Wynter

I sat in Lizabeth's director chair to type a few more replies to my email. After a few minutes of email replies and scrolling, the email from Lorie popped into my mailbox.

Open me!

The subject line read.

Ughh! I had forgotten about her homework assignment. She's been bugging me since March.

I took in a deep breath of air before clicking the subject line.

Hey Wynter, it's Lori.
Hope youre doing well. (YOU BETTER BE! You haven't had a session with me in FIVE MONTHS)

Anyways, your homework?
Ask him if he loves you.
Flat out. No chaser.
"Do you love me"

Get back to me ASAP.

Lori.

What? Why would Lori send me this?
Surely this couldn't be the assignment she was urging me to complete? Why in the world would I ask Nick?
What if he said no.
My heart couldn't take another blow.

——-

Photoshoot
Hours later

"Okay! That's it for today!
Thank you eveyone! Amazing work." Lizabeth announces. The warehouse erupts into a round of applause; everyone excited for a shoot gone well.

Nick smiled as Lizabeth walked over to him. She whispered something in his ear, nodding and pointing to another prop.
The people started to pack away some props.

"Wynter?"

"Yea?" I look up and see Lizabeth standing in front of my view. "What's up?"

She twirled her thumbs together before find them courage to speak.

"I have an idea for a concept design but I'm missing one thing."

"Okay, run it buy me." I closed my laptop, giving her my utmost attention.

"I really had three ideas.
1) Hot Santa
2) Sweater Santa. We've done the first two. But the last one...we'll..."

"Say it!" I smile impatiently.

"Mall Santa." She blurted.

My eyes narrowed as I tried to envision the concept. "Mall Santa?" I repeated again.

"Yes! So picture Nick as Santa."

"That's difficult to picture Lizabeth" I giggled. I knew she wouldn't catch the inside joke.

"Just try Wyn. Okay so we have Santa and we have another model, sitting in Santa's lap whispering eveything she wants for Christmas."

"Oh, that's actually a cute idea"

"There will be a basket of palettes and Santa will already be secretly slipping it into her purse."

"Okay? I love the idea.What's the issue?"

Lizabeth looks to the floor before pulling her arms into her chest.

"Well... the female model didn't show up."

"Aww. And we only have the warehouse for today"
Bummer." I shrugged and stood up, packing my things to go. I felt like I knew where this was going.
"I hope you find a model Lizabeth. You're a pretty girl. I'm sure Nick would love to have you sitting in his lap."

"Wynterrrrrr" she frowned, dragging every syllable of my name out. "You know that's impossible for me to do. I need to be behind the scenes to approve the pictures as the photographer takes them. You have to do it."

"Do I have to?  You have the warehouse for a couple more hours. You can find a female model" I suggested. I throw my purse over my shoulder and make my exit.

"Please Wynter. please please please" Lizabeth follows my heel until I reach the door of the exit.

"Elizabeth you may not know this...but me Nick and I...we left..
I mean we are not in the best of terms."

I know... but it will be ...quick? And easy?
Please. I am desperate."

Lori's parting words rang in my mind.
Just be cordial.
Just be cordial.

"Please Wynter. Please! Please! Everyone is packing up to go. I told a few people to stay behind. I knew you wouldn't want all these eyes on you."

Nick and I meet eyes from across the room. He smiled but I quickly averted my gaze.  He looked extra good today.

"Fine...Fine!" I throw my hands up. Lizabeth hadn't really given me a chance to protest.

"Ahhh!! Thank you. Thank you Wynter!" Lizabeth hugs me from the side.

"Okay! Lao Vanessa! Touch up her makeup!! Get a new set of film rolling!!! We got a mall scene to film!"