reach for the clouds ✰ c.h

v. CUMULUS CONGESTUS

chapter five — cumulus congestus
from Latin meaning; piled-up heap or mass;
appear as a taller and wider cumulus cloud.

"Your ride ends here, Vi." Fran shouted over the music playing from my headphones, pointing at the big building where I work. I looked over at it and laughed, before turning back to her and leaning over to kiss her soft cheek.

"Bye, Del." I wrapped my arms around her. "Thanks for dropping me off."

"You know I don't mind. Have a good second day!" She yelled as I got out of the car. I flashed her a bright smile as I closed the door, turning around and walking towards the front doors. She beeped the horn, signaling another goodbye, before driving off.

Today, I finally had my first clients. I was grouped with Fran and some other guy for a photoshoot.

I walked next door to Fran's office, stopping as I saw her and a guy laughing with each other. I knocked lightly on her door, causing both of their heads to turn over to look at me.

Fran grinned at me and waved, summoning me to come in. I smiled at them both and stepped inside, closing the door behind me.

"Hey, Vi. This is Andy. He's going to be my co-photographer in the shoot today." Fran said, glancing back and forth between Andy and me as she spoke. I smiled and reached my hand out for a friendly handshake.

"Hi, Andy." I shook his hand gently. "I'm Viona." He smiled at me and nodded before we separated our hands.

"Nice to meet you." He smiled again. "Whenever you guys are ready, we could head to the shoot."

"Alright, let me just go grab my things," I told them. I exited Fran's office and strolled back to my own, grabbing my things and turning off the lights before shutting the door behind me and locking it.

We all agreed that Fran and Andy would be the photographers, I'd be the editor, and Andy would also be my co-editor. Since I was an editor, I didn't have to be at the shoot the whole time. So, while Fran and Andy were setting up and taking some photos, I would go buy us coffee.

Fran arrived at the site and kept her car keys in the ignition, giving me a strict look and telling me to be careful with her "baby." I stuck my tongue out at her as I got out of the car and walked over to the driver's side — and for Fran's sake, carefully, shutting the door once I got in.

I watched Andy and Fran walk towards the entrance of the building as I switched the car back into drive, backing out of the parking lot and making my way back to the busy LA streets.

Andy told me that they were going to be taking photos of four people, who were regular clients. Both him and Fran had already taken photos of them in previous photoshoots, thus becoming close to them, so I decided to be nice and buy the clients some coffee as well.

I called Fran to ask her to ask everyone what they wanted, but the phone rang a few times before going to voicemail, making me regret not asking her to text me the orders before I left.

I decided to drive to chocolatte coffeehouse, the cafe Calum and I found yesterday. I walked inside, immediately feeling the familiar warm air pulling me in. I spotted the booth where Calum and I sat, where a group of girls now were.

I smiled to myself, remembering yesterday's events. I've never done anything that risky in my life, let alone with a complete stranger. Something tells me I wouldn't have done it if it weren't for Calum, but I definitely don't regret it. Maybe we wouldn't have gotten to get to know each other as well as we did otherwise.

The person who was at the front of the ordering line walked over to the waiting line, making me realize that there were only three more people in front of me, and the first one was already ordering. I quickly checked my phone to see if Fran called me back. Instead, a text message notification lit up my screen. 'Hey, what's up? I can't call right now it's too loud,' it read.