Chapter 17: Behind the Camera

‎I had to admit, the fake breasts she brought five years ago looked fantastic in that shirt. I was almost jealous of her. They looked better than mine.

‎Zach, meanwhile, was topless with a pair of leather pants covering his bottom half. He looked amazing. His hair was messy like he'd just had sex and he was debating with my mother whether or not he should use some some eye liner to make him look more dark and mysterious.

‎I was still firm with my decision to stay out of the photo shoot. Even though I wouldn't have to be naked, I didn't like the idea. People could recognize me; friends from school; old work colleagues; that bitch who stole my favourite hair clip in my swimming classes when I was a teen. The thought of any of them knowing - or worse, judging - what I did for a living made me die a little inside, despite me knowing in my heart it was nothing to be ashamed of. I was just too sensitive, I guessed.

‎My phone vibrated in my hand, signalling an incoming text, and I glance down at the screen, my attention no longer on the shoot. It was Julian again.

‎Ah...Remind me to do all the baking if I ever work up the courage to ask you out. My lips parted in shock before my lips curved slowly. He wanted to ask me out? Wow...

‎I trapped my bottom lip in my teeth as I typed my response.

‎Deal. You finding that courage any time soon?

‎I hesitated then pressed send before locking my phone and leaning my elbows on the counter in front of me, my eyes taking in my mother's poses as she practiced with a large, stand up mirror. I was on kitchen duty since I was neither model nor photographer which meant it was my job to keep their coffee topped up. "What'd you think?" Zach questioned to no one in particular, his attention on the small pocket sized mirror he held in one hand. A black eye liner sat in the other.

‎I tilted my head as I examine his eyes. One was framed in black while the other remained natural. "Go with the eye liner," I decided after a moment. "It matches your leather look." I gestured to his trousers.

‎Without looking at me, Zach started on his other eye. "Thanks, babe."

‎I curled my lips in reply even though he can't see it. My phone went off again and I quickly checked the message I'd received.

‎I'm working on it. Was his reply followed by a winking face.

‎Good. I'm looking forward to it. I replied with my own winking icon.

‎I bit my lip again, trying to hide my excitement. I didn't want my mum catching onto my texts; without a doubt she'd know I was talking to a guy. Then she'd question me until I gave up the goods.

‎A ping behind me sounded, reminding me that I'd been in the process of making another round of coffee. Slipping my phone into my pocket, I decided I better get the coffee-addicts their fix.

‎The photo shoot ended up being a success, not that I was expecting any different. Both of them could have been real models and it made me wonder why they didn't pursue a career in it. They honestly were naturals.

‎And oh my god, my mum - I was still laughing now - managed to get a date with the photographer. He had to be about ten years younger than her. Not that it stopped him, of course. Me and Zach couldn't help but give each other glances and giggle knowingly when it was mums turn to be photographed. The poor guy couldn't take his eyes off of her.

‎I hoped it would go well of course, but I doubt he'll end up being anything more than a fling. Mum just wasn't one to settle down. Not since my dad walked out when I was a baby and left her with a broken heart. I think she lost her faith in men after that.

‎Not that my experience with men was much better. My ex was an asshole who killed my confidence and then cheated on me with someone I had considered my best friend at the time. Pretty clichéd, I know.. But unlike my mum, I still had hope that a Prince charming would come along sweep me off my feet.

‎And just maybe, that Prince could be Julian.

‎Yes, okay, was still early days to be thinking like that but sometimes...you just know, you know? There was this feeling in my stomach; a fluttering; a certain warmth; a feeling of pure happiness, safety and understanding. I remembered having butterflies when I first met my ex and everything was exciting and new but this was different. I couldn't explain how - it just was.

‎"Sara, you've got a package down here!" Zach sing-songed up from downstairs, pulling me from my thoughts.

‎A package? What could it- Oh! Remembering that I ordered a new top online, I let out an excited squeal and quickly removed myself from the shower. I was done in there anyway.

‎"Coming!" I called down to Zach as I quickly dried myself off and pulled on my plain black bra and knickers. Using the towel to dry off my hair, I headed downstairs not caring about my state of undress. Zach wouldn't care either.