Photo Finish

Procastination

     "So why did you call me here at seven in the morning?" Yong asked behind his face mask and sunglasses. "And what's with the cat?"
     I held FeeFee tightly, as she was afraid of the breeze, and smiled. "This is FeeFee, my ma's cat." I held the Siamese kitten out to the model. "You're going to be posing with her."
     "You're lucky I love cats, or else I would've left already."
     "Great. I have your clothes out for you. I even have a matching face mask for you, but you'll have to take off your glasses."
     At this, he shuddered a bit. "I can't do that."
     "You did it yesterday."
     "Because I had colored contacts in. It still hid my identity."
     "We have those."
     He gave out a long sigh. "Okay, I'll use those. It's crazy that you've actually  thought of everything. Is this why you're a manager?"
     "I used to be a lot more than that, Mr. Lee, but yes. You could say that I've done this long enough to figure out models and their concerns."
     Dae took FeeFee from me and walked in through the glass doors. I followed closely behind him. Next to the quirky receptionist was someone from the props department I recognized. I motioned for the model to wait a moment and went up to her.
     "Hey, do you think you can prep one of the sets for me? Here's what I need," I asked politely.
     "Of course, but I have to leave right after it's prepped."
     "Thank you so much."
     I turned from my new helper and waved Dae through the door. The sets were dark and the equipment was put away. As we entered the dressing room, I saw Matte and Julian asleep on the couch together, Julian leaning his head on the taller man's shoulder, and Matte with his head bent back. I chuckled quietly, having never seen the elegant Matte White sleep so ugly, then went over. I gently tapped Matte on the chest.
     He woke up with a smile and stretched his free arm. "Hello, dear. How are you?"
     I hushed him and pointed to the manager on his shoulder. "I'm fine," I started in a whisper. "Are you ready for Dae's hair and makeup?"
     Matte nodded and slowly stood. I replaced his shoulder with my hand and sat in his place, holding Julian's head before placing it on my shoulder. He groaned quietly and shifted to my lap, still conked out. I smiled and pet his hair as a person would their cat.
     "How late did he stay up last night?" I asked the stylist as he tried to wake up his left arm.
     "He didn't sleep at all. The higher ups were making him work through the night. He's a multitasker too. He's the writer and your manager and creates your looks."
     "He made the clothes?"
     "No, but he did think them up with the costumes department."
     I looked down at the young man. He was only maybe a year or two younger than I was, but he was still doing so much. He reminded me of myself when I was his age. I had been a manager, a director, and a photographer. I still was. I knew exactly how he felt; the long days and sleepless nights.
     "He's only gotten an hour of sleep so far. Let's leave him until the shoot's over."
     "That sounds good," I replied, moving a rogue strand of hair out of his face.
     It took at least an hour for the entire look to be done. Dae turned to me, his hair parted voluminously to the side. His eyes sparkled with a new blue luster and the bottom half of his face was covered in a pretty, floral face mask. I had styled him in a black and white checkered button up, yellow and black checkered pants, and white and blue striped flats. Around his neck was a bright yellow, silk choker to top it all off. He cradled FeeFee like a child in his arms. I could tell he was smiling the more his eyes creased. I motioned to Matte to come to the couch.
     "Take Julian," I whispered. "This shouldn't take long."
     "Right," he murmured back.
     I lifted Julian's head and gave it to the stylist. I melted to the floor under his arms like I was playing limbo. As soon as I was out of the way, Matte replaced me on the couch with Julian's head on his lap. The whole process was like a mission impossible movie. All stealth.
     "Ready?" Dae asked.
     I nodded, sneaking out of the room with him. I quietly closed the door and lead the model to the set I had asked to be prepared. All the props were on the side. I sighed.
     "Looks like I'm moving things on and off myself today. Just like old times."
     I pulled the stone steps onto the green screen set. I motioned for Dae to sit on them as I set up the camera. I looked through the lens, then at the screen.
     "Okay, now bend one leg up on the first step and stretch the other out. Cradle FeeFee. Look down at her."
     Snap.
     "Now look at me."
     Snap.
     "Okay, next."
     I took the stairs off and brought a white mattress on.
     "Lay on your belly. Put FeeFee next to you. Put your arm out in front of you and lay on it, now pet her head with the other. Look at her."
     Snap.
     "Now look at me."
     Snap.
     "Next."
     I took the mattress off and told him to stand in the middle.
     "Hold FeeFee up to your mouth and pull down your mask. We'll give everyone a little teaser. I won't look."
     I turned.
     "Okay, ready," he said, and I looked in the camera.
     "Look at me. Hold FeeFee higher. FeeFee, over here kitty kitty!"
     Snap.
     "Put your mask back on and cradle her again. Look down at her and smile. Put a hand on her belly like you're giving her a belly a scratch. Good."
     Snap.
     "Done! Thank you so much!" I said, bowing instinctively.
     He reciprocated and handed me the cat. I was about to leave when I became curious.
     "Why did you want to wear a mask when you're already showing your eyes?"
     "It's my aesthetic, plus I have pimples," he replied, seeming a little embarrassed.
     I laughed a little and tapped him on the shoulder. "Don't we all. I'll see you later. I have to edit these and get to class. Thanks again!"
     "Any time."
     I set FeeFee on a bundle of fluffy blankets I had set in the passenger's seat and drove back to the apartment. Em was asleep still, snoring up a storm. I took the kitten inside with me and set her on my desk. I broke out my SD card and ingested the photos into the computer. As I sat in the wooden chair, the kitten jumped down and curled up on my lap. I gave her head a quick rub and began editing.
     It was an hour until class by the time I had finished. Emilia had woken up by then and made coffee. I sighed and printed out the pictures, as well as saving them to a presentation I had made the night before. I took them from the printer and slid them in a clear business folder for protection. Finally finished, I went to get up. FeeFee stretched on my lap and turned on her back. I felt my heart ache with cuteness and grabbed my phone, snapping a quick picture and posting it on Instagram. That was all I used it for, anymore. I didn't have any outside clients, so I used it for my everyday life. It was quite refreshing to break away from that stress.
     Meow Meow~
     Meow Meow~
     I looked at the contact info and froze.
     "Why is she calling me?"
     I answered it and cautiously put my device to my ear. From the other line, I heard an excited scream.
     "Laurraine? Oh my god, it's been years!"
     "Hi, Precious," I replied.
     "So hey, I have a question. Are your rates still the same?"
     "Yeah, why? Do you want to get your picture taken?" I asked, looking through Dae's photos.
     "Yes, but I need them really good. They're my wedding photos."
     I paused, then shouted. "Omg, you're getting married?"
     "Yes, to Charles. He ended up actually being the one."
     "So you're becoming a van Dubblerg?"
     "Precious van Dubblerg. Doesn't it have a nice ring to it?" She asked.
     I laughed, genuinely happy for her.
     "Yeah, it does. When do you want me over there?"
     "How early can you be here?"
     "What?"
     "Today. How early?"
     I turned to the clock. The time was eight o'clock. I smirked.
     "I can be there in fifteen minutes."
     "Great. I'm getting ready now."
     I hung up the phone and jumped up, FeeFee falling to the floor with a loud thud. I threw on a pink dress and black flats. Applying a quick bit of mascara and glitter and fixing my hair up into a bun, I got ready as quickly as I could. It took me exactly fifteen minutes to get there. I sped the entire way, to be completely honest.
     "Precious!" I called, getting my equipment from the back seat.
     I walked up to the Lanping house. The front gate was cleaner than it had ever been and the lawn was green and abundant. There were flowers lining the brick fence and cherry willows waved to me in greeting. I smiled, finding that with the lack of the head of the house came great beauty. I heard the doors creak open. In the doorway was Precious. Hanging off her shoulders was a mermaid style wedding dress. A white, lace veil swung gracefully in the breeze from her silky black hair. She descended gracefully down the stairs in her crystal heels and engulfed me in a big hug.
     "How have you been? I haven't seen you in so long? Are you still dating? You want something to drink? How are your classes?"
     "Precious, Precious. I'm not leaving right this second. You can ask one question at a time."
     "Oh, sorry," she said giggling. We separated and she held my shoulders. She was significantly taller than me in the heels. "How have you been?"
     "Good. I dumped my boyfriend. I'm an actress. I'm getting paid well."
     "Oh, honey. I'm so happy for you!" She exclaimed. "Come in, come in."
     She ushered me inside where Charles was waiting with a glass of champagne in his hand. He seemed to be talking to a reporter for some reason. Precious scuttled over and took his arm. The groom smiled down at her and kissed her forehead. She whispered something in his ear, causing him to look my way. I held up my bag a little and waved. Charles bid the news crew pardon and walked over to me.
     "Charles," I greeted, holding out my hand.
     "Please." He rolled his eyes with a smile and hugged me like an old friend.
     Precious clapped excitedly and took both of our arms.
     "Let's go, you two. Yao has somewhere to be," she urged, dragging us out onto the porch in the courtyard.
    The courtyard was a pretty tight square. Lining the outside of the mansion were beautiful dark red and pink daphne bushes. The smell was strong and pleasant, putting me at ease. In the center was another marble fountain reaching I presumed about eight feet high. Light lime hydrangeas with pink tipped petals circled the outer edge of the marmoreal. I needed a picture of them there.
     "Alright, ready to get started?" I asked the bride and groom.
     They smiled at each other and followed me down onto the neatly trimmed lawn. I led them to the fountain.
     "What I want you to do first is dip her. Yep, like that. Look down at her, smile. Precious, could you wrap your arms around his neck? Take the hand closest to me and bend it. Yep, now rest your hand against his neck. Perfect."
     Snap.
     "Okay, now you can stand straight." I backed up all the way to the brick siding of the house behind me. "Charles, rest your arms around her waist. Precious do the same around his neck. Now, you may kiss the bride!" I exclaimed.
     Snap.
     "One more?" I asked.
     They looked at each other, then at me and nodded. I smirked, thinking of other poses I could put them in. Coming across and idea, I jumped in excitement.
     "Charles, can you carry her?"
     Charles scoffed, full of himself. "Is that even a question?"
     He lifted her into his arms and she gripped his neck. The smiles on both of their faces were almost too beautiful to be real. I couldn't help but become prey to the euphoria. I looked through the viewfinder at the couple.
     Snap.
     "Precious, take your arm closest to me and fling it in the air like you're having a lot of fun. Yep. Look at the camera, guys. Perfect. Lovely."
     Snap.
     "Thank you so much, Yao."
     "No problem, Charles, it was my pleasure."
     "Do you have to go already?" Precious asked disappointedly.
     "Yeah, sorry. I have a really important project due in approximately half an hour," I replied, packing up my gear.
     "Good luck. I know you'll do great."
     "Oh yeah?" I asked with a smile. "How so?"
     "You're only the most amazing photographer I've ever had," Precious insisted. "Oh, that reminds me. Here."
     She handed me an envelope and took Charles' arm. I examined it closely, then looked on the back. It was completely blank, other than a very intricate heart drawn where the address to the receiver would be.
     "What's this?" I asked curiously.
     "It's an invitation," Charles started. "We want you to be one of Precious's bridesmaids at our wedding."
     "I would love too!"
     "Thank you so much, Yao!" Precious exclaimed, hugging me tightly.
     I squeezed back. "I'm so happy for you, Precious." Tears of joy came to my eyes. Precious noticed and wiped them away.
     "Oh, don't cry."
     "I can't wait!" With a calming exhale, I was back to normal. 
     With one last hug, I bid them goodbye and rushed to my car, grabbing a cupcake on the way out that was on a tray. I started my care and revved the engine. I took off. My presentation of photos was in twenty-five minutes, and it was a long drive. Speeding was not a good idea at this time of day. Not good.
     Twenty minutes left. I turned down an intersection, then through an alleyway.
     Ten minutes left. Somehow, I could see the college in sight.
     Five minutes. I rushed out of my car with my photos and laptop, dashing toward the front doors. I burst through and down the hall. My lecture hall was on the fifth floor and I only had seconds left before the lecture started.
     "I'm here!" I exclaimed, bursting through the door. No one was there.
     I stepped in and around the auditorium style seating to look up at the endless rows. They were all empty. Not one person was there. I looked at the stage where the professor would give his lectures. Not even his supplies were there. Hadn't come in at all.
     "Laurraine?"
     I whirled around, Peter walking in with his camera bag slung over his shoulder. I smiled, then pointed to the empty seats.
     "What's going on here?"
     "The professor's daughter was hospitalized this morning, so he had to go along. They couldn't find a replacement professor, so he canceled classes and gave us more time to work on the final project. Isn't that great?"
     I sighed, holding up my project. "Yep. Super-duper."
     "Don't tell me you already finished? How?"
     "Connections and no sleep. I did it all this morning."
     "How?"
     I yawned, dropping my arm to my side. "Connections. I'm working with this new model."
     "Can I see the photos? Maybe it'll spark some inspiration. I'm stumped."
     "Yeah, sure. Just don't steal my idea."
     "Of course not."
     He opened up the folder and flipped past the report I made about it. He stopped at the first photo with a gasp. Then the next and the last.
     "There's only three photos? Oh my god, you incorporated all of the prompts in one! That's so smart!"
     "I know right? I only had two hours to do it, so I thought up last night some clothing ideas."
     "Did Em make these? It looks like her handiwork."
     "Who else?" I asked with a chuckle.
     "Well, anyway, it's still early. Have you had breakfast?"
     "Does a cupcake count?"
     "Let's get you some food." Peter examined my face a moment. "And definitely some coffee."
     "That sounds nice."