Cracking Coconuts

Identity #5: The Composer

"If you weren't my friend, I would be highly insulted."

"Well, remember. I am doing this for you. Would you rather listen to a singer singing about love and life that is well-kept or one that is dressed like a bum on the street? I don't care if you only care about the music or not. You see with your eyes first. So get off the couch and let's go. We are going to have do it on the plane."

"Plane?!?"

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When Damien walked onto the site for the shoot, he had become Saint. His hair was coiffed to perfection to look messy, but still tamed at once. He didn't know how Silas did it, but it did take forever, so it better look good. Silas wanted him to come off casual, so he had on a pair of simple dark washed jeans and a v-neck tee shirt. 

The shoot turned out to be in the desert of Arizona. Silas conveniently forgot to mention that. Damn, it was hot. He wished that casual meant shorts because that's what his version of causal meant. 

"Saint!" said the photographer Adam Brentley. Saint had worked with him once or twice before. He seemed to be a generally nice dude compared to some of the more temperamental photographers.  

"If you would go to the make-up tent to get ready, we'll get started soon. I don't want to stay out here in this heat for too long."

Saint merely nodded, just glad to see some shade. He walked quickly into the tent, surrounded by his keepers no doubt. He was shuffled to a seat where he was immediately worked over  . . .again. He didn't understand why Silas made such a big deal earlier. Now, he was going to be made over once again. 

His mind wandered as he was turned this way and that. Make-up brushes tickled at his nose, causing a twitch. He concentrated on the mirror, trying to see the transformation further into Saint. 

It seemed forever before the make-up lady stepped away. "Done." 

"Thanks," he said politely. 

"It was my pleasure," said the woman with a smile. He wasn't sure if she was flirting with him or not. So, he walked away, only to meet a familiar face. 

"Catalina?"

Cat turned around. She must have been on the other side getting her make-up done too. Her green eyes seemed to glow as she looked at him. 

"Saint? You're on this shoot too."

"Yeah. Who knew?"

"Well, this is great," she walked up to him, still smiling brightly. "I wanted to say thank you. This wouldn't have happened without your help."

Damien brushed the gratitude off, feeling uncomfortable with the attention. "It wasn't me really. You should really thank Silas. It was his idea."

"Well, I think it was both of you. So I'll thank you both. I just happened to see you first." 

Before they could continue, a woman with a clipboard came in. 

"Adam is ready to start." 

The two headed out to join the other models. The shoot was for Christabella's summer line. Somehow, Damien ended up in pair of shorts and a open button-down that showed off his muscular frame. He was just happy that he was not going to sweat out this make-up. He didn't think he could sit through that whole thing again. 

Adam moved the models around for twenty minutes or so, uncertain as to how to frame them. There were two men and three women including Damien and Cat. Adam would move all of them around several times before stepping back.  

Finally, Adam had an a-ha moment. He stepped away, talking to himself. 

"I hope he figures something out soon. This heat is going to give me a horrible tan," said one of the models. "I like to tan fully, if you know what I mean."

"I know, right?" said the other woman. 

"At least, these outfits are comfortable. Compared to my other shoots, this is not that bad," added Cat. 

The first model turned slowly to Cat. "How many shoots have you done again?"

" A couple by now. I think five or so."

"And how old are you again?"

"25," said Cat uncertainly. 

The two models put their hands to their mouths, laughing quietly as they looked at each other. 

"You poor thing."

"I've got it," said Adam as he returned with a white couch that Damien was sure he saw in one of the tents. Adam sat it in the middle of the desert. He sat Damien in the middle with his arms across the back. He posed one model on each side of the couch. The other male model stood behind the couch to Damien's right.

 Cat waited patiently for her position. Adam paused, looking at the arrangement. Then, he moved Damien further to the left. He took Cat's hand and laid her on the couch, so that her head was in Damien's lap as she looked toward the sky. 

Adam stepped away to survey the scene. 

"Yes!" He ran back to get his camera and flicked away. On a pause from the flurry of clicks, Damien looked down at Cat. 

"You ok?" he whispered. "About earlier?" 

Cat looked up and smiled. "Yeah, Amira taught me that people like that don't matter."

"Amira, your friend?"

"Yep. I wished she could be here, but she had to work. She would shut them down with a glare."

Damien chuckled because he knew that Amira didn't seem to be a talker, but her face would say all the words she wanted. Cat laughed too. 

That was when they heard one last camera flicker. 

"That's a wrap, guys." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you a poison?

Sent to tempt me 

Or are you the angel

Here to redeem me

Calling me close 

And leading me near

People call me stupid 

But one thing is clear

I'll answer the call 

I'll take it all

As long as you don't let me fall