Chapter 69: Shoots and Tickles!

Shoots and Tickles!

  "Sorry for wasting your time, the hair pin got entangled with my...." She began to explain then I interrupted. Being rude is just a part of me.

  "...Can we just head back to business?!" I said with a shrug and an underestimating look. 

  "Oh Sorry!" She said underneath her breath

  "Yo! She's ready. Can we proceed....A bottle of water, please!" I instructed the photographer and I was attended to. The photographer gave us recommended different poses and even some we recommended. We got to the last outfit which was more of a couple outfit, the photographer suggested that we do some make believe poses. That was my phobia, I don't embrace girls like a normal thing except I wanted a rough side thing. This pose was about staring at each other, depicting compassion, really make believe.

  "I can't....can't we do a different thing?" She opposed strongly. I gave a faint smile

 She was in my mind

  "I'll take five!" I said moving aside to drink some water

  "He looks intimidating, can't y'all see. He sees me differently, like some piece of trash." I over heard her talk to the photographer. Then I interrupted instantly.

  "Am I missing out? Can we take the pictures now? Thanks!" I said walking to the stage. She followed me hesitantly. I turned to her like i waited.

  "If you got a problem with me, you can talk to me not someone else. He wouldn't solve them for you. How am I goddamn intimidating Ms? This is only a business thing, no strings attached. We fake the moment, throw some smiles and back to our normal lives, is that ok?" I lectured. Then I heard my mother call me sweetly. I went to her as we sat.

  "Ok boy! That lady up there doesn't feel comfortable around you simply because you don't last a moment without being rude. Can we do this a bit snappy and happy? All you got to do is smile that billionaire smile looking into her eyes for a few seconds and we are done. Can you do that?" Mother asked. I smirked

  "Yes mother."

  "Good man. My girls are waiting to see y'all." Mother added. Her friends are here, much compliments and snuggling. I kissed mother on the cheek then I went up again.

  "Are you ready now?" I grinned maybe she'd become less intimidated

  "I think so!" She beamed.

  "Ok guys, are we ready?" The photographer asked then I gave him a thumbs up.

I embraced her, holding into her slim waist while she wrapped her arms around my neck, then the eye contact with a comforting smile.

  "3. 2. 1." The photographer screamed gently then snapped. He took numerous shots then we held our hands faking to be happy and blessed while he took shots.

Finally we were done for the day. I felt exhausted and sore. Mr Jonas approached with a very contented smile

  "Oh Jordan. You should see your works. Too glamorous, my friend!" Jonas complimented while I smiled

  "Yeah I think so too." I said smiling then I looked at her and turned to him "She did well too! Photogenic!" I said

She blushed to it and appreciated

  "Apparently! I already organized a dinner party for my team and special guests like you. You all should eat and hang out more!" He advised "Hazel is doing perfectly well with her new friend, Skye. Do well!" He advised then scurried away. 

I was two ahead when she called me from behind.

  "Excuse me!" She called sweetly. This girl likes me I know that and I could sense that. It's no pride but I'm good with girls. I turned to her slowly with a slight frown. She came forth instead holding the edges of her gown.

  "Uhm! Thanks for acknowledging me earlier....I'm Loretta Coleman. You can call me Darkie. Everyone knows me by that name though." She smiled. I smiled halfway

  "Well I'm not everybody! Nice name. Darkie!" I said simply. I turned to leave again then she asked. I knew she expected that I would introduce myself as well.

  "And you are?" She asked. I turned to her

  "Jordan!" I smiled a little then k walked away. She was somewhat embarrassed I think. I just didn't know how to control my rudeness towards people, its something i live with. I met Yeesha talking to Skye I guess, they seemed pretty cool and jovial and funny enough, engaging in a live video as well. Yeesha wouldn't stop hypnotizing.

I interrupted clearing my throat right when they ended the session. They turned to me. Skye looked scared a bit and shy about something.

  "Hey Kareem! Meet my new friend, Skye."

  "I know!" I interrupted without a smile

  "Rude again!" She said underneath my breath "Skye, this is my brother Jordan. He's the best you know." She said to skye

  "Hi Jo...Jordan! Nice to meet you! I'm Skye." He stretched out for a handshake, I ignored them smiled instead. That was rude, I know but I felt overprotective over my kid sister. It felt like he was taking the attention of that person that is able to tolerate my attitude and talk to me regardless.

  "Hi Skye. You look great." I complimented to make feel better, she was getting angry already. I could not risk it either. She smiled

I turned to Yeesha.

  "Are you not coming around? This clothes suck." I said to her

  "Go ahead Kareem. I'll catch you later. His ride will be here soon so he'd come with me instead. We have a lot to discover Kareem, please?" She explained

  "Fine. I hate to say yes to this. Our ride is outside Ayeesha." I tried to convince her

  "Yes I know. Like I said, we have a lot to explore before the dinner party so...." She declined politely

  "Ok. Where's Mama?"I asked for mother instead

  "She's with her girls. They're coming for the party tonight. Do you know that Aunt Lola sponsored the party and even the shoots and all that? Jonas and aunt Lola are work partners which means, she recommended us to him. She deserves a big thank you. She loves us bro!" She explained. Yeesha knows everything, how could i forget that.

  "That's exciting! Ok, I'll just head back to the hotel, see ya." I hugged her, she liked it. I turned to the cute boy "Bye Skye. See you at the party." 

  "Sure!" He answered. I patted him on the shoulder then walked to the close to change my clothes. Those outfits were too flamboyant for a normal walk around. As soon as I changed my clothes, I walked out of the room and bumped into this same girl, her head was down. She was trying to fix the buckle on her trouser. She dressed like a cowgirl, how weird. Back in Miami, girls loved to show some skin but she acted like Pixie, always reserved I guess.

  "Watch it." I said to her

  "Really sorry. It got stuck. Could help me out please?" She requested politely. I took thirty seconds to think and decide, I felt lazy and too proud to do just anything for her. I helped her buckle up, it was only a two second thing that made her confused and helpless, girls are funny, I muttered within.

  "Thanks a lot!" She said slightly rubbing my chin then I held her hand throwing it down.

  "Don't do that" I said then I walked out finally to the limousine that brought us over.

                      ********************

07:05pm,

I looked at my wrist watch. The masculine gender were expected to wear suits while the feminine gender were expected to wear red dinner gowns. Sincerely, everyone looked perfect and priceless. My mother's friends beckoned me to come over which I did. They wouldn't stop hugging me and snuggling what I disliked but anything from them was heaven to me. They were all there for me while i was growing up. Mother wouldn't stop talking about aunt Lola, she said I was her gum body even before her husband, Mr Lionel but wouldn't talk about aunt Lola that much, I guess there was some abnormalities or so. Aunt Ada played her role perfectly too, wife to the former deputy governor. Times we visited Kayla, grandma Carol and grandpa Pete, it felt like heaven has arrived before me and not to talk of Don Mustapha and his wife, Betsy, i had no reason to be rude or mad at them. They gifts i recognized that mother showed me were priceless ones, how could I not be grateful to them?!

  "Thanks a lot Aunt LaLa. You're the best. I loved the shoots!" I appreciated, this time I meant each word

  "I don't get a best place right?" Aunt Ada teased as we laughed 

  "Always in my heart!" I said to her heartily. They felt excited and I was excited too. Aunt Ada brought out box of that had a 24 carats cuban with my name on it. Kareem. I didn't realize when I jumped on her because  of the excitement then Aunt Lola gave me two sets of diamond earrings

  "For your eighteenth birthday." She smiled 

I jumped on her too, these gifts meant the world to me. Hazels' gifts from them were jewelry boxes and apple cameras, tripods lightening bulbs for her blog and vlogs. These women inspired my life because they  gave out selflessly. Mother does the same anytime she visited their families so it was balanced equation with an unending love.

  "We'll be out for a while. Take care of your sister. Go back home latest 10pm ok?! If you need anything, Anton and Susan are right behind at the corner. Be a good and humble boy ok." Mother said rubbing my face gently and swiftly. 

  "Bye honey! Come by the weekends or so. I love you so much, my lover." Aunt Lola hugged me

  "I'll miss these kids! Say hi to Dada ok! I love boy!" Aunt Ada hugged me too

  "I love y'all too!" I said to them smiling. They walked away after waving back. They scurried away in their designer outfits, shoes and purses, luxury surfaced on their faces and physique. I turned to sit at a round table to entertain my boredom then I met Darkie standing in a red shape wear. She was pretty and breath taking but I wouldn't drool instead I'd just keep my cool.

  "You again!" I smiled a bit sitting down

  "Yes, me again! Can I join you?" She asked

  "Its a free world. Unfortunately, this is not my Father's." I served myself some wine instead. "Would you like some?" I asked her

  "Sure why not." She affirmed. I poured it into her glass and began sipping on it.

  "You seemed really happy with them." She began

  "Of course. Only people who make me happy. They're my first lovers and girlfriends that my mother approved of." I joked. I did not know why I wasn't rude maybe the gifts i received had a very big impact on me.

  "Why Darkie?" I asked

Darkie and Pixie? Sounded like fire in my ears, I hate such coincidences. She blushed trying to explain, girls and fantasy.

  "Firstly, I'm Dark...." She said

  "A fine one." I complimented unconsciously she smiled and continued

  "Thanks. And my late mother named me after my dad's favourite mustang. Darkie. Darkie died some years ago and I think I'm carrying on his legacy." She stopped maintaining a steady smile.

Wow! Carrying on a horses' legacy? People are really really weird, I muttered within. I smiled instead.

  "Cowgirl! Not bad but undoubtedly weird. Weird in a good state of mind!" I tried to paint it nice instead. It wasn't a night for being rude. She laughed.

  "Crazy guy! That means, LA's vogue brought you here too?" She asked

Too? Does that mean she's not from LA like me?!

  "Yeah. You know me that much, don't you?" I asked teasing. I couldn't deny that fact. She scoffed

  "Why not. You were on last year's teen's vogue for New York, the Lion's Cub?! Every one does." She explained rightly.

  "That's smart of you to remember. You really know me that much huh. Are you here in Los Angeles too?" I asked my hearts' throbbing question.

  "From Miami!" She snapped then I froze.

  "Miami? Are you kidding me?" I asked in surprise.

  "I'm dead serious!!!".

  "How's that even possible? I mean, this is new to me like.... How did you get here?"

  "After you and your sister were highly recommended, Skye and I auditioned for it. Luckily, we were selected and sponsored all the way here. I'm pretty sure you didn't know we go to the same high school right?" She asked

  "How could I? I do sciences. Crazy world!" I blurted. She wouldn't stop staring at me even after I escaped so many glances of her but she take off.

  "Seriously! Stop staring at me, ok?" I was a not rude this time. She made me feel uncomfortable instead. I disliked times girls intimidated me and yet anytime I spoke, I pictured Pixie instead. A face i couldn't resist.

  "Who would take off her eyes off a guy like you. You're handsome, wealthy and well built. I've always noticed you from a distance." She confessed

  "At school or what?" I asked because I did not understand her at all.

  "Both." She answered

  "I feel hot in here. Would you like to catch some air?" I asked. I was fed up with all of her pretense or whatsoever. We walked outside then we leaned on the car. Before then I asked Anton to check on Yeesha and he obediently did. 

  "The shoots today were awesome and exciting." She said. I really wanted this day to end. Our conversation revolved to one thing.

  "It seemed normal to me except for you who tried to bad mouth me." I blurted out. She didn't see that coming I was certain.

  "You were...." She stuttered

  "You could actually talk instead. Everyone there knows that I'm rude, you did not have to remind them about it. Learn to keep up!" I reminded her. My voltage of my niceness decreased with 20% out of 100%, lucky her.

  "I'm really sorry for that. I didn't mean it. I was scared to confront not knowing how you'd react to it." Darkie explained I'm remorse. 

  "Its fine now. I don't take chances." I said coldly. We stopped talking staring at each other instead then I phone rang interrupting, honestly, I was happy it did. I answered.

  "Who's this?" I asked first wondering

  "This is Pixie. I'm so sorry for interrupting whatever it is. I just wanted you say thanks for yesterday, you saved a life. Thanks..." She said. Her voice seemed new and excited.

  "Great. How did you get my number anyways?" I asked her

  "Oh c'mon Jordan, i met Jeff. Lamar was definitely not an option. I just told him that I wanted to talk to you about my tutorials Instead." She explained

  "Hmm. Are fine now?" I asked. I just found myself asking after her health. 

  "I'm better. My mother and I are thankful though. When would you return from LA?" She asked. She sounded curious.

  "Why are you asking, Pixie? You wouldn't stop annoying me would you?" I blurted out. Sometimes, I couldn't explain or figure out the best thing to say, I spoke just the way I preferred.

  "Sorry for that. Thanks for your time." She hung up. I tucked my phone into the trousers' right pocket.

  "Your girlfriend?" Darkie asked. This question got me upset instantly, I tried to press it.

  "Is that your business? We are not friends, we are just some co-stars that's it." I reminded, I was rude to the core this time.

  "C'mon Jordan, i didn't mean to upset you. You're unbelievable for real, why are you so rude?" She complained bitterly

  "And you're still tripping on this same rude guy? You should be lucky i spoke to you." I fired. She was angry and pissed at me yet embarrassed. Yeesha came forth with Skye, they hugged goodbye as he walked away to another car behind us.   

  "Kareem!" She called after she realized there was silence between us.

  "Let's go back to the hotel." I instructed. The chauffer opened the day as we entered

  "Jordan!" Darkie called from behind 

  "Sir, would like us to wait?" The chauffeur asked politely

  "Just drive, ok? You've got nothing to do with that. Just move!" I instructed still rudely. The chauffer concurred as we drove out of sight while Yeesha was obviously over my I'll treatment but it did not matter to me at all.