MODEL TALK

I somehow thought Kelvin was taking me home, but I'm actually surprised that he is heading somewhere else. Maybe he was taking me to a hotel; I'm not quite sure. We've always had adventurous moments together, so I decide to ask, "Hey, where to?" He had actually driven for like two hours, and trust me, that's a lot of hours to be on the road. However, despite having lived here for quite some time, I was still not familiar with the roads. "To London. Don't tell me seriously you can't tell this is the same road..." He said, looking at me with a "duh" expression as he entered a petrol station to add some fuel.

After he finished fueling and everything, I captured him heading to some center, maybe to buy something, when actually, he comes back, holding some Red Bulls and a few items in a small carrier bag. Honestly, today I wasn't planning to be on the road traveling. I'm dressed casually for a day at home, wearing sweats and a blouse that's larger than me, opened to expose a white top. Oh God, I wish I knew. He enters the car and then says, "Some Red Bull, here," as if it's nothing. "You hijacked me, you know," I state as I try to open the Red Bull. However, he just laughs, "You'll love it, trust me." I just hoped he was right because right now, I would rather be somewhere asleep or continuing with my Netflix movie or starting another one.

After a little while, we arrive in the great city, and he pulls over at a nice spot, then lets me out by opening my door – how thoughtful of him, such a gentleman.

"We need to see someone here," he states as we walk towards a certain lounge.

"This place is beautiful; I've never been in one like it before," I remark, trying to make the conversation more engaging.

"It's quite a nice place, especially for clearing your head. I love it because of its cool atmosphere and serene ambiance," he says. As we approach a familiar-looking person seated somewhere, I suddenly realize, "Wait a minute, who are we meeting?" I inquire, chuckling.

He just laughs and says, "You got me there. It was somewhat his idea… Hello," he adds, referring to the guy. It is actually Leniey readers; surprise.., Oh God (change of tone, that's sarcastic actually). I wasn't sure what Leniey had told Kelvin about me, but I extend my hand to greet him professionally, as I always did when we, Leniey and I, were in the presence of Kelvin.

"I thought you were still outside the country," I state, and Leniey eyes me, while Kelvin chuckles. It's a sign that this may not be a good situation, so I add, "I mean models are usually in and out."

Leniey, on my words replies as fast, "Oh, you got me there. I was starting to wonder how you knew that."

"I also did wonder because, trust me, we barely even talk about you in our conversations. Even right now, I just hijacked her, can't drive this far alone," Kelvin states in between laughs as we sit down, and the waiter arrives carrying some whiskey and juice. I'm not sure if they are planning to drink, but honestly, I can't drink. I don't want to have an episode with God knows, these two men. I already feel exhausted with my life, and I don't want to deal with something that I shall do today when I end up drunk. When I'm drunk, I'm a total mess that's right, but side thought I missed Leniey. I caught myself eyeing him when both of them, -Kelv and Leniey- looked away as if lost in deep thoughts.

He was wearing a white t-shirt, which he always did. I guess he had a thing for t-shirts and trousers. Maybe he's wearing black pants or something, is the first thing that pops into my head. I had never seen him in shorts before, except during the basketball matches I used to go and watch him play during my first year when I had a huge crush on him.

"Is something on my face?" He suddenly asks, catching me off guard. I find myself contemplating and feeling nervous at the same time. I look at Kelvin, who is also eyeing me, waiting for a reply, when I just shrug and say, "No, nothing. I was just zoned out."

"So we have whiskey here and some juice. The last time you drank, Angel, when?" Kelvin asks, as if trying to remind me of all the things I've done in my drunken state, or trying to change the conversation. Of course, I know I've done quite a few, including calling him Leniey, which was one of many mistakes I made when I was with him. We had drunk together a couple of times, even sometimes in the house. Especially sex when we were drunk was wild, or maybe smoking some weed, was nice as hell. The feeling of your blood pressure rising, the excitement to see someone, the blood boiling and the instant arousals, sth else... but I thank God that when I smoked, I hadn't yet seen Leniey, because sure be, Kelv would literally have left me by now.

"My last time was when I was at home," I state, actually lying. I didn't drink while I was at home; my mother would never let me even near a pub of course. After a long silence, as if Kelvin was contemplating or absorbing what I had said, the waiter comes in with some ice cubes, serves each of us some champagne, and then leaves with an enjoyably well-cut note stating 'ENJOY'.

"So when do I start the modeling?" Kelvin asks, as Leniey eyes him, seemingly pondering his response.

"Dude, you should actually be asking me how to prepare for the runway. I thought my agency had planned a runway for all the newbies, probably in the coming weeks. Speaking of the runway, please, and I emphasize, do not embarrass me. At least come across as one of the best male models. They'll select only the top ten, and the rest will have to find their own way back home," Leniey states.

"Wait, are there other models... like competing for the same position as Kelv?" I inquire, feeling like this conversation is meant for me to intervene. I had initially thought Kelvin was the only one on the runway.

"No, each of us was assigned a specific region in the UK to scout for potential talent. You're lucky I chose your school. I wasn't in the mood to go to a public area and watch men walking around to pick one with a unique walk and perfect height for what I wanted," Leniey explains, accompanied by some wild headshakes and squinted facial expressions.

"How many competitors do I have?" Kelvin adds.

"Approximately a hundred or something, I'm not entirely certain of the exact number, but there are quite a number. I met with the other lady just the other day, and she seems well-prepared, what's her name… Rakkell or something. That's why I wanted to meet with you today. I want to be sure you'll excel in there. Also, we'll need to get you a complete designer ensemble from head to toe," Leniey says. This time, he has the most serious expression I've ever seen. He's intensely focused, with his attention fixed on Kelvin.

"I've been working out for a while now," Kelv states, and Leniey continues to scrutinize him as if searching for the right words to convey something.

"Working out is not just enough. You've got to be passionate about it. You have to want this thing," Leniey stated. When I heard him say this, a wild thought crossed my mind. Was this really him talking about hard work when all he did in class was question everything the lecturer did and make funny jokes about a certain lecturer in each unit? Was this really him? I was already lost in my thoughts about Leniey and our shared past when I remembered a day when he had handed me a quirky drawing of one of our female lecturers who always nagged us about reading and insisted that relationships were a waste of time. He had actually... Oh God, he had drawn the lecturer receiving back shots. When I recalled that, I was lost in thought but couldn't help but laugh when I saw both of them look at me. I had to explain myself, I knew I had to, and so I stated, "Oh God, I was already lost in thought, guys."

They seemed skeptical, giving me those 'don't play with us' looks. I had to clarify quickly, as fast as possible, and so I continued, "Okay then, I remembered something about a certain classmate back in my country who I was fond of. He used to hate education and everything that surrounded it. He once drew one of our lecturers receiving some... Okay, it was just a crazy thought. Don't mind me." Leniey clearly understood what I was referring to, as he smirked a little, seemingly recalling the same incident according to my observations. I hoped he wouldn't press me to reveal more.

However, Kelvin interjected, "Why? What did he draw?" I looked at Kelvin as if to say, "Don't force me to say it." I didn't want to say such explicit words in front of them, especially when they were discussing work, and here I was thinking about something entirely different. Realizing that Kelvin was still waiting for an answer, I shrugged and simply said, "It was a crazy idea. I'm sorry for interrupting your conversation." Kelvin was not the type to push a conversation if someone wasn't willing to share. So he just shrugged and continued with the discussion.

"So what's next..." Kelvin began.

"Your hairstyle should be…" As they speak, I start sipping on the champagne, for I was already feeling like a third wheel. I did not want to start drinking first. Maybe I will just sip this drink and literally run to Kelvin's car and sleep before I stutter unwanted words. Am a light weight that, I know, even a quarter a drink can literally make me drunk, but I forget myself after some two, three drinks. That's when I start talking like a complete idiot. Lord have mercy