Forgotten

Part 63

Alexis' POV:

I was at the agency, finishing up a photo shoot.  And things had taken a step up for me.  The agency had decided, through a series of board meetings, that they wanted to use me on a cover of a magazine, as well as some inserts.   But part of the deal, was I had to sign a contract and I had to lose 5 pounds and not gain an ounce more.  

And I would be lying if it didn't say it stressed me out.  Because it did.  But I had a long, in-depth conversation with Nichole before finally deciding to take the job.  And she basically reassured me that that's just the way it is.  Take it or leave it.  They weren't going to change or budge on anything.  I had to be willing to do what they wanted.  Or someone else would.  So I finally decided to take the job.  And to just accept it.

But in all honesty, I was exhausted and needed a break.  From everything.  And everyone.  And all I wanted to do was to go home.

But as I was walking down the hall towards Nichole's office, I suddenly saw a familiar face.  The person who had caused all the problems recently between Nikki and me.  And I suddenly dreaded even seeing her.

"Hey you", Cameron said,  smiling at me.  "Long time, no see."

I smiled uncomfortably, not knowing if I even wanted to say hi to her, since it had caused so many problems between me and Nichole.   And I couldn't help but feel that Nichole would be pissed beyond belief it she knew that I was even standing here with her.

"Hey", I said, at a loss of words.

"I haven't seen you around lately", she said, casually.

"I know.  I've been kinda busy."

"Oh yeah?  With what?" she asked, stepping closer to me.

"Well, I got a new job with the agency.  It's a little more intense and a little more involved.  And honestly, a little more stressful."

She furrowed her eyebrows together.  "What is it?"

"They want me to be on a cover of a magazine.  And I had to sign a contact and everything."

She nodded.  "Yeah, I'm not surprised.  That sounds about right.  And all that can definitely be stressful.  But you're gorgeous, so I'm sure you'll do great."

I suddenly felt shy.  Because the fact was she was beautiful.  And her green eyes were to die for.  And it's not that I was attracted to her or anything.  Because I wasn't.  It wasn't like that at all.  I was just saying.  That was all.

"You seem stressed out", she said, reaching her hand out and rubbing my arm.

I gulped.  "Maybe", I said,  not knowing how else to respond.  Because the truth was, I was stressed out.  Beyond belief.

"Hey, you know what?"

"What?" I asked.

"There's a little bar across the street.  You look like you can use a drink."

I looked at her in disbelief.  "But I'm not old enough."

"Neither am I.  But I've already gone in there.  And they don't care.  I never got carded or anything."

"Really?" I asked.

"Yes, really.  So come on", she said, persistently.  "You look like you need to relax."

I hesitated, and glanced towards Nichole's office, knowing that she probably wouldn't approve of this.  At all.

"I don't know."