"Laura, pa-abot nga ng isang tinidor." Gwen said, my head snap up from my food and I immediately stand up and grab a fork for her.

I handed it to her and continue to eat. Finally, after days they were able to go here. This is some sort of a blow-out for us. For me being a model. And it's like a feast here. There's carbonara and spaghetti. Chicken and drinks. It's like a birthday party but not.

"Ali, soft drinks." I said looking at Ali. I notice she's the only one not having any drinks by her side.

She look up and remove some strands of her hair away from her face. She shake her head. "Nope, I don't like soft drinks. Naputok sa lalamunan." She said and I just nod.

"Sana all naputok." We all almost choke on our foods as Gwen suddenly just said that. It didn't help that we are all green minded so we think of a different thing to what she just have said.

Ali shake her head. "Napaka bastos talaga." She said and I hear Gwen's exaggerated gasp.

"Nagsalita ang nanonood ng-

"Tumigil ka, babae ka!" Ali cut off that made us all burst into laughter.

After we ate we decided to go to my room and have a movie marathon. We pick IT Chapter II since we have already watch the part one.

"Ali, walang sisigaw mamaya ha!?" Gwen said when the movie started.

Ali shrug. "Di tayo sure, baka di kayanin ng puso." She said and I hear Gwen scoffed.

"Sus, kakayanin ng puso mo. Ilang heartbreak na ang naranasan niyan." Lory said and Ali's head immediately snap at her direction.

"Heartbreak ba?! Hindi 'no!" Ali said and they all started reacting, I just rolled my eyes knowing the truth about her painful love story.

"Tsaka, para naman ang dami nung beses na na-wasak ako." She added..

"Sana all na-wa-

"Isa pa Avelline isu-suksok ko 'tong remote sa lalamunan mo." She cut off and Gwen look at her while holding her throat.

"Ehem deep throat, ehem deep throat." Lory faked cough. Ali groan and message her temples.

"Takte, manood na tayo." She said before facing the television. The movie started minutes already so we miss the start.

And an hour later..

"Ah shit! Gaga! Sa likod mo!" Ali said while covering her eyes but her fingers parted making her able to still see the movie.

"Ay tanga! Ayan! Takbo!" Tobi screamed with hoarse voice, pointing at the tv.

Jax gasped. "Hoy! Hoy! Hala! Takbo! Bilis!" Jax screamed. Covering her eyes, then removing her hands. Then turning her back at the tv and slapping her thighs.

"Hmm! Takbo! Putangina takbo!" Gwen screamed her lungs out. I'm getting a little worried that lola might hear them.

Well, they're probably used to them. Kahit sa bahay nila Ali nagmumura rin si Gwen. Hindi na siguro bago sa mga family namin ang bibig ni Gwen. Except that when we go to Gwen's house we're behave. Because Gwen will scold us if we say anything bad in their house.

That's what happened in the remaining minutes of the movie. They would scream and scream, scold the characters and tell them to run or run faster. As if they can hear them.

While I'm just there, well I would scream sometimes too. But not like Ali who almost cried a while ago.

"Tara sa rooftop." Akit ni Lory after the movie ended. I look at the time and it's almost 5pm.

"Sure.. tara dadalhin ko speaker." I said and she nod. They went out the room first as I search for my bluetooth speaker. I followed them to the rooftop.

"Kpop random dance?" I asked while after I connected the speaker to my phone.

Lory nod, getting ready to dance and already at the center of the place.

Ali stand up. "Gege." She said and stand beside Lory. I played the most recent video on YouTube. And just like how this usually works to us.

This time Jax would dance often. Then there's Tobi and Gwen doing their own style.

"Laura sali ka!" Ali said, signaling me to come over.

I shake my head.

She frown. "Ano ba 'yan? Sige na, paano na kapag nag mo-model ka na? Kapag sa runway? Marami nang manonood sa'yo." She said and I slightly pouted. I put down on my phone and walk towards them.

They started cheering. "Wooh! Milendez lang malakas!" Gwen cheered. Gladly a kpop song that I know comes up. I started dancing but not moving a lot. Well at least I'm dancing.

But when a bop Korean song pop ups. We started even jumping. We were screaming and cheering. Ali even shouting the song together with Lory and Gwen.

We were in the middle of dancing when the music stops and my phone started ringing. We look at each other confused, before I rush towards my phone. I disconnect it to the speaker and go inside by the stairs.

It's Ms. Ava.

"Hello? Ms. Ava?" I softly said..

[Yes, Laura asan ka ngayon?] She ask..

My brows furrowed a little. "Andito po ako sa Tagkawayan, bakit po?" I ask..

[Well, available ka ba bukas? Actually no, ASAP. 'Yung isa kasing model ay nag back-out sa dapat photoshoot niya. And bukas na ang photoshoot. Walang ibang available na model except you. So pwede ka ba?] My eyes widened and I started panicking. I started shaking my hand.

"Uh.. I.. yes po! Bukas na po ba? I can leave now po." I said, I hear Ms. Ava squeal.

[That's great! Please do! Kailangan ka namin dito by 7am tomorrow. Aabot ka ba?] She ask and I started nodding.

"I'll try po, I'll try my best na umabot." I said a wide smile on my lips.

[Okay.. I'll end the call now. I'll call the team and tell them not to cancel the photoshoot.] She said and I nod.

"Please do po, I'll take the photoshoot. Bye Ms. Ava." I said smiling.

[Hmm.. bye Laura! Ingat sa biyahe.] Then the call ended. I put down my phone and just stare at the wall.

I'm having... my first photoshoot?

My first photoshoot!?

"Guys!" I run back towards them. They are all looking at me confusedly while I stand there, squatting a bit. Bitting my lower lip.

"Ano?" Ali asked..

I took a deep breath. "I'm having my first photoshoot!" I squeal.

Their eyes widened before running towards me.

"Weh?! Sino nagsabi?! Kailan?!" Ali asked while holding my arm.

I take another deep breath and calmed myself.

"I need to leave now, before the sunset. I need to be in Manila by 7am." I said and they all look at me.

"So we need to leave now? Kasi nag pa-pack ka pa?" Lory asked and I slowly nod.

Jax nod. "Okay.. good luck! Ingat ka! Balitaan mo kami!" She said smiling.

We went down and they bid goodbye.

"Lola! Lola! We need to call Kuya Bert! Lola I need to go to Manila! I'm having my photoshoot tomorrow! My first photoshoot!" I excitedly said. Shaking Lola's arm.

Lola gasped. "Jusko ang apo ko! Sige sige, tatawagan ko. Mag-ayos ka na ng gamit mo." Lola said and I nodded. I run to my room and take a shower.

I slip on some maong shorts and just simple white printed shirt.

I grab my rose gold luggage and put on my vanity bag that is already prepared. Clothes and other things.

By 6:45pm we are able to drive off.

"Kuya dahan-dahan pero paki-bilisan po." I told my driver. He look at me from the rear view mirror and nod.

"Of course Maam, matulog nalang po muna kayo." She said and I nod. I was about to close my eyes when I remember that we haven't eat dinner ret.

"Kuya let's stop by Lopez, doon po tayo kakain ng dinner." I said and he just raised a thumbs up which I find funny.

-

"Maam.. Maam? Lopez na po." My eyes slowly open as I felt my body being shaked. I look around and saw that we are on the parking lot of a fast food chain.

"Kain na po tayo." Kuya Bert said. I nod and pick up my phone together with my power bank and my wallet.

We entered the fast food chain and I ordered food for us. I walk back towards the table where Kuya Bert is at.

Doing that all, entering the fast food chain and ordering food, I am still all half asleep.

I lean on the table and closed my eyes.

"Antok pa Maam?" Kuya Bert ask I open my eyes and sat up straight before nodding.

"Anong oras na Kuya?" I ask, Kuya Bert look at his watch.

"8:25pm Maam." He said, I still haven't processed that. But when I did.. my eyes widened and immediately reach for my phone.

"Lagot! Si mommy!" I tapped on my Skype app. I'm the one who called mommy this time. And when she answered I immediately heard a squeal or scream?

[Where are you? Lola told me you leave the house dahil pupunta ka ng Manila. You're having your first photoshoot! Nasaan na kayo? Kumain na kayo? Kumpleto ba ang gamit na dala mo? You're staying at your dad's house-

"Mommy.. calm down. Isa isa lang po." I cut off.. Gladly the signal here is pretty good.

Mom nod. [Where are you right now?] Mom asked.

"Lopez mom, we're having dinner ni Kuya Bert." I said and mom nod.

[Where are you staying for tonight?] She ask.

I pout a little. "Well.. kay dad nalang po. I don't want to check in sa hotel in the middle of the night." I replied and mom nod.

[Ready kana sa photoshoot mo?] she ask and I nod.

"I am mom, I know what poses I should do." I said smiling.

I hear mom squeal that made me and Kuya Bert laugh.

[That's good.. oh you're eating now?] I look up and saw the waiter putting down our foods.

I nod. "Yes mom.. then we will go back to the road." I said and mom nod.

[Okay.. take care. Ingat kayo sa biyahe. And send me a picture of you tomorrow.] mom said.

We bid goodbye to each other and we started eating. It was just a silent and fast dinner and we come back to the road. I let minutes pass first before I go back to sleep.

And when I said I go to sleep, I literally go to sleep. Kuya Bert woke me up and we are already in front of dad's house. Inalalayan pa ako ni Kuya Bert na bumaba at dinala ang luggage ko palabas ng van since I'm still half asleep.

Dad isn't home, but the maids take care of me. I just slip on my pajamas, set alarm by 5am and go to sleep.

The morning I woke up, I immediately go to shower slip on a mini skirt and turtle neck. That has been my sense of fashion these passed days. Lory and Ali call it the shy type, simple girl style. Or the soft thing they call.

I brush my teeth and put on light make up to match the clothes. I grab my purse that contains my belongings and went down.

"Break fast po Ms. Laura." One maid said and I nod.

I sat down on my chair and just put hot dog and egg on my plate. "Si dad umalis na?" I asked..

"Nope, I'm still here." My eyes widened and look at dad.

"Balita ko model ka na? Congrats! I'm so proud of you." He said and sat down.

I nod. "Yes.. and I'm having my first photoshoot today." I said without sparing a glance to him.

He hum. "That's good, you need anything? Money?" He ask and my brows furrowed.

I shake my head. "No.. I'll earn my own money by modeling. What I need is a place to stay when I go here. To shoot and go to the company." I said not even looking at him.

"Then stay here. You can stay here." He said and I nod.

"Of course, I don't want checking on hotels. And this is my house too." I said in sarcastic tone.

I hear dad chuckle. "Exactly, sa'yo rin mapupunta ang bahay na 'to in the future." He said and I nod. I take the last bite of the hot dog before standing up.

"I need to go, I need to go there by 7am." I said while wiping my mouth. I went straight out without even bidding a goodbye to him.

"Doon din po tayo sa building Maam?" Kuya Bert ask...

I sigh and nod. "Yes Kuya.. make it fast. We only have 40 minutes left." I said and we drove off.

"Tatawagan nalang po kita kapag magpapasundo na ako." I said after I went out the van. Kuya Bert nod and I went inside.

"Laura!" I immediately hear someone scream my name the moment I entered.

Ms. Ava immediately grab me by my wrist and drag me towards the make up room.

"You're good at time. Hindi ka late and early at the same time. Just right." She said, I sat down in front of a vanity mirror and two girl immediately started fixing my hair and putting on make up to me.

"Sa studio 13 ang photoshoot ni Laura. Don't rush her make up. 8am pa siya kailangan. Make her look beautiful. But don't make her make up too thick. Simple high school girl ang theme ng photoshoot niya." Ms. Ava said, the two girls nod and continue to do my make up.

I look at the mirror in front of me. I smiled as I realized what they're doing to me is like what make up artist do to kpop idols.

I smiled, I tried using my phone since I saw kpop idols do that too. And they didn't even scold me. So I just scroll through Instagram and Twitter. The make up artist would talk and compliment me sometimes that I would answer.

My hair and make up finished around 7:45am. I look at my reflection on the mirror then on my phone.

I look... different. I'm feeling... beautiful.

"Laura lets go.. nasa studio pa ang mga damit na isusuot mo. We need to get you change." Ms. Ava said. I nod and we walk out the room. Make up artist and hair artist trailing us from behind.

I feel special. I feel like.. a real model.

"Good morning team." Ms. Ava said when we entered a studio. My jaw almost dropped. This looks like... look like a set of music video.

I feel excited!

"This is Laura Milendez. Our new model and this will be her first photoshoot. So let's be cool to her. Okay? Don't expect too much yet okay? But I'm sure she's practicing, right Laura?" Ms. Ava look at me. I smiled and nod.

"Welcome Ms. Milendez, this is our team. This will be the team that will join you to your modeling journey. Let's hope for the best for our team." The, I guess main photographer said.

"And these are the clothes you're going to use for today. Please change her up." He said, I just stand there, confusedly looking at them. When Ms. Ava suddenly bring me to a room.

Changing room I guess.

"Change to this dress. Be careful with your make-up okay?" She said when she hand me a cute yellow, off shoulder dress.

I nod and change to that dress. When I look at myself, I felt even more beautiful. I've never experienced this kind of feeling. Feelings special and that a lot of people are caring for me.

"Is it.. okay?" I ask when I went out.

Ms. Ava look at me from head to toe. Then she cover her mouth and gasp.

I started to get insecure and worried. Does it look bad?

"You look perfect! This kind of theme suits your face!" She said and that's just enough to remove all the worries inside my head.

"Let's go, I'm sure the team will be amazed on how pretty you look." She said and I nod.

We went back to the set where everyone is getting ready.

"Everyone! Look how pretty our model is!" Ms. Ava excitedly said.

The photographer clapped his hands. "Perfect! Now get her in the center." He said and that's when I realized we are starting.

They gave me a bag as props, I put it on my one shoulder and that's when camera started flashing.

Multiple, 'good', 'very good', 'nice' I've heard. Which made me sigh in relief. I'm glad they're liking my poses.

Then they put a bike beside me, then they gave me a cute hat.

"Please ride on the bike, but be careful okay? Use your other feet as a stand." The photographer said and I nod.

"Looking cute Ms. Milendez, keep going." The photographer complimented. I smiled, tilted my head, act as if I'm laughing. Put my hand near my eyes to act as if I'm my face is getting hit by the sun.

"Change her clothes." The make up artist and the stylist follow me from behind as I walk towards the changing room.

I changed into some cute checkered skirt and a crop top, which I'm a little insecure but I brush it off. When I came out the make up artist call me towards the small vanity table. The hair stylist put my hair into a side ponytail while the make up artist re-touch my make up.

They put a thin choker on my neck which made me uncomfortable. But I have to.

"Bring the puppies!" My eyes widened. We just came back from changing and saw the set already different. It has a green screen but in the floor is fake grasses and a little picnic area.

The staffs help me to sit down. The stylist are still doing some finishing touches to my hair when a poodle suddenly jump on my lap.

"Oh!" I said surprised. A shitzu on my side and a corgi in front of me.

I saw the photographers still talking so I call Ms. Ava.

"Can I have my phone? I want to take pictures with the puppies." I said.. Ms. Ava nod and hand me the phone.

"But post those pictures when your photos are out." She said and I slowly nod.

"Wait." She was about to leave when I remember something.

"I took pictures of myself yesterday and this morning at my house. Can I post those?" I ask and Ms. Ava nod.

"Of course, you can post those." She said and I smiled.

She stayed there beside me as I take pictures with the puppies. But when we're going back to the photoshoot, I hand my phone back to Ms. Ava.

A large fan is in front for me that give a windy effect. I remember the time when we are at Ali's house.

We took a lot of more photos. By the beach, well using a green screen of course. And we ended at a school theme.

I'm on a school uniform and checking the clothes out when the photographer called me.

"Yes?" I softly ask.. they are looking at the photos we took. So I can't help but to look too.

"I must admit Ms. Milendez, you look nice and pretty. I know you can improve more, right?" He ask and I nod.

He click his tongue, which made me worried and nervous. "But let's work on your body okay? To have that curve. I'm not saying you're fat, but let's loose some weight, okay?" He said and I slowly nod.

After that, Ms. Ava, me and the stylist go back to the first room we went.

"Let's have lunch here okay? I'll order us food. Anything you want Laura?" Ms. Ava ask, I slowly look up and pursed my lips.

"Vegetable salad please, and of course the dressing." I said and she nod. She left the room while I sat there, other stylists around.

I open my phone and look at my Messenger. There tons of their messages.

I didn't bother back reading so I just sent a message.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
Hey, nag lunch na kayo?

Then someone immediately replied.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Yup, so gaga how's your photoshoot?

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Oo nga! Kwento ka naman bakla!

I chuckled a little before started typing a reply. The photoshoot went good right? No problems.

From Lauriat Kassandra:
It was great, I'm having my lunch soon.

From Alipangot Ang Bagong Haliparot🧚‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️:
Sige, eat well! I'll get going now. May pupuntahan lang kami.

From Gwen ver.2.0:
Same, sasamahan ko si mader sa store

From Lauriat Kassandra:
Bye!

I just smiled and put down my phone.. I just stared at my reflection on the mirror. When I suddenly want to take a picture of me just sitting down.

So I took some, I was on my clothes when I get here. So I posted the pictures immediately.

I am scrolling to my Instagram when my phone beeped, without looking at the notification I tap on it.

When the screen changes that's when I pay attention to it.

Only for me to gasp and silently curse.

"Shit."

From Jiro:
Have you forget you have a boyfriend? Didn't bother telling me you're in Manila?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•