Runway Love

Chapter Four

So Connor actually kept his word and called me last night. We spoke about pointless things, like coffee and cameras. But the important thing is that he called. We even decided to meet up at that exact Starbucks again. Hopefully, we'd be able to talk for hours instead of short moments, like the past two times we've ran into each other.

"Jaime, turn around." I heard Dana's voice from behind me. I did as she said, to find her with a man who I did not know. He's tall, but on the thin side. His brunette hair was spiked up a tiny bit, but for the most part laid flat. "This is George James. He's my newest assistant." Dana informed me. George stuck out his hand, gesturing for us to shake hands. It took me a moment to realize what he gesture meant. before I grabbed his hand and firmly shook it. "Sorry, George. She's a bit quirky." she whispered into his ear. It shouldn't even be qualified as a whisper, even the person at the printer a few feet away heard Dana and giggled. Come on, I'm not that quirky.

"Well, it's nice to finally meet the one and only Jaime Nebraska." he said, smiling at me. "You've been a big deal on the tabloids ever since your premiere a few nights ago." I smiled at his words, feeling like my fall has somehow turned me into a huge star. Sooner or later, I'd be getting asked to be in movies, or make my own album even though I don't even sing. My career is on the rise. 

"Why thank you, Mr. James." I thanked him. There was an awkward silence right after, we've all run out of things to say. He was a stranger to me, I really didn't know what else to say. Dana finally broke the silence with a fake cough, to get the attention.

"Well, George. We have things to do, people to see." she said. "Jaime, why don't you run along and do something. Don't you have a photoshoot to get to?" she reminded me. That's when it donned me that I had a photoshoot to get to. My dream of being in the Cavagnaro Catalog was coming to life. I didn't even say goodbye to Mr. James and Dana, I just started running to the elevator to get to the shoot. I quickly pressed the button to get to the lobby, and shut the doors before some other idiot could get on and slow me down. Once I was on my floor, I bolted out of that elevator and into my changing room before anyone could notice that I was late. A few minutes later, I came out wearing the clothing Dana had designed for her Spring/Summer line, and would be put into her catalog. This was definitely a dream come true. Readers wouldn't see my name, but would know me by my face. I'm truly the star in this situation.

"Miss. Nebraska, I'd like you to do this pose." the photographer said, demonstrating the pose he wanted me to imitate. I did as told, and he took a few pictures. I heard the clicking of the camera, he took about seven. He was about to tell me something else, but then the door opened.

"Hey, Trevor. I got you that film you needed." a familiar voice said. I looked up to see a very familiar face. One that I could put a name to.

"Connor?" I blurted out. Connor looked over at me, obviously shocked, maybe even embarrassed.

"Oh! Jaime, what are you doing here?" he asked, as if it wasn't obvious enough. Before I could reply kindly, Trevor cut in.

"What else, you idiot." he snapped. "Miss. Nebraska is in the middle of a photo shoot. Now go stand in the corner, do something useful." Connor didn't even say anything back. No sarcastic words, no scoffing. He just silently walked to the corner. I pitied Connor slightly. The poor kid acts so confident anywhere except with his boss. I think that's his boss, anyways. Well, I'm definitely asking him about this.

"Now, Miss. Nebraska. Get into that pastel blue romper, quickly!" Trevor rushed me.

"No." I heard Connor speak from his corner, where he was looking at the photographs on a computer screen. "Jaime looks better in pink." it's true, though. Pink has always complemented my skin tone. Trevor rolled his eyes.

"Fine, get into the pink dress." he gave into Connors advice. I smiled to myself, then ran off to the dressing room.

Two hours later, I was done with the shoot. Before Connor could escape from the probability of me hounding him with questions, I grabbed his hand. He turned around, an ebarassed look on his face.

"You're a photographer?" I asked him. 

"Barely." he replied. "It's my dream to be, but I'm only Trevor's assistant. I develope the photos, I do everything except take them."  he explained to me. That feeling of pity still stuck with me, no matter how much I tried to shake it off. Connor seems like the type of guy who hates to be pitied. I don't want to take any chances. 

"I can help you with that." I said. "Taking pictures, that is." 

Connor raised an eyebrow, confused on what I meant by 'I can help'. He's only seeing me as a rookie modle, but he's not seeing what being a model can do for him.

"Ugh, just grab your camera. I'll explain in a second." I commanded. Connor asked no questions, and grabbed his camera off the table. I stood in front of the scenery Trevor had set up, but didn't touch. "Now, take some pictures!" 

"Wait, what?" Connor exclaimed. "How is going to help me, Jaime?" his words made me think that explaining rocket science to him would be easier. 

"Submit them to the catalog, they could always choose yours over Trevors, right?" I said. "For all I know, you could be ten times better than him. So just tell me what to do." I finally broke through to him. I could literally see the light bulb go off above his head.

"Okay, I want you to lean against that tree." he began, his eyes scanning the scenery. "Put your hands into your pockets, and tilt your head back." I did as instructed, and he took a few pictures. Maybe eight, I wasn't paying attention to the sounds of the clicks. He would then tell me what to try on next. We were both careful to not choose anything out that Trevor had used. Roughly an hour later, we finished up "Alright, we're done here." he said, sighing as he sat down in a chair. I emerged out of the dressing room wearing a pair of faded blue jeans and light pink tank top. I took a seat next to Connor.

"You know what I feel like doing?" I asked, turning over to face him. Connor turned to face me as well, smiling at me.

"What?" he replied. I grabbed his hand, getting up and dragging him out of the room. He took his camera with him as I ran out of the room with him.

"I know the best place for you to take a picture." I said, as we boarded the elevator.

-

"Wow, this place." Connor said, taking in the scenery. "It's perfect." 

"It really is." I replied, agreeing with his statement. We're on a bridge, the one that overlooks the whole town and all the lights just look so picture perfect. "Take a few pictures." I said to him. Connor pulled out his camera, and took a few shots of the overlook. After the last click, I thought he was done. Then suddenly he put his arm around me shoulders, and pulled me in.

"Smile." he said. I smiled as he took the picture of us. He pulled up the picture and showed it to me. It was us, smiling with the lights behind us.

"I love it." I complemented.

"I do, too." he said. "We should head back I guess." Connor was about to turn around, but I took his hand again.

"Let's just stay here a few minutes." I walked us back to the rail, and leaned against it. Connor chuckled, leaning against the railing as well.