‘I’ve got a job,’ I say.
‘Are we talking about modelling?’ he asks.
I grit my teeth, ready for the onslaught.
‘Yes,’ I say tightly.
‘I don’t know anything about your new world,’ he says. ‘Be honest: how stable is it? Does it pay OK?’
‘Unstable. But it does pay OK.’
‘So why not keep going with uni and do modelling on the side and—’
‘Because I’m miserable here,’ I tell him.
He looks surprised. ‘Miserable? Are you?’
‘Yes. I want to quit. I want to focus on modelling. But I don’t want to leave you guys behind.’
‘Behind?’
‘That’s not what I mean,’ I say hurriedly. ‘Can I keep living here, if I’m no longer one of you.’
Ollie smiles a lopsided sort of disbelieving smile. ‘Not one of us? What a mad thing to say. You’ll always be one of us. You’ll just be smiling at a lot of cameras while we slog it out, doing exams. How long can you keep modelling for?’
‘Until I’m no longer young and beautiful,’ I joke, before making a grimacing face and crossing my eyes, curling my lips back and showing all my teeth like a horse.
Ollie snorts with laughter and I let my features relax. I can’t help but smile and watch him, while the air is clearing between us finally. This last week has been horrid, with him leaving the room every time I walk in.
‘You’ll always be beautiful,’ he says, but he can’t look at me when he says it.
‘Thanks,’ I reply softly. ‘Why have you been avoiding me?’
‘I shouted at you. I felt a bit shit.’
‘I felt a bit shit too,’ I confess.
‘Bet you wish you hadn’t asked my opinion now,’ he suggests.
‘Perhaps,’ I concede. Then I change my mind. ‘I’ll always value your opinion, Ollie. I love talking to you. You are, annoyingly, the voice of reason.’
‘That’s a backhanded compliment, but I’ll take it,’ he says. ‘I’m pleased you’re not leaving the house.’ He reaches out his hand to squeeze mine.
I squeeze his back. ‘Me too.’
Neither of us let go and it’s nice, sitting here like this on the edge of my bed with Ollie. He’s easy to talk to, when we aren’t arguing like we were before. He riles me all the time and we hardly ever see eye-to-eye, but mostly it’s discussion. I like that. I never had that until I met him.
His hand leaves mine and he stands up. ‘I’ll let you get ready to go.’
‘I’d forgotten about that,’ I say honestly, rising quickly and glancing at my watch.
‘What time is your taxi coming?’
‘Taxi? I’m not that rich yet. I’m getting the Tube to the airport.’
‘At this time? It’s dark. Want some company to the station?’ he asks. ‘I can offer you absolutely no protection whatsoever in the event of us getting mugged, but I’m good company while it happens.’
I laugh and it’s like it was before, between us. ‘I’d like that,’ I say.
