I shook my head, about to shut the door when someone held it to a halt. My eyes were fixed on that familiar pair of Nike shoes. She was the only one that wore Nikes every single day. Victoria.

❦︎

~[VICTORIA]~  

I was puzzled.

Why Chris was sitting across me in the library without saying anything confused the heck out of me.

I shifted uncomfortably on the wooden chair, awkwardly tried to return his hard glare–which I was sure I was failing at by the way.

“Can I help you?” I finally asked. There’s only so much awkwardness a person could take.

“Yes.” His baritone voice was accompanied by an arched brow. “I need your help.”

One, is this how to ask for help?

Two, what does he need my help for?

“What for?”

“Have you modeled before?” he returned my question with his.

I frowned, my confusion increasing. “As in runway modeling?”

“No, just posing for pictures.”

Eyeing him warily, I replied, “No, why?”

“I need your help.”

“I’m sure you said that already.” I deadpanned, puckered my lips.

“I have a project for Photography and we need a model.” All this while, he maintained his blank expression; But did he just say,

“We?” My brows shot up my forehead. “You and who?”

“Me and my partners.”

“Who are your—”

“Would you help or not?” he asked and somehow his gaze got even harder. Again, I felt like he could see my soul with his light brown eyes that had flames in them.

“You’d have to ask nicely.” I crossed my hands and let my back relax on the chair. I knew I was testing my luck too much but after taking my time to think of the two times we had interacted (this one included), I’d realized that Chris was not scary. He was just… straight forward. But then again, he had only talked to me twice, so I could not be so sure.

“Come again?” he finally broke his stoicism and a surprised expression was now visible on his face.

“Ask nicely.” I repeated, trying to hide the fact that I was still a little bit scared of him... Okay, I was still very frightened. I mean, my conclusion about him was there but one could not be too careful.

He sighed, placed his hands over the table and clasped his fingers. “Please.”

I smiled triumphantly. “Say ‘Please I really need your help.’”

For a moment, he looked taken aback by my petty request but he still succumbed. “Please, I really…” exhale. “…need your help.”

“Okay, I’ll help.” I stretched my hand for a handshake and he reluctantly took it, muttering undecipherable words. But I could also tell that he was holding back a smile.

“I’ll come get you when school's over. We’re going to mine.”

And before I could begin to ask questions, he had already pulled out his hand and was walking away with smooth yet wide strides.

°°°°°

                                                               ~[JASON]~                           

“I asked her already.” Chris plopped down on his seat beside me. “And she said yes.”

“You really went ahead with this.” I glared at him.

“Yes.” He grinned and patted my shoulder like he did not know I was upset.

“I’m coming with her to yours today. I didn’t tell her that though.” He said the last part like it was supposed to make me feel better or something. “Cause she’ll definitely decline.”

I hissed, looking away to focus on any other thing but him.

“Cause you know…” he continued. “You stare at her like that cat from Cinderella.”

“Ha-ha, so funny.” My voice held absolutely no enthusiasm.

He snickered, turned my head by the chin and cocked his brow. “I thought sarcasm was my thing?”

“Well, it’s my thing too now. Deal with it.” I forced my chin out of his grip and turned away.

“Drama queen.” He chuckled, pushing my head slightly with two fingers.

°°°°°
                                          

Jude and Jemima were talking about Mars knows what in hushed tones, hurdled on the black couch in the corner of my room. Tired of trying to read their lips, I whipped out my phone to text Charles. He had stayed back at school, saying he had to wait for Victoria.

I was still very much against her being our model but I had no other choice. One reason being that I had no other friend that I could ask for the favour, Charles didn't like taking photos.  I would have made Jemima do it but Mr. Ben had clearly stated that nobody from Photography class was allowed to model.

Where are you? I texted Chris, running impatient already.

About five minutes passed before he replied,

Chill, we’re on our way already.

I flung my phone on my bed, careful not to do it too forcefully to avoid a broken screen and then I sank into the soft mattress. My gaze was focused on the white, Plaster of Paris ceiling, taking in the sculpted patterns of quadrangles on it.

“Jay!” the sudden weight landing beside me followed Jude’s voice. “We should play a game while we wait.”

I turned to look at him. As expected, he was smiling, even trying to hold back his excitement, which I was not even sure the cause of. He was really stoked about playing the game but that was none of my business because I said, “No.”

He pouted, pulling puppy eyes and batting his eyelids. “Please, Jay.”

Cute but, “No.”

“You’re such a killjoy.” He rested his weight on his elbows, sighed. “Do you even do anything fun?”

“Leave me alone, Jude.” I was really not ready for his useless questions.

“Okay, you’ll play tinko?”

I looked at him, just to be sure that he was actually the one that just spewed out such rubbish. But then again, when did he ever not spew rubbish?

“No.” I remained firm. “And please just keep shut.”

He was about to say something but the buzz of my phone cut him short. I picked it up and it unlocked once it recognized my face.

Come open the door. It was Chris.

He just wanted to annoy me. I was very sure that he knew the door was not locked but him being the annoying thing that he was, he just had to make me open the door.

I grudgingly rose from the bed, murmuring to Jude and Jemima that I was going to get the door for Chris.

“Sup, my man.” Chris patted my shoulder and sauntered in with a huge, black suitcase once I swung the door open. “I hope you ordered pizza.” he was now screaming from the kitchen.

I shook my head, about to shut the door when someone held it to a halt. My eyes were fixed on that familiar pair of Nike shoes. She was the only one that wore Nikes every single day. Victoria.

“Hi?” she waved wittily as she greeted/asked.

I gave her a once over, grimacing. “Just so you know, I did not approve of this.” And then I mentally face palmed, I sounded so petty.

“Of course.” She nodded. “But may I come in?... or we’re shooting outside?”

“Come in.” I drawled and side-stepped.

I closed the door and turned around to find her looking around with a smile etched on her lips.

“You have a nice home.” She complimented and even went ahead to smile at me.

“Okay.” I began to make my way toward my room. I believed that she was smart enough to take the initiative and follow me. And she was, I knew because I heard her footsteps behind me as I moved.

I left the door open as I walked into my room, stopped in my tracks when I saw Jude still laying on my bed but this time, he wore a smirk that was freaking me out. He legit reminded me of Choki, that possessed toy.

“What?” I inquired. His stupid smirk was beginning to get under my skin.

“Did you guys make out?” he pointed his chin behind me. and I looked back to see Victoria standing beside Chris who was also smiling. Did they just—

“Of course, they did!” Chris yelled.

“It is now obvious that you both are insane.” I could now feel heat rush to me cheeks. Don’t get me wrong, I was blushing out of embarrassment. “We are here for a project so we should do just that, please!”

“Look at him getting all defensive.” I heard Chris chuckle behind me. “But he’s right though. We should begin with this shit already.”

“Yeah! Let’s shoot the next Vogue cover!” Jude pumped his fist in the air as he yelled goofily. Meanwhile, all I wanted was to get it over with.

•
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A/N

Don't we all just love Jason?🙂

I was surprised to find out that you guys actually like him in the last chapter fah. 🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏾‍♀️🚶🏾‍♀️ Me, I want to punch him so bad rn. But he's still my baby or whatever 🙄.

Videl! (Vicky's and Fidel's ship name 😌) Whether you like it or not, I ship them. I don't know if it'll sail sha🙂. Jason lovers, don't be scared, iyeh? I promise to not be biased 😗.

Wild guess what's about to happen in the next chapter?

And to those of you waiting for romance, you'll still wait small, iyeh?... Just small.😗

Vote, else... 🔪🔪🙂. It'll shock you when I show up in your house 😶.

Share too, okay? 🥺

Until chapter 15,

Stay safe, I love you!😗♥️