All Outta Luck

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I don't own anything KH

The steam filled the room making it humid and misty. Farrar lay in the tub smoking a Cuban cigar as he weighed the gains and losses from this little adventure. So far all the modeling branches were turning down his submissions due to the heavy competition. Farrar had opened Clandestine modeling out of a passion for the physical aesthetic of the human body. He believed that there was beauty to be beheld in any person and should be shared with the world. He chose the name specifically to emphasize his work with small towns where talent and beauty lay hidden in the most unexpected places. But his models were different than the mainstream model population. They were exotic and maybe unorthodox compared to America's best. Farrar had brought these kids out with the goal of starting them in the right direction of a successful career, and he refused to let his efforts go to waste. It was time for some changes. Farrar clicked the intercom on the wall behind him connecting him to Kareena's room.

"Yes sir?"

"I need new ideas. Organize a board meeting with the supervisors and designers. We're having a fashion show."

Roxas pulled himself up to his knees and let himself fall back once more. He felt weak and dizzy but refused to stop. He could make it through the day, he'd done it before. Even though he'd only eaten an apple for breakfast with a strawberry shake. He'd gotten done with his classes and followed up with exercise. Despite Roxas' size, he was quite strong due to the daily training. However, he was obsessed with his weight. It was an obsession he had since he first became a model. He hated himself for it feeling like he had lost an essential part of being a man to the world of modeling. However, this world provided for him. The life of a model was rewarding in the way that a reputation for good looks made it easier to get around in the more private and high-class joys of life without being bogged down by obsessive hordes of fans who all knew his name.

However, Roxas felt like the life of a model didn't allow for much else. He knew it wouldn't last forever. A few more years with his contract and he'd be free to go out and explore other opportunities: travel, and maybe even do a little acting or singing. A little secret he kept to himself was that he wasn't a bad singer. Despite it being a talent, he felt sheepish about it. However, if life allowed him to go in that direction, he might not mind trying. Roxas had ambitions and he intended to fulfill them.

Roxas opened his eyes and the images of his dreams disappeared as he realized he was lying in the nursery with a copper-haired girl sitting next to him reading a book.

"Huh?" It made no sense. He had been doing pull-ups in the gym. Why was he here?

"Oh, hey. I found you passed out in the gym and dragged you here." The girl said with a grin.

Oh great. He'd passed out again. Kareena would be on him about it as soon as she found out. He really needed to eat more, but after starving himself for so long his stomach had shrunk considerably.

"Thanks, and sorry for the trouble," She had said she'd dragged him after all.

"I'm July. I remember you."

It seemed everyone remembered him.

"You're Roxas, right?"

The boy nodded.

"Actually, I'm glad I ran into you. I wanted to thank you for kicking Axel's ass the other day."

"Huh?"

"He was cringing for the rest of the day after your fight with him."

"Why is this a good thing for you?"

"I have my reasons to dislike him."

Roxas tried to read her expression and gave up. "Well, you're welcome I guess." Secretly Roxas was overjoyed to know he had effectively given Axel a run for his money. The ass deserved what he got. Of course Roxas hadn't gotten off scot free. He still had the remnants of a bruise on his jaw which meant he wouldn't be having another photo shoot until he healed up.

"Well, I'll leave you to getting better. I have to run."

"Sure. I'll see you around, right?" She seemed friendly enough, so why not befriend her? Plus, they had a common enemy.

July grabbed the notepad and pen on the nightstand next to the bed writing something down, ripped it off and handed it to Roxas.

"Here's my cell number. Anytime you would like to hang out let me know."

"Great, thanks."

And with that July left the room. Roxas heaved a sigh and flung his feet over the side of the bed. He might as well get some food.

Larson sat polishing his shoes on the bed while Carl lay watching TV under the covers.

"Do you ever feel restricted in this lifestyle?" Larson asked distractedly.

Carl looked away from the TV at his lover's back. "Why are you asking?"

"I want to go places, Carl. I can't stand being cooped up in this manor for much longer. I want the big bustling city. I want Broadway and energy. It's so dead here, and so confined. I want more than this… These walls restrict my creativity and my passion. You understand, don't you?" Larson asked turning back to meet his gaze with Carl's. Carl reached out and cupped his lover's cheek knowingly. He nodded.

"I promise that we'll get out of here once these young models are out of our hair."

"You really care about them, don't you?"

Carl let his hand fall on Larson's and smiled. "I had dreams too, you know. I know what its like to strive for a life with no one there to hold your hand. I want these kids to make it. Even if they end up using modeling as a stepping stone into the greater picture of life, I want to at least make sure that they get off on the right foot. I love these kids like they're my own Lars."

Larson smiled sadly. "I know how much you want a family, and I know we're not the youngest couple, but once we're out of here maybe we can seriously sit down and contemplate adoption."

"But the imbalance will always be there. The child will need a mother figure."

"We have close friends who wouldn't mind playing that part. If anyone can raise a child in a good household, it's us."

Carl squeezed Larson's hand gently and pulled him into a hug.

The announcement came as a pleasant surprise. There was going to be a fashion show where there would surely be scouts and plenty of cameras. This was a chance to get everyone's names out in the open. It meant a lot of time investment and money, but everyone trusted Farrar.

Various designs by well-known names sold Clandestine Modeling the rights to use their clothes and promote their brands. Big brand names showed up, and this was all the more promising for the up and coming modeling generation.

Everyone was scheduled with their respective dressers to decide which outfits would be used for the show. In total there were thirty models, and generally each was assigned to model ten different outfits.

The next couple of weeks were hectic with the preparations. Dressers running around making sure their charges had their outfits, models trying on hundreds of fashion items and accessories. Mixing and matching items, and keeping all their respective prices in order. Farrar was constantly on the phone and leaving the premises to arrange the stage in a hot-spot show room down town California. Sponsors were called on and promoted in turn.

A stage was set up, dressing rooms in order, lights, etc. Most importantly, the media was invited; paparazzi, fashion channels and the like. The whole cavalry was going to be there.

As the date of the show drew ever near tensions blazed. July and Axel were always fighting. No one except DJ knew why. Axel also awoke every day to discover some new atrocity had been committed. His gym locker had been forced open and his towel and flip-flops for the communal shower had been discovered hanging from a tree in the courtyard. Another time he came out of the shower with bleach blond hair and was forced to dye it back to his natural color. Another time his sun block was replaced with high power sun tan lotion that worked to perfection after a long day running the track and working out outdoors. Thanks to his ridiculous tan he would have to be body brushed for the fashion show. Each of these scenarios was signed by a mysterious evil-doer who Axel vowed to find and kill.

Roxas wasn't making it any better either. The blonde managed to avoid any contact with him at all. Somehow he'd managed to work his schedule around Axel completely. It pissed Axel off to no end, and to top it all off he never did get to see Charlie with how busy everything always was. It was utterly ridiculous. Who knew a model's life could still be dramatic? Axel had always associated modeling with Barbies: Plastic and hollow.

Axel's only consolation was his buddy Sean. Sean was always there to listen to him rant. Even though he'd laughed heartily at all of Axel's recent misfortune, he had offered sympathy and promised to help find the culprit and beat them down.

By the end of the two weeks everyone was hyped, yet exhausted. Everyone had been working extra hard to keep in shape, or improve their shape. All dressers were running around making sure they had everything in order. The only reason everything was seen through from beginning to end was thanks to Farrar and Kareena's joint efforts.

The time finally rolled around and it was Cat Walk day at long last. Models chatted excitedly in their shared dressing rooms with their dressers doing their hair and make-up. It was still a few three hours before the event would open its doors and begin the exhibition, so last minute tweaks and preparations were seen to. The lights were tested, the sound system and all technical things that needed tending to. The models all had their order memorized depending on the genre of clothing they were modeling: Fancy, casual, cool, fun, and flat out crazy. There were even top hats and large colored feathers. It was going to be some kind of show. The outfits were on sale along with all the accessories. There were some particularly interesting outfits that would no doubt become a collector's item.

Roxas HATED fashion shows. As long as he'd modeled he had never gotten used to all the movement around him. He hated large crowds in small spaces and he hated how disorganized it felt. He was in a room filled with other young male models with his dressers fussing over him making sure not one hair was out of place. They managed to make it look like his messy hair wasn't an accident.

The boy massaged his temples impatiently only wanting the madness to end. People were shouting over other people for accessories, clothes and what ever the hell else they needed. Roxas found his mood dwindling ever further until he smacked his dresser's hand away, stood up and excused himself saying he needed air. He trudged out of the bustling changing room and forced his way through the throng of models and dressers to the exit where Kareena stood. She looked down at him expecting an explanation. Roxas just looked up at her pleadingly and she shook her head in disapproval, but she moved to let him through all the same. She raised both hands extending all ten fingers to indicate how long he had to get back. Roxas nodded and left the room heading for the exit to sit in the parking lot.

He felt better instantly. The quiet sincerity of the empty parking lot was heaven. He relaxed and let his mind wander. Inevitably his first thought involved red hair and green eyes. The boy heaved a sigh knowing from his last week of experience that trying to push the thoughts from his mind was futile. He'd found out from July that Axel was going out with Charlie. He couldn't help chuckling to himself about it. They seemed like such an odd couple. One part of him was relieved: he didn't have to tell Axel about his past encounters. He didn't have to go back into all the details about his life and why he'd said no. But on the other hand it irked him. Not even a week after Axel had told him he'd liked him he got a girlfriend. Axel was most certainly a player.

Roxas realized that his ten minutes were almost up and pushed off the wall to stretch and yawn before reluctantly returning to the chaos within.

Time flies when you're in a small area with crazy people. At least, that's what Axel felt. No sooner had he arrived and sat down had Farrar stepped out to the stage to introduce himself and the event. Kareena stood by announcing the different fashions being strut out on stage. It started with casual every-day wear for all kinds of people. Designer jeans, denim skirts, wife-beaters, hoodies, tukes, wristbands, necklaces, semi-formal skirts and pants all came on stage and left modeled by gorgeous people. The crowd ooed and ahed and applauded. The media was there in the front row filming everything. Scouts were undoubtedly among the crowd while the rest were common standers by, artists looking for ideas, other designers, photographers, journalists, and collectors.

The music blared out in techno dance music to keep the enthusiasm alive for the whole show. Models rushed back and forth back stage going on stage and coming back to quickly get changed.

Axel: He loved the attention, and he loved the energy. He wasn't so fond of the chaos, but it was a minor annoyance.

Sean: Just went with it. He was just glad he got to model a Star Wars costume at the end.

Charlie: It was fun. She liked the frilly dresses she got to wear. Oh, the lights were pretty too.

Karla: She loved everything about it. She knew the crowd loved her and she loved the attention.

July: She was all business about it. She did what she needed to do without thinking too much. It wasn't a matter of enjoying it so much or not. Her mind was more focused on the next evil prank she'd pull on Axel. The bleach in his shampoo was her favorite so far.

DJ: He was chill about it. Admittedly getting in and out of some of the outfits was awkward. He'd fallen over trying to put on some "strategically" ripped jeans when his foot got stuck in one of the tears and he lost balance falling on his dresser and knocking him unconscious somehow.

Roxas: Stressed.

Farrar: Pleased and hopeful. He couldn't wait to see the requests pile in for the names of the models.

Kareena: She did her job and she did it right. She was always keeping an eye on everything making sure everything was on time and in the right order.

Larson: Too busy fussing over Axel to care about anything else.

Carl: Fanning himself in a corner complaining about how hot it was. He secretly loved watching Lars and Axel argue with each other about accessories and body-brushing.

"Wow… I'm exhausted." Sean said plopping himself on the couch next to Karla with his arm around her shoulders. His hair was still wet from the shower he'd just taken.

Charlie sat in arm chair playing scrabble with July and DJ.

"I loved how you had to dress like Luke Skywalker at the end," DJ said with a smirk.

"Man, you're just jealous because it was THAT awesome."

DJ ignored him and spelled out "swallow" on the board horizontally using July's last letter addition.

"So, anyone know where Axel is?" Sean asked.

"Who cares?" July retorted.

A silent pause, "You've really been ragging on him lately. What's up with you two?"

"Nonya."

"Say what?"

"Nonya business."

Sean fell silent and looked to Karla questioningly, but she just shrugged and shook her head.

"Well, anyway, he should get down here so we can go get a few drinks before we all turn in for the day. I wonder what he's up to?"

They stared… And they stared some more. That was all they could do. Neither said anything, all they knew was that this was not going to end well.

Axel was lying under Roxas under a heap of clothes racks, clothing and hangers. They were trapped. How did they get here?

Skit:

Axel was helping put all the clothes up on the racks organizing them by brand when Roxas walked in to deliver his own clothes.

Roxas sees Axel and walks around him. Axel grabs his shoulder and Roxas wheels around and starts to talk. He says something stupid and Roxas pushes Axel back against the wall hard. Axel hits his head and passes out. Roxas freaks out and kneels down to check the damage without noticing that the racks were swaying dangerously. 3…2…1… Timber.

Back to present:

Why oh why was fate such a bitch? Why?

Roxas tried to shift out from the wreckage, but stopped when he felt the danger of more potential weight.

The good news was that this wouldn't last long. Someone would be along any minute to deliver another outfit or see how things were going. The bad news was that everything would have to be reorganized. The worst news was the obvious: They were stuck in a compromising position simply glaring at each other with their noses nearly touching.

Axel couldn't help himself. He had to look at the situation from a third person point of view, and he started to laugh. Of all the possible outcomes, this had to be the most hilarious. He was stuck under Roxas under a pile of fashion accessories and shelving with a head ache. No matter how he looked at it, it was funny.

"You're optimistic…" Roxas grumbled.

"C'mon! Look at us!" Axel said through his laughter, "Just think about this for a moment and see where I'm coming from."

Roxas paused and thought about it. That was all it took, and the next thing he knew he was laughing too.

"Oh my God! What happened in here?! Who's under there? Are you alright?"

They only laughed harder.

"Don't worry, we'll get you out of there in no time. Just hold on."

And soon they were free. Both boys made peace with each other and helped carry everything into the photo studio and organized it by brands again. By the time they were done it was 11 PM. Everyone had already hit the sack.

"Hey Axel, umm… Are you feeling okay?"

The red head quirked a brow in confusion, "Oh, you mean my head? Yeah, don't worry about it. It hurts, and I'm gonna wake up with a bruise for certain, but I'm fine."

"Hey… I'm… I'm really sorry. Y'know, for everything; I've been a prick."

Axel scratched the back of his head looking anywhere but at the blond, "Yeah, me too."

Roxas turned to Axel holding out a hand, "Friends?"

Axel grinned and shook the offered hand.

"So, how are things with Charlie?"

"Huh, how do you know about that?"

"I have my sources." Roxas said with a wide smile.

"You will tell me eventually, but until then: things are good."

"Oh, c'mon, we're guys. What about all the intrinsic details?"

"Man! Don't put that kind of stuff in my head right now. I'm just barely accepting the fact that we kissed."

"Kissed, huh? How was it?"

"You're just as bad as a high school girl."

Roxas laughed, but deep, deep down he was incredibly unhappy.

"Anyway, it's been a long day. I'll walk ya to your room and then I'm going to bed."

"Sure."

That night Roxas couldn't help but fantasize about Axel. He remembered being so close to him. He remembered feeling his chest under his and feeling his breath on his face. He flushed and pulled the covers over his head pleading for sleep to take him. But even then he had no reprieve. His fantasies followed him into unconsciousness. Red hair and emerald eyes looked at him fondly and warm hands held his gently. Thin lips came ever near…

The next morning Roxas woke up cursing himself. Why in the hell had he turned Axel down?!

Aha! Yeah, here's the next chapter. :D