A matter of feeling

Chapter 6: the wild boys

Yasmin was standing in the corner of the big room where the party occured, a glass of champagne in her right hand, considering everything that was happening all around her. Once more she didn't know much people, except Simon who, on the contrary, seemed to know everybody and was talking to a group of people. She was so happy to see him again. She was afraid he would be distant with her after what happened the last time they saw each other, but not at all, he was even nicer, if it was possible. During all the days they didn't see each other she thought again and again about the conversation she had with Cassie when she came back from the premiere, but it was hard to settle down on a decision without seing Simon, that's why she decided to let this story behind her and come back to it when she would meet him again. And now that they were together, the answer came to Yasmin like an evidence: she liked him. She still wasn't sure if it was love, but her syndroms were pretty close to that. She wanted to be with him all the time, to wake up every morning seing his big smile... she still thought it was weird thinking about this after meeting him only twice, but maybe it's what love at first sight was about. Anyway, she was completely lost, and she was even more when he turned back to her and she met his big blue eyes.
- Ready to meet the Duran boys? he asked.
- Yes, of course, she answered, and he held her arm again. However the room was extremely crowded and she lost him, finding herself in the middle of people she didn't even know. She started to panick when a woman and a man came to her.
- Excuse me, the woman said, have we already met?
- I don't think so... Yasmin answered, still looking for Simon all around her.
- I'm pretty sure I've seen your face before. Are you an actress?
- No, I'm... I'm a model. I appeared on a certain number of magazines, maybe it's where you saw me.
- Excuse me, what is your name? the man asked.
- It's Yasmin. Yasmin Parvaneh.
The woman and the man both looked at each other, slightly surprised.
- We heard about you, actually, the woman said. We work for ELLE France, nice to finally meet you, Yasmin.
- Oh! Okay! Nice to meet you too.
- Would you like to work with us someday? You have a pretty unusual look, I'm sure we can make great things with you.
Yasmin was so amazed that she almost forgot about Simon.
- Oh, thank you so much, it would be my pleasure to work with you.
- Maybe we could meet again in a more quiet place, like a cafe or something...
As the woman was talking, Yasmin suddenly percieved Simon at the door on the other side of the room, going out. Was he looking for her? Or maybe he forgot about her? She started to panick again.
- I'm sorry, she cut the woman, I'm on a bit of a rush right now, can I let you my number? You can call me later.
- Yes, of course.
Yasmin wrote down her number on a piece of paper and started to run towards Simon who was probably already outside. She pushed the door and she actually found him next to a beautiful sport car, talking to a young man, probably one of the Duran Duran members. She felt a bit intimidated so she kept her distance until Simon noticed her.
- Yasmin! Come and meet the guys.
Yasmin came closer, smiling to the blond young man who was talking to Simon.
- Hi, I'm Nick Rhodes, he said, shaking her hand.
- The controller, Simon added.
- So you are the famous Yasmin, another man said, joining them. Simon told us a lot about you.
- Really? Yasmin asked, amused.
- And this is John, Simon said. He always exaggerate everything.
- Just the facts, John said before addressing to Yasmin a very seductive smile.
Then she met Roger, and then Andy who kissed her hand before saying:
- Simon was right, you really are a beauty.
- Did you really say that? Yasmin asked Simon.
- No I didn't, he answered, red from head to toe. She was making him embarrassed and she hated that and thought it was cute at the same time.
Yasmin stayed outside for a while talking to the Duran boys while Simon was smoking a cigarette. When he finished, he waited for her to finish talking and asked her:
- Would you like to... come inside and dance?
She laughed nervously.
- I don't know how to dance, really.
- We danced the last time we met, remember?
- I was drunk. You can do anything when you're drunk. Now that I'm sober, I can assure you that I can't dance.
- Neither do I.
- Don't lie, I saw some of your music videos, it's so cute when you dance.
- It's ridiculous.
- Yes, maybe it is, but just a little bit.
- Then we'll be ridiculous together. Come on.
He took her hand and led her inside, where everybody was already dancing.
- I love that song! Simon screamed, trying to cover the music. It's Visage, such a great band.
- I met Steve Strange, the singer, a few times. He's lovely.
- I bet he's not as lovely as I am. 
- Nobody is as lovely as you are.
They both starting to dance, feeling really awkward, but soon the fun took over the embarrassment and they were jumping everywhere and laughing like two children.
- Do you really think that? Simon asked.
- Think what?
- That I'm lovely.
- I don't know, I don't want you to get too self confident.
They kept dancing for God knows how long, until a slow came on. Everyone around them were dancing close to each other, so Simon put his hands on Yasmin's hips and they started to move with the rhythm of the music. As the music was moving on, Yasmin could feel the tension between Simon and her getting more and more intense and it was almost too powerful for her, therefore she started to feel weird, almost anxious, however she tried to pretend it was okay. But it wasn't; her feelings were way too strong and she couldn't handle this anymore. She suddenly ran away from Simon, without crossing her eyes, because she knew she would have kissed him and she didn't want things to go too fast. She ran and ran through the people dancing to the door and went outside, noticing that the Duran boys were still sitting in the car. Nick was the first one to see her.
- Yasmin? Are you okay? he asked.
- I don't know... she answered, out of breath.
- Come and sit next to me.
She obeyed and came in the car. The attention of all the Duran boys was on her.
- What's wrong? John asked. Did Simon hurt you?
- What? No! Not at all. I just... No, you're all going to think I'm stupid or crazy.
- No we won't, I promise, Nick said.
The ton in his voice made Yasmin believe she could trust him.
- I have these... weird feelings. I've never felt them before and now I feel them for Simon, and it's too powerful, I don't know how to deal with them...
Nick and John looked at each other seriously but didn't say anything.
- You have to tell Simon, Andy said. He will be so glad.
- Why would he be glad? Yasmin asked.
- You should have seen him, Roger said. He wouldn't stop talking about you since he saw you in this portfolio...
- Okay guys that's enough, Nick intervened. Can you leave me alone with Yasmin for a while please?
The other boys were clearly unhappy about this but still obeyed and got off the car. Nick waited for them to go away and said to Yasmin:
- Andy is right. You should tell Simon that you love him, you'd make him the happiest man in the world.
- I do not love him.
- Oh, I think you do.
- You're the second person to tell me that.
- It can't be just a coincidence.
Yasmin stayed quiet for a while so Nick continued:
- What exactly do you feel for him?
- I don't know, I wouldn't be able to explain... but sometimes, when I see him, I just want to, you know... lick his face.
Nick burst out in laughter.
- Yes, you do like him, he assured her. Now go and get him to tell him. He's been waited for this for weeks. He's crazy about you, you know.
- I don't think so.
- What makes you say this?
- Well, you know, he's a pop star, he probably had tons of girls.
- No, actually. He was engaged to another girl before you and it was pretty serious.
- I know, Yasmin said, kind of annoyed. But don't make me believe he never cheated on her.
- To be honest, I don't know, but I don't think so. It's not his type.
- I don't know, Nick. And I'm not going to lie, I don't have much experience with boys, I'm kind of scared.
- You shouldn't. When two people truly love each other, things are just so simple, you can trust me.
- I told you, I don't love him.
- But you still want to lick his face.
- Yeah, she said, laughing.
- So go back inside and lick his face. I'm sure he will be very pleased.
- Are you sure?
- Absolutely. Go.
Yasmin hesitated a few seconds, then she smiled at Nick, jumped off the car and went back to the party.
Nevertheless, Simon remained impossible to find. She looked for him everywhere for maybe hours, asking every person she met if they had seen him, but nobody had. He was gone.