Don't ask me how. Just sit and watch me completely disgrace myself for no fee. That's right, I'm not even getting paid to be in the shoot. All I have to do I sit there and pretend to be heavily engrossed in the cup of coffee I haven't spilled yet. my job was to sit, sip and try not to look completely out of place while sporting a slightly over-sized sweater with a drawing of an alien drawn wide across the front paired with a thigh high skirt that had more stickers than fabric across every border. Easy enough huh?
Think again.
Cause right there and then, the universe decided it was time to spice things up.
The cafe had been transformed into a hip ridiculously futuristic cafe with flowers, fake potted plants and neon lights beaming in through every place. I had to stand in front of a small table filled with coffee and flowers, so much flowers that my deepest ' drinking a cup of coffee' look just ended up looking like ' choking and smiling on a cup of latte'. The runway was ready for the high talked model everyone was gushing about. Girls filled the edge of the walled glass, yelling and screaming his name. I frowned, tugging on the hem of my shirt and leaning against the table like I was asked with a not-so nervous smile pasted across my face. the cameras came on and I pasted on my fakest smile, holding my coffee and trying to imagine myself frozen, frozen enough to NOT spill it.
Somehow, someway, the idiot behind the power wheels of my destiny'd decided to help the universe spice the ALREADY spiced up situation. In the middle of my best 'extremely deep in thought-please coffee don't spill-please don't spill' pose, someone squealed and I looked up.
And right into Justin Hayes ridiculously gorgeous face and with cheekbones so defined they could cut glass, walking through the runway in a large trench coat dotted with white and black sequins on both sides, large cargo pants and cool sneaks. Everyone had eyes glued to him and by everyone, I mean me too. Not that I was staring or anything… ok I WAS staring because who could resist gaping at such beauty?
There was something captivating about the way he walked, his face ice cold and barely alive, like he was in some other universe filled with fashion parties and catwalks. The confidence oozing through him left me captivated, obviously TOO captivated to let me do a job as simple as stand and stare and NOT spill because in that moment of intense longing, I spilled the hot coffee on my hand and before I could process what was happening, I found myself toppling backward like a science experiment gone wrong. I let out a loud squeal, the only dignified thing about me at the moment- as I fell into a nearby table, causing a huge basket of flowers tumble onto the floor and all over my face like they were auditioning for a circus act. The MAD DAISY circus act. The cookies and pastries followed and I let out a gasp, feeling a dozen of them forcing their way into my mouth. I licked my lips. At least the cookies weren't that bad. And the samosas. I let out a soft moan. When did mr cameron's cakes get SO good?
" Hey are you ok?" A soft whispery voice said, breaking into my once-in-a-blue-moon snack fiesta. I stopped chewing on a stick of candy and flashed my eyes open, gulping back a full wad of cake and probably some candy sticks when I saw Justin towering over me, awesomeness and all.
Not him again! Why does he ALWAYS have to appear at the most embarrassing moments of my life?
I tried to picture what I must look like, flowers and candy and all.
Oh cruds.
I forced on my widest smile, the only thing half normal about me and waved.
" er… hi," I said, my voice coming out in an awkward squeak. " the gravity in here works" I added, barely thinking " just in case you're wondering" he chuckled softly, leaning close and brushing the croissants off my face ( I only know that cause I think I accidentally chewed it along with the candy sticks). He leaned a tad closer and held out his hand.
" Are you ok?" I took it, trying not to let my awkwardness too evident.
" I'm fine, just adding a bit of authenticity to the scene you know. I've always wanted to star in an ad shoot. The one where everything has to stay horizontal and all messed up till its over" I added shakily, squeezing my lips hard to hold back the unending flow of gibberish that I knew wasn't going to end till shoved a piece of candy into my mouth and even if someone did, not even then cause I'll probably just chew it up and keep talking.
I looked up at him. His lips were twisted in amusement. Oh he probably thinks I'm nuts. Completely nuts.
Did that deter me? You should have guessed by now.
" The candies were nice though I had to eat them up with the croissants so I don't know if its just me or do candies taste sour and salty at the same time?"
He laughed " oh I don't know."
I nodded, hating myself. I might as well give up talking for the rest of my life if things go on like this. " well you wouldn't, considering the fact that you're not a klutz who trips over her own feet and then chews up stuff falling randomly into her mouth." For a moment, my inner mind took over and I bit back on my lips to keep the ramblings in " sorry. I talk a lot don't I?" He smiled, tucking his hands into the pockets of his cute trench coat and.
" I don't mind. It keeps my mind busy…"
" Daisy!" Harry yelled, prancing up to us. I lowered my gaze.
Croissant-laced sugar cookies!
" Oh daisy darling that was PHENOMENAL!" He sang, swinging me around by my shoulder. I staggered, dazed " cookies and coffee in the air!" He gasped, clasping his palms and letting out a happy sigh " I love it!"
I looked up, dazed. What?
" Get the cameras here please. And order another fresh batch of cookies, flowers, pastries!" He yelled, waving all ten of his fingers at the crew backstage " get everything you can find. And do an emergency wardrobe change on daisy… quick!" ward… robe… WHAT?!
Having to stand in MY GEEKY clothes was TERROR enough for me. Now I'd have to wear something… nice. Something… fashionable.
Something totally and completely NOT me. Then I'd have to act it.
when I don't really know how to be anyone else.