"Laurraine! What are you doing in the bathroom? It's already been ten minutes! If it's not coming out, then just try again later!"
"I know, Emelia, just two more minutes!"
"You have work today! And I have to take a shit!"
I opened the bathroom door, pants halfway down my ass, and stared into my roommate's golden eyes. Her pale hands were pressed in fists against her hips, the skin on her knuckles turning white from the contact. I leaned against the doorframe, pushing my nonexistent hair back behind my shoulder. Emilia stared in disgust at my action.
"You come here often?" I asked, trying to lighten the tension.
"Laurraine Yao, if you don't get out of my way, the wall is getting a fresh coat of red paint."
I plastered on an awkward smile and stepped aside. Before closing the door, she looked me up and down. I followed her, trying to determine what she was analyzing.
"Pull your pants up. What are you, a dude?"
Emilia slammed the door in my face. I quickly pulled my green joggers to my waist and cinched the waistband strings, tying them neatly into a bow. I stomped with an annoyed huff.
"I'm not a boy! I just look like one!" I yelled back in anger, galumphing back to my side of the room.
It was true; I did look ridiculously masculine for a girl in her early twenties. My hair was a light brown color, silver highlights lining my fringe. It was styled like an Asian male model, short and chic, but I guess that was fitting considering my nationality. My bangs did of course come down past my nose like a little emo child, but that was more feminine than the rest of me.
I stared at myself in my mirror, my baggy NYC t and joggers turning me off. In my line of work, I had to be more stylish. I had to make sure I made a good impression on people. No, I wasn't a model or making some big money at a huge company. I was actually a--
Bring~
R u still coming for the photo shoot?
I looked at the text glowing menacingly on my screen. The profile picture of the sender radiated chills down my spine, and not the good kind, like the ones you get from horror movies kind. She was the very essence of evil, almost as if she had crawled straight out of Hell, or worse, a frilly, girly tea party gone wrong. In my line of work, it was typical of me to deal with this sort of people. Money was more important than comfortable job conditions.
In order to stay on my diva client's good side, I reluctantly shot back a text:
Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. ;)
You must be wondering how I could send such a graceful line like that, and with a winky-face, to the bane of my existence. Years and YEARS of practice.
I set down my phone onto my pink and white bed sheets, the glittery cat case fitting right into the atmosphere.
"Oh god, what am I going to wear?"
Almost as if Fate had answered for me, my phone made a cute Bring~ once more. I checked the text and my face dropped. Why was I so misfortunate?
I sluggishly went over to the bathroom door, Emilia still locked inside. I beat on the wooden surface, expecting a screech, but it was one of the most manly screams I had ever heard next to mine. I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"You really must be taking a shit. That's the only time you sound so manly."
"Oh, that's real nice. But I'm actually not on the toilet at the moment."
"Then what are you doing?"
"Just putting on makeup, why?"
I cleared my throat, shuffling my feet a little. The door before me swung open, the purple haired girl leaning against the doorframe with a toothbrush in her mouth. She took it out and pointed at me with it.
"Precious?"
I nodded my head with a short "yeah" and my amazing roommate led me to her wardrobe. She threw jean shorts, a black crop top, and a tan jacket at me. I changed, feeling extremely uncomfortable in the feminine clothing. I took the jacket and whipped it over my shoulder, holding it as a male would. I felt Emelia slap my arm and I immediately dragged it off of my body.
"Don't let it hang like that! That was thirty dollars!" Emelia screeched, coddling the clothing as though it were human.
"Why spend so much for clothes when men's clothing is so much cheaper?"
"Maybe at Good Will, but at like Hollister or something it's expensive. Anyway, you wear this like so and you're good, but maybe it's too much skin showing?"
"Please, I would go outside half naked if it wasn't socially frowned upon."
"You'd be able to get away with it anyway."
"Because I'm sneaky?" I asked as I was led to the bathroom for makeup.
"No. You barely have a chest, so no one would really know the difference."
I shrugged, feeling my face being applied. "You right."
"There! My masterpiece!"
I looked into the mirror and examined my face.
"It'll do for the war," I replied, then left for the door.
Emelia ran after me, a pair of stilettos in her hand. I quickly dove for my sneakers, but the purple-nette's reaction time was inhuman. In the end, I ended up stumbling out of the apartment in six inch heels. Yay me.
Meow meow~
Meow meow~
I answered the call, touching my earpiece to safely speak and drive in the traffic.
"You were supposed to be here five minutes ago. Do you know how busy I am? You're lucky you are so good at your job, she-male, because if you weren't you'd be unemployed!"
"Yes, Precious. If it wasn't for you, I would be out on the street. I don't know how I could thank you for your merciful kindness," I replied, sugar coating every word.
"At least you know it. How long do you think this shoot will go anyway?"
"Depends on how many photos you want. Where is the photoshoot taking place? Outside? Inside? Both?"
"I was thinking we could do a cute autumn photoshoot for my account this time. How much is it to go on your account again?"
"Two dollars extra per photo. Why?"
"I'm hoping to get the attention of some modeling agencies that are scouting Instagram photographer accounts in several days. If they go on your account, which I know they will, they will see my pictures and recruit me."
"Good. That means more money for me."
I turned into the driveway of a large mansion and up to the front gates. I buzzed the greeter, a fat security officer in bright pink clothing, and startled him awake. Upon seeing me, his face lit up with a smile. I waved out the window with the same, yet sad expression.
"Hey, Frank. How's the family?"
"They're good. Recently, little Emily has had a slight fever. Mommy's watching her at home so I have to work extra hours."
"Frank, call me if you ever need anything, alright? Don't work too hard or Emily won't be the only one sick."
"Will do. Good luck."
"Thanks. I'll need it today."
He opened the gate and I slowly drove through.
"You look very nice today," he said as I drove by.
"Thanks. I wish I could say the same to you, but the suit. Just, I'm so sorry. How long is your shift?"
"Five more hours."
"You can do it. I believe in you."
I parked past the marble fountain and emerged from the black vehicle. A screech from behind startled me, making me jump out of my skin. A dark skinned woman engulfed me in a tight hug as soon as I had turned. Her sickeningly pink clothing revolted me. Her pigtails did the same, but even more so. I don't think anyone could've been more disgusted than me in that moment. The worst part was that she wanted to take an autumn photoshoot and she was wearing horrifyingly pink clothing!
"Um, Precious? I thought you wanted to do an autumn photoshoot?"
She let go of me, that terrifying look in her eyes. "It is an autumn photoshoot. What of it?"
"I don't think pink is super autumn-y."
"Your opinion doesn't matter here. Just tell me how to pose and you'll get paid," she snapped, her hand waving me off as she walked toward the back of the building.
The leaves were a bright gold and red, accenting the trees that lined the set. Precious sat right in the middle, almost ruining the picture. Wait, did I say "almost?" I meant COMPLETELY RUINING the picture! Regardless, I instructed her the ways to pose and she did most of what she was told, although completely incorrectly. My college education and bills relied on my endurance. No matter what, it would all turn out in the end.
"I think that's enough pictures. I'll post them, then send them to you to use on your profile."
"That sounds good. That'll be $150 for thirty photos, plus $60 if you send all of them to me. I'm assuming you will this time as well?" I asked, writing down the expenses down in my notebook.
"That is correct, my dear."
"Thanks, and don't call me that. I'll expect the money by tonight. I'll see you," I said, turning and trotting closer to my car.
"Wait!"
I groaned, defeated. I hated this little habit of Precious', that whenever I came over for a photoshoot she'd want to take a photo with the two of us to post as well. Every. Single. Time. It got annoying after a while, seeing as I'm over there every day!
"Actually, I'm not feeling well. It would be bad if I were to get you sick so you wouldn't be able to model." Yes, I tried to lie my way out of it. But if you'd ever met this girl, you would do the same thing.
"That's fine. Doing a sick shoot would be fun."
This spoiled little--
"Plus I'll pay fifteen dollars extra."
--ANGEL!
"You drive a hard bargain, kid. Get over here," I said, pulling the teenager up close to the camera. She took the shot and I pat her on the head. "I'll expect that by tonight as well. The entire thing comes out to be $225. Pleasure doing business with you."
"Tomorrow at 10:00 am, meet here," she handed me a slip of paper. "And dress like you usually do."
"Alright, but why?"
"I wanna make some people jealous. You're generally good looking from a male and female perspective, so you'd work."
"Just one photo, though."
"I'll pay a hundred dollars a photo if they're really good."
I didn't like the smirk on her face. It bothered me, so I had to warn her.
"Precious, no kissing, bed scenes, or anything. I'm the photographer, and our contract says that I can disagree with anything you say or do and easily get my money's worth."
"Come on. Our contract may end tomorrow night after the photos are up, so can't you humor me just this once? I'll look better too. I'm having a professional stylist come in."
My heart skipped a beat, then dropped instantly. It would be amazing to never see this kid again, but then again she was my highest paying customer. She was easy to please and easy to manipulate. The contract won't end that easily, I thought to myself.
"Fine, but keep your lips to yourself."
"Yay!" She exclaimed, and I ran to my car.
I looked at my phone, the time already 3:00 in the afternoon. I couldn't be late to my classes! I kicked my engine into overdrive and sped down the road. As I parked, taking up two spots, I grabbed my kitten bag and ran into the classroom. There was no one in the desks, nor was there a teacher. I checked my phone, only to see that I had gotten back within fifteen minutes. The class started at four, so I had a whole forty-five minutes to myself.
Bring~
Here's the photos. Can't wait for tomorrow! ❤️
I cringed, looking over the pictures. The beautiful background was completely washed out and the eye was easily distracted to the awful lollipop dress Precious had on. I was insulted to post any of these to my account. The only option was to post them to the fake one, the only account she knew about.
"There. Out of sight and out of mind," I decided, posting them all to my fake account and deleting them from my camera roll. I was so evil. She also thought she was my only client since she was the only model on that entire page. I chuckled at my sins, knowing one day I would be kissing the feet of Satan. At least I would die rich.
Ding dong~
By the time my classes were over, it was around ten o'clock at night. Emelia only had morning classes, so it was a definite probability that she was home. I took my key and unlocked the apartment door. Seeing as the door was locked, two things could've been happening. One, she was out, or two, she was with--
"Oh yes! Drill me harder, Damon!"
I sighed and walked in, throwing my keys on my bed. I walked up to the bathroom door. The shower was running and there were definitely two people inside. I wrapped on the door and waited for silence.
"Hey, I know you two are into some kinky shower shit, but could you please be a little quieter? I have to study!"
"Sorry, Ladybug!" Damon called from within, referring to the nickname I quite disliked.
They continued screaming, only to be out a few moments later as I was laying peacefully on my bed. They shuffled in in their towels, waiting patiently for their punishment. I gave a deep sigh, my arm resting over my eyes to block out the light of the room. I peeked at their standing forms.
"You two know the drill. Get the books," I stated, replacing my arm over my face.
So you're probably wondering what sick mind I have to force two people to get text books. That's not the only thing. When I was younger, I learned an interesting form of torture from my grandmother. She would perform it on me with bricks when I would come home late at night with a hickey-like bruise. I suddenly sat upright and hung my legs off the side of the bed. I stared at the kneeling youths with a crooked smile. I pushed the textbook down harder on Damon's upper legs, causing him to grunt.
"Hey! Keep those arms up!" I snapped, watching his form falter.
"Sis, I'm really sorry!" He pleaded.
"Don't you 'sis' me, mister. You're lucky I'm letting you date her."
I stood and made my way to Emelia. I smirked, her pain filled face amusing me.
"Does it hurt, Emelia?"
"Yes it does!" She exclaimed.
"Sis, let her go! This was my idea. I thought you wouldn't be home for another couple hours!"
"Was last night your idea too?" I asked, treading back over to him. "Doing it all night so that I couldn't sleep one wink! I went to my client's photo shoot looking like a zombie!" I recollected my composure and rested my foot on the book. "So, this is for last night and my cut paycheck." I let my full weight on the book and Damon screamed in agony. "Count," I ordered, as was customary.
"One!"
"Spanish!"
"Dos!"
"Korean!"
"Set!"
"Japanese!"
"Yon!"
"Finnish."
"What?"
"Wrong answer!"
"Viisi! Viisi!" Emelia cried. "You told us last night!"
"Good."
I relinquished the pressure and allowed them to remove the books from their laps. The two fell sideways on each other, their towels coming undone in the process. I quickly turned upon seeing my brother's manhood: something I never ever wanted to see.
"Go to Damon's place if you wanna do that from now on. I need my rest seeing as I'm the only one working in this household."
"Yes, ma'am. Right away," Damon panted, grabbing his clothing and heading to the bathroom.
Emelia threw on a nightgown, then sat next to me on the bed. Damon shuffled passed us with one last kiss to his girlfriend. We were left in silence for a moment.
"I'm really sorry, Laurraine. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable or anything. I just wanted to try something different, and he was having an episode. He needed relief-"
"So give him a quick blowjob. Don't have sex in my bathroom."
"Your bathroom? It's our bathroom, okay? I live here too."
I pulled my knees to my chest and held my head in my hands. "I know. It just doesn't feel like you're here for me anymore. We used to live together because we wanted to. Now it feels like you live with me as a place to dump your dirty laundry when you get home from class, and do dirty with Damon. I do your laundry, clean the entire house, plus juggle work and school on top of that."
I felt Emelia put a hand on my shoulder.
"I know, Lu, and I'm sorry about that. It must be really hard for you. How about this? I'll do the laundry from now on and clean the bathroom everyday. Okay?"
"Promise?"
"Promise. I'm going to bed. G'night!"
"Night."
YOU ARE READING
Photo Finish
Romance"Laurraine Yao, you silly girl, Love is the best thing in the world!" Yeah right. The most love got me was a kick in the ass and a low self esteem. Being the confident, career based she-male is more my thing. Besides, I have a brother and a roommate...
