Rising Stars

II - Curiosity & Expectations

"Music, once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit, and never dies."

- Edward Bulwer-Lytton

October 15, 2019

Seraphine— Sera and I shared a simple plastic chair as we sat back to back. To my left was a plain white wallpaper, and about five feet from us, standing on a tripod, was a camera surrounded by studio lights.

Behind the camera was Khada Jhin, one of the professors of photography at UCLA. The photography students and hobbyists always praised his work, saying that he was going to bring about a new era in photography, so when Professor Laurent told us that we would be working with him, Sera and I were more than excited. Overjoyed. Thrilled.

We stepped into the small studio expecting to be greeted with someone professional, friendly, and courteous. However, Jhin quickly shattered that notion. Wearing a ridiculous gold-trimmed white coat and purple-black tights, he frivolously, hastily ordered us around the studio.

First, Sera and I got our hair and makeup done.

Jhin pushed me down into the chair, while he courteously pulled out Sera's chair and guided her into the seat. We both sat in front of large, portrait-style windows lined with brilliant white lights.

"Now," he announced, his voice like smooth, warm butter. "My partner will do your hair and makeup while I prepare the shoot. Please, enjoy yourselves."

"Hair and makeup?" Sera asked.

"Yes, of course. This is a professional shoot after all." Jhin grinned maniacally. "Now, I must be off!" And he strutted away, humming a strange tune all the while.

A few moments later, a woman with shining purple eyes and deep violet hair entered the room. She wore a simple white t-shirt that was tucked into a pair of black jeans. But her gaze pierced through both me and Sera. "The name's Morgana, but you can both call me Morg. It's easier."

"Nice to meet you, Morg," Sera bubbled.

"Likewise."

Morgana clapped her hands together. "Well, I suppose we should get started, then? Jhin gave me the gist of what the EP concept was, but I think that hearing it from you two would clarify some things."

"Well," I began. "I concept is based around reminiscing, thinking back on the past. That includes thinking about the good times, the bad times, the really bad times."

During my explanation, Morgana worked on Sera first.

"But it's also about looking forward," I continued. "Taking those experiences in the past and becoming better through them."

"That's..." Morgana trailed off as she sprayed parts of Seraphine's hair with a water bottle. "Surprisingly wholesome." She ran her fingers through Sera's hair. "You have wonderful hair, dear."

Seraphine nodded. "Thank you. I take pride in my hair care."

"As all of us should." Morgana collected some of Sera's hair in her hand. "Is this really natural?"

"It is. Weird, I know. But Jaemin has gold eyes, so it's not too weird, I hope."

"Hey, my eyes are my best feature," I protested.

In an instant, Morgana was upon me. Her hands pressed into either side of my face. She clutched my cheeks and pulled me closer to her. I could feel her hot, warm breath, her lips barely touching mine.

"Your eyes..." She breathed. "They are your best feature." Her fingers caressed my cheeks, and she smiled slightly.

Shaking myself of my frozen state, I pushed Morgana off of me. "While I appreciate the praise, I'm not too interested in older women."