No more photos, please… (Hayley)

She was tired. Hayley had been posing for six hours already for the photoshoot of the new branded vintage clothes of Griffin. She lost count on how many times she had to change between outfits, and the long hours of posing were taking their toll. Especially because the photographer never seemed satisfied with any of the photos, and always made her change positions subtly, like inclining her head 45º degrees to the side, was different of halfway 45º and that made any difference at the end. But Hayley didn’t complain once, she had just nodded to everything and made her best to do what it was asked of her. After all, she needed the money.

Before the session begun, some of her coworkers had warned about how picky Stephen Russel was, and one time he had even made a model run crying. Her manager also said he “could be a little temperamental, but knows what he’s doing”. Not that it mattered much, at the end, she wasn’t doing any of this because of a personal preference, rather, she didn’t have money, and she needed to keep on paying her expanses that the scholarship tuition didn’t cover, besides the rental fee of a small apartment she was living in, and food, clothes, books, etc. So even if the guy was an asshole all the time, she couldn’t afford losing the job.

When Russell finally ended the session, everyone seemed to groan a celebration in response. Hayley was more than glad of finally getting out of the bright white light and felt like she could start sleeping anywhere now.

– God job everyone – said her manager, Mia. – Great work Lily. You were amazing,

– Thanks – Hayley replied in response, forcing a smile.

Russell cleared his throat. – Well, I guess it wasn’t too shabby, rookie. Good job. Of course, you still have a long way to go…

Seriously? Hayley made an effort to not roll her eyes. She really did an amazing job, maybe she wasn’t doing that because she liked particularly, but she was good at modeling. Mia gave her a wry smile, and she could read her expression easily: at least he did say it was a good job. Well, Hayley was just happy that she didn’t have to see that guy anymore.

– Wait. We’re a having a celebration party for the photoshoot – said one of the camera assistants. – You guys are coming too, right?

The other members seemed to agree on that. How can these people have any energy to party? All she wanted was a good night sleep. The next day she had Clinical Toxicology classes, which would be presented by Mr. Harper and his tedious, monotone voice. And she needed all her energy to pay attention and get a good score by the end of the semester. But the others seemed to be waiting an answer.

Going out on these parties were not anywhere near fun, besides people chatting and drinking, which wasn’t particularly a problem, but she had better things to do during her spare time than drinking and parting with people just so she could make a name for herself and get more opportunities for work. But not today. She was too tired to keep on a pretense, and there was no way, after six hours working with Russel, she’d waste any more time with him.

Luckily, Mia must’ve noticed her face, because she quickly intervened. – Oh sorry, but Lily has classes tomorrow.

– That’s sad. – commented the assistant from before. – What about you Mia? You need to come with us!

Mia laughed. – I’d love to, but I need to drive her home.

The others shared the disappointment together.

Hayley felt bad for making Mia drive her home and missing a party. Even though, modeling wasn’t her life, it was different for Mia. Going on this party would actually increase her reputation, rather, it she didn’t show up on that party, it would be a career suicide. Hayley couldn’t let her friend do that.

– Don’t worry about me. I already have another ride home – she lied.

– Are you sure? – asked Mia, concerned. – I can…

– I’ll be okay – reassured Hayley. – I’ll call an Uber.

– If you say so… – Mia reluctantly agreed, then turned to the others. – Guess I can go then.

– Cheers! – they celebrated.

Hayley went to the make up room to change to her clothes – a caramel coat overhead a red collared tight sweater. She placed the rest of her things on her one-sided bag and headed out to the front doors. A few people were waiting outside when she passed saying “good bye” and “good work” again.

A few minutes after she left the building, Hayley regretted that decision. What the hell she was thinking? She had told Mia to not worry, that she had a way of going back home, but the truth was: she didn’t. The others seemed eager to celebrate and Hayley hated being the cause of problems, she was too prideful to ask for help, even if she needed it. She always wanted to not bother people with her problems which always made things more difficult.

The streets were dim and the only source of light came out of the bus stop, that casted a sickening white light around it. She rushed to it, for she hated being alone in the dark. Somehow it always seemed as if something bad would happen.

It was of no use, nonetheless, the bus stop wasn’t working at that hour, and when she grabbed her bag to look at the phone, the battery had died a few hours ago. Hayley had been studying all night yesterday, she slept on the writing desk with the night lamp still on; she completely forgot to charge her phone the next day, and now there was no way of calling an Uber, nor that it would be possible, even if she wanted to. She was without much money that month, and was even skipping some meals already to save a bit of money. That’s why she needed that job so much.

Now with her battery phone dead, she wouldn’t be able to even call for help if something happened. Hayley was too focused worrying about how she’d go back home, when they appeared. Three men. One of them had an orange dyed hair and a beard, dressed in a jacket and loose pants; the others seemed to share the same wardrobe, but one of them had a black woolen cap.

– Wow, look what we found! – commented the orange haired to the others. – Nice ass.

Hayley knew better than talking back. She kept quiet. Please, ignore me and go away. But obviously they didn’t.

– Yo, we’re talkin’ to ya. – called the capped one.

That was enough to make her grind her teeth, forcing a nod and a smile. When she thought they would pass her, they stopped a few inches away.

– What’s a hottie like ya doin’ here alone? – the orange haired one asked, leering at her body.

She felt nauseated. She hated feeling powerless, like a prey under the gaze of a predator. And no, it wasn’t because he was a man, nor anything like that. It was because he was a person, people could be stupid and assholes without a gender for it. She felt nauseated of that feeling, of people always wanting to abuse others because they wanted to, because they could.

– I’m just waiting to go home. – she said after a time.

The orange man smiled, as if he was having fun with her. – Ye? We can make ya company, y’know?

– I’m fine, thank you – she replied, forcing a smile again.

The capped one laughed loudly. – Dude, I think the chic is rejecting you.

Another smile passed through him, and he came close enough to pass an arm through her shoulder. – Ya not rejecting me, right? Tell my mate here that. We’re having fun, no?

She moved away from him. – Please don’t touch me.

– Hey, hey, don’t need to be so feisty. – he raised his hand.

– What you talkin’, bro? – the third man, who had been quiet, finally commented. – Everyone knows you like the feisty ones.

The others seemed to laugh at that.

– Ya damn right – said the orange haired. – Les’ go.

He passed his arms through her shoulder again, but this time, when she tried to move away, she felt as if an iron chain had bound her. Hayley knew they weren’t gonna let her go. Worse, there was no one who would hear her screaming. When she finally gathered strength enough to start running, a loud, screechy sound roared next to them.

A motorcycle stopped right in front of her, pushing away the other three men. The orange haired one had let her go in the moment, and fell down on the sidewalk.

– Whut the…

But his voice was interrupted by the rider. – Get on. – said a muffled voice.

– Now! – the person urged again when she didn’t react.

Hayley was too frightened to think, and saw herself climbing on the motorcycle out of reflex. The rider roared the bike once again, completely ignoring the complaints of the three men and leaving them behind. For a moment, Hayley felt safe, after realizing that she had jump on a motorcycle with a complete stranger. She began to panic.