No Such Thing

Chapter 7

Playlist:
24 Hours - Sky Ferreira
My Type - Saint Motel

I roll onto my side and reach for the warmth of the arms that were cradling me earlier. My hands fall to the mattress as they feel nothing but a cold pillowcase. I tear one eye open to see that the figure previously taking up most of my bed space was gone. Hmmph. I can't say I didn't expect it. Though after how polite he'd been all weekend I figured I'd at least get a fucking goodbye. Guy really is a dirtbag. Whatever. Back to reality. My head crashes back into my pillow as I let out a loud groan. I blindly grab my phone and swipe the screen to see it's much later than I realized. Shoot today. Dazed and Confused. Woo hoo.

A breeze encircles my legs that are happy to be free of my usual black Balmain jeans that I've traded in for a Commes Des Garçons striped t-shirt dress today. Linda Farrows are shading my eyes from the blazing sun and shading the world from my unfortunate dark circles. It's hotter than the Pirelli calendar shoot out and not even my iced coffee is helping. Thankfully the Dazed and Confused shoot location happens to be in a studio not too far from Mudspot, my favorite coffee shop. I wave at the receptionist as I make my way to the elevator. There's only one other guy in it and he happens to be wearing a shirt exactly matching my dress. We both take notice and exchange smiles. I can smell his cologne even from the significant space between us. Dolce & Gabbana. My expression turned sour instantly. Note to self: send Ryder Wells a thank you card for be a giant fuckface and ruining a perfectly good cologne for me. "Asshole." I didn't realize I said that out loud until I felt the awkward tension radiating off of elevator guy. Thank god we reached my floor before I could further embarrass myself.

"Have I ever told you you're my favorite next to Naomi." Jerome always knows just how to kiss my ass. This corset was squeezing the life out of me. I hurry off set to have wardrobe get this medieval torture device out of my sight. "You've only told me a thousand times, my love." "Don't listen to anyone who has shit to say about your attitude, honey. All the greats had some spice. We don't need bland bitches. I have enough bland to deal with when I have to shoot Georgia's wonky face." "Jerome! Oh my god!" We both double over into a fit of laughter, thank god wardrobe had already gotten me out of that corset it would've probably crushed my spleen. "I only tell the truth!" Changing back into my own clothes is a relief. Jerome kisses my head and leaves. I make my exit not long after and my phone starts ringing.

"Hello?" "I hope you don't have plans tonight." Ryder. How the hell did he get my number? "I do. What's it to you?" I certainly do not have plans, but he doesn't need to know that. "By plans I don't mean a date with your DVR and a pair of sweatpants. In case you weren't aware." "Caught me red-handed. Are we done talking now?" "I requested the option to bring a plus one to the CFDA Awards tonight and was wondering if you were interested." What.. He wants me to go out with him in public? At a huge event. Paparazzi and impressionable people everywhere. And he's inviting me? What the fuck... "I don't have anything to wear." Aka no I'm not going. "If this is about me leaving so suddenly this morning, I'm sorry. I totally forgot about the awards and I had to run and get a few things done beforehand." He didn't even say goodbye and now he's trying to make up excuses. Typical. "I don't care." "Ouch. You're quite hot and cold. Cuddling to harsh responses?" We were not cuddling. He held me hostage in my own bed in a fucking death grip. It's not my fault his arms are five times the size of mine. "I don't have anything to wear." "Okay robot. My friend Carmen can assist you with that, she happens to be a stylist. I can pick you up and we can meet up with her to get you something." It's like no matter what I throw at this guy it bounces off of him. He's so frustrating. Of course I wanna go to CFDA but not as his pet. No way. Not happening. "Fine." "Great. I'll be over in an hour, ice princess." He hangs up and once again I'm banging my head into the nearest wall. It happens to be the wall inside the elevator and the other occupants are staring at me slightly frightened. Yeah, I'm scared of me too.

*Ryder's POV*

"Put it on." "No!" "Just put the freaking dress on, Stella." "Put it on my dead body." She's so hard-headed. Would it kill her to not wear black for once? Carmen is off to the side giggling at us bickering at each other like a couple of tantrum throwing children fighting over a toy. This was the ninth dress Carmen and I picked out and it was by far the best. It was a silky pearl gown by Giorgio Armani, low-cut in the front, straps barely visible. I knew it was the perfect fit for her, if she wasn't so stubborn. "Please." She looked up at me and tore the dress out of my hands, storming into the dressing room. Success. "I admire a girl willing to fight your every word. Much better than the ones falling at your feet." Carmen was tall and slender. Her hair and skin both caramel, while her eyes were always sparkling hazel. She was married to a rich entrepreneur who was always out of the city, but was madly in love with her, so she never had to worry. "I wish I could disagree." The curtains parted and what I saw was nothing short of heaven itself. The pearly sheen of the dress glowed against her sun-kissed skin. Her chest was small, so the cut dipped down further than it would on a more busty woman, which made it even more appealing. "How does it look?" When she spoke I could only focus on how her collarbones stretched under the weight of her words, and how her hips swayed through the form-fitting material. Wow. "It was made for you. It's stunning." Carmen took the words right out of my mouth, then nudged me to snap me out of my trance. "Yeah it's uh, perfect. Just perfect." She started to blush but quickly covered her cheeks and I couldn't keep my eyes off of her. "I guess this is the one then. Got any shoes?" Carmen lights up with excitement and disappears to go searching. And then there were two. "You're not gonna try and paint it black, are you?" "I may like The Rolling Stones, but not enough to ruin a designer gown." She listens to The Rolling Stones... This woman is gonna be the end of me.