Love In Play

Proximity

Why me? She asked herself, the universe.

If I ask, am I unworthy or ungracious? She threw her hands to her cheeks and tightly squeezed her eyes shut, hiding from herself and the world.

She somehow managed to convince herself to get up from the bed. She sat up and threw her feet down with a sudden vigor that left her reeling, her blood settled. She took a deep breath and thought to herself, No day but today. Carpe Diem! With those words, she stood up and with her hands raised and stretched out above her head, she peered out the window as if to see what the day had in store for her. Nothing but quiet sunshine. She smiled to herself and made her way to the kitchen. Grabbing herself a glass of water, she trudged her way into the living room and plopped herself on the couch. She picked up her phone.

5 texts.

She swiped to unlock her phone and checked what biddings she had in store for herself that day.

Mom: Make sure to finish the fruit I sent home with you. Mom: You need to eat more.
Mom: Stay healthy and beautiful!

Liz (Manager): Rise and Shine ladybird!
Liz (Manager): Sarah will be there at 9am to pick you up for the photoshoot.

Her heart stirred a bit - no message from him.

There were some days where she wondered what her life would've been like had she not taken this path.

What else could she be doing.

"Ok, I'll do it," he said nodding
to himself and the woman seated across from him.
He was slouch leaning on the back of the tiny uncomfortable chair, in a mixture of laziness, exhaustion, and young rebellion.

The lady slid over the set of documents, a thick stack of paper. "Sign and read," she looked at him like a mother disciplining her child. He had no choice. It was his manager and he was afterall still under contract. They owned him. Everything he was at the moment.

He was still tired from the night before, but he lived to do the most.

No rest for the wicked.

He haphazardly signed and dated his name wherever he saw a line. His assistant made his way in with Starbucks from down the street and passed him his usual. "Thank you. Thank you," he said. Coffee for the win, he thought to himself. The sugar and caffeine hit immediately and right on time.

He was going to Hong Kong in 24 hours.

"Thank you for your hard work! You were wonderful! These photos are fire," the editor chimed as she handed over a gift bag of freebies. "We'll see you soon. We'll send over the final images to the agency before tomorrow," she slightly bowed her head and walked away.

She was full of energy. The music and vibe of the shoot made her feel like she could conquer the world. She took a last sip of coffee.

"The car is here," Sarah pointed out. They made their way out to the street and jumped in.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the rear view mirror. Who is that?! She smiled to herself and thought how amazing makeup could be.

Bzzzzt.

She grabbed her phone from her pocket.