Cecilia Scarlette’s Point of View
“Wow. Pierre is a natural!” Sasha exclaimed as she walked over beside me.
“Mhmm. I’ve always thought that he would be a great model, but he wanted to be in the teaching profession.” I said, my eyes not leaving him. Why did he even want a teaching profession? I never get to learn about that.
Kinsey’s blonde hair was swept back as his cat-like eyes intensely gaze at the camera Carla was pointing over at. I pressed my lips together as he sat ever so casually to that cube chair, with his hand tucked inside one of his pockets. How cool he looks with his polo shirt: a little bit crooked, and the first three buttons undone. He is the ever so popular cold serious type of guy in school who is adored by many. Everyone knows him, even the professors fear him. He is no other than, the campus crush!
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer.”
I jolt backward, feeling something brush up my ears. It literally sent tingles down my spine. I blinked a couple of times as I began to be aware that Kinsey was now standing in front of me.
“Hey, girlie.” He winks before forming a smirk to plaster on his well-sculptured face. Bad boy.
“Stop playing around… We are here to work, Kinsey.” I murmured. I’ve said that because I want to be totally professional in my work environment and not because my legs are already feeling jello.
“It’s not bad to do it while enjoying yourself.” He chuckles before letting me go in front of the camera as he leaves the shot.
Even Carla’s camera was shaking slightly that she has to have a run-through of all the photos just to check if she had it all. That’s just his effect on women. The overflowing charisma would make anyone want to swoon all for him.
Wait a minute. What am I talking about? Did I just? No. No no no. It’s just my sleepy brain playing tricks on me, and if it’s not that, then I am just stating a fact. I’ve seen it happen before my eyes, girls will do anything for him. Too bad I grew up with him and saw his snotty state. I would never feel that attracted to him.
“Are you ready, miss Scarlette?”
“Yes.” I answered. I tried my best to grasp the basics overnight. Although I won’t bring out the best, I am expecting to at least give a presentable performance. But I’d always be a failure, wouldn’t I? My limbs just won’t move as soon as the camera is pointed over at me. It’s like I was stored inside our new freezer overnight. Stone cold, too shocked to lift a finger.
I was reminded why my grandparents were so frustrated with me.
“Scarlette?” Carla peeked at me from her camera. “Ready when you are…” She trailed off.
My eyes bore into the lenses. I could feel something crippling from inside my limbs. For the magazines I’ve been lucky enough to be in, just standing or sitting in front is already enough, but I am well aware that that’s not the case here.
“Uhmmm… Are you okay?” I heard Carla’s voice once again, but my feet still stood frozen to the ground.
“I-yes… Can you please give me a moment?” I asked even if I will continue to do as I please whether she declined or not.
“Do you need some water?” Kinsey was quick to walk over to me with one even if I haven’t answered. It’s not like I could. The camera intimidated me in some way. I could not explain it. As if it will devour me any second after striking the wrong pose that my body rejects the idea of doing anything about it just to be safe. It’s an overwhelming feeling causing spirals of energy black hole in my chest.
Could I actually admit it? Even to Kinsey at least?
“I’m nervous.” My voice failed me as it came out of a soft whimper. I quickly clutched his sleeve. How could I be nervous about this? Kinsey will surely make fun of me, I thought. But when I returned my gaze towards him, his facial features softened as if he understood what I am feeling.
He smiles kindly. “Will you feel less anxious if we do it together?” He asks.
I don’t want to admit it, but I do not want to hold back the shoot further. “Yes, please.”
Kinsey to Carla. “Can we first do the shot when we are both in the same frame? Sorry. I couldn’t help it much longer. Cecilia looks so good in her outfit.” He grins. I could feel myself blush red as I stared down at my shoes. He really knows how to work with words. He didn’t have to say it like that, though.
“Yes, sure”
“Perfect. Ready, Cecilia?”
I smile weakly before nodding.
“Okay. Just follow my lead, alright? Just tell me if it’s a little bit too much for you.” Kinsey sends out a flirtatious wink that I think he is so used to doing for other girls by now.
Still unsure of what to do with me, I followed and let him pull me close to him by his hips. I tried not to act surprised as I wrapped my arms around his neck and smiled at him.
I hoisted myself up and went as far as running a hand against his hair with my other hand. My gaze bore against his forehead. I do not think I’ll be able to handle meeting his eyes and staring at them for long, especially while wearing these ridiculous pigtails.
I saw him smirk.
“You’re so beautiful.”
I blinked back at him as I heard the flash and witnessed the light equipment blinking rapidly. “I do not think saying that will make the photo better.” I replied.
“Shhh.” Kinsey then placed his pointer finger against my lips. This time, I couldn’t help but let my eyes widen in surprise as he slowly loosened his grip around my waist. “If you don’t try to even make an effort, then I’ll eat you alive in this photoshoot.” He winks.
This time, I arch my brow up as he suddenly pulled me back in. I didn’t falter when our face came inches closer than normal. “Are you challenging me?” I asked.
Kinsey pulled away, his lips stretching into a mischievous smile. “Maybe? Are you challenged, Cecilia?”
“I’ll do better.” I replied before slipping both of my arms in between his as I look up at him. Kinsey followed his gaze down at me as he ran a hand through his hair midway. How cool he looks with that intense gaze of his.
I’ve read last night that to project a good photo, I must feel my part and be on par with the concept. What’s the concept of this photoshoot? I believe it’s more than just a schoolgirl and a good-looking high schooler. I must place in character to tell the story better through the clicked pictures.
This is supposed to be their valentine’s issue. Does that mean, we have to look in love?
That’s too shallow.
Feigning attraction is easy, but to express that I am a normal student attracted to this popular man that noticed me for the first time after so many attempts of saying hi might be a cliche yet memorable trope for teenagers.
To do that, I must think about how attractive Kinsey is. His smooth fair skin is as if he is bathing in milk every day. Shall I adore his emerald cat-like eyes that complemented his silky blonde hair perfectly? Do I need to touch and feel those luscious lips and swoon at how soft and warm they felt on mine? Who am I kidding? Those smiles from his alone are supposed to be enough to make my heart jumpy and my day brighter. All I should ever want is to be satisfied gazing from him from afar and yet, he is standing close to me. I should be engulfed with bubbling happiness as he noticed my existence for the very first time.
I breathed out when I felt his fingertips brush a bit of my hair to tuck behind my ear. “Pierre…” I murmured, my face softening as I continued to admire him up close.
My hand delicately traveled to his that touched my face. I tried my best to form a nervous smile as he looked at me wide-eyed. I then uttered the words that I so badly wanted to say since the first time we met at the café.
“Cecilia…” He said under his breath as he searched for my eyes, making sure to lock gazes with it.
Did I hear it right? Did you mean it? Or was it just all in my head?
Kinsey slips his hand away to return it over to my face. He cupped my cheek ever so lightly, making me form a much more sincere smile this time. As the pull of gravity suddenly became a pull towards him, I was unconscious of his tight grip around my waist as our face inches closer. I closed my eyes and had my hand lifted and covered the center of our faces for the camera not to get caught up with our lips touching -it didn’t though, and as soon as I heard the next click, I tilted my face to the side, receiving a warm smack onto my cheek.
“WAAAAAAH. Did you get that Carla?! Tell me you got those shots!” Sasha’s loud voice from the background ruined our trance, my eyes snapping open. I was the first to untangle myself from Kinsey and take a step away from him. “That was so intense! I knew we made the right decision for recruiting you both.”
Kinsey’s eyes were still wide when he looked at me. I was not sure what he was actually shocked at. He was the one to tell me to get immersed and do my best. It was gone after a split second as his features quickly shifted to softening. I must’ve gotten too immersed with the story in my head. Did I go overboard?
I smiled and leaned forward so I could whisper against his ear. “I won, right?… The challenge?” The winner gets the spoils after all.
Kinsey chuckles in return. “Are you feeling much better now?”
“Huh?” I tilted my head to the side.
“You were a little bit nervous earlier. I knew challenging you will just do the trick.” He chuckles. “You’re so adorable.”
My cheeks burn in realization. He did it to make me feel comfortable? It stirred so many emotions inside of me that I could not even name yet.
I cleared my throat and slapped my cheeks lightly to wake me up a little and make sure I am still on the ground. I tried to keep my cool. “Thank you, Kinsey… That’s very considerate of you. You saved me there. I mean it.”
He made a face before walking back towards me. He instantly placed a hand on top of my head. I failed to dodge it. “Hmmm? Why are you back to calling me Kinsey now?”
I chew on the inside of my cheek before looking to the other side as I tuck my arms against my chest. “What are you talking about?” I am choosing ignorance today. I swallowed the lump in my throat, taking light glances up at him, but whenever I notice that he is still studying me, I will back out and look elsewhere.
It was a slip of a tongue.
Where is Sasha or Carla when I need them? We need the distraction. I mean, I need the distraction.
“Cecilia?”
I stayed silent and still. I had no excuse.
I felt Kinsey lift his hand from my head. “It’s okay. Whatever you call me, I’ll still go to you, so you don’t have to worry.”
My head quickly snapped at him, and he was shaking his head. “ Do you want something to drink? We could ask for a break. They’re a little bit busy browsing through the photos. You really did a good job back there.” He flashes a grin before playfully tugging my hair. “This is definitely a fresh look for you. I like it.” He winks.
I couldn’t have done it without you, is what I wanted to say, but I simply nod in his direction. “Thank you. You too, Kinsey. “
