Substitute for Lawson

22

Emily sat in the backseat of a taxi, terribly flustered, watching the surroundings fly by. The silent driver did not say a word, during the time she sat down, he drove her along a route that she did not even know, and Jeremy just called before that, asking if everything was okay.

“We've arrived,” the driver said suddenly, drawing the girl’s attention to himself. She did not even suspect that everything would be so suddenly fast. The car came to a stop in a small but crowded one-way street, a five-story building of dirty brown brick rising in front of my eyes.

- Oh, - realization did not come immediately, and she frantically began to rummage in her small purse in search of a wallet, but the door on her side opened, from where a young man she knew appeared.

- Thank you, - the guy slipped the bill to the driver, while Emily herself, opening her mouth, blinked in confusion. - Why are you so scared? - Slightly pulling back, he held the door for her, winking cheerfully. - Get out.

- Ah ... - she fussed and got out of the car, and could not say anything else. Jeremy, watching her with curiosity, could not hold back a wide smile and, in the end, laugh loudly.

- Breathe, - the photographer lightly patted her on the shoulder. - And I thought you would dig, but no, I arrived on time, I'm happy!

- And where are we now? - she finally smiled.

- This way! - stretching out his hand in an inviting gesture, indicates this very building that attracted the secretary.

- Wow ...

- I work here, let's go! - throws his hand on her shoulder and drags after him to the transparent entrance doors.

Emily is more worried than before, because she does not know what to do, and how to do it. On the first floor of the building, which can be easily seen from the street because of the large display windows, there was a fairly large cafe where, apparently, the employees who hunch in this building dine.

- There are many offices, but also a large photo studio, - as if she guesses what the girl can think about now, so she starts to explain everything cheerfully.

- And how long will all this last? She asks hesitantly as they both stop at the elevator door.

- Are you in a hurry somewhere? Any business?

“No,” he shakes his head and can't help smiling back at this kid. As bright as the sun in the sky.

“You see,” Jeremy walks into the elevator with the girl and quickly presses the button for the fifth floor. - I have long been offered to arrange a photo exhibition, or something like that, but as soon as I caught fire, my muse left me, practically for three months! - there was so much horror in his eyes, but although Amy could not fully understand the scale of the whole problem, she tried to penetrate. - And then I found you in a department store! You just can't imagine what exactly you did to me ...

- I didn't do it badly, did I? She narrows her eyes.

- You just revived me! - the elevator doors open with the characteristic sound of a bell, and the guy, holding her by the shoulder, leads him into the corridor.

The sound of some kind of pop music is heard on the floor, which apparently served to raise the mood, also to the numerous staff that were rushing about their business. For a couple of seconds, Amy thought that complete chaos was going on on this floor, and after a moment she for some reason imagined that this is how the workers on the set run around and shoot some kind of film, because the scenery allowed it to be done.

- What's going on here? - whispered the girl, making her way to the trail of Parker.

- Like what? Work is in full swing here around the clock, after all, I brought you to the photo studio. This is where various shootings take place, and even for fashion magazines, ”he chuckles smugly. - But we go over there, let's go!

There were many areas on the floor, open, separated by imaginary lines, and separate rooms where the guy and the girl actually got. It was much quieter there, and, in general, there were practically no people either, after which Amy breathed a sigh of relief.

- Where were you? - a woman's voice comes from behind a wide screen. "Will I be here to cool off for a long time?" - finally, the displeased face of a dark-skinned girl appears, who has strangely tied a red bandana on her hair. - Oh, is that she? - the girl's face changes at once.

- I'm sorry Jess, we're here. - brings his palms together in a pleading gesture, but his smile seems to hide everything. - And here is my muse!

- I already understood that, - she shook her head reproachfully and left, holding out her hand for greeting. - I'm Jessica, stylist!

“Emily,” the secretary accepted the gesture amiably and, looking down a little, added: “A model?

- You're funny! - burst out laughing stylist, also boldly stepping up to Fox throws her hand on her shoulders. - Let's go? By the way, in what way are you going to create, photographer? Come on, point it out!

- In any, at your discretion, she inspires me in all images, - Jeremy winked playfully at Amy and sat down at a small table where there was a mackentosh and some other equipment unknown to the girl.

As it turned out, behind a wide screen there was a dressing room. Vintage mirror illuminated by bulbs, a comfortable table on which in huge The foliage rested cosmetics, hair dryers, curling irons, jewelry and various rubbish in the form of wigs and other things.

- Hmm, - while Emily was admiringly looking around in this kingdom of beauty, into which, and never dreamed of getting, the girl closely examined her. - You have gorgeous hair and color ... He ...?

“Natural,” Fox added, reflexively touching the tip of the tail she had gathered on top of her head in a hurry.

- Hmm, you have such a delicate appearance. I think something as cute as yourself will suit you ... the image ... of a princess? ABOUT! Rapunzel! You know, I have very long strands right in the color of your hair! - while the keen stylist starts to run around the dressing room, Amy tastes the compliment just said to her. - You don't mind? - Jess is already holding long strands of hair, which are attached in addition to the hairstyle, to which Fox shakes his head, silently agreeing with that. She seems ready to squeal with delight, because this is no Nu, as Jungkook's adversary told her.

Jessica sat Amy in a chair, in front of the mirror, beginning to try on her strands, suggesting cosmetics and asking about her tastes in general.

- Don't think, I'm not going to do a Disney princess cosplay, you just have the image of a gentle young lady, Okay? - The stylist did not stop smiling playfully, which won her over and lifted Fox's spirits. She squirmed impatiently in the seat, waiting for the hair to be done.

***

Jeremy, who prepared everything for shooting a long time ago and was looking forward to when Jess finally finished creating. As soon as the guy was going to look behind the screen, the stylist immediately pushed him out of there, telling him not to interfere. The final touch in this whole stage image was a light dress, white, which even looked more like a delicate shirt.

“That's it,” the artist chuckled smugly, moving a couple of meters away from her model. Folding her fingers at her chin, she narrowed her eyes, as if appreciating her efforts. - Oh my God! I surpass myself every time! Parker, you owe me, okay ?! - She shouted loudly, and the impatient young man still broke into Jessica's abode.

Amy, standing all this time on a small podium, pretended to be a mannequin and was afraid to move. She saw what the stylist was doing with her, but she was eager to see all this in a full-fledged way. Like a porcelain doll: unobtrusive natural makeup, which emphasized the soft features of the face, light blond hair that was lengthened several times, hung down in light waves, lying on women's shoulders. The photographer who suddenly burst in suddenly braked abruptly near his friend and, about to say something, opened his mouth, but surprise was frozen on his face, because of which he could not squeeze out a sound.

- Phew, Jeremy Parker, cover your mouth, you're drooling! Jessica grimaced theatrically, shaking her head reproachfully. Probably, only a stupid one would not understand what the young man felt at that moment.

“Ah… uh…” he blinked, putting the back of his hand to his mouth. - Gorgeous ...

- I did it! - I heard the smug voice of the stylist, who went to the mirror, removing her brushes from the suitcase.

- Emily, you are beautiful! - but Jeremy didn't seem to pay attention to his gurgling girlfriend in the background.

- Thank you, - the blush on the girl's cheeks played even brighter. Slowly stepping off the podium, she goes to the mirror and is ready to open her mouth from what she saw.

It doesn't take long, and while Amy continues to admire herself in the mirror, she hears the familiar sound of the camera shutter behind her. Shudders from suddenness and turns around. The photographer, who has already begun to go into the process of shooting, stretches his lips in a smile, looks enthusiastically at the camera screen and seems to be glowing with happiness.

- What is there? Fox whispered curiously. Because of interest, the girl boldly moved towards the man, only now he quickly recoiled from her.

- I will show you later! - conspiratorially winked at her, quickly removing the camera to the side. - Come on, my princess, an unforgettable shooting awaits us!

***

London was plunged into darkness, like Damian himself, who had spent the whole day at home alone. Not that it was unusual for him, he loved this, but now, in his chest, an unpleasantly bubbling, completely incomprehensible sensation was bubbling. The best friend could not get through, as the whole young family drove off to Dublin, Emily disappeared in an unknown direction, with some supposed friend and still has not returned. He wanted to call her, but reminding himself that he had no logical reason for this, stopped all attempts to dial the girl's number. There was so little to do that he would have agreed to work overtime in the office, so as not to howl alone in the apartment, which was usually a saving temple for his solitude. As a result, having spat on everything and convincing himself that he had not yet married, and even more so with a girl he was not connected with anything like that, it means that you could call your London acquaintances and go, for example, to a club. Yes, it was just a saving idea, and the addiction to frivolous and s****l relations, attracted him much more than sitting at home alone and winding himself up completely but not familiar thoughts and emotions.

- Yes, Dan, we'll meet there, - holding the phone between his ear and shoulder, he puffed, while shoeing leather boots.

Don't give a damn about anything. Now he goes to have fun.

Insanely tired, Emily could barely move her legs along the sidewalk, purr an unobtrusive melody under her breath and smiled like a fool. The shooting really took almost the whole day, the body was twisted by fatigue, but it was pleasant and created a kind of euphoria. The make-up remained on her in full and even during the whole day it got better, on the head the same curls, but only already consisting of the girl's real hair. Jeremy insistently wanted to accompany her home, referring to the fact that it was already evening, but Fox stubbornly disagreed and called a taxi for herself, which did not even reach the house. She asked to stop the driver five blocks from Damian's house and, now slowly shifting her feet, strolled through the busy area. Inside was bursting with joy, I wanted to share with her, first of all, with my mother and Alice, and even, it seems, with Damian. But her friend had family affairs, she will now meet the guy at home and, judging by the day it was, it is not in such a good mood, but my mother ... She hasn’t called her for so long! Hastily burying herself in her purse, the secretary fished her cell phone out of her pocket and, taking a deep breath, dialed the number of a loved one.

- Yes? - I heard in the receiver. - Amy? Something happened?

“Maaaam,” she drawled, smiling from the top of her mouth.

- What? - the tone softened a little, she seems to be smiling too.

- I'm so happy! - Breathing in through her nose, the cool air purred Amy.

- Did something good happen?

“Yes,” the girl nodded, as if her mother could see it. - Imagine, today I was at the photo session! I got beautiful makeup, put on a beautiful dress and took a bunch of cool shots! Emily spun in place, lifting her head to him. - And yet, this world ... it is not so alien as it seemed to me before!

- Oh, - a long sigh is heard in the receiver, but he is not tired at all, just the mother continues to marvel at her daughter's naivety. - You are my miracle!

- Mom, I'll send you photos, okay?

- It would be better if she came herself than sent her photos! I also want to touch you! - The usual grunt followed in response, which in this one did not irritate at all. The secretary continued to smile happy about this day, which brought so many emotions.