“Did you make this one too?” Veronica asked me. Myself, Veronica and Chrissie were in the art studio and I was putting finishing touches on a piece I had been working on.

 “That I did.” I answered her, sitting my tools aside and walking over to the sink to wash my hands.

 “Where are they? They should have been here fifteen minutes ago.” Chrissie said, a little bit of concern.

 “Relax, your boyfriend’s fine.” I said dryly.

 “He’s not my boyfriend!” Chrissie insisted, a bit mortified.

 “Yes, he is!!” Veronica and I said in near unison.

 “You are both crazy! We’re just….you know….just friends.” Chrissie said unconvincingly. Veronica and I gave her the best collective moan.

 “You were with him all day Saturday and all day Sunday. Here we are…it’s Monday, and you changed your work schedule around so you could meet him after class Wednesday, Thursday and come to the show on Friday. Don’t give me any of this ‘not my boyfriend’ stuff.” I lectured Chrissie.

 “He is not my boyfriend!” Chrissie insisted.

 “You tell us that again in another couple weeks.” Veronica told her looking at a watercolor of me in a ballet tutu. “Oooh this is you…oooh look at you. When was this done?”

 About six or seven months ago.  I painted it from a picture of me, which is kind of strange but that was the assignment.” I explained. The door of the studio was open and we could hear the door of the elevator open up; followed by the commotion afterward.

 “Hmm…they’re here.” I said wiping my hands off. “Come on, photography studio and the dark room are at the opposite end of the hall.” I turned the light off in the art studio and we headed to the elevator. I knew Roger would lead everyone to us. I could already hear Freddie going on and on about something.

 “It’s about time!” I said as our paths met in the hallway. Roger quickly kissed my cheek.

 “Sorry, we’re late. Freddie couldn’t decide what to wear.” John rolled his eyes.

 “What do you think Lydia? I did a fabulous job, didn’t I, love?” Freddie smiled all over and gave me a spin.

 “Uuhh…I’m not sure…about the fuzzy coat…you kinda’ look like a pimp! But hey…who am I to judge. Down this way come on.” I took Roger’s hand and led everyone down the hallway.

 “See! Freddie I told you the coat was ridiculous!” Brian said. “Hi Chrissie, have you three been waitin’ long? Freddie changed clothes four times.” Brian had stayed back to walk with Chrissie.

 “Well, Roger liked it!” Freddie argued. No one really answered him.

 “No, no. Not too long. How was your class tonight?” she asked Brian, He had a bag of books slung over his shoulder as they continued their conversation. The floor was fairly deserted tonight. My class had actually ended early and so I had this extra time to work in the studio for a while before Brian, Roger, Freddie and John’s arrival. “It’s down here on the left. Don’t be alarmed by all the lights. Sebastian will turn a lot of them out.” I said as we rounded the corner at the opposite end of the hall. There were two dark rooms, one inside the studio and one opposite the studio. Sebastian, was the photographer. The door was propped open and so, with Roger’s hand still in mine; I poked my head around the door. “Sebastian?” I called. A figure appeared from around the corner of the enclosed glass work area that was in the photography studio. There were lights, shades, cords, props and backdrops everywhere. He had the white backdrop pulled down at the time. It sat in the middle of the room.

 “Lydia?” I head my name. It sounded like he dropped whatever he was doing. “Lydia! Come here! Ciao, Lydia!” I let go of Roger for a moment.

 “Hello, Sebastian. Been a while.” I reached my arms out to him and hugged him.

 “Lydia…you are even more beautiful than the last I saw you. I hope you’ve been well.” He said holding on to my shoulders.

 “I have, thank you. Sebastian. This is my boyfriend, Roger. This is John, Brian and Freddie. And this is Veronica and Chrissie.”

 “Pleasure to meet you, darling!” Freddie immediately introduced himself. Sebastian proceeded to shake hands and introduce himself as a third year photography student. He had a fairly thick Italian accent that was sometimes slurred.

“Really? You’re Lydia’s boyfriend?” He examined Roger closely. Too closely for my comfort, in fact.

 “Yeah, I am.” Roger smiled all over. Sebastian laughed.

 “Let me say…Lydia’s always had exquisite taste. She never disappoints…and she still doesn’t...clearly as I can see.” Sebastian looked over at me with those dark Italian eyes. I fidgeted a little.

 “We’re just here to watch.” I said to Sebastian, referring to Chrissie, Veronica and myself and trying to quickly redirect him.

 “Excellent, excellent. Okay, well um…what exactly did the four of you wish to accomplish?” Sebastian directed his question to Freddie, John, Brian and Roger.

 “Um…well…we just need somethin’ to promote our band.” Freddie said.

 “So, Lydia said this is gonna’ go on something like a handout to hang up, yes?” Sebastian looked at me.

 “Yes, a flyer. We need somethin’ that will work as a promotional photo.” I told him.

 “Alright, let’s see here. Um… can the four of you just line up for me here.” Sebastian waved his hand around and I joined Chrissie and Veronica back beside the glass.

 “He is absolutely gorgeous.” Veronica whispered to me. It was true that Sebastian had that smoldering Italian thing going on, dark hair, dark eyes and very full of himself.  Sebastian was a very dreamy fellow to say the least. He was in thought as he looked Brian, Freddie, John and Roger over carefully. I could sense John and Brian were a little uncomfortable with Sebastian looking them up and down. Freddie soaked in the attention and Roger didn’t seem to mind.

 “Do you all have a certain look you’re wanting?” Sebastian asked.

 “We need to look like a band.” John said. Veronica shook her head and sighed.

 “Oooh, John…” she mumbled. “…’s a good thing I love him.” Chrissie and I laughed at her.

 “Did you want to wear that big coat?” Sebastian asked Freddie.

 “I don’t have to, love. You don’t think it’s fetching?” he questioned.

 “It’s fine for…anything else that’s not a photo.” Sebastian reluctantly told Freddie, pulling the fuzzy white coat off his shoulders. “So then, is this the way you all look when you perform?” Each of them shook their heads yes.

 “Okay…very well.” Sebastian nodded his head.

 “Why do you ask, darling? Do we not look good? Oh! Did you want us to take some of our clothes off? We don’t have a problem with bein’ a little naked.” Freddie asked and remarked. I planted my palm on my face and drug it down toward my chin.

 “It’s gonna’ be a long night.” I told Veronica. She laughed.

 “No, no…just keep fuzzy coat over there. Let me grab a couple props here. Ah, Lydia, This is gonna’ be great. You didn’t tell me I’d have such cooperation and willingness! He winked at me again. I didn’t acknowledge him. Sebastian hurried around to the back of the white backdrop and pulled over a high black stool and a black box. It was time for him to work what he knew best.  He closed the door to the studio to block out the florescent light of the hallway. Sebastian arranged the stool and the box where he wanted them.

 "Hmm...you're tallest, let's put you on this stool." He patted the stool for Brian to sit there. He thought for a moment. "No…no that’s wrong...no...you get on the stool." Sebastian took Roger by the arm and shooed Brian off. “Yes….yeeeess. Here we go. That’s more like it. You’re very pretty.” Sebastian said. "Now, let's put you behind Roger. There...just stand there for now, yes. Now, for you..." Sebastian paused. "...Freddie right? Come here...this side of the pretty one." Sebastian put Freddie where he wanted. Veronica and I couldn’t help but laugh softly.

 "You're very pretty, Roger." Freddie said, grinning all over and winking at him. The stupid look on Roger's face was delightful. "John, over here please. This side." Sebastian placed John where he wanted on the opposite side of Freddie.

 He wasn't shy about tugging on the four of them at all...this was how most photographers worked. Sebastian was most indeed, egotistical and self-absorbed...but he was a damn good photographer whose work had already been featured around campus several times. He had also done some freelance photography work for an underground magazine. His shots were always well done and well received. Sebastian walked over to the light panel and killed the lights in the studio with the exception of one bright light against the pale white backdrop. I could see Roger and Freddie squint. Sebastian began to move some shades and reflection panels around, framing them up how he liked them.

 He began to adjust Roger first. "Okay, blue eyes, I want you to slide forward slightly on this stool. Turn this way...like this. Square up to me. Good. Pull this hair forward….here...like this…yes." Sebastian moved his fingers through Roger's hair. He basically mussed it all over the place. Now, one foot here, the other here. Bring this arm to this knee....push this sleeve up. Okay, stay like that for a moment." Sebastian ordered and moved on to John. He moved quickly and didn’t give instructions twice. "Face me. Good. Pull this hair around. Move close, move close...almost against Roger here. There stay there. Freddie, move in this way. Turn slightly out...little more...there, yes.” He moved on to Brian next. “Come in close Brian, close...closer. There! There. Now, put your right foot on the box and lean. Lean forward...put your palms on the back of the stool. Keep leanin', keep leanin'...yes! All the way up against blue eyes." Sebastian seemed pleased. “That’s perfect Brian!”

 “Roger…my hands are pretty much almost under your arse…” he said softly to Roger. Roger laughed out loud at Brian.

 “Don’t worry, Bri.” He answered him.

 “Ah, Lydia…you’re fabulous as always. I can’t believe you brought these four to me.” Sebastian blew me a kiss but I didn’t acknowledge him.

 “Did he just blow Lydia a kiss?” Roger asked Brian.

 “He did.” Brian answered softly.

 “Who does he think he is!?” Roger’s voice was a bit high and squeaky as he asked Brian. It still wasn’t loud enough for Sebastian to hear.

 “Relax!” Brian poked his back.

 “No! He can’t just…be all...hunky…and…you know…whatever.” Roger rolled his eyes.

 “Oooh my god…” Freddie began.

 “What?” Roger asked quietly.

 “Roger.Meddows.Taylor. You’re…jealous!” Freddie was ecstatic. “Oh my god! Someone write this date down! Roger is jealous of another guy! Congratulations! You now know what it’s like to be you in a relationship!” Freddie brushed Roger’s shoulder.

 “Wha…what!? I’m not jealous!” he said almost a little too loudly. “He just…he acts all…Italian and…you know…all…stuff!” Roger said, rolling his eyes again.

 “Again. Relax, Roger. Hello in there!?” Brian knocked on Roger’s head.

 “I know, I know, I know…he just…he rubs me the wrong way.” Roger said.

 "Yeah, the ‘stay away from my girlfriend before I fuckin’ go off on you’ kind of way!” Freddie laughed.

 “Shut up! Just…just shut up!” Roger said through gritted teeth to Freddie.

 “I’m gonna’ run to the bathroom.” I told Veronica.

 “I’m comin’ with you.” She insisted. I began walking out of the studio, leaving Chrissie alone with this shoot. The first photograph had yet to be taken but I knew Chrissie would absorb all of this like a sponge. Even in the darkness, she still had that sparkle in her eye…the kind of sparkle that said ‘oh Brian, the way you look under all that light….oh Brian..’. The fluorescent light of the hallway infiltrated us both.

 “Alright…how do you know that photographer?” Veronica asked me the moment we were outside of the studio.

 “What do you mean, how do I know him?” I asked as we walked down the hall a bit.

 “Lydia, don’t play that game with me…” Veronica paused as I opened the bathroom door. I sighed.

 “I made out with him a couple times when I was high. It was like a year ago. I’ve never fucked him. I swear.” I answered her.

 “Oh my god! Him!? Lydia! Why….why didn’t you fuck him!?” Veronica was a bit surprised.

 “ I’d like to forget it. It was a mistake…I was high!” I said.

 “Lydia! That guy…is gorgeous. What do you mean it was a mistake!? You’ve fucked Roger when you were high for goodness sake!” Veronica said rather excitedly.

 “Yes! And that was absolutely NOT a mistake!"  I was passionate in my answer…maybe too passionate. “I hate the way Sebastian keeps lookin’ at me. It’s like…like he’s sayin’ ‘seriously? This is what you got?’ I hate him for that…I HATE him for that…but he’s the best photographer. I knew he’d do it right. I don’t want him short-changin’ any of them….not Freddie, not John…not Brian and…god, not Roger.” I said, a disgusted look on my face. Veronica was starin’ at me. It wasn’t like me to get disheveled…but I was.

 “Hey…hey…it’s okay, Lydia. It’s okay…” Veronica assured me. I leaned over on the sink. “You okay?” she asked me. I shook my head.

 “He just pisses me off….lookin’ at Roger like that…” I said, looking down at the sink. There was so much kindness in Veronica’s face. “Who the fuck does he think he is…”

 “Lydia…hey…it’s alright.” Veronica hugged me. I don’t know what had gotten me so worked up, honestly. I knew this photo shoot was going to be a success. Sebastian had good judgment and he was artistic. I didn’t want to divulge everything to Veronica. I think I was tryin’ to outrun my past so it didn’t interfere with my present. I sighed. “I didn’t really need to go to the bathroom. I just needed to get away.” I said. “C’mon…let’s get back in there. Crissie can’t handle it alone…yet.” I laughed. Veronica laughed with me, which made me relax a lot. That, and she knew I was tellin’ the truth.

 “Lydia…you don’t have to hide it…I know you wanna’ protect Roger. There’s nothin’ wrong with that. I think he would…he wants to be protected.” Veronica said sincerely. I smiled.

“C’mon, I want to see what other ideas Sebastian has. I can’t wait for us to pick out a picture and pass these things out.” I told Veronica.

 “I know…I’m lookin’ forward to it myself.” She smiled all over.

 “I know that Chrissie is too…but she would never admit that yet.” I winked at Veronica.

My apologies! I really really hate this chapter. It wasn't proofed properly and...I don't know...it's lacking mserably. I didn't drive the point home at all...next chaper will be better. Promise!