writingcamp Behind the Click of the Camera

Week 3 How to write the beginning

CHAPTER 1

TENEILE

    “What the f**k. You know that I don’t like being in front of the cameras.” Nakatayo lamang ako sa labas habang pinipilit ako ng pinsan ko na si Amelie na maging substitute model niya.

    It’s not that I do not have the confidence to be in front of the camera. The hell with that. My face and physique are way better than my cousin’s male models.

    There is just something in cameras that makes me feel uncomfortable. The flash, and the clicking sounds, always made my heart beats faster as if I’m running for my life. 

    “As if I care. Sino bang nagsabi sayo na agawan ng girlfriend si Patrick?” Who the heck is Patrick, is he Spongebob’s friend? Patrick Star, the cartoon character?

    “Your womanizing caused me to lose two of my well-known models. Ang rami-rami mo naman kasing lalandiin bakit si Raine pa?” Did she mean the flirt female model that hit on me? Well, that one heck of the model is hot, you can’t blame me for riding her flirtatious methods.

    “How many times do I have to tell you that I did not hit on her. Blame it on the charisma that made her fall for me.” It was not my fault that she tried to kiss me in a bar, which made us become the talk of the town for a week.

    “Then at least put your charisma in use then.” If I calculated it right, it’s been thirty minutes since she started to convince me on being a substitute model for Erick.

    Amelie called me while she’s crying. She told me that someone sent her a death threat because of the cheating issues between me and Raine. Due to the guilt that I’ve felt thirty minutes ago, which is definitely gone now, I hurriedly came to her studio to only know that she's just acting. She just wants me to be her substitute model for the day.

    “I can’t, I do not want to be involved with Raine. Dad would cut all my cards again if he sees my face in the news for the second time.” This was my last straw. Amelie knew how far dad can go if our name gets involve again in scandals.

    I saw how she slowly smiles at me after hearing me explain. “Do not worry cous, I made sure that Raine is out of the picture.”

    I followed where she told me to go. Looks like I have no choice but to follow her. Using my dad’s name is my last and strongest straw to leave her studio. If it can’t convince her, I do not know what will.

    “Tiff, kindly assist this guy to the dressing room. Make sure that his clothes and make-up will compliment his partner, Marguerite.” She looks at me after talking to a middle-aged woman.

    “I will leave you here with Tiff, she’s the one who will guide you.” I just look at her back getting away from me. She did not even ask me if I was fine with this. The f**k.

    She guided me to a room full of dresses. Every people around me are busy fixing clothes, make-ups, costumes, and other stuff that are used in photoshoots.

    “Monica, where are the outfits that Marguerite will wear?” She guided me to a chair in front of a large mirror, before leaving to talk with someone named Monica.

    “It’s here ma’am.” Said someone younger than the girl named Tiff. Maybe that younger girl was the one named Monica.

    I was almost asleep when Tiff handed me a pair of clothes. “Here, wear these clothes.” She pointed at a door which I think was the changing room of the models.

    I followed her orders without complimenting, I just want this to be done. I already had a plan of going to a bar tonight with my friends, which I think I will be a little late if I keep prolonging things. After changing my clothes to a mesh white inner shirt with a crocodile-colored coat paired with white pants, I reached for the door handle to go out of the room.

    “Are you a model?” Tiff asked while putting make-up on my face. I just shake my head at her question. I don’t even have a plan to be here if it’s not for Amelie's plead and persistence.

    “You can pass as a full-time model if you want.” I just shake my head for the second time and smiled a little at her. I’m fully aware that I can pass as a model because Amelie keeps inviting me to be her model. This is actually the first time that she convinced me.

    This is because I’m kind of guilty for being in a headline with one of her well-known models. This is why when she called me and I heard her sob, I quickly go to her studio. If I only knew that I was walking into the lion’s den, I wouldn't have come here in the first place. 

    “Marguerite, your partner is almost finished with her solo photoshoot. I guess it will just take you about an hour to finish the shoot.” Marguerite? I don’t think I’ve heard her name before.

    “Is she a new model?” Out of curiosity, I blurted out those words. First words that I’ve said after being with Tiff for about an hour.

    “She’s actually a new talent. They discovered her in a university pageant. If today’s photoshoot would turn out great, she might get signed by the company.” A new talent huh. My cousin never liked signing new models in her company, she said that they are a pain in the neck.

    She said that new models tend to be hardheaded on what are the dos and don'ts in the modeling industry.

    “Done. Let’s go.” I stand up and followed her to a loud room.

    “Nice. Great. Turn your head a little. Okay, five minutes break.” Looks like the shoot is over. The photographer was looking at his camera in hand. It looks like he’s browsing the photos that he takes.

    “Oh, Marguerite, this is your partner.” Tiff pointed at me while talking to a girl with black wavy hair wearing a white sleeveless top. Her top has a design of lace and it follows a V-neck shape. It was paired with a white short that reached her mid-thighs. To accentuate her waistline a belt with a white strap and silver buckle was attached to her shorts. She also had an olive coat hanging in her hands, which is lighter than the coat I’m wearing.

    “Ten.” I take out my hand out of my pocket to shook hands with her. She received my hand with a smile plastered on her face.

    “Marguerite.” She smiled at me even more which shows her perfect set of white teeth. It feels like I’ve been hypnotized in her brown eyes. She wore light make-up that matched her light skin tone.

    Everything about her right now fits her perfectly, she’s so pretty with that long black hair, light skin tone, pointed nose, and brown eyes. She looks like a goddess of nature in fairy tales that came straight out of the book. There was something about her that pulls me to her.  I can’t even dare to look away nor blink for a second, for thinking that she might disappear.