Why Won't You Love Me | c.h.

Chapter One

       

She always had the hardest time when she looked into the mirror. She saw things that she had tried to change, but they never would. At one point, she thought she had gotten over her insecurities, but her thoughts on her body and the way she looked would always creep back into her head.

"If you don't hurry, you're going to be late!"

She glanced in the mirror one last time before grabbing her camera gear, purse, and cell phone. As she opened the door, she was face to face with the short blonde that was always yelling at her for being late.

"Jesus Jo, you literally have 10 minutes to make a 30-minute drive," Jo rolled her eyes, walking over to the fridge to grab a water for the road.

"I think I'll be okay. Everyone and everything in LA runs a little behind," Jo said, "Could you just text her and let her know that I will be a little late? I mean she is your friend, Emma."

"That doesn't matter! I told her that you are one of the best photographers here, so if you don't get your ass moving, you're going to make me look bad, too," Emma said as she gently ushered Jo to the front door of the apartment.

Jo was out the door when Emma yelled, "have a nice shoot!" and then slammed the door right after.

She made her way down to the parking garage that housed her 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was a sensible car, one that her parents had given her on her 16th birthday. Since it got her from point A to point B, Jo really didn't care about how expensive or how fast I went.

She threw her things into the car, not quite literally, since her camera equipment was the most expensive things she owned; she climbed into the driver's side and put the key into the ignition.

The 30-minute drive to Venice Beach was filled with Jo's road rage and her playlist that could barely be heard over her yelling. She parked in an almost full lot about half a mile from where she was meeting Emma's friend.

The sun danced on Jo's back, the California sun was unforgiving. She was surely going to be burnt to a crisp after this was all said and done.

She spotted the girl, Hannah, who was with a small entourage of people.

As she walked over, Jo grew more self-conscious. This Hannah was a tall and tanned brunette who seemed to have no flaws. Must be nice, Jo thought.

"Jo?" Hannah asked.

"Yes, hi," Jo waved, "You must be Hannah. It's so great to meet you."

Hannah's personality shined so spectacularly, Jo couldn't help, but think that it could be fake. "Oh my gosh, it's great to meet you! Emma has told me so much about you!" She shook Jo's hand and gave her the widest and whitest smile.

"So, did you have anything in mind that you wanted to do during the shoot?" Jo asked her as she set her camera bag down and started piecing together her camera.

"No not really. I kind of just wanted to capture a typical day in Venice. Maybe get some food, go down to the water, stuff like that," Hannah said as she typed away on her phone.

"Sounds great. Are you ready now, or do you need a few minutes?" Jo smiled at her. Jo thought it was a little rude that Hannah's friends or whoever they were, never introduced themselves, but they were glued to their phones.

"I'm ready!" And with that Jo spent the next three hours doing what she loved doing the most.

"Hannah already called me and told me that you were wonderful, and she wants to work with you again!" Emma shouted as Jo had barely walked through the door.