Erika groaned as she turned off her alarm. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in the sheets and go back to sleep. But she had to go to work. If it wasn’t for the fact that Brook would be there soon to pick her up and that she had decided to wait until morning to re-apply her forms, she probably would have.

A very quick shower to help her wake up and to rinse sleep sweat from her body was followed by the very tedious application of her breast forms. Her own breasts were a bit swollen to the touch which she had heard was the precursor for her to start growing her own. She could hardly wait to have her own and not have to glue them on.

She pulled on a tank top and slid into some shorts before sliding into her flip-flops. She set her sunglasses on her head grabbed her phone and purse and slid out of her door.

Checking the time on her phone she discovered that she was running early. She slipped out of the hotel room and sleepily made her way to the lobby.

She pulled up the pictures of her and Hunter from the previous day and smiled as she swiped through them. She began posting them of Facebook with the caption ‘hanging out with a new friend’. She wondered if he would consider them more than friends. She was starting too. It wasn’t like she went around kissing every new guy she met. But then again, she was leaving Hollywood and he was leaving for a film shoot. She was confused at the emotions swirling through her mind.

“Morning!” Brook called as she pulled into the valet. “You’re out and ready, Huh?”

Erika nodded and slid her sunglasses down to shade her eyes.

“Coffee?” Brook asked once Erika had climbed into her car.

“Yes.”

“Nice sunglasses, are they new?” Brook was too cheerful.

“Yes. Hunter bought them for me.” Erika stifled a yawn.

“Hunter?” Brook asked. “Hunter Allyson?”

Erika nodded. “We hung out yesterday. He bought these for me.”

“Wow. He must really like you.” Brook shook her head in disbelief.

“Why?” Erika was having a hard time thinking straight.

“Those cost close to a thousand dollars.” Brook explained.

“What!” Erika nearly choked on her own swallow. “Seriously?” she was waking up now. “I knew they were expensive, but I didn’t think they’d be more than one or two hundred.” Erika took them off of her face and looked at them more closely. “Really? That much?”

Brook pulled over to the side of the road. At this hour it wasn’t too busy. She looked more closely at the sunglasses and whistled. “They are this seasons model. She turned the pair over and gasped.

“What?” Erika asked. “What is it?”

“This maker numbers their frames.” Brook explained. “Only a certain number of each design are made.” She looked at Erika. “This maker is known to only make about one hundred models of each design. Each model is scribed with a number. This number here is 003/100. Meaning your have the third pair made of one hundred. Don’t lose these.”

Erika turned the pair of sunglasses over in her hand studying them, noticing the number for the first time. “holy shit.” She murmured. Her heart warmed at the thought of Hunter purchasing these for her.

“Did anyone talk to you about today’s photo shoot?” Brook pulled back out onto the street.

Erika shook her head. “No. what’s going on?”

“Teen magazine like most magazines have a cover model.” Brook explained. “Sometimes it is a celeb, sometimes a musician. Sometimes it is an up and coming model.”

Erika was quiet. She had placed the sunglasses back on her face but with a new-found respect.

“The next up and coming model is you, Erika.” Brook stated.

“Me?” I’ve only ever done a couple of small time local shoots. Nothing to be an up and coming anything. How can I be the cover model?”

“You have Mr. Winters as your agent.” It was stated as if that was all the explanation she needed.

Thankfully Brook pulled into a coffee stand before heading on to the photo shoot.

“Who’s doing the shoot?” Erika wondered. It didn’t really matter, she didn’t know photographers.

“Well…” Brook began. “I hope you won’t be too upset, but it’ll be Clyde.” She sucked her teeth awaiting an outburst.
Erika shrunk in on herself. Her last encounter with Clyde was very uncomfortable. He did get good results, but he spoke about her as if she wasn’t there, or an inanimate object. “Great.” Erika’s heart wasn’t in it now.

“I’ll be with you, then at break, we’ll pick up your mom and go out for lunch.” Brook spun.

“Will Maria at least be there?” Erika nearly whined.

“I’m not sure.” Brook admitted. “Sometimes the magazine supplies their own hair and makeup to get the look they want.”

Erika followed Brook off the elevator and into Clyde’s lobby.

“Brook!” the flamboyant man called approaching. “Twice in one week.” He looked over to Erika. “Erika Summers!” he greeted as warmly as he did Brook. He kissed each of Brook’s cheeks and approached Erika with hands wide. “It’s fantastic to see you again in such a short time, Erika.”

“Hello, Clyde.” Erika greeted. She made a face as the photographer air kissed both of her cheeks as well. At least he knew her name this time.

“Come, come.” He gestured as he led them towards his studio. “We have lots of work to do today.” He turned to Erika “And I would love to see what the camera has to say about you today.” He smiled. His eyes scanned her from head to toe. “There is something different about you today.” He observed. “You have been out in the sun yesterday, but that isn’t it.” He mused as he opened the door to his studio. “Maria! He called out as they entered. “Erika Summers is here!”

Erika felt relieved that Maria was there. She and Brook were the only two she felt comfortable with last time.

Two other people were speaking with Maria. They greeted Brook as if they knew her. Brook introduced the two to Erika as the Teen Magazine editors.

“Hello again, Erika.” Maria greeted. “Its’ good to see you again.”

“You too.” Erika meant it.

“Come, come, Ms. Summers.” Clyde called from by his cameras.

Erika excused herself and stepped into Clyde’s spotlight. She didn’t know how to feel about his assistant whirling around checking lights, double checking cameras and the like. She didn’t think he had said more than two words to her the other day.

Clyde looked through the lens of his camera and started taking pictures. “Yes, yes, there is definitely something different about you today.”

Erika blushed. She didn’t feel any different. She had worn sunscreen, so she wasn’t sunburned.

“Did you find a new lover?” Clyde asked. “You are glowing as if you’d just had amazing sex.”

Erika was sure she looked like a deer in headlights, and she knew she was as red as a beet. The conversation taking place with Brook, Maria, and the other two halted as all eyes focused on her.

“I… I haven’t had sex.” Erika stammered and blurted out. What else was she supposed to say?

“I didn’t mean to offend you.” Clyde remarked. “This is Hollywood, everyone has sex.”

“Well, I haven’t.” Erika insisted.

Clyde threw up his arms. “Okay. But you have been with a new guy.”

“I don’t think that is any of your business.” Erika growled.

“Sorry, Erika. I’m just saying what the camera is telling me. What ever it is, you are radiant today.”

“I’m done.” Erika stated as she stormed away from the lights. “Your camera has said enough.” She stalked over to Maria’s makeup area and collapsed in her chair.

“What right does he have talking to me like that?” Erika asked as Brook approached.

“He didn’t mean anything by it, Erika.” Brook excused. “You do look a bit different today. I noticed it in the car this morning.”

“It’s none of his business.” Erika stormed on.

“What happened between you and Hunter yesterday?” She inquired.

“Hunter?” Maria joined them. “Hunter Allyson?”

Brook nodded as Erika glared at everyone. “It’s none of any of your business.” She growled.

Brook gave Maria a certain look.

“I’m going to get some coffee.” Maria stated. “anyone want some?” She walked off.

“Calm down, Erika. No one means anything by this.” She lowered her voice. “I understand that you didn’t have sex with Hunter. But he has had an effect on you, because Clyde is right, you are radiating as someone after having sex or in love.”

Love? Erika liked Hunter, yes. She was attracted to him too, which was weird for her, but in love? They only had one date together, well, two if you count the gala, but could that count as a date? She loved Tricia. Tricia, who understood her, excepted her, defended her. So why then did Hunter make her feel this way?

Erika took a deep breath. “I’m sorry for my outburst.” She apologized.

“It’s alright, just get yourself under control, it’s going to be a long day as it is, it’ll only feel longer if you’re pissed the whole time.”

Erika nodded understanding. Brook touched her arm in understanding and went off to retrieve Maria.

“Did you apply your breast forms this morning.” Maria asked casually.

Erika’s heart nearly stopped. It then started pounding loud and hard. “Um. You know?” She asked.

“I’m a makeup artist.” Maria stated. I can tell real skin from fake. You do a great job, and I wouldn’t say anything, except you have a seam lifting.” Maria explained touching the problem area with a makeup brush. “No big deal, many models have many tricks that don’t rely on photoshop. You’re still young, I’m sure your breasts will fill in soon.”

Erika didn’t know what to say. “Does anyone else know?” She managed.

“I don’t believe so.” Maria smiled trying to instill confidence. “Although I think Brook my suspect.”

That’s not all she suspects. Erika thought. “Can you fix it?” she asked.

“Of course. No one will ever know. Our little secret.”

“Thank you, Maria.” Erika tried to calm herself.

Maria was finishing up her work on her when the two magazine editors approached.

“I want to apologize for my earlier outburst.” Erika began. “I’m not a morning person and Clyde touched on a sensitive subject.”

They smiled and nodded and then proceeded to ask her all kinds of questions. What band was her latest favorite, what qualities she liked in guys, who her favorite designers were and what her ideal first date would be like. The twenty questions turned into twenty minutes of questions. Some were very personal, others very mundane. It continued until Maria took off the makeup bib and declared her ready for wardrobe and Clyde.
The rest of the morning was spent either in front of Clyde and his camera or behind the changing screen as she slipped in and out of clothes. Ball gowns, casual dresses, jeans with tanks, blouses, skirts, heels and tennis shoes.

Clyde, still directed her and goaded her but he left the morning’s subject alone. Erika wondered if Brook had a talk with him.

“Okay.” Brook called “break time.”

Erika looked over at her gratefully and spotted her mother standing beside her. “Mom?”

“You look amazing.” Her mother smiled. “Brook says that you are a natural in front of the camera.”

Erika beamed at the praise.

“Let’s get some lunch.” Brook decided. “go change quickly.”

Erika was changed and ready to go before the two had walked to the elevator. “Where are we going today?” She asked.

“What did you feel like having?” Brook inquired as the three of them entered the elevator.

“Mexican.” Erika decided. They were in California after all. Where better than to get Mexican food.

Brook was silent as the elevator dropped them down to the lobby. “I’ve got the perfect place.” She announced. “It’s probably not what you’d expect, but it is very good Mexican food.”

“Fantastic.” Her mother smiled.

“Oh,” Brook got their attention as they got into her car. “I hope you grabbed all of your things. “We won’t be coming back here after lunch.”

“I’ve got everything.” Erika nodded. “Where are we going?”

“We’ll be going to a park and around down town for some location shoots.”

“Oh, okay.” Erika was a little anxious. “I’ve never done location shoots.”

“Just like this morning, only out and about.” Brook pulled out into traffic.

A few minutes later Brook parked on the side of the street in front of a food truck.

“El Ostion?” Erika seemed puzzled. “A food truck?”

“Probably the best Mexican food anywhere.” Brook nodded. “You’ll see.”

A few picnic tables were set up, most were taken with people and a line of ten people were queued up in front of the order window. Erika pulled out her phone and checked messages. There were quite a few. Mostly her friends checking in with her.

Samantha: Seriously? You spent the day with Hunter Allyson? You bitch!
Erika replied: I knew you’d hate me for this. He is a very nice guy.

Tricia: Looks like you’re busy. When are you coming home? I miss you.
Erika: Doing a photoshoot today. Looks like I’ll be flying home tomorrow. Missing you too.
She then checked her Facebook and saw a lot of similar comments about her spending a day with Hunter. She replied to a few but left the rest alone. She’d be seeing everyone in a day or two.

The line moved pretty fast and soon enough the three women were sitting in the sun at one of the tables and tucking into some absolutely amazing Mexican food.
“It’s hard to believe that food this good comes from a food truck.” Her mother marveled.
“Some of the best food in L.A. are from the food trucks.” Brook assured her. “One of these visits, you’ll have to go to one of the food truck rallies.”
“What are those?” Erika inquired sucking some sour cream off one of her fingers.
“Usually on a Friday evening, a bunch of the food trucks gather at a certain place. It’s like a being at a food fare.”
The three finished up, cleared their table and got back into the car.
“Mom,” Erika put her seat belt on. “You need to figure out how to cook Mexican food like that. That was amazing.”
“Now, back to work.” Brook announced as she pulled out into traffic.

It wasn’t long before Erika was changing into a floral-patterned summer dress with lace accents. Maria went to work touching up her makeup and she found herself in an alley that had seen better days.
Clyde positioned her near a stucco wall that was covered with graffiti and had chunks of the stucco missing.
Working on location was definitely different than working in the studio. The sounds for one thing. Sirens, loud cars, people yelling, they all created a background for Clyde’s instructions. Sometimes Clyde was forced to yell over the top of the noise, other times, he would frown and wait for the loud noise to stop before giving her instruction.
Then there were all the people. Many passersby would stop, some would back up and all would watch. Some would even take pictures of their own.
After a few changes Clyde told the crew to head to the next location.
“Where are we going next?” Erika asked Brook.
“I hope you aren’t afraid of heights.”
Erika shook her head.
“He’s managed to get us on to a rooftop.”
Erika looked up at the surrounding buildings then back at Brook who nodded with a smile.
Erika shrugged. “Okay.”
They walked a few blocks then entered an older building. They took a very slow elevator up to the top floor and then some stairs to the roof. Erika was surprised to see that part of the roof had been made into a garden. Large pots and planters filled with vegetables, and flowers surrounded a small table and chairs. Looking around at the view from the rooftop, she could imagine someone bringing a bottle of wine or some tea up here and soaking in the sun, and the city view with a sunset.

Brook along with her mother, took seats at the small table while Erika was positioned at a different part of the roof while Clyde and his assistant began setting up.

“We are going to change up your hair.” Maria told her as she approached. She pulled a long extension cord along behind her.

“Oh?” Erika asked. “What’s wrong with it?”

“Nothing is wrong. But the Teen Magazine people would like a few pictures with your hair straight.”

“Uh, okay.”

Maria began sectioning off Erika’s hair and extensions and pulling the hot flat iron through her hair.

Erika closed her eyes and soaked in the warmth of the sun. The people who lived here sure were lucky that this was how they experienced winter. She nearly shivered thinking about returning home to wearing multiple layers, heavy coats, gloves, scarfs and looking for any heat source to keep warm. Shorts, flip-flops, sundresses year-round? Perhaps she should convince her parents to move here.

When Maria was finished, Erika looked down at her straight tresses. They looked to be about four inches longer straight. It felt strange and very cool at the same time. Erika ran her fingers through the straight hair. Something she couldn’t do with it curly. She nearly giggled as she felt it brushing across her hips.
Just a few inches longer and it would be as long as Melinda’s. The thought of the head Cheerleader sent her thoughts scurrying back to the mess she caused back home. She hoped that Taylor would have time to cool down while she was here in Hollywood.

Maria pulled out a small pair of shears. “I need to trim up your fringe as well. They’re a little long.”

“Fine.” Erika relented. She closed her eyes and felt Maria comb and snip at her fringe.

Several more changes of outfits and more of Clyde’s gruff instruction took up a couple more hours. Finally, Clyde called an end to the shoot.

“Brook?” Erika approached.”

“You looked fantastic.” Her mother encouraged.

“Thank you.” Erika smiled. She looked back to Brook. “Is there anyway I can keep an outfit or two? I really liked that embroidered romper and loved that sequins serape looking dress.”
Brook rose in that graceful way that she had. Erika decided that she needed to practice that move so that she could look that elegant. “I’ll have a talk with wardrobe and Mr.
Winters.” She pulled out her phone and walked away.

“You look beautiful.” Her mother reaffirmed handing Erika her phone. “You got a text from Hunter.”
Erika forgot everything else as she opened and read Hunter’s text.

Hunter: Will you and your mother join me for dinner tonight?

“Mom.” She glanced to her mother. “Hunter wants to take us to dinner tonight. Can we?”
Her mother skewered her face in thought for a second. “Sure.” She smiled.
Erika typed furiously on her phone. We’d love too. What time?
Erika ducked behind the makeshift curtain and changed back into her own clothes before they took the curtain away.
“It was a pleasure working with you, Erika.” Maria gave her a hug. “I hope we can do so again sometime.”
“That would be great. Thank you for everything Maria. And thank you for not saying anything about my forms.”
Maria smiled. “Like I said, many models and actresses do many things to help with their appearance.”

Erika followed her mother down the stairs and into the elevator. When they exited the building, her phone alerted a text.

Hunter: I’ll pick you up around six?
Erika looked at the clock. That should give them plenty of time to get back to the hotel and freshen up.
Erika: Fantastic. Can’t wait.

Brook met them with two items of clothing folded over her arm and a smile. “They are yours.”

Erika’s heart raced. “Thank you.” She hugged Brook.

“You need to thank wardrobe.” She returned Erika’s squeeze and handed her the clothes. “What are your plans for tonight?” She asked.

“Hunter is taking us out to dinner.” Erika beamed.

Brook gave Erika a smile.

--o0o—

Erika hung the two new outfits with her others and collapsed on the bed. Who knew that posing for pictures and changing clothes could be so tiring.

“Do you know where Hunter is taking us?” Her mother called. “I need to know how fancy to dress.”

She pulled out her phone and text Hunter. What is the dress code for tonight?

A few minutes later her phone sounded.

Hunter: Nice place, dress up.

Erika relayed the information and looked at her hanging dresses trying to decide what to wear. Her eyes were heavy and before she knew it, she was asleep.