“Jade, can we talk?” Ali takes my arm and we walk outside. “Good one with Ryan girl!” she giggles when we’re out of earshot.
“Thanks,” I smile and then sigh. “So he’s gorgeous but only on the outside, huh?”
“Sorry Jady, I know you liked him. He treated me like a hooker earlier. If Joshua Jackson hadn’t arrived then, I don’t know WHAT he would’ve done,” Ali shivers slightly.
“Man, he’s a fucked-up guy,” I say angrily.
“No argument there,” Ali agrees. “Ok, I just had a call. Shawn and Marlon Wayans can’t make it until tomorrow. So we better get started.”
“Are you gonna shoot them all separately?”
“And a group shot. It’ll work cos we can shoot those six together, the brothers together and then somebody else’ll do Matt Damon with Ben Afleck. So it’s kinda themed.”
“And then they all gotta hang around until it’s their turn to get the single shot?” I ask.
“Yup. It’s your job to entertain them,” Ali winks.
“Ok!” I grin enthusiastically. “Just do me a favour?”
“Shoot Ryan first?”
“Oh please,” I giggle and we both roll our eyes.
We’re about to head back inside when we hear our names yelled, we turn round and see Heath and Paul running towards us with big bags.
“GET INSIDE! LOCK THE DOORS!” yells Heath.
“BUT LET US IN FIRST!” yells Paul. We stare at them. “NOW!”
“Ok,” Ali steps inside and I follow her. The guys run inside and we slam the doors shut.
“Any back entrances?” pants Heath.
“They’re all locked,” Ali says. “What is up with you?”
“Listen carefully…” says Paul. We all shut up and listen. After a few seconds we hear a mini stampede going past and the two guys sigh. “Safe, we’re safe.”
“What happened?” I ask.
“We’re standing in McDonalds, minding our own business,” Heath starts off.
“We give our orders and we’re watching them get filled. Just as we get the bags and hand over the money, we hear this noise.”
“A screech,” says Heath.
“A squeal,” says Paul.
“It was bad,” Heath says. “So we turn around and we’re faced by an entire school year.”
“Aged about 14,” says Paul. “All girls.”
“Yup. We had no choice but to run.”
“Like hell,” says Paul.
“Jumped a few walls too,” grins Heath. “What a work-out.”
“Why bother paying for a personal trainer when you can just practise teeny-baiting?” jokes Paul.
We all laugh and head into the main room where all the other guys are. Paul and Heath hand out the food to everyone and we all eat gratefully, except for Ryan who decides to make a loud phone call. We ignore him as best we can.
When we all finish eating, Jade looks at me.
“Ali, when are we going to get started?”
“Well, I kinda want to get to know everybody first. It’s easier that way; I don’t want them to feel uncomfortable around me or even each other. Maybe the guys can all play pool or air hockey or something.”
“You have a game room?!” the guys shout. Jade and I roll our eyes.
“Yeah, it’s upstairs. Jade, I believe you know the way.”
“May I?” she asks, sticking both her arms out as Mark and Josh take one each. Paul runs up after them as they head up the stairs, both whispering to Jade.
“Flirt!” I yell, and the guys laugh.
“You know it!” she retorts, and they disappear into the game room.
“Exactly how long will this take?” Ryan asks, hanging up the phone and staring at his watch annoyed.
“VERY long if you don’t quit your whining,” Joshua complains.
“Guys, come on,” I say, breaking up their fight.
“I apologise for my rude behaviour earlier. It was uncalled for,” Ryan apologises to me.
“You just don’t want her to screw your pictures up!” yells Joshua.
“Come on,” I say. “Lay off, he said he was sorry.”
“But did he mean-”
My cell phone cuts him off. “Hello?” I ask, wondering who could possibly be calling.
“Hey baby!” says a perky Nick. “I woke up without you in my arms, and I really missed you so I had to call.”
This is really going to suck if he decides to call every five minutes! He is desperate to know who I’m shooting, I can feel it.
“Aww, I’m sorry.”
“So, do you miss me?” he asks, pathetically.
“Of course I do.”
“Are you sure I can’t come out there? I REALLY want to come out there.”
“I know, but you can’t,” I reply. Joshua gives me a funny look. I give him a signal, telling him that I’ll explain when I’m done.
“But I MISS you, I can’t go another night without you, Al.”
“Hey Al! Want some of my fries?” asks Heath, walking into the hallway with some fries in his hands. He holds one out, preparing to feed it to me. I take it in my mouth, inch by inch. It happens to be one of the longest I’ve ever seen.
“Yum, thanks,” I smile, and he nods his head.
“Who was that?” Nick demands.
“Umm, what?” I ask innocently.
“I said who was that?!” he barks.
“Hey, I really think the phone is breakin’ up. I can’t hear you.”
“You can’t use that on me! I helped write that song!”
“But I’m serious! My battery is running on lo-” Another click. I innocently place the phone back in my pocket as Josh and Heath stare at me. “Oh, my dog died,” I say simply.
“Oh, poor thing!” Heath says, wrapping an arm around me.
“Aww, come here baby,” Joshua says, enveloping me in a hug.
I hug him back for only a second and then pull away. Heath shoots a Joshua a glare, but I’m the only one quick enough to notice. Okay, this game was gonna get old fast.
“Josh, you go to wardrobe and pick out whatever you’d like. Either a wife-beater or no shirt at all. You guys are all supposed to look as sexy as possible, aight?”
“Aight. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Take your time,” Heath answers, but only loud enough for me to hear. He takes my hand and we head into the lounge. “So, how long have you been a photographer?” he questions.
“Only a couple of years. I mean, I’m only 22. Well, actually 23. Today is my birthday.”
“Why didn’t you say something sooner?!” his eyes light up and he pulls me into the main studio. “Hey everybody! Get in here!” he yells, and soon all the others gather into the studio. “It’s Ali’s birthday!”
Jade shoots me a sympathetic look, knowing exactly why I hate acknowledging my birthday.