Model Perfect

Chapter 18: Telling Freddie

I haven't seen or heard from Hunter since Halloween night. He didn't come to class, and Jeremiah Winters refuses to tell me anything. Even Rosa has kept her distance from me. Rosa and I are these back and forth friends lately. She's a game or yoyo I can't win. We are friends and then not. She used to worship the ground I walk upon. But getting into Jeremiah's pants has apparently made her change sides.

She supposedly believed me when I accused Hunter of hitting me. But from her lack of talking to me, I can tell it was for show. Or she really doesn't know where her loyalties lie. For the Queen of gossip she really needs to get her facts straight.

It's photography and English combo class today. I am nervous to see Arlo. I haven't seen him since our intense kiss. He's been missing from school too.

Just then, Arlo walks into the classroom with his shoulders rolled back. He's wearing a black leather jacket and sits right beside me like he does every combo class. But today is different, now we have slept together. His smirk hits my eyes and chills consume every goosebump within me. Is it obvious to everyone that we've had s*x? With Arlo's I WANT YOU eyes surrounding my body, it's hard to know what to do or say to him.

"Good morning, model girl." Before when he called me model girl it felt like a mockery. But today, I sense he is referring to me being his model girl. Just the nickname sends me back to last weekend when he took pictures of me and built my confidence.

"Hello, Arlo." I hold the pencil on my desk and start drumming it because he makes me nervous from my head to my toes. He starts to join in and drums alongside me.

Nobody is looking at us and sitting in the back row is a Godsend. Arlo grabs my hand under the table and I hold his back.

"Okay class, we have an important announcement. Model Perfect has agreed to join us for today's assignment. What that means is that you and your partner will be given a task by a professional from the modeling industry. Emma, as for you, you don't have to do this assignment since you are already a professional. We've asked Rosa Higgins to take your place today. She'll be skipping her study hall this morning to join us," Mr. Douglass says, as Rosa skips into the room with her red hair bobbing in all directions.

"Emma, we need to catch up. Can I come over after school?" Rosa asks as she sticks a lollipop into her mouth.

"Yeah, sure. We can go to the mall or something."

"No, this is a she-emergency. I need to have a girl chat with you about Hunter."

I love that she says that so bluntly and in front of Arlo no less. I don't make eye contact with Arlo, for if I do I will give all my feels away with a single glance.

"Bye, Rosa. See you at my house then."

When Rosa isn't looking, I look at Arlo and smile. He mouths to me that it will be okay. I trust him, for he is the only person I feel okay with or feel okay about. Mr. Douglass pulls me aside and takes me out of the classroom to meet, Freddie.

"Hello, Freddie. How are you? It's been a while."

Freddie takes his small rectangular-shaped glasses and lowers them. He scratches his five-o'clock shadow and clears his throat.

"Emma, Model Perfect is not happy with you. There's a rumor going around that you dumped Hunter. Is this true? Because if it is, I will remind you that that is a breach of your contract with us."

"Yes, I did dump him. After being hit by him on numerous occasions I had enough. So if you need me to turn in my resignation or you want to sue me for taking care of myself then whatever, Freddie. You guys have been so controlling over everything I do and say, I just want to be me."

Freddie crosses his arms. He isn't sure what to think.

"Tell you what I am going to do. I am going to have you write a statement about everything you just said. I will get you a lawyer, if need be. In the meantime, publicly speaking you are with Hunter. In private, that is up to you. It is also rumored that you are involved with another student here is this true."

I cant look Freddie in the eye. Instead I get my phone out and show him a photo of Arlo. He looks back into the classroom and sees Arlo.

"I see. Well, behind closed doors you can see that boy. But on social media, on tv, or in magazines you and Hunter are madly in love. Does that kid understand that?"

"We are being discreet now," I confess. Being cornered means I never had a private life to begin with.

"Now about your thyroid, have you made a decision?"

"I think I want to wait until my summer job is complete before having surgery."

Freddie looks confused. Perhaps I failed to mention the nude shots.

"What are you talking about?"

"I am talking about porn, Freddie. I have a nude gig this summer with Model Perfect."

"You've never done nudes before. Are you sure you are up for that?"

My mind wanders to Arlo and Freddie catches me looking at Arlo.

"Emma, stop looking at him. Are you two sleeping together?"

I bite my lip, there's no use denying it. I nod and he lets it slide.

"Just do me a favor and keep it discreet. I can't have Model Perfect finding out that their top model is....well."

"Human...imperfect! We are all that and more, Freddie. If you'd excuse me I have a class to get back to."

Freddie heads up the stairs. I didn't want anyone to know about Arlo and our s*x. I want to keep him to myself for just a while longer, is that too much to ask?

Arlo welcomes me back into the classroom. Rosa looks at both of us, and her eyes accuse us of being together.

"Arlo, are free to meet for the project by the bleachers after school tomorrow?" I ask.

"Yeah, I think so. Maybe you could wear your cheerleading uniform for a yearbook-style shoot?" He suggests. We are trying so hard to be subtle and discreet in front of Rosa.

"Sure." Arlo leaves and tucks a note into my purse without Rosa noticing. When Arlo leaves Rosa glares at me.

"What is going on between you guys?" Rosa asks.

"Meet me after dinner at my house, and I will tell you everything," I reply knowing it's the only want to get Rosa to move on. She agrees and goes upstairs. It's just me alone in the photography room. The note is crinkled up and I open it.

Emma,

Come to my house at 9 tonight. I will leave my window open. I want you to know I took care of Hunter for you. Don't worry I didn't beat him up too badly. I love you.

-Arlo

Seeing him write, I love you makes my heart dance. But I know that if this letter got out we would both be in trouble. I take scissors and rip the note up by the trash and head to my next class before the next bell rings.