Autumn in Kensington

Envy and Outrunning

“Did you make this one too?” Veronica asked me. Myself, Veronica and Chrissie were in the art studio and I was putting finishing touches on a piece I had been working on.

 “That I did.” I answered her, sitting my tools aside and walking over to the sink to wash my hands.

 “Where are they? They should have been here fifteen minutes ago.” Chrissie said, a little bit of concern.

 “Relax, your boyfriend’s fine.” I said dryly.

 “He’s not my boyfriend!” Chrissie insisted, a bit mortified.

 “Yes, he is!!” Veronica and I said in near unison.

 “You are both crazy! We’re just….you know….just friends.” Chrissie said unconvincingly. Veronica and I gave her the best collective moan.

 “You were with him all day Saturday and all day Sunday. Here we are…it’s Monday, and you changed your work schedule around so you could meet him after class Wednesday, Thursday and come to the show on Friday. Don’t give me any of this ‘not my boyfriend’ stuff.” I lectured Chrissie.

 “He is not my boyfriend!” Chrissie insisted.

 “You tell us that again in another couple weeks.” Veronica told her looking at a watercolor of me in a ballet tutu. “Oooh this is you…oooh look at you. When was this done?”

 About six or seven months ago.  I painted it from a picture of me, which is kind of strange but that was the assignment.” I explained. The door of the studio was open and we could hear the door of the elevator open up; followed by the commotion afterward.

 “Hmm…they’re here.” I said wiping my hands off. “Come on, photography studio and the dark room are at the opposite end of the hall.” I turned the light off in the art studio and we headed to the elevator. I knew Roger would lead everyone to us. I could already hear Freddie going on and on about something.

 “It’s about time!” I said as our paths met in the hallway. Roger quickly kissed my cheek.

 “Sorry, we’re late. Freddie couldn’t decide what to wear.” John rolled his eyes.

 “What do you think Lydia? I did a fabulous job, didn’t I, love?” Freddie smiled all over and gave me a spin.

 “Uuhh…I’m not sure…about the fuzzy coat…you kinda’ look like a pimp! But hey…who am I to judge. Down this way come on.” I took Roger’s hand and led everyone down the hallway.

 “See! Freddie I told you the coat was ridiculous!” Brian said. “Hi Chrissie, have you three been waitin’ long? Freddie changed clothes four times.” Brian had stayed back to walk with Chrissie.

 “Well, Roger liked it!” Freddie argued. No one really answered him.

 “No, no. Not too long. How was your class tonight?” she asked Brian, He had a bag of books slung over his shoulder as they continued their conversation. The floor was fairly deserted tonight. My class had actually ended early and so I had this extra time to work in the studio for a while before Brian, Roger, Freddie and John’s arrival. “It’s down here on the left. Don’t be alarmed by all the lights. Sebastian will turn a lot of them out.” I said as we rounded the corner at the opposite end of the hall. There were two dark rooms, one inside the studio and one opposite the studio. Sebastian, was the photographer. The door was propped open and so, with Roger’s hand still in mine; I poked my head around the door. “Sebastian?” I called. A figure appeared from around the corner of the enclosed glass work area that was in the photography studio. There were lights, shades, cords, props and backdrops everywhere. He had the white backdrop pulled down at the time. It sat in the middle of the room.