Chapter 2
Melissa:
"So who are taking pictures of this time?" I asked as we pulled into the driveway.
"Some guys," Durbbie said dejectedly. That's not like her. She's usually all over someone when they mention guys.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. It's another photo shoot with some stupid people," Durbbie said getting out of the car and going into the back seat to get her film and camera. "We have to call them."
That's not good. Usually they call us and we either take the assignment or we leave it alone. But never, EVER did we call them. Jim said it made us look bad. "Who did you talk to?" I asked.
"Jim."
"Oh." That meant we needed to take this. We pretty much had free reign of ourselves as far as taking offers came, but when Jim plopped something in our laps like this, we knew he meant business. "Who do they want?"
"Both of us," Durbbie said hauling her stuff inside. "Why did I bring so much crap with me?"
I shrugged. "That was random. But at least we won't be alone." See, I didn't exactly mind doing paintings and stuff, but when it came to meeting people by myself, that was a different story. "So when do we start?" I asked trying to be optimistic.
"As soon as we call."
"So are you?" I asked.
"Am I what?" Dee asked sounding confused. Sometimes she's not the brightest crayon in the box, so to speak.
"Are you gonna call?"
She sighed and plopped down on the couch. "I don't know."
"Who would we be working with anyway?" I questioned, suddenly curious.
Durbbie thought for a second. "Boys of West Side or something like that."
Durbbie:
"Just calm down Meliss," I said picking up the phone. "They wanted us exclusively, so I don't think we're gonna lose them or anything." I dialed rather slowly. "Hello. This is Deborah from Gigbie Inc. I believe you called Jim Scotts in reference to my business partner and myself?" I asked when someone picked up on the other end.
"Oh yes. We wanted to hire you to do a photo spread of the Backstreet Boys with both methods. We've seen your work and we think it would be good for their image to have something as unique as you and your business partner work with them," one of the managers told me.
Great. I get to work with people my 13 year old cousin idolizes. But didn't Jim say something about going on location? "Where should we meet for the shoot?" I asked picking up a pen and paper.
"We'd really like to do an elaborate shoot over maybe a week and a half while they are on tour, so whenever you are free is good with us. But make sure you're free around the 17th through the end of the month."
I rolled my eyes. "I'll see what I can do. Please hold," I said trying to be polite without gagging.
I beckoned Melissa with my hand to meet me in the hallway. "They want us to go on location and on tour with a group between the 17th and the end of the month. Is that good?" I asked.
"What group?" Melissa asked with excitement in her voice.
I held myself back a little. Melissa was a Backstreet fan and she'd probably fly further out the deep end if I told her. "I'll tell you later. Deal?"
She stuck out her tongue at me. "Fine. Deal. Just tell them already."
I went back to the phone. "Thanks for holding. We've penciled you in. Where's the shoot going to be held?"
Melissa:
"So?" I asked once Durbbie had hung up the phone.
"So what?" she asked back making a beeline to the fridge. "We've got nothing to eat."
"I don't care. What's going on?" I begged.
Durbbie sighed. "Might as well tell you now."
"Tell me what?" I asked confused.
"We're going to France with your Pretty Boys," Durbbie said non-chalantly.
"We're what?" I answered to shocked to put any emotion into my voice.
"You and your precious five and me, of all people, are going to be in France in 2 weeks doing a huge photo spread."
"No joke Durbs?" I asked making sure she wasn't kidding.
"Dude, would I put myself in the same sentence with those people?" she answered.
"You're really serious!" I said getting excited. "We're going to meet the Backstreet Boys!"
"Wonderful. Whoopee. Highlight of my life," Durbbie said sarcastically while opening the fridge one last time. "There's no food in this place!"
"We just got a HUGE job opportunity and you're worried about food?" I asked incredulously.
"In a word yes," Durbbie said snacking away on something.
"Have you even SEEN a picture of them?" I asked again. This time I got up to find a picture.
"Quickly."
"Ah ha! Found it!" I said finding the picture I wanted. "Here!" I said shoving the picture under her face.
"Hello!" Durbbie said with her big green eyes blazing bright. "Come to Mama."
"Told ya so," I said satisfied with myself that Durbbie probably felt like a huge ass right now.
"And how many days until we leave?" Durbs asked starting to panic.
"14?" Durbbie made a mad dash for her room. I knocked on the door. "What's going on?"
The door opened quickly and out came Durbbie in a pair of gray sweatpants and an old high school T-shirt from some activity or something. She finished the whole ensemble off with a pair or running shoes. "Gotta get in shape." Durbbie said starting to limber up. She took a quick puff on her inhaler and headed out the door.
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