Jade woke me up to freshen up, Emy, her company's lawyer and her assistant were close to the building. I went into his bathroom, washed my face and brushed the tangles out of my hair, I took out my face powder and clear lip gloss and did a simple make up.
"How do I look?" I asked Jade
"Like the superstar model you are," he replied and gave me a peck on my cheek.
Just then, Hallie buzzed Jade, " Mr Kale, you have visitors from Emy's Fashion House,"
"Let them in," Jade said.
Emy was a vibrant looking woman, she seemed to be in her mid 40s.
" Jaden, we meet again, " she said shaking hands with Jade "UK, you still look as fabulous as you did on the red carpet about a month ago, although you now have that college girl appearance," she said to me
"Thank you, Mrs Emy," I said.
"Oh please, drop the formality, I am Emy, no title in front. I am sure Jaden must have enlighten you on the reason I'm here,"
"yes Emy, although I'm somewhat upset that I wasn't consulted first, I'm willing to go on the runway with your new designs." I told.
"Good, good, good. I am happy to hear that, you know I want to use fresh faces, upcoming models and you are an amazing young girl. The way you mingle with other people, it makes me want to show you to the whole world what a wonderful person you are and what better way to expose you than giving you This opportunity, at least that's what I can give you for now." Emy said.
"fantastic, let's get started shall we?" Jade said
Emy's lawyer brought out a document from his bag and placed it on the table, "this contract is an agreement that you are legally bound to us until the day of the showcase, go through it and we can discuss more," he said and gave it to me.
It talked about agreeing to pay the sum of 10,000 dollars to Emy's Fashion House, if I fail to take part in the showcase. It went on and on about what would happen if any party failed to keep their own side of the deal.
"I agree to your terms," I said
"Are you sure? You don't need to feel pressurised," Emy said.
"I am sure of my decision, I agree to your terms and conditions," I told them.
"Okay then turn to the last page and put your name, today's date and and your signature." Emy said and I did just that. "The event is Saturday evening, 8:30 sharp. You are expected to be at the fashion house Friday evening by 5 to test your outfits, Saturday evening by 4 you will come to the fashion house where you and other 5 models would be taken to the event center to get ready. Here is my card, call me if you need anything," she said. With that, we shook hands and they left.
"Well that went well" I said
"Yes, you are now a runway model, this is surreal," Jade said placing a soft kiss on my nose.Monday morning was a busy day for everyone, I woke up 5.30am and had a 30 minutes morning run, Juliet was done bathing by the time I came back, I went to my room and took a shower. Coming out of the bathroom with a loose towel around my body, I was shocked to see Jade laying different clothes on my bed. "what are you doing and how did you enter my room without me hearing you?" I asked
"How would you have heard me coming with all that singing in the bathroom, you do have a nice voice by the way but I don't think singing is for you." he said "Then what are you doing with my clothes?" I asked
" What does it look like I'm doing? I am selecting some clothes for my lovely girlfriend to wear on her first day at school, so tell me which one do you prefer?" he asked.
"Hmmmm... I prefer the floral design dress," I replied
"isn't it too simple?" he asked
"I refuse to wear something sophisticated on my first day, it'll scream FRESHMAN!"
I got dressed, and then we had breakfast together, Juliet was feeling excited to start school also. Before leaving, Jade took us pictures with my camera. He took Juliet to school while Max drove me.
"I don't know when I'll be done but you can go, whenever I'm ready to leave, I'll give you a ring," I told him and he left after dropping me off. Ariel was waiting for me in front of the orientation hall, "come, Ling saved you a seat on the second row," " wow that's so nice of her, how about you, where would you be sitting?" I asked
"Right beside you, we are seatmates remember?" she said
"Oh yeah, we sure are seatmates," I replied We went in and took our seats. At exactly 9 o'clock, the school's vice Chancellor gave an opening speech, welcoming us to the school environment. After his long speech, heads of departments took turns in addressing us, we took a 20 minutes break, when we returned, club presidents took turns in addressing us. In the end, I couldn't remember most of the things we were told.
"Which club are you signing up for?" Xiao Ling asked me
"I don't know, I'm not sure I might join any club anytime soon," I replied.
"Why not?" she asked
I looked around, Ariel was chatting with someone far away from where we stood, I put my hand in my backpack and brought out Emy's card. "I got another job as a model," I told her
She covered her mouth with her palm in shock, "this is a big time opportunity, I am very happy for you but then, how did you get the job?"
"Jade got it for me," I said in a hushed tone.
"whoa, you have such a fabulous boyfriend, I am so jealous," she said. From Tuesday, we started lectures. 3 courses were taught, Introduction to American Literature, Introduction to Drama and Stage Performance. Mrs Alistair promised that our Unit's course timetable will be pasted on the notice board the following day. I didn't have a chance to see Xiao Ling because she was tied up with classes and so I had to spend my time with the always chatting Ariel.
"UK, I want to be like you, I love the way you dress, the way you walk and talk, it's as if you grew up in a palace and was groomed by the Queen herself," Ariel said.
At a point I couldn't bear her non-stop chattering anymore, my next class was in an hour so I went under a big isolated tree and sat on the grass, put on my headphones and went through the textbook for the next course, Stage Performance.
She noticed my action and went somewhere else, I felt bad for driving her away. "Ariel? Where are you going?" I asked
"Somewhere else, I don't want to disturb you from your reading," she said
"I'm sorry for acting like you were a ..."
"A nuisance? I know...I talk a lot, I can't help it, that's how I am"
"you are not a nuisance, you talk a lot I agree, it's just that I have a lot on my mind and I needed a quiet place to clear my head but you... just kept talking". I said
"There's no problem, I'll leave you to your thoughts," she said and turned to leave
"Ariel wait, aren't we seatmates anymore?" I asked
"of course we are" she answered
"then why are you letting me sit alone?"
"you want me to come sit with you?"
"yes please," I told her and she came over "thank you." I overslept, I didn't even hear when my alarm rang, and I'm sure I wouldn't have woken up if Juliet didn't come to tell me that she was leaving for school, "isn't it too early to go to school honey?" I asked sleepily
"Mommy UK have you checked the time? I gotta go now, bye" and she ran out. I took my phone on the night stand and checked the time 7:43 "oh my God!" I exclaimed and ran to the bathroom, dressed up quickly and rushed downstairs. Jade must have gone with Juliet because I didn't see him, it still felt odd that he didn't come to call me when I didn't show up for breakfast.
I didn't wait to eat, I rushed outside, "Max, let's go!" I shouted and went in. He took shortcuts instead of the usual way we've been using. My heart was pounding, if we had any 8 o'clock class then I was done for, as usual Ariel stood outside the department building waiting for me, "morning seatmate, why are you late?" she asked
"I overslept, it's not like me to oversleep, I went to bed early last night," I told her
"well you are in luck, the class time table is out and we have only one class today, from 10 to 12," she said
"oh thank God," I said in relief
"That's not all, the school is organizing a welcome party for all first year students this Friday, it's an all night party, 10 till dawn," she said jumping in ecstasy.
"It's not a mandatory event right?" I asked
"Are you kidding? mandatory or not, no first year students in their right mind would miss it,"
"yeah, of course"
Just then Xiao Ling came running, "thank goodness I've seen you. Have you heard of the party?" she asked panting
"yes"
"you know you can't attend"
"yes, I'm aware," I said sadly.