Chaos at the Studio

Friday morning was another makeup class day. Before Michelle and I went home the other night, we had received a message from school management that Friday classes would follow a Tuesday schedule.

At the dinner table, I approached Charissa about dealing with makeup classes. She gave me one piece of advice.

"Christine, treat it like it's an ordinary school day," Charissa said. "Never bear pressure on yourself. Always get the job done."

Then my phone vibrated. Upon looking at it, Michelle had texted me to go to the lobby and wait for her there.

Upon entering Michelle's car, another familiar tune blasted on the radio. The song was 'Friday I'm in Love' by The Cure and Michelle sang the opening chorus.

I don't care if Monday's blue

Tuesday's gray and Wednesday too

Thursday I don't care about you

It's Friday I'm in love

Monday you can fall apart

Tuesday Wednesday break my heart

Oh, Thursday doesn't even start

It's Friday I'm in love

The traffic was more inviting unlike last night when hell broke loose. It was a smooth drive towards school, and I felt more relaxed as the miles wore on.

Upon arrival, Michelle and I were greeted by Kyla at the elevator. But as we reached the ninth floor of the gym, I felt a stinging vibration on my pocket.

Retrieving my phone, I opened and received a phone call from Philly.

Philly: "Hello?"

Christine: "Philly? What's up?"

Philly: "Christine, I called you for something important. We must meet at the library right now."

Christine: "Okay then. I'll be there shortly. Stay there."

After informing Michelle and Kyla about my urgent meeting, I promptly left the gym and went straight to the library. The place was once again frigid but teeming with academic activity.

At the cafe, I met up with Philly who was completely dressed in her business attire. She had just ordered cappuccino and sandwich for her breakfast.

Philly brought along old magazines and a few of her cherished clothes for the shoot. Minutes later, Tricia arrived, her flowing hair still fresh from the shower.

But for whatever reason, Avril was not present at the meeting. And so it was only me, Philly and Tricia who were at the table planning for the shoot.

While Tricia went to the counter ordering breakfast, Philly began scouring some of her glossy magazines. As the assignment revolved around a swimsuit pictorial, she presented me images of celebrity females in their skimpy wardrobe.

Shortly after, Tricia joined in with coffee and doughnuts on her hands. Philly then showed her some of the sample photos on the magazines.

"To be honest, I'm not that ready to reveal everything," Tricia commented on the images.

"It's alright," Philly responded. "We'll not ask you to take off your top and reveal those big breasts. We want something that is as sensual but not very tasteless on the professor's mind."

Philly then took out her bag and brought out her swimsuits. She gave them to Tricia who then promptly went to the comfort room.

Minutes later, Tricia returned and gave her own opinion on Philly's swimsuits.

"It fits great," she commented favorably. "We were almost the equivalent size."

"That's worthy to know," Philly responded affirmatively. "Well Tricia, you need to come inside the studio at 11:20. You promptly change to those swimsuits and then I'll gently put some makeup on your face."

Tricia approvingly nodded to Philly who flashed a confident smile in return. Soon after, she subtly reminded me about the call time for the shoot.

"12:00 p.m.," Philly gleefully announced. "Go to the studio at 12:00. I'll text Avril about this later. That's all."

The meeting finally drew to a close, and it was off to class.

A few hours later, the whole group was inside the studio preparing for the shoot. At the dressing room, Tricia glowingly stared at the mirror as Philly put on some makeup.

Meanwhile, Avril and I were setting up the lights and reflectors when something fell on the floor.

"My goodness," Avril stunningly remarked upon seeing a fallen camera light. "It's shattered."

As Philly detected the cracking sound, she immediately rushed in and scolded Avril.

"What did you do to the lights?" Philly screamed in frustration.

"It was an accident," Avril fearfully replied. "I was just placing another set of lights when this thing fell on the floor."

Just then, more lights suddenly tumbled and damaged severely. Philly soon crumpled in overwhelming disappointment as her planned shoot became a dreadful nightmare.

"My God it would cost us thousands," Philly yelled anew. "Replacing them is not going to be easy, you know."

"I'm sorry," Avril cried for forgiveness. "It wasn't my fault."

But when Philly looked suspiciously at Avril and saw her walk disjointedly, it was obvious something was wrong. She even observed the damaged lights that were poorly assembled.

"Avril, did you get intoxicated last night?" Philly interrogated her. "It is possible the broken lights were your fault after all."

Avril could merely shake her head in disbelief. She tearfully confessed to Philly regarding her partying the other night and the terrible lie about her attending class at 8:00 a.m.

At that critical moment, Philly began aggressively pushing, pounding and screaming at her in frustration.

"How could you?" Philly angrily told Avril. "This is a serious group project yet here you are all but shamefully neglecting your duty. I'm so disappointed at your performance."

Avril tried explaining further but Philly clearly had enough of her pathetic excuses.

"Get the hell out of here," Philly screamed at her. "You don't deserve attaining a grade on this project."

"Please offer me another chance," Avril desperately responded. "I want to make it up for you."

"No more," Philly shot back. "Get the hell out of here!!!"

Philly forcibly pushed Avril out of the studio and locked the door. She then cried in frustration over the embarrassing failure of the project.

"I'm sorry girls," Philly tearfully admitted. "The shoot is ruined because of Avril. She shamefully neglected her own duty and let us down. We can't continue on."

Because of the excessive damages Avril incurred in the studio, we had no choice but to pay the school around P 100,000 for the replacement of the lights. The shoot was cancelled, and all of us reluctantly left the studio bitterly disappointed.

I was standing uncomfortably outside the campus when Michelle called me. What happened next became the saddest phone call of my life.