body you have—our magazine needs more male models, and we'd love more. Would you be willing to join?" A man with slick black hair and blue eyes asked.
I was taken back—I didn't really think about modeling as a real option. I mean, Hayley and I spoke about it, but it wasn't a real talk, I don't think. I accepted, though. I didn't want to be rude. "That's great," the man smiled and dug into his shirt pocket, "I'm Anthony Rodgers. Just contact us whenever you get the chance and we'll be sure to get you in one session to see how you like it." I took his card and nodded slowly.
He walked way, and Hayley walked up. "Who was that?" She asked in a teasing tone.
I rolled my eyes and looked at the card. "A job opportunity."
"Ooh~ what?" She asked.
"Modeling."
"You said you didn't want to do modeling."
"I didn't want to be rude."
"Sure~" she chuckled and began looking at her works. She stuffed her fists into the pockets in her dress. "I knew model managers were gonna be here. There's even models here today, there's tons of people here of different occupations." Hayley said, smiling as we began walking around. "I was trying to help you get a job."
I was taken by surprise. Knowing Hayley I should've at least expected this. "Hayley you didn't have to.." I sighed, pushing back my hair.
"But I did. You need to get out more and explore, Con. You can't be always trapped inside of your house or at Starbucks. You gotta get out there and meet people." She wore a grin with her words.
Since smiling is contagious, I smiled back and let out a sigh. "Alright, alright fine. I'll try it out." I replied and her smile somehow brightened.
"Great! C'mon you gotta meet more people than Anthony." She grabbed me by my hand and whisked me around the galley. I was surprised by her strength as she dragged me along.
I met many people: Camilla Jones, photographer; Jerome Reid, model; Jenna Stewart, well, I already knew her. Jenna is Hayley's girlfriend and she's kind of over protective of her. The only reason why she lets Hayley and me be friends is because she thinks I'm gay. I guess she's not wrong, being bisexual is still considered gay, right? I mean, I was called a homo all throughout high school and I think that's where Jenna picked it up from.
I excused myself to the bathroom to go wash my hands, because my hands got sticky from when I spilled a little champagne on my hands.
I walked into men's restroom and turned on the sink and began washing my hands. There was an other man in there. He had dark brown hair and coffee colored eyes. He has just finished his piss when I walked in, and I spotted him briefly.
He stood a sink away from me as we washed our hands. Once I finished, I grabbed a paper towel and began drying off my hands. "Hey-hey, has, um, Anthony talked to you yet?" He asked, looking at me as he began getting his own paper towels.
The sudden conversation struck me, but I replied, "Uh, yeah. I got his card. He seemed really nice." I commented.
A smile perked on his full lips. "Well, if you, uh, get the opportunity to do the modeling, then you'll get to work with me. I'm-I'm about to do a shoot with him." He told me, tossing away the paper towel.
I nodded and threw away mine as well. "What's your name?"
"Matthew Davis."
I smiled and nodded again, "Conner Brooks. If I swing by, I'll be sure to say 'hi' to you." I added before walking out of the bathroom. I hoped that the conversation wasn't as awkward as I imagined.
I walked back over to Hayley who was gushing over her boyfriend, who would gush back. She noticed I came back and smirked. "Why did it take you so long in the bathroom?"
I raised my eyebrow, "Umm, dunno. I met a guy in there who seemed pretty cool."
"Who?!" Her attention seemed to be drawn away from her boyfriend.
"Matthew Davis. He's a model."
"He's probably really hot then."
I simply rolled my eyes. "I wish you thought I was straight."
She giggled. "I would've found out you weren't eventually."
"You assume I like everybody now." I let out a loud, over-exaggerated groan.
"Anyone who meets your standards, yes."
"That guy could be an asshole."
"Then I'll beat the bloody Christ outta him."
"Fine, whatever."
"It's a date!"
"I didn't say we were going on a date!"
"You are now."
"Hayley!"
"Im joking, I'm joking.. Baby, go tell Anthony he can start the photo shoot." The last part she whisper/said to Jenna and she obliged. She ran off to get Anthony and we continued.
"Im sure you won't see much more of Matthew anyways. He's probably straight, has a girlfriend, and he's a model so he's gotta travel a lot."
She wasn't wrong; models are always traveling. Matthew could be here this morning but in Wisconsin the next. "I never said I wanted to date him. He's not my type."
"What even is your type?"
"Man, I don't really know.."
>>>
It was nearly time for everyone to go, so Hayley and her coworkers began wrapping everything up. They began limiting the space room by room so that soon everyone would be in the lobby. I spied Anthony with Matthew at his side and a blonde girl all over him.
Hayley stood in front of everyone with a microphone and began speaking, "Thank you all for coming this afternoon! It was such a pleasure to celebrate our grand opening with so many great people and companies. In around 30 minutes we'll have to close for the day, but you're welcome to come back at any time during any day 11 o'clock in the morning to 6 o'clock in the afternoon, and other times will be posted on our website. Once again, thank you all for coming, and the body guards will begin to escort everyone out. Have a nice evening, everyone, and we're not responsible if you get in a wreck!" At the end, everyone let out small fits of laughter.
The body guards did proceed to escort everyone out. I went out to my car and began getting out my keys. "Con-Conner!" I heard someone call for me. I turned my head around and saw Matthew. "He-hey. Here's my number of you ever need a job hookup or just wanna talk."
I was handed me a slip of paper with digits on them. I smiled and nodded. "Thanks, see ya." We said our goodbyes and he ran back off to his either girlfriend of wife.
I got in my car and began going home. Matthew Davis, a boy with milked coffee eyes and dark coffee hair that reeked of caffeine, of course. It wouldn't surprise me if his casual wear was coffee air fresheners and his house was painted of the many colors of coffee. It's not like I'm going to see him again, anyways. He's just a one-time guy you meet. Y'know, those people.
YOU ARE READING
No Plan B
Non-FictionConnor-a boy with no "Plan B"-meets someone who changes everything for him.