Allie's P.O.V
The next morning as I was driving to Jessie's studio, my phone rang and I smiled when I saw the name flash up on my cars dashboard. I answered the call and my best friend's voice came pounding through the speakers.
"Where have you been girl? I miss you!" Lola spoke enthusiastically.
"Hey stranger" I started, feeling guilty for my lack of attention towards my friends this summer. "I've just been busy, I'm sorry".
There was a pause after that, like Lola was wracking her brains for things that could have kept me busy this summer.
"You haven't started studying for your exams already, have you?" She asked me.
I laughed nervously, giving her the answer she was probably expecting.
"Allie those exams are still months away, you better have been having fun this summer too!" My best friend warned me.
I sighed, thinking about all of the fun I could have had but didn't. Mark and I had spent lots of time together over the past couple of months but I couldn't remember the last time I had real fun, or laughed until my stomach hurt, or didn't take myself too seriously.
"Yeah, loads of fun" I lied to Lola.
Lola laughed, not convinced I was telling the truth.
"Well tomorrow is Friday.. You, me and Casey are going out for drinks. I'll pick you up at 7. Love ya, bye" I didn't have a chance to reply before the line disconnected.
I couldn't think about my new plans for Friday for long, as I realised I was already at the street where Jessie's studio was located. The old cobblestones under my feet reminded me of the day before, and my heart started to beat a little faster as I approached the building.
I stepped inside the building and that same scent of paint flooded around me. I was beginning to really like that smell but the feeling of not belonging that I'd had yesterday was still there. Today it was mingled with something else though. Anticipation, maybe.
"Hello there!" a bright voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts.
I turned to see a young man standing behind a small desk near the entrance. He was striking, with high cheekbones, flawless skin, and perfectly styled hair that had a subtle ombre effect, fading from dark brown to a rich caramel. He wore a fitted white shirt that emphasized his lean frame, tucked into black trousers, and a pair of polished loafers.
"You must be Allie," he said, stepping around the desk to greet me. "I'm Liam, Jessie's assistant slash receptionist slash whatever-else-she-needs-me-to-be."
"Hi, Liam," I said, smiling back at him. His energy was infectious, and I immediately felt a little more at ease. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise!" He looked me up and down, not in a judgmental way, but more like he was assessing something, figuring out where I fit into the studio's vibe. "Jessie's just finishing up something. She should be out in a sec. Can I get you anything? Water? Coffee? Tea?"
"A coffee would be great, thank you" I politely accepted his offer.
"I'm on it, just make yourself comfortable" he said, before turning and heading into what I could only assume was a small kitchen.
I walked slowly towards the same coffee table from yesterday and hovered beside the chair, not wanting to seem 'too comfortable' by sitting down before Jessie arrived.
The studio had a different feel to it today. It was as though the energy in the room had shifted, becoming more focused and intense. In the middle of the space, a large blank canvas stood on the easel, like it was waiting for something-or someone-to bring it to life.
My ears sprung to attention when the silence was interrupted by Liam's shouting.
"Jessie! Your model is here!" He shouted loudly from the kitchen.
It felt strange being called a model. When I hear that word, I automatically think about really thin and tall girls with long legs and perfect faces. Not natural, slightly nerdy, little bit lost in the big world, me.
There was a pause, and then I heard light footsteps in the distance. I pretended to admire a couple of paintings on the wall, not wanting to be looking right at her as she rounded the corner.
"Thanks Liam" I heard Jessie's velvety tone, which made my body involuntarily turn to face the direction it was coming from.
Jessie appeared into my view, and the atmosphere seemed to thicken with an unspoken tension.
Today, she was wearing a similar outfit to yesterday-denim overalls only today they were a slightly darker shade, the fabric slightly more fitted, hugging her frame in a way that made it hard not to notice her toned frame. Beneath them, a charcoal-grey t-shirt clung to her in all the right places, only today the neckline was lower, which showed off even more of silky, tanned skin. Her hair was pulled back into a high, messy bun today, with a few loose strands framing her face, giving her an effortlessly casual look that somehow made her even more striking.
When our eyes met, none of us seemed to be in any hurry to get to work. Jessie's gaze lingered on mine, just a moment too long, her expression thoughtful as if she were trying to figure out my entire back story.
This moment had all of the ingredients to make an uncomfortable and awkward encounter, but instead it felt mutual and natural.
Jessie's lips curved into a small, almost teasing smile as she came to a stop a few feet away from me.
"Morning, Allie," she said, her voice low, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Morning," I replied, my voice a little softer than I intended. I could feel my pulse quickening, but I tried to keep my expression neutral.
Jessie's eyes flicked to the blank canvas behind me, then back to mine.
"Are you ready to get started?" she asked, her tone professional but inviting.
I nodded slowly, feeling like I'd just been in some kind of trance and Jessie's voice was what brought me back to the real world.
"Ready as I'll ever be," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
Jessie only broke our eye contact when she walked past me towards the blank canvas in the middle of the room. As she did, the smell of her subtle perfume made it easy to follow her.
Another silence fell over us, only filled with the soft sounds of Jessie setting up her workspace.
Finally, Jessie stepped back, her eyes meeting mine again.
"I think we're all set," she said, her voice soft but firm. "I know this is your first time doing something like this, so please don't be offended if I adjust your positioning every so often".
She gave me an encouraging smile, but her words had made my heart pound in my chest again and my skin heat up. What was happening to me?
"Okay" I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Jessie's eyes moved up and down my entire body, and occasionally she glanced at the big window behind me. I guess she was trying to make sure the lighting was just right.
"Let's start with something simple," she said, her tone professional but laced with a warmth that made me feel like she was trying to put me at ease. "Just stand there, close to the window, and look straight ahead."
I moved closer to the window as she instructed, the light from outside casting a soft glow around me. The room felt quiet, almost too quiet, like the world had paused just for this moment. I placed my hands at my sides, trying to follow her direction and relax, but the silence between us only made the tension more palpable.
Jessie circled me, her footsteps light and deliberate. Her proximity sent a shiver down my spine, and I had to resist the urge to turn and look at her. I was hyper-aware of everything-the slight rustle of her clothes as she moved and the occasional brush of air as she passed by.
Jessie continued studying me. I was no longer a person; I was her experiment. And I think I quite liked it.
"I'm just going to.." Jessie began saying, before her actions finished her sentence.
She very gently took my wrists in her hands and moved my arms upwards, before placing them where she wanted them which was wrapped around my own body like I was hugging myself on a cold winter's day. The touch of her warm hands on my skin gave me goosebumps and I sent a silent prayer, hoping that she hadn't noticed the electricity burning through me.
We were standing very close together, I could feel her cool breath on me as she molded me into shape delicately.
"Perfect," she murmured after a few minutes, and I let out the breath I didn't realise I had been holding.
She stopped in front of me again, and our eyes met once more. I didn't dare speak, nervous I would mess up her already intricate work.
"I'm going to start now" Jessie almost whispered and all I could do was nod slowly.