III

"Ok," I said for the billionth time after Alissa began her screeching and screams

"Why aren't you excited?" she stopped for a second

"Because I don't give a fuck?" I sent her a deadpan look, looking up from my phone

"I could tell you something that would make you give a fuck," she said dramatically looking away from me and then back at me expectantly

I sighed, "Oh me, oh my, what might that be?" I said in a fake British accent before rolling my eyes and bringing them back to my phone

"I sent your birthday invitations to the Crown brothers," she grinned widely, "They might be here for your party," she sang the word "party" enthusiastically

"That's terrible, Alissa!" I cried, "What if they actually come and sue me for wasting their time,"

"Don't worry," she stretched out the last word, "that's not something someone can be sued for," she grinned

"Fuck you, I'm going to sleep," I said lifting myself from the dining chair

Alissa had sat me here and rambled about the Cristian Crown personally sending his person to return my purse, for an hour and a half.

Is this bitch not tired?

I made my way to my room, stripped from my clothing and fell into my bed. As soon as I hit the pillow, I was out.

~

I woke up dazed and tired. It's the day before my birthday and it feels nothing like it.

It's not like I'm going to feel a significant difference between being 20 and 21, but I was hoping to feel...something.

I got ready for the day and made my way to the studio I worked at. I have an engagement shoot to do by 5 pm but until then I will be occupied at the studio, selling art pieces, taking bookings for shoots, and helping others with their shoots at the studio.

I took public transport because Alissa couldn't take me seeing as she wasn't home.

As I made my way into the studio, a man followed not too far behind with his camera around his neck. He followed me to the front desk as I got behind it and he stood in front of it.

"Hi! How can I help you?" I asked him with a smile

he was blonde and green-eyed, and he was a slim, tall guy with perfect teeth he flashed at me before opening his mouth, "Hi," he took his camera from around his neck and turned it on flashing through the photos, "I was hoping to get these printed out," he gave me a grin as I looked at the camera he was pointing at me

Before I even looked at the screen, I admired his camera, "Beautiful camera you've got- Is that me?" my sentence redirected itself as my eyes made their way to the screen

We shared a short laugh. The pictures were taken right as I got off the bus and as I entered the shop, "I really hope you don't mind but you're just a nice natural model. I've been seeing you here often,"

If I wasn't black I'm sure a blush would have spread across my cheeks, "Thank you so much, I do not mind at all. I'm Julia," I offered my hand

He took my hand, "I'm Adam, nice to meet you," he replied shaking my hand

"But um, to print pictures out depending on the size you want starts from $5 to $25 per picture," I told him, "How many pictures do you want to be printed and in what size?" I asked him

"Just the 3 of you and I was thinking A5-sized paper?" he asked me

"Okay, your total is $30," I told him

He took 30 dollars out of his wallet and handed it to me with an extra ten as a "tip" he told me.

"Okay, I'll be right out with your camera, and photos, please take a seat in the waiting area," I smiled at him softly putting the bell at the front of the desk just in case any customers came before I was done printing his pictures.

I uploaded his pictures to a new file with his name to the computer which we do with all customers before printing the pictures from his camera. When I came back with the pictures, I could see him looking at some of my work on the wall in the waiting area.

He came over to the front desk as soon as he saw me, "I love that all of the hung photos by you are all ethnic minorities," he grinned at me, "How much do they go for?" he asked me

"Oh thank you! These are from shoots I was specifically chosen for and I only got permission from them to be used as a display, so they are not for sale," I told him

"Oh, I understand. Do you have any work currently for sale?" he asked me

"I do actually, come with me," I told him and led him to where the photos that were done by staff at the studio were. He immediately approached a photo I had taken of 3 beautiful Japanese women dressed in kimonos.

It was one of my personal favourites.

"How much is this one?" he asked me sweetly

"This picture goes for $250," I replied

"May I buy it?" he requested

"if you would like to," I grinned

"Yes, please. My mother is going to love it," he seemed so happy

"I'm glad," I told him as I took it down lightly and took it back to the front desk with him following close behind me

I wrapped it up for him, gave him his camera and pictures and he paid for it before thanking me profusely and leaving.

I could see him make it to his car through the window and place his things down before coming back.

"Before I go, may I have your number?" he requested politely

"Sure," I didn't hesitate before giving him my number

He thanked me again before leaving.

The rest of the day was very smooth, including my engagement shoot. They loved their photos and so did I. They seemed like such a happy beautiful couple.