"Ugh," I moan as my alarm clock wakes me at 7am for what feels like the
millionth consecutive day.
"Morning babe," Sarah tiredly moans, wrapping her arms around my naked
body and giving me a slow, soft kiss on my neck.
"Hey," I reply, blinking the tiredness out of my eyes. "Looking forward
to today?"
"Been looking forward to it since I left in June," Sarah giggles. "Just
wish you were coming with me..."
"I know," I sigh. "Kinda wish I was coming too..."
"No you don't," Sarah says, giving me a playful push. "You know EVERYONE
would kill to have your job!"
"...And you'd kill me if I ever quit it, right?" I ask, giggling as I head
into the shower, my girlfriend following close behind me.
"The last two months have been AMAZING," Sarah gushes.
"They've been hard work!" I yell over the sound of the roaring water.
"Hey, I haven't exactly been sat on my arse all summer!" Sarah
complains. "Well, apart from that week in LA..."
"I know, I know," I laugh. After I finish in the shower, Sarah takes her
turn, which allows me to dry myself off and get ready for the day. I tie
my long brown hair back into a professional ponytail and apply a full
layer of make-up, including a natural eyeshadow and thick red lipstick,
before pulling on a comfortable white bra and thong set and a pair of
barely-black tights. My breasts have grown even more over the last three
months and are now a large B cup- big enough to create a noticeable
shape under everything except the baggiest sweater. It's thankful that I
have a new job, as I may soon need to buy a whole new drawer full of
bras! After re-touching my long, crimson fingernails I pull on a short
grey pencil skirt followed by an opaque white blouse and a pair of 2"
heeled pumps. The whole look is much too mature for a 17 year old girl-
let alone the 17 year old boy I'd have been if I hadn't had the courage
to live my life the way I always wanted- but I do need to look
professional in my role as PA to the hottest modelling clique in the
whole of Britain!
"Mmm, sexy secretary!" Sarah coos, giving me a cuddle before dressing in
a plain, casual miniskirt and long-sleeved top.
"Personal assistant," I say, correcting my lover. "And look at you, sexy
student!"
"Still can't believe this is it," Sarah sighs. "My final year..."
"'Final year' minus at least three years of uni!" I laugh, wrapping my
arms around Sarah's neck and giving her a soft kiss.
"Yeah, but it's not the same..." Sarah sighs.
"Oh, stop being so melodramatic," I chastise, grabbing my packed handbag
and my work iPad. "We made great friends at college, didn't we? I'm sure
you'll meet some equally awesome people at uni. And you and Lauren are
applying to the same places, aren't you?"
"Yeah, that is true," Sarah says. "Where do you need dropping today?"
"Same studio as last Wednesday," I say. "And yes, I will be claiming the
petrol expenses!" Sarah giggles happily as we drive into the busy
morning streets of London.
I take a deep breath as I enter the studio. I wasn't kidding when I told
Sarah that my job was hard work- each week, the Angels decide how to
divide my time and I have to ensure I'm everywhere they need to be ahead
of time to see that all their requirements are met, whether it's an
appropriate dressing room for a photoshoot or dietary requirements for a
caterer, the girls need a LOT of things prepared for them before they
can do their work, and as PA, I'm the one who gets it in the neck if
anything is out of place. After bringing up today's checklist on my
iPad, I stride up to the bored-looking woman behind the counter.
"Hi," I say to the receptionist. "I'm Nikki Thomas, PA for Hannah
Dexter."
"Hi," the receptionist says, suddenly a lot brighter and more cheerful
when she hears who I represent. "Yes, yes of course! This way please,
Miss Thomas." I can't help but smirk as the receptionist- who has to be
in her thirties- addresses me as 'Miss Thomas'. Even as soon as eighteen
months ago, the thought that anyone might address me as 'Miss' without
question was pure fantasy, let alone in a professional capacity!
"Here's the dressing room," the receptionist says, showing me the plush
pink room.
"Italian coffee?" I ask.
"Of course," the receptionist simpers. "We've also got pink wafer
biscuits, I remember reading somewhere that she liked them."
"Very nice touch!" I say with a warm smile. "Show me the wardrobe
space."
"Right here," the receptionist says, opening a cupboard to show ample
space for the outfits Hannah will be bringing along.
"Very good," I say, checking off everything on my iPad and sending a
message to the model I'm 'looking after' today.
"I'll be honest," the receptionist says, "I expected the list to be a
LOT longer."
"Expecting the Angels to all be divas?" I ask with a giggle. "They're
all really down to earth, actually."
"I know, I watch their show," the receptionist giggles. "Must be so cool
to be part of such a close-knit group of friends like that."
"Yeah," I sigh as I remember the three girls who will be at college
today WITHOUT me- and the other 'New Angel' who I'm still forbidden from
having any solo contact with. I'm brought out of my daydream by a bleep
from my mobile phone.
"Whoops, looks like it's show time," I say with a smile as I quickly
head back to reception, where my 'charge' for the day is waiting for me.
"Hi Hannah!" I say to the tall, platinum blonde girl.
"Hi Niks!" Hannah says, greeting me with a quick hug, despite the
garment bags she's holding.
"Mind the dresses!" I say, carefully taking the garments off of the
excited girl. "Your dressing room's all ready, I've got some coffee on
the go, I'll just hang these up and leave you to get ready, okay?"
"God, what would I do without you?" Hannah giggles. "Me or any of the
other Angels, anyway!"
"You'd iron your own dresses after crinkling them up hugging people
whilst holding them!" I joke.
"Okay, MUM," Hannah says with mock-offence, before giggling even harder
than she was before.
"Anything else you need?" I ask as I hang up Hannah's beautiful
dresses. "You've got a great selection here..."
"Thanks!" Hannah replies. "And no, I think I'm good."
"Right, I'll leave you in peace to get changed," I say. "See you on
set!"
"See you there, 'mum'!" Hannah jokes as I leave the dressing room. In
truth, I don't mind being seen as 'team mum', even though I'm
considerably younger than all six girls. It's better than the
alternative of 'team little sister'... and the other alternative, 'team
little brother' doesn't even bear thinking about.
And yet, as Hannah and I leave the studio after a successful interview,
her mostly-unworn dresses draped over my arm and notifications bleeping
on my iPad, I find myself missing being 'one of the girls' more than
ever. I had a gang, just like the Angels- 'had' being the operative
word.
"Need me to drop you anywhere?" Hannah asks as she gets in the driver's
seat of the bright pink ex-London cab.
"Umm," I say, checking my watch. It's 11:45- lunch time at college is
12pm, no doubt the other four 'New Angels' will be congregating there
soon- but there's no way I can get there in fifteen minutes.
"Nah," I sigh. "Just drop me home, please."
"Can do!" Hannah says with a cheeky smile. "Even though as PA it should
be YOU in the front seat driving ME!"
"Once I pass my test, I promise," I giggle. "Need to get through my
theory first..."
"How many times have you taken it now?" Hannah asks.
"Twice," I sigh. "I hate exams."
"Yeah, I didn't pass my theory first time either," Hannah says. "Unlike
Viks, who of course breezed through it AND passed her practical test
first time with no minors!"
"Yeah," I say, thinking of my friends at college. "Some people are just
better at academic stuff than others..."
As the cab drives down the street adjacent to my old college, a wave of
emotion sweeps over me, and before I can check what I'm doing, I've
leaned forward, knocking on the driver's window.
"Actually, can you drop me here, please?" I ask.
"Are you sure?" Hannah asks. "It's still about a mile to your home,
that's not going to be fun in heels..."
"I've got a spare pair of flats in my bag," I reply. "I just- I just
need to see someone, that's all."
"Okay," Hannah says, pulling up at the side of the road and letting me
out. "See you later, Niks!"
"See you, Han," I reply, taking a deep breath and walking down the back
street toward my college. Sure enough, once I get near the front door, I
see a familiar tall, slender blonde girl leaving the front entrance.
Even though I know I shouldn't- and I could get in a LOT of trouble if
I'm found out- I increase my pace- giggling at the conspicuous clicking
of my heels on the pavement- to catch up to the teenager.
"Hey Dannii!" I say, catching the tall girl by surprise.
"Oh, hey Nikki," Dannii says with obvious surprise in her voice. "What
are you doing here? I thought you'd be hanging out with your new
celebrity friends..."
"Nah, I was only needed this morning," I reply. "Just been for lunch
with the girls?"
"Umm, yeah," Dannii says. "They're all excited about the new college
year."
"Oh, okay," I say, taken aback by Dannii's uncharacteristic bluntness.
"Did- did they say anything about me?"
"No, not really," Dannii replies with what looks like a smug smile.
"Really?" I ask. "Not even Sarah?"
"She may have mentioned something," Dannii says. "I wasn't really
listening. Look, Nikki, I can't really hang around, I'm off to a
photoshoot this afternoon. You know, actual MODELLING work for Joshua
Benedict. Say hi to the Angels for me!"
"Will do," I wave as Dannii walks off. When I first told her- and the
other girls- about my job, they were all excited, none more so than
Dannii. But now... I've never known her to be as hostile to me. This is
the girl who nearly turned lesbian to be with me... Now she can't stand to
be around me?
Remembering Hannah's advice, I swap my heels for the ballet flats in my
bag and walk the rest of the way home, where I immediately switch on my
computer and starting writing my latest Teen Globe column. From the
Angels' perspective, I may be just a PA, a hanger-on, but I do have some
limited fame in my own right, even if it just amongst pre-teen girls-
some of whom will be starting their first or second years of secondary
school today and might want some of my 'words of wisdom'. I even
correspond (through Teen Globe, obviously) with a few transgendered
schoolgirls. There's one girl I've grown particularly fond of called
Laura who had a hell of a first year at secondary school- I just hope
her second year goes more smoothly.
After finishing my column and my correspondence, I change out of my
'work clothes' into a comfortable white long-sleeved top and a knee-
length grey pinafore dress, heading downstairs just in time to catch dad
coming home from a long shift behind the wheel of his taxi.
"Morning!" I joke as I crash on the sofa, my non-work iPad in hand.
"Don't start," dad sighs.
"Long day?" I ask.
"Had better, had worse," dad laughs as he makes himself a drink. "How
was today's round of babysitting celebrities?"
"It's a bit more involved than just babysitting celebrities!" I retort.
"Though to answer your question, it was good, thanks."
"Good," dad says, relaxing into his chair. "You cleared out your room
yet?"
"Dad!" I chastise. "We're not moving for another 2 weeks!"
"Yeah, so the earlier you get it done, the better!" dad laughs. "I would
say 'just leave a few essentials unpacked' but looking at the amount of
make-up you're wearing that'd probably be an entire chest of drawers!"
"Hilarious," I sigh.
"Nikki..." Dad says, sensing that I'm not in the mood for his usual
teasing. "Is everything okay?"
"No," I say, before sighing. "Yes. You know everyone went back to
college today..."
"Everyone... Except you?" Dad asks softly.
"Yeah," I say. "I've never really had a close group of friends before,
certainly not at school, I just- god, this sounds stupid- I just really
thought we'd be companions for life."
"There's no reason you can't hang out together," dad says. "I mean,
Sarah works closely with one of these friends, right?"
"Yeah, that's true," I reply.
"And you still see them at ballet, right?" Dad asks.
"No," I sigh. "Not yet, anyway, Katie and Dannii are in a more advanced
class than me, Lauren doesn't go at all..."
"I hardly ever see my old school friends any more," dad says. "If it
wasn't for Facebook I'd probably have no contact with them whatsoever.
But they're still my friends, and they always will be."
"Um, thanks, I think?" I reply.
"My point is," dad continues, "that just because you won't be spending
every waking second with each other, it doesn't mean that you're not
still friends. And you've got the day off tomorrow, go and surprise them
at college!"
"Will do," I say with a wide smile.
Twenty minutes later, my smile grows even wider as Sarah walks through
the front door and I greet her with a long, lazy kiss.
"Hey," Sarah giggles. "I REALLY missed you today... College just isn't the
same without you there."
"I missed you too," I sigh as we collapse back down on the sofa
together. "Didn't realise how much I missed college until today..."
"Everyone else missed you too," Sarah said. "Lauren, Dannii and
especially Katie. We're meant to be the fab five, after all!" Really?
That's not what Dannii said... Though obviously I'm not going to tell
Sarah that I ran into her today.
"Maybe I should drop in for lunch tomorrow?" I ask with a cheeky grin.
"You know, 'do a Dannii'?"
"As long as that's her only trait that you copy!" Sarah giggles. "But
that'd be nice..."
We spend the rest of the evening cuddling on the sofa- Sarah
occasionally breaking away to sketch down ideas for her course- before
heading to bed just after 10pm. As I cuddle up next to Sarah under the
covers, I can't help but sigh happily, especially as she playfully wraps
an arm around my naked body.
"...I don't mind if you cop a feel," I whisper, making us both giggle.
"They're almost as big as mine," Sarah giggles as she gently rubs my
nipples, making me shiver with excitement. "When was the last time you
actually wore your falsies?"
"Oh, months ago now," I laugh. "Doctor reckons they won't grow that much
more- I might end up a C cup, but I've been on hormones now for 16
months, any major physical change has already happened."
"You... You don't want implants then?" Sarah asks delicately.
"Don't really feel I NEED them," I reply. "Yes, I know Jamie has them,
and she's my idol etc. etc. But I'm happy with my body the way it is."
"100% happy?" Sarah asks, making me sigh sadly.
"There is ONE thing I'd change," I moan.
"There's a part of me that can't believe you'd actually have it done,"
Sarah muses, playfully massaging my one last remnant of masculinity. "I
mean, sometimes I forget that you've wanted to be a girl since long
before we first met."
"I've been so much happier since the hormones have kicked in," I sigh
happily. "It's like, this is who I was always meant to be. You saw how
depressed I'd get before I came out, right?"
"It was heart-breaking," Sarah whispers, continuing her 'playing'. "Then
again, whenever I did what I'm doing now, I'd get at least SOME
reaction..."
"Trust me, there is a reaction, even if it's not obvious!" I giggle,
giving Sarah a long kiss. "Get some sleep, babe."
"Goodnight, sexy girl!" Sarah giggles, giving me a long, deep kiss
before rolling over and quickly falling asleep.
"Do you, Sarah Jennifer Phillips," the minister says, "take this woman,
Nicola Christine Thomas, to be your lawful wedded wife?"
"I do," Sarah says.
"And do you, Nicole Christine Thomas," the minister says to me, "take
this woman, Sarah Jennifer Phillips, to be your lawful wedded husband?"
I take a long, lingering look at Sarah- unlike me, she's not wearing a
pristine white wedding dress, but is instead wearing the smart tuxedo of
a groom. And yet... Everything about this feels so right.
"I do," I whisper nervously.
"You may kiss the bride," the minister says. Immediately, Sarah grabs my
suddenly-small frame and dips me backwards, kissing me deeply with the
promise of much, much more...
I blink the tiredness out of my eyes and stare confusedly at the still-
slumbering form of my lover. In our relationship, even despite my
change, it's always been the case that she's 'the girl' and I'm 'the
boy', but as time's rolled on, that's become increasingly less the case.
However, I've never before viewed myself as 'the girl' and Sarah as 'the
boy'... Though that prospect excites me in a way I haven't felt since
Sarah and I first started having sex.
Sarah wakes a couple of hours later, showering and dressing in a fancy
top and knee-length skirt she designed herself. I stay in bed, grateful
for the lie-in, and see Sarah off with a lingering kiss. I eventually
get up just under an hour later, showering and dressing in a pair of
thick black tights, my favourite denim hot pants and a long-sleeved
khaki top. I still apply a full face of make-up, of course, and when I
head downstairs, I can't help but smile as dad doesn't even blink at my
overtly feminine look for the day. It really is just like I've always
been a girl.
"Morning, sleepyhead!" Dad laughs as I slump on the sofa. "Don't get too
comfortable, you're going driving in a bit."
"What?" I complain. "I thought we were having a lesson tomorrow?"
"And we are," dad says. "No reason we can't have one today as well, so
get your shoes on!" I sigh as I pad back upstairs and slip on a pair of
ballet flats, but dad is, of course, right. When I was a boy, he'd
always talk about how much he was looking forward to teaching me how to
drive- and now I'm a girl, that's one of a very short list of things
that hasn't changed with my gender.
After 90 minutes of driving around the busy streets of West London, dad
starts to direct me toward home, but a glance at the clock makes me
speak up.
"Actually," I say, "rather than home, can we go to my old college,
please?"
"Planning on surprising Sarah at lunch?" Dad laughs.
"That is the plan," I giggle.
"Go on," dad says, taking my place in the car's driving seat as I head
into the vast dining hall. As I stride through the room, I can't help
but feel the gazes of the 16 and 17 year old boys find my feminine body.
This had happened when I attended last year, of course, but I always
actively ignored the attention. I try to ignore it now, but there's a
niggling part of my brain that craves it... However, it's not a boy that
I'm here to see.
"Hey girlies!" I squeak excitedly as I sit down next to Sarah, opposite
Katie and Lauren.
"Hey," Katie says coolly. "Long time no see..."
"Not too busy hanging around with celebrities today, then?" Lauren asks
with a sly smirk.
"No," I giggle. "They've all got the day off, which means so do I!"
Lauren and Katie both laugh, but it's a polite, restrained laugh.
"Besides," Sarah says, "if you want to hang out with an Angel, just say
the word and we'll put in a good word with our ballet teacher..." Lauren
simply blushes and shakes her head.
"I... am missing this place," I say, hoping to defuse some of the tension.
"Especially you guys. But, you know, nothing lasts forever..."
"Yeah, that's true," Lauren says with a smirk.
"Not even your open invite to those celebrity parties?" Katie asks.
"Oh please," I say dismissively, "I'm just a PA, it's not like I'm
famous myself..."
"Says the model with her own magazine column!" Katie retorts.
"And it's not like we haven't hung out with the Angels from time to
time..." Sarah boasts, giving me a brief cuddle- and souring Katie's
facial expression.
"I haven't actually DONE any modelling in ages..." I moan. "Kinda hoping
to help you with your projects this year."
"Sure," Katie says. "Give me Steve's number and I'll see how much I
won't be able to afford you by!"
"No," I sigh. "You know I'll do it for you for free..."
"Ooh, very gracious of you," Katie replies sarcastically.
"Girls," Lauren says firmly, shutting myself and Katie up.
"Besides," Sarah says, "you've agreed to take photos for our website
free of charge, haven't you?"
"Yes," Katie sighs.
"And with Nikki and Dannii modelling, it's a true 'New Angels' venture!"
Lauren says, bringing smiles back to everyone's faces.
"...Except you do pay Dannii a token fee, right?" Sarah asks.
"...And you pay Nikki in product, what's your point?" Lauren asks, making
everyone giggle.
Despite the initial tension, I leave lunch with a smile on my face- and
not just because of the male attention I'm grabbing. Dannii's
'irritation' yesterday had clearly rubbed off on Katie & Lauren- or the
other way round, I'm not sure. Katie in particular seemed to take me
leaving college almost personally- which is a bit unfair considering how
much better she was at the work.
After briefly returning home to check my messages on my iPad, I head
over to Sarah's house, letting myself in with my key. Sarah herself
returns a short while later with Lauren in tow.
"Hey girlies!" I say, greeting Lauren with a hug and Sarah with a kiss.
"Aww," Lauren coos as she sees us kiss. "Am I going to have Snikki's
company tonight?"
"Stop calling us that!" Sarah moans as she gets out her sketchbooks and
sewing machines.
"Never," Lauren giggles, flicking through her sketchbook to a page with
a sketch of a gorgeous-looking asymmetrical green dress. "I should say
though... Dannii may have invited herself around tonight." Sarah's facial
expression suddenly becomes blank at the mention of her 'love rival'.
"Fine," Sarah says.
"So tonight's Snikki vs Launnii then?" I ask.
"No, really, don't," Sarah says, concentrating hard on her work.
"I figured that once we'd finished an item we could get two actual
professional models to, well, model them," Lauren explains.
"Yeah, it's cool," Sarah says, though she's clearly tense about Dannii
and I being in the same room as each other- little does she know that
Dannii herself isn't my biggest fan right now...
Sure enough, when Dannii arrives an hour later, she greets both Lauren
and Sarah with hugs, before sitting down as far away from me as
possible.
"So, Nikki," Dannii asks. "Which Angel were you clinging onto today?"
"Day off," I say smugly. "Only Angel I'm clinging onto today is a 'New
Angel'!" I slide up next to Sarah and give her a quick cuddle, bringing
the smile back to her face and deepening Dannii's frown.
"Except we'll never be the 'New Angels'," Dannii sighs. "Not really,
anyway."
"Doesn't matter what we call ourselves," Lauren says with a grin. "As
long as we're together, all five of us!"
"Speaking of," Dannii says, "where IS Katie?"
"Probably doing her work at home," Lauren muses. "Not like last year,
when we'd all do our work together under one roof..." Even despite
Lauren's positive attitude, I can't help but feel that that comment was
directed squarely at me.
"That's gonna be even more difficult when you're all at uni!" I joke,
trying to defuse the tension.
"Very true," Lauren concedes. "You know where you're applying to yet,
Sarah?"
"I really don't want to leave London," Sarah says. "For obvious reasons,
yes!" I giggle girlishly as Sarah gives me a quick cuddle.
"Aww," Dannii coos. "The more I see you together, the harder it is to
figure out who's the girl in the relationship!"
"That's the whole point of being a lesbian couple," I say smugly. "We're
BOTH the girl."
"Yeah, but that, you know, wasn't always the case, was it?" Dannii asks.
"I'm not really comfortable talking about this," Sarah says coldly.
"Not even amongst friends?" Lauren asks, before realising just WHICH
friend of Sarah was asking the question. "...Umm, never mind. Sarah, have
you made a start on that red skirt yet?"
"Started AND finished," Sarah replies, the smile returning to her face.
"Well then," Lauren says, "can we get one of our professional models to
wear it, please?" Now giggling, Sarah steps out from behind her sewing
machine and hands me a flimsy scarlet garment. Also giggling, I head
into Sarah's downstairs toilet, stripping off my shorts and my tights
and sliding the short skirt up my legs. I step out of the toilet and
back into the 'workspace' in the kitchen, earning wolf whistles from all
three girls as I parade around the room, showing off the skirt and- more
importantly- my smooth, toned legs.
"Now SHE'S got legs!" Dannii coos, despite Sarah's death glare. Come on,
get some stilettos on and I'll photograph you! For, um, for the
website."
"It's okay, I can do it," Sarah says defensively.
"Nah, you're busy with your work," Dannii retorts. "I'm no Katie but I
can take a few photos..." With Lauren looking on expectantly, Sarah sighs.
"You know where the screen and camera are," Sarah says, making Dannii
giggle excitedly. A few minutes later, I'm stood in front of the white
background, posing flirtatiously as Dannii takes photograph after
photograph, mostly of my lower half, but a few full-body shots too. I
spend the rest of the evening modelling Lauren & Sarah's 'hot off the
press' creations. Even though they work very efficiently as a pair, in
addition to the already-completed skirt they only manage to complete two
further garments throughout the evening, a long-legged sleeveless floral
playsuit that I model, and a cute backless leotard dress that Dannii
models and flat-out refuses to take off after finishing the photographs,
even after I demand a turn wearing it!
Eventually, though, Dannii & Lauren leave- Dannii still wearing the
dress, claiming she'll change at Lauren's house- and Sarah and I head to
bed shortly afterwards, falling asleep in each other's arms after ending
the day with an orgasm each...
We're both awake early on Friday morning, Sarah for college and myself
for work. After showering, pulling on a clean bra & thong set, tying my
hair into a cute plait and applying a liberal amount of make-up, I pull
on a pair of shiny black tights and a short black pencil skirt,
following up with a cream coloured blouse and my cutest ballet flats.
After grabbing my iPad and saying goodbye to Beverly, Sarah drives me to
the photography studio where I ensure everything is ready prior to the
arrival of my 'bosses' for the day.
"Hey Nikki!" Viks says as she greets me in the studio's reception, with
Charlotte following closely behind. "Love the hair!"
"Hey girls!" I say happily. "Everything's all ready and waiting for you,
the changing room is kitted out exactly the way you wanted, and they've
also laid on the spare one in case it's too cramped."
"Nah, I've been here before, it'll be fine for two," Charlotte says
confidently. "Can you get me some water? I'm utterly parched this
morning..." Smiling smugly, I reach into my handbag and pass Charlotte a
bottle of her favourite brand of mineral water.
"I don't care what Joshua says about his brand, YOU are the real Angel!"
Charlotte says, eagerly gulping down the water. I stay with the girls
throughout the morning, watching with envy as they model item after item
of sexy lace lingerie. Both Charlotte & Viks help themselves to an
armful of teddies, basques and corsets after the photoshoot ends, whilst
I follow them with my handbag full of stationery and mineral water.
"You okay, Nikki?" Viks asks as I lead her and Charlotte back to her
car.
"Yeah," I sigh. "Just... Professional envy, hehe."
"Aww, sometimes I forget you're a model too," Charlotte says, giving me
a quick hug. "When you turn eighteen I am SO getting you signed to
Joshua, then you can do all the sexy lingerie shoots you want!"
"Not sure my dad would approve of that!" I laugh.
"No, but I'm sure your girlfriend would..." Charlotte teases, before
handing me a small wrapped package. "I've... got enough lingerie at
home."
"Oh my god!" I squeak. "Thank you, thank you so much!"
"Just be sure to hide it from your dad!" Charlotte jokes as she gets in
Viks's car. "And take it easy on the drive home, my motion sickness is
playing up again..."
I slip Charlotte's gift into my handbag and walk the hundred metres down
the street to where my father is waiting in his car. With a sly smile, I
slip my handbag- complete with its 'secret'- onto the back seat of the
car and get in the driving seat, driving away for the next hour and a
half before being dropped at Doctor Williamson's office.
"Hi Nikki!" The middle-aged woman greets me as I enter her office,
crossing one leg over the other as I sit down in her comfortable chair.
"You're looking well today."
"Thanks," I say to my counsellor as I smooth my skirt over my legs.
"Yeah, just been at work, had a driving lesson... Been really busy this
week!"
"You do look increasingly happy now that you're working," Dr Williamson
notes. "This week would've been the first week back at college, wouldn't
it?"
"Yeah," I sigh. "That's kinda caused some problems, actually."
"Go on," Dr Williamson says.
"It's just my friends feel I've abandoned them," I moan. "They haven't
said as much but they're clearly unhappy that I've not gone back. That,
and I'm now working with the Angels, they're all big fans of the
Angels..."
"You think they're envious of your new job?" Dr Williamson asks.
"It's a safe assumption," I sigh.
"Have you talked to them about this?" My counsellor asks.
"Not yet," I reply. "I'll get them on Facebook tonight. I- I really
don't want to lose my friends, that's the thing..."
"It's understandable," Dr Williamson says. "They were the first close
group of friends you made since your coming out, aren't they?"
"Yeah," I say. "We met on the first day of college last year and just
hit it off from there... Though the 'Dannii incident' in February
should've been a clue that it was the beginning of the end..."
"Friends will occasionally fall out," Dr Williamson says comfortingly.
"If you just talk it through, I'm sure you'll all eventually be happy
with the new arrangement."
"Yeah, I guess," I reply. "Speaking of new arrangements... I've been
finding myself getting different 'urges' lately..."
"Sexually?" Dr Williamson asks delicately.
"Yeah," I reply. "Well, yes AND no... I'm still 'active' with Sarah, I'm
still only attracted to women, but... I'm finding male characteristics
increasingly attractive."
"That's understandable," Dr Williamson says. "Biologically, we are hard-
wired to find characteristics of the opposite sex attractive for
procreation. Yes, people like yourself are homosexual, but generally
speaking, female brains are attracted to male characteristics and vice
versa."
"So you're saying... I shouldn't be afraid of these feelings?" I ask.
"Afraid, no," Dr Williamson confirms. "Though it may help to analyse
these feelings- and your feelings for Sarah- to help you understand them
better."
After an hour of psychoanalysis, I leave the office feeling slightly
less confused about my feelings, but still troubled about the
disintegrating relationship between myself and my friends. As it's late
afternoon- well past lunch time- I head home, where I change into a
comfortable long-legged playsuit similar to the one I modelled last
night and crash on my sofa, iPad in hand. I've barely finished checking
my messages when the front door opens and my mum- and her very visible
bump- steps through the front door.
"Hey mum," I say, helping her with her coat as she sits down.
"Oh for god's sake," mum sighs, "I'm pregnant! I'm not an invalid!"
"I'm just being a good daughter," I argue.
"That'd certainly explain why you're dressed like a 4 year old!" Mum
jokes.
"This is a fashionable playsuit, not a romper," I complain.
"And your pigtail?" Mum asks, stroking my long, brown hair.
"PLAIT," I correct my parent.
"Did you tie it yourself, or did Sarah?" Mum asks.
"Myself," I say with pride.
"Guess that's one of the mother-daughter experiences we never had, me
plaiting your hair," mum muses.
"Well lucky for you you've got sixteen years of that coming up shortly,"
I laugh, before turning my attention to mum's bump. "Isn't that right,
sis?"
"Yes, yes," mum jokes as I crash back down on my sofa.
"Are you, you know, pleased that she's a girl?" I ask cautiously.
"Why wouldn't we be?" Mum asks. "Our first daughter turned out alright,
and as we've said countless times, SHE'S NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR YOU."
"I know, I know," I sigh. "Have you decided on a name yet?"
"You ask me that every day!" Mum laughs. "And the answer is still no."
"I can't wait to be a big sister," I say with a smile.
"You're going to be a great big sister," Mum says. "I'm glad you're not
moving out, not just yet."
"Just remember I work full-time," I giggle, "so I'm not going to be
available to babysit 24/7!"
"That's what maternity leave's for," mum laughs, standing up. "You ready
for dinner? And before you say anything, yes, I AM going to cook it."
"Please," I say, knowing better than to argue with my mother. As my mum
heads into the kitchen, I open up Facebook on my iPad and compose a new
message to Katie.
'Hey girlie,' I type with a smiley face.
'Hey Nikki,' Katie replies. The conversation pauses briefly as I wait
for Katie to reply, but when she doesn't, I type out a message.
'Sorry I couldn't come to lunch today,' I type. 'Was busy all day.'
'It's fine,' Katie replies, leading to another pause.
'Are you busy with work right now?' I ask. 'Sorry if I'm interrupting
anything.'
'No, it's fine,' Katie replies, though I can tell- even from text- that
it's NOT fine.
'Katie...' I type. 'Are we okay? Because you seem, you know, kinda
distant...'
'I'M not the one who distanced myself from the group,' Katie snipes.
'Is this about my new job?' I ask. 'You knew how badly I was doing at
college, we can't all be as talented as you!'
'If you were having that many problems, you'd have asked for my help,'
Katie replies.
'I didn't want to be carried through college,' I type. 'If I was going
to pass, I'd want to do it on my own merit, not off the back of someone
else's work. I'm sorry if you feel that I've let you down somehow. I'll
still model for you, of course.'
'Would Steve approve?' Katie asks, and suddenly I have a revelation-
Katie has always considered herself to be a model, and yet unlike myself
or Dannii, doesn't have any professional representation...
'I don't mind putting in a word with Steve,' I type. 'I'm sure he'd be
happy to add you to his books.'
'Thanks, but if I'm going to get professional representation, I'd want
to do it on my own merit,' Katie replies, making me wince as my own
words are turned against me. 'Nikki, I'd prefer it if you didn't come to
lunch any more.'
'I come to lunch for Sarah,' I type.
'Well what you two do is up to you,' Katie replies. 'I have to go now.
Goodbye, Nikki.' Katie almost immediately signs out of the messaging app
and I collapse back onto the sofa, groaning with frustration. Next to
Sarah, Katie was probably my best friend... I'd never even considered that
she might have this big a problem with me. Was it my ego that caused me
not to realise that she might be unhappy being in my shadow? Was it
Katie's ego making her envious? Either way, I'm going to have to give
her- and our precious lunch hours- space for a while...
Sarah comes home just before dinner, and after eating- and talking
through the 'Katie issue' with Sarah- we head to bed. After stripping
naked, however, I remember Charlotte's earlier gift to me.
"Babe?" I ask. "Can you give me a sec?"
"Umm, sure," Sarah says confusedly, sliding out from underneath the bed
sheets and heading into the bathroom. Grinning wickedly, I unwrap the
delicate items, and my heart flutters when I see them for the very first
time. I slide the see-through black teddy up my legs, loving the feeling
of the mesh fabric stretching over my body and the feeling of the
delicate lace back nestling between my buttocks. I roll the dark hold-up
stockings up my legs, before slipping my feet into my highest-heeled
stilettos. After fixing my make-up and nail polish and spraying on a
cloud of my sweetest perfume, I untie my plait and tie my hair into a
high updo. Confident that I am every inch the sex kitten I always wanted
to be, I pull the sheer peignoir over my head and recline on my bed.
"I'm ready," I purr.
"Okay, what the big sec- whoa..." Sarah gasps as she sees me splayed out
on the bed in all my glory.
"Package for Miss Phillips," I coo as Sarah stands in the doorway, her
mouth agape. "Aren't you going to unwrap it? Or rather, aren't you going
to unwrap ME?" Visibly shivering with excitement, Sarah takes me in her
arms and kisses me long and deep. I remain completely passive as I allow
her tongue to probe my mouth and her fingers to explore my body. Before
too long, my peignoir is on the floor and my breasts have been freed
from the teddy. I pant with excitement as Sarah kisses my nipples,
gently tugging on them with her lips. It doesn't take long for the teddy
to join the peignoir, and not much longer for me to reach a powerful
orgasm- a 'favour' I immediately return.
"I'll say again: whoa," Sarah says as she lays back in bed, panting
heavily.
"Sarah," I ask, gently stroking her bare belly, "this is going to sound
so weird, but- are you gay?"
"Umm," Sarah mumbles. "Bit of a left-field question that!"
"Yeah, but it's a simple yes or no, surely?" I reply. "I mean, I
consider us to be a lesbian couple."
"I do too," Sarah says, but I can tell from her tone that she's not
completely convinced.
"Are you sure?" I ask. "I mean, worst case scenario, something happens
to me and you move on, would it be with another girl?"
"I wouldn't move on," Sarah says firmly. "You asked me if I'm a lesbian,
and the answer is no. I'm not homosexual... I'm Nikkisexual. I don't fancy
'men' or 'women'... I only love you." My heart melts and I nearly cry at
this profound declaration of love.
"I only love you," I whisper back. "Call me 'Sarahsexual'!" Sarah
giggles, before rolling over and giving me a long, deep kiss.
"You know," Sarah says, "it IS Friday night... Six months from now we'll
both be eighteen, reckon you can get Jamie to invite us on a famous
Angels girls night out?"
"I can ask, I guess," I say. "I mean, we've been to the occasional girls
night in, I don't think they'd have THAT big a problem with it... Though
that'd no doubt just drive Katie further away..."
"HER problem," Sarah says smugly.
"Yeah, but..." I sigh.
"No buts," Sarah says with a grin. "She'll also be eighteen by then,
we'll just have to ask if she can come too!" I grin as I give Sarah
another kiss, before we fall asleep in each other's arms.
I wake up on Saturday morning still wrapped in Sarah's soft embrace. I
smile tiredly as I gently pepper her neck and shoulders with kisses, my
heart fluttering with every sleepy moan she makes before she herself
wakes up and gives me a gentle, lingering kiss on my lips.
"Shall we just, you know, not get up today?" I ask.
"Ugh, if only," Sarah moans. "Some of us don't have part time jobs but
still have to find money from somewhere!"
"Oh come on," I complain. "You and Lauren are surely making enough money
from your online store?"
"Yeah," Sarah concedes, "but it's not exactly guaranteed money..."
"I can always buy some more dresses if need be," I joke.
"Hehe," Sarah giggles, giving me a quick kiss as she gets up and heads
to the shower, and another kiss after she dresses and drives off to her
day out. I stay in bed a while longer, getting up just after 10am,
showering and dressing in a very loose, comfortable t-shirt dress (I
don't even both with any make-up) before switching on my computer and
getting down to work. I still have a column for Teen Globe Magazine that
needs writing, I still have an increasingly-popular blog and YouTube
channel that need maintaining (though obviously I'm not going to be
making any vlogs without any make-up on) and I have a lot of spare time
in which to do it, especially since I quit my own Saturday job!
I've just about finished the first half of my column for next month when
my train of thought is derailed by the new Facebook message notification
on my phone.
'Hey Nikki, got a sec?' Reads the message from Jamie-Lee Burke.
'Sure,' I immediately reply. 'Didn't think I was needed today?'
'Nope, none of us are working,' Jamie types. 'And on that note, up for a
girls night in tonight?' I giggle before typing my reply.
'You know I am!' I reply. 'Sarah's at her Saturday job all day but I'll
text her and let her know.'
'Cool!' Jamie replies. 'See you at 7!' I grin as I return to my work-
nights in with the Angels may not be as fun as their regular costume
parties or their nights out- at least I assume not, given that I haven't
attended either of those events yet- but they are very, very fun. After
firing off a quick text message to Sarah telling to meet at Charlotte's
house, I start typing again, but within 10 minutes I'm interrupted yet
again by another Facebook message.
'Hey girlie!' Dannii's message reads. 'Sorry I've been such a cow
earlier this week... Been working hard, something I'm sure you understand!
I've got the house to myself tonight, so we're all having a New Angels
get-together! See you at 7!'
"Ah, shit," I whisper as I read the message- I want to mend bridges with
Dannii more than anything, but if faced with the choice of a fun evening
with the Angels or a tense evening with me and Katie and Sarah and
Dannii at loggerheads... I know which one I'd choose. I'm about to text
back an excuse when an idea suddenly pops into my head and I reopen the
chat window with Jamie.
'Hey,' I type.
'Hey, what's up?' Jamie replies. 'Isn't Sarah able to make it tonight?'
'About that...' I type, hesitating before sending the message. 'I've kinda
had a falling out with some of my friends lately... I think they're kinda
envious that I get to work with you guys, could I invite them along?
There's only three more of them, and they're all really cool, honest.'
'Hmm,' Jamie replies. 'You know if it was up to me I'd say yes- I trust
you have good taste in friends! I'll ask Charlotte and the others if
they wouldn't mind- it's her house so it should really be her who says
yes or no.'
'Thanks!' I type. As much as the 'New Angels' may be annoyed- mostly at
me- getting them into a proper Angels party, even if it is just a girls
night in, will SURELY get me back in their good books. I keep writing
for the next half hour but can barely concentrate, I'm that excited
about the prospect of the 'big party'. When I hear my Facebook message
alert chime a short while later, I almost jump out of my skin, but when
I read Jamie's message, my heart sinks almost through the floor.
'Hi Nikki,' Jamie types. 'I've spoken to Charlotte, and she's sorry but
between you and Sarah and Becca and Adeola, our girls nights have
started to become pretty cramped as it is without adding an additional 3
girls. Maybe at some point in the future. Shall we still see you and
Sarah tonight?' I pause to think- do I really want to snub Dannii's
party? Then again, do I really want to risk driving a bigger wedge
between myself and her and Katie?
'Sure, see you at 7!' I type with a smiley face, getting a smiley face
in return from Jamie.
'Hi Dannii,' I type in reply to the tall, blonde girl. 'Sorry, but I
can't make it tonight, Sarah's out all day. Do you want to grab lunch
tomorrow, just the five of us? My treat.'
'Sure,' Dannii replies, before logging out. I've clearly annoyed her by
'snubbing' her, and she's a girl who is VERY unaccustomed to having
people say no to her. After finishing my work and eating a light dinner,
I change out of my slouchy dress into a cute pleated miniskirt, a pink
t-shirt and high-heeled sandals- also taking the time to apply a full
face of make-up, of course- before Sarah pulls up outside in her Mini.
"Girls night!" Sarah squeaks excitedly as we drive off into the bustling
streets of central London.
"Girls night!" I reply, laughing happily. "I, um, should say that it
wasn't quite the only offer we had tonight..."
"Oh?" Sarah asks. "Are you FINALLY being invited to celebrity parties?
Well, OTHER celebrity parties, anyway?"
"Not quite," I say. "Dannii invited all of us to her house for a 'New
Angels Summit'."
"Ugh," Sarah spits. "Glad you chose the REAL Angels!"
"I dunno," I moan. "I don't want to drive Dannii, Katie or Lauren any
further away..."
"As if any of them wouldn't have done the same!" Sarah laughs. "Dannii
especially, she'd sell her own grandmother for the chance to hang out
with the Angels."
"I think I actually heard her say that once," I chuckle.
When we arrive at Charlotte's mansion, we're greeted with hugs by the
other girls present- obviously the host is there, as is Jamie, Krystie
and Rebecca.
"Is it just the six of us tonight?" I ask, feeling slightly offended
that Katie, Lauren and Dannii were excluded on the grounds of space when
there'd be fewer of us than normal even if they were present.
"Yeah," Charlotte sighs. "Mary's at home looking after her baby, Hannah
and Viks are on a double date, Addie's got something else on, she didn't
say what."
"You two should have brought your leos," Krystie jokes. "Could've given
you an impromptu lesson in Charlotte's studio upstairs!"
"We're still doing those foot-strengthening exercises you gave us,"
Sarah laughs. "You want us en pointe in two months, we'll get there!"
Krystie giggles as we head into Charlotte's living room, collapsing
heavily on one of her plush sofas.
"I'll open the wine," Jamie says, before looking at myself and Sarah.
"AND the fruit juice!"
"Oh as if we've never drank alcohol before," Sarah laughs.
"Yeah, well I refuse to be the one responsible for getting you pissed
whilst underage," Charlotte retorts. "Though March 6th next year, I am
SO getting you both hammered!" Sarah and I laugh excitedly as Krystie
and Jamie leave for the kitchen. Sensing a rare opportunity to speak
candidly to my 'idol', I excuse myself and follow the two women into the
kitchen (earning myself a sharp pinch on the right buttock from Sarah as
I stand up!).
"Hey," I say to the two women as I enter the kitchen. "Need a hand in
here?"
"Nah, we're good," Krystie says.
"Is this about the thing we talked about earlier?" Jamie asks.
"...Kind of," I reply. Jamie exchanges a quick glance with Krystie, who
simply nods and picks up the drinks.
"Back to waitressing it is for me, then," Krystie giggles, leaving me
alone with Jamie.
"Did your friends know about your 'offer' before you asked me about it?"
Jamie asks.
"No," I say. "That's a level of awkwardness I'm glad I've avoided!"
"Why have you been falling out?" Jamie asks, making me sigh and slump
into a kitchen chair.
"It's ever since I started working for you," I say. "Don't get me wrong,
I love the job, I really do."
"You're great at it, too," Jamie says.
"Thanks," I continue. "But... I dunno. They're clearly envious- I mean,
who WOULDN'T be? They think I'm going to abandon them and be this big
celebrity who forgets about her friends..."
"Um, you're not exactly a celebrity, no offence!" Jamie teases.
"I know that and YOU know that," I laugh. "Doesn't help that I blew off
a party with them to be here tonight..."
"That... was probably a mistake," Jamie says. "How long have you known
these girls?"
"About a year," I say. "They're actually the first friends I made at
college, the first friends who've only ever known Nikki, not Nick as I
used to be."
"That's a fairly big deal, then," Jamie says.
"It is," I reply. "I think I've told you about them before, we called
ourselves the 'New Angels'... One of us is even signed to Joshua." Jamie
looks lost in thought for a second, almost as if remembering something,
before her concentration returns.
"Sorry," Jamie says. "Is that Dannii Samson?"
"Yeah," I say. "You know her?"
"Vaguely," Jamie says. "I've only met her a few times but she is a bit
full-on. Kinda reminds me a bit of a younger, much less mature
Charlotte, hehe."
"...And she's the one who was hosting the party," I moan, making Jamie
grimace.
"It's not good," Jamie says, shaking her head. "And believe me, I'm
speaking from experience. The Angels haven't always been the close-knit
group of friends we are today."
"I read your blog," I say shyly. "I know about you and Charlotte..."
"Did you know about the falling-out I had with Krystie?" Jamie asks. I
shake my head as a surprised expression creeps over my face.
"Oh my god," Jamie laughs. "That was an EPIC falling-out. Lasted almost
six months, in fact. Right at the back end of 2011, we'd agreed to do a
joint calendar shoot, then Charlotte got me a professional calendar
shoot for Christmas so I had to pick between rejecting Charlotte's gift
or going back on the promise I made to Krystie..."
"Oh shit," I whisper. "That's not a choice I'd ever want to have to
make!"
"Long story short, I picked Charlotte, and it took forever for Krystie
to forgive me," Jamie sighs. Almost as if on cue, Krystie walks back
into the kitchen, heading straight for the wine rack.
"You have NOT drunk that all already?" I ask.
"I'm just looking for some white," Krystie complains. "As you'll know
when you get old enough to become winos like us!"
"Hey Krys," Jamie says with a wicked grin on her face. "Remember my 2013
calendar?"
"Ugh," Krystie snorts, rolling her eyes. "You know, and I'm not proud to
say this, I was actually glad when that flopped..."
"But our combined efforts now are much more successful, right?" Jamie
asks.
"Course they are!" Krystie giggles, giving Jamie a playful hug. "What's
brought this on?"
"Me," I say, sheepishly raising my hand. "I kinda... Blew off a party
from my old college friends to be here tonight..."
"BIG mistake," Krystie says, sitting down next to Jamie at the kitchen
table. "Seriously, just don't let down your oldest friends. Right,
Jamie?"
"Thanks Nikki," Jamie laughs. "I'm gonna be apologising for this again
for the next month..."
"Aww," Krystie giggles, giving Jamie another hug. "Are these the same
friends you wanted to invite along tonight?" I nod. "For what it's
worth, I was all for it. Don't forget I've been teaching Dannii and
Katie for months, yes, Dannii's a little intense, but I really, really
like Katie."
"She'd be so happy to hear you say that," I sigh happily. "Have you ever
given her Steve's number?"
"I'll be honest," Krystie grimaces, "I didn't actually she realise she
was a serious model, I always thought she was happier behind the camera.
I swear, first thing after the lesson on Monday, I'm giving her his
card." I smile- even though they are my bosses, the Angels really do
care for me as a friend.
"Do something to make up to the girls," Jamie advises.
"Already taken care of," I say smugly. "I'm taking them all out for
lunch tomorrow."
"Aww," Krystie coos unexpectedly. "This is so cool, you've got a real
mentor and pupil thing going on!"
"If you're saying I look like Yoda, I'm going to down that bottle in one
and hit you over the head with it!" Jamie jokes, making the entire table
laugh.
"Hmm!" Krystie says in her best Yoda impression. "Drinking heavily,
Jamie is!"
"Come on, let's get back to the party," Jamie says, leading us back into
the living room, where we laugh, gossip and drink the night away.
Sarah and I eventually head back to her house just before 11pm, where we
head almost immediately to bed.
"No peignoir this time?" Sarah jokes as she cuddles her naked body up
against mine.
"It wouldn't be a 'special' package if you received it every night..." I
joke. "Did you have anything planned for tomorrow?"
"Nope," Sarah replies. "I was thinking of maybe driving to Milton Keynes
to see Karl and Kerrie, but it is a long way..."
"Okay," I say. "I had planned on having lunch with Katie, Lauren and
Dannii, you know, to make up for tonight, but if you want to see your
brother and sister-"
"Nah, I'll go next weekend," Sarah says with a grin. "Don't really want
to face 'the dragon' anyway. And lunch DOES sound nice."
"It's settled then," I say, giving Sarah a quick kiss. "Get some sleep.
Love you, babe."
"Love you too," Sarah whispers, rolling onto her side and quickly
falling asleep.
We take the opportunity to sleep in on Sunday morning, neither of us
wanting to let the other out of our arms. After (reluctantly) getting up
just after 10am, we shower before dressing for the day.
After applying a full face of make-up and touching up my nail polish, I
pull on a comfortable black bra and thong set and translucent black
tights, before pulling on a cute knee-length indigo dress. I wear a
matching pair of heels- they're brand new but go so well with the dress,
I can't not wear them! Sarah dresses similarly to me, only opting for
clear tights and a dress with a light floral pattern that she made
herself.
"You really are the most beautiful girl in the world," Sarah sighs as
she encircles my narrow waist from behind.
"I'm IN LOVE with the most beautiful girl in the world," I say happily.
"And once again, you're welcome to cop a feel!" Sarah giggles as she
gently massages my left breast, before grabbing her handbag and car
keys.
We arrive at the cafe for lunch just before 12pm. Katie and Lauren are
already there- gratifyingly, Lauren is also wearing one of her own
dresses, whilst Katie's opted for a slightly more casual look with black
tights, denim hot pants and a long-sleeved top.
"Hey girlies!" I say excitedly.
"Hey," Lauren replies with a neutral facial expression. Upsettingly,
Katie doesn't reply at all.
"Have you ordered yet?" Sarah asks.
"Not yet," Katie replies. "We're waiting for Dannii, you know, so that
everyone's here?" I grimace as I feel Sarah bristle at Katie's thinly-
veiled accusation.
"Did you have fun at Charlotte's last night?" Lauren asks, barely
disguising her contempt.
"It was okay," I say.
"So you snubbed your friends for a night that was only 'okay'?" Katie
retorts.
"I'm sorry, okay?" I say. "I made a mistake, I should've come to
Dannii's instead. Happy now?"
"Umm, no?" Katie spits in my direction.
"For what it's worth, I asked if you could come along too," I say. "All
three of you."
"And when they said 'no', you went along anyway?" Katie replies.
"I said I was sorry!" I snap.
"Ah, I see you've started without me," Dannii says. "Quelle surprise."
"Really, Dannii?" Sarah spits, earning herself a foul stare from the
tall model.
"Nikki DID say she tried to invite us to the party last night," Lauren
says, clearly upset by the anger being shown by everyone.
"Oh, how gracious of her," Dannii snorts. "I mean it only makes sense,
someone who isn't even signed to Joshua Benedict should decide whether
or not to invite the Angels' colleague along to their party..."
"Joshua has well over a hundred models on his books," I retort. "The
Angels barely even know you!" I flinch a little as Dannii shoots me a
look of pure, unadulterated hatred.
"Girlies," Lauren says to no avail.
"You little fucking bitch," Dannii snipes. "You selfish, snobbish COW!"
"'Selfish'?" Sarah laughs. "This coming from the girl who tried to steal
Nikki away from me a few months ago?" Both Katie and Lauren gasp at this
revelation.
"And how glad am I that I didn't?" Dannii says smugly, earning a truly
furious stare not just from Sarah, but from me too.
"Hard lesson to learn, isn't it?" I spit. "Knowing that the whole world
doesn't revolve around you just because you're tall and can have the
pick of any boy you want?"
"NIKKI!" Lauren snaps.
"Bet you're loving it, aren't you?" Dannii retorts, ignoring her best
friend's outburst. "Lording it over everyone else, you're the friend of
the Angels whilst we're just your hangers-on!"
"You mean like you used to lord over us with your fancy contract from
Joshua Benedict?" I snipe. "'Ooh, look at me, I'm a New Angel AND I'm
going to be a real Angel too!'" Dannii stands up, fury in her eyes.
"Fuck you," Dannii spits, storming out of the cafe.
"You know," Katie says coldly, "you really are a nasty piece of work.
Enjoy your celebrity life, Nikki. I hope one day you realise just how
lonely it is." My heart sinks and my stomach churns as Katie stands up
and also walks out. With tears welling in my eyes, I look expectantly at
Lauren, who simply shakes her head.
"I'll... I'll talk to them both," Lauren says.
"I'm- I'm sorry," I say in a very small voice.
"I'm not the one you should be apologising too," Lauren says stoically.
"I'll see you on Monday, Sarah." Without even eating anything, Sarah and
I both leave the cafe and head back to her car, where I have a long,
emotional cry.
"Why?" I ask. "Why do I have to fuck everything up? My grandparents, the
girlies..."
"You are NOT a fuck-up!" Sarah says, giving me a much-needed hug. "I
love you. I'd love you even if you weren't working for the Angels! I'd
love you even if you were sat on your arse all day doing nothing!"
"I love you too," I blub, letting the emotion out for the next several
minutes before my eyes finally dry up.
"I'm still hungry," Sarah says, handing me my handbag. "And for the love
of god, fix your make-up!" I laugh a weary, but welcome laugh as I fix
the make-up that was destroyed by my crying. Once I'm 'repaired', we
head back to the cafe, but along the way are stopped by a group of 3
girls, all in their early teens.
"Hi..." One of the girls says cautiously. "Um, are- are you Nikki
Thomas?" My jaw drops as the girl asks this question- surely she can't
be a 'fan'?
"Hi," I reply with obviously surprise. "Um, yes, that's me!"
"Oh my god!" the girl squeaks. "It really is you! Can we get a selfie?"
"Sure!" I say, giggling a little.
"We all LOVE your column in Teen Globe," the girl explains as I pose for
the photo with them. "I mean, we're not, like, um, we are 'full' girls,
but we just think you're great!"
"Aww, that's so nice!" I say, waving to the girls as they walk off,
their selfie undoubtedly already being uploaded to the internet.
"My famous girlfriend!" Sarah beams with pride. I smile too, but it
doesn't last long as Katie's words come back to haunt me. "What's up,
babe?"
"Katie's right," I moan.
"Katie is NOT right!" Sarah retorts.
"She was right about it being lonely..." I sigh, making Sarah frown.
"You're NEVER lonely, not as long as you have me," Sarah says, forcibly
linking her fingers with mine. "And I am NEVER letting you go. I will
love you FOREVER."
"And I'll love you forever," I whisper, giving Sarah a gentle kiss.
"Now come on," Sarah insists. "I'm still hungry!" I force a smile on my
face as we head back to lunch. Yes, I'll always have Sarah, and I'll
always be eternally grateful. Sarah should be everything that I need,
but... I already miss my friends. In a way, it'd have been 'better' if
that had rejected me for being transgendered rather than being, well,
'me'. I'll make new friends- I already have, in fact, in Jamie & co- but
Katie, Lauren and Dannii will always hold a special place in my heart,
even I no longer hold a place in theirs.
"Let's eat," I say to Sarah with a confident smile. If Katie, Lauren and
Dannii are to be parts of my past, then that's where they'll have to
stay. All I care about is the present, and the future- MY future, with
Sarah.