(Sara)
The tripod was set in the middle of the floor, its position facing the bed. Sara knew she had a few moments, but only a few in which to pose, or not pose. Should she pose? She looked down at herself nervously and took a deep breath. She would pose.
She set the timer and hurried to the bed where she grabbed a pillow to strategically place over a certain area of her anatomy, and then she put an arm over her chest. The flash went off and she jumped up to check the photo on the LED screen. Thank God for digital, she thought as the picture popped out at her. She winced and hit delete. Three attempts later she was ready to give up.
Her head jerked up at the sound of a soft knock and then she was staring into Heather's blue eyes as they began to twinkle with amusement. "Are you doing what I think your doing?"
Sara blushed and pulled the pillow over herself. "Um, I was just um, she cleared her throat, Yes."
Heather clapped her hands together and grinned. "I'll tell you what, I'll take one of you and then you can take one of me for Lincoln?"
Sara nodded gratefully, but Heather was already taking up the camera, the Visual arts major in her taking over. She made some adjustments and then put the camera down on the table. "Okay, how much do you wanna show the camera, Sara?"
"Um, the camera, you mean, um Michael, right?"
Heather sighed, "Yeah, but the camera will see it first."
At Sara's clueless expression, "I'll tell you what, let's just take some shots and if you don't like them we'll just delete them, okay?"
Sara was already on her way to the bed. "That sounds good."
She combed her fingers through her hair and then faced forward.
"Relax, Sara the camera won't bite."
Sara took a deep breath and tried to relax, but it was hard to ease the stiffness from her body. "Maybe I should have had a drink or two before doing this?"
Heather grinned. Sara was smiling back when the flash went off.
"Let me see it," she was about to jump up when Heather shot her a look. "Come on Heather, please?" She was making her eyes big when the flash went off again.
"Nope not until I say we're done." Heather set the camera aside and moved to position Sara's somewhat relaxed limbs. "Here, cross your arms over your chest and tip your head down while looking up at the camera, like this."
Sara did as she was told.
"Now think about Michael, Sara." The flash filled the room.
A few shots later she was getting dressed.
With Sara looking over her shoulder, Heather brought up first one picture and then the next until they came to the one with her arms crossed over her chest. She could see cleavage and the flatness of her stomach. But the look on her face was what sold it. She had been doing as instructed; thinking about Michael, and it was obvious.
"I think we have a keeper." Heather clicked the button several times deleting all but the one photo. She removed Sara's SM card and handed it to her. "I'll go get my extra SM, be right back.
Sara felt a smile touch her lips as she imagined the look on Michael's face when he checked his e-mail. She stared at the card for a moment longer and then tucked it into her pocket. She would send it to him from Heather's computer later tonight.
(Michael)
"Cheers, man," Michael knocked his glass against Lincoln's and then downed the brown liquid in one gulp. He glanced around the crowded club, his eyes moving over the scantily clad women and the men who couldn't seem to take their eyes off of them.
He just wanted this to be over. He looked over at Lincoln and sighed. He knew Linc was having a good time, but the more he drank the more his eyes latched onto the passing hotties. And while Michael had no doubt, Linc loved Heather; he worried about his ability to 'just say no'.
"Hey, man, why don't we get out of here? We've stayed long enough to make an appearance like Jane wanted." Not waiting for an answer, Michael clapped his friend on the back and moved to stand.
"Michael, there you are. I need to speak with you. Alone," Jane said looking pointedly at Lincoln.
Michael looked from Linc back to Jane. He really didn't want to leave him alone out there in the club with all this temptation.
"Can't this wait until tomorrow? I can come by first thing in the morning before we hit the studio."
But Jane was already wrapping her fingers around his arm. "It'll only take a minute…promise," She leaned in smiling and Michael got a whiff of the bourbon on her breath.
"Um, yeah, okay."
He turned to Lincoln, "I'll be right back and then we'll head out."
Linc nodded but his head was already turning away as a hot blond passed them.
Michael sighed and turned to Jane. "Let's make this quick, okay?"
She smiled, "Sure thing. Come on."
XXXXX
"Now this is more like it," Jane said as she shut the office door behind them.
"It's nice to be away from all that noise for a bit." She moved through the room stumbling a little and began making herself a drink, downing it only to refill the glass.
Michael had his back to her and was busy looking around the posh room with all the gold and platinum records mounted on the walls. He didn't notice when she padded back over to the door and clicked the lock down.
"Led Zeppelin…Iggy Pop…The Stones…They all played here?"
Jane was grinning as she sidled up next to him. "They did…and you will too… next weekend."
Michael turned to her. Was she serious? They had watched three bands at the club tonight; each one far more successful then he had ever hoped to be.
"Next weekend… We're playing here next weekend?" He couldn't stop the grin that was spreading across his face.
"Yep, three or four songs…Think you're up for it?" She slid her arm around his waist and he froze; all of the good feelings dying as her fingers pulled him towards her.
He reached and took her hand, turning his body to face her. "Jane, I don't think..." And then she was against him, her body pressing into his.
He backed up quickly to get her off of him and stumbled into a chair. He was trying to get up, but she blocked him.
She was standing in front of him, her fingers busy at the buttons of her silk blouse. "I think we should celebrate, don't you, Michael?"
Again he tried to stand up, but she shoved him back into the chair. "I never should have sent those girls to do a woman's job," her last few words were slurred.
"Jane, I really...I can't do this…It's not you. It's me. It's… I have a girlfriend." He was looking up at her now, his hands clutching the chair arms tightly. God, this couldn't really be happening to him, could it? Why did shit like this keep happening to him?
And then she fell on him, her tall body wiry with determination. Her hands were pulling his shirt away from his body as her lips sought his, barely grazing his cheek.
"Stop it!" He jerked away and shoved her off of him, knocking her to the floor at his feet. He was through trying to save her ego. "This isn't going to happen, Jane!"
She looked up at him, her eyes ablaze with blue fire. He was waiting for her to say something, to tell him it was over, he could pack his shit and head back to Chicago, but the room remained silent, but for the muffled hum of the loud music below in the club.
A few beats later she still hadn't said anything, but climbed to her feet and began straightening her clothing. Michael watched as she bent to retrieve her shoes, stumbling a little, as she shoved them on her feet.
It was only when she reached the door that she turned her cold blue eyes back to him. "This never happened, understand?"
Not waiting for an answer, she shut the door behind her, the resounding bang filling his stunned ears.
XXXXX
"Come on, let's go."
Despite Lincoln's inebriation, one look at Michael told volumes. He knew something had happened. He downed the rest of his drink and reluctantly slipped out of the seat he had been warming at the bar.
"Is that lipstick on your cheek, Bro?"
Michael ignored him and headed for the door. He was hoping they wouldn't run into Jane on the way out. He had seen enough of her for one night...more then enough.
Once out the door he slowed his pace, letting Lincoln catch up with him.
"Where's the fuckin' fire, Mike? I was havin' fun in there."
Michael pulled open the door to the Corvette and climbed behind the wheel. "Get in. I'll tell you on the way home."
Linc climbed in. The door was barely closed when tires screeching, Michael pulled out and sped off into the night.
XXXXX
The short ride home was plenty long enough for Michael to fill Lincoln in on the night's events. He shut off the car and was reaching for the door handle.
"You think she would go for me, then?" At Michael's scorching look, "I was joking, man. Don't go all Big Brother on me…I love your sister. Besides Heather would beat the shit outta me if I cheated on her."
Michael laughed for the first time in the last hour. "And when she was finished with you, I would go all Big Brother on your ass."
He slid the key in the lock and then they were inside the apartment.
"Hey?"
Linc was headed for his bedroom, but stopped to look back at him. "Can you sleep in my room tonight? I wanna load those pictures we took at the studio today and send them to Sara."
Lincoln nodded and went through the door to Michael's bedroom. Michael heard a banging noise followed by a muted swear word and then he was alone in the quiet living room.
He moved through the apartment to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. He twisted off the cap and took a deep swig. He stopped only briefly to kick off his shoes, and then headed to Linc's room.
XXXXX
Michael pushed open the door and shoved it closed behind him. He made his way to the computer and sat down heavily behind the desk, ready to kick back and relax for a few.
He eyed the camera he had placed within easy reach in the few moments spent at the apartment earlier before heading to the clubbing event he had been shanghaied into attending at the last minute.
Jane had sent word that day to the studio via messenger that he and Linc were to show up at the club that night or else.
The event had taken up his entire night, and while Michael had enjoyed the bands, it had prevented him from speaking with Sara.
He glanced to the clock, 1:08am. Which meant it was after 3:00am in Chicago. Maybe it was best he couldn't call Sara tonight. He needed to think about how much he should tell her, if anything, about what had happened tonight with Jane.
He closed his eyes and rubbed his fingers over his face tiredly. He couldn't believe how the night had ended. Jane had been all over him. Of all the women to hit on him why did it have to be her? He sighed and pulled the SM card out of the camera and stuck it into its slot on the computer.
He waited the few moments it took to show up on the screen and then opened the pictures he and Lincoln had snapped earlier so he could look through them. He would only send her the good ones.
He deleted the first one. No way was he sending her the one with him flipping off the camera. He shot an un-amused look at the door behind him as if Lincoln were standing there, and then turned back to the screen.
A few minutes later his choices were made. He put them all in a file to send, figuring he would send Sara the file and then hit the sack.
His eyes moved longingly to the bed across the room. And then he grabbed his bottle of water and took a sip.
He was signed into his e-mail account and decided to check his mail first. A smile lit his tired features at the
He clicked to open it, and then clicked on the attachment, his previous conversation with Sara completely slipping his mind. The image of her springing up on the screen took his breath and something else sprang up instantly.
He sat forward a little, his grip loosening on the bottle in his fingers. The next thing he knew his jeans were wet, the bottle almost empty in his hand. "Fuck!"
He jumped up and looked down at himself. He was soaking wet.
His eyes moved back to her face, her body, as he unbuttoned his jeans and slid down the zip.
His eyes never left the screen as he eased out of the wet denim and slid off his boxers. And then he did look down at himself.
His blue eyes were darkening with every pulse beat as they moved back to the screen.
Reaching down to grasp himself, he moved to the chair and sat down, his eyes devouring every line, every curve of her body; the sexy look in her eyes moving him closer as his hand traveled the length of his shaft.
He moaned lightly and a gasp left him as he closed his eyes and leaned back taking her image with him, bringing it to life behind his closed eyelids. He gasped again and sped up, her perfect breasts, he mouth, her eyes…She was wrapped around him so tightly…
He moaned an almost painful sound low in his throat and then he was coming into his fist, his breath coming even faster. He opened his eyes and drank her in one last time and then grabbed the box of Kleenex Lincoln kept next to the computer.
XXXXX
His finger was on the mouse button ready to send the file.
A smile played over his lips as a thought came to him and he hopped up. He was now wearing boxers and a wife beater.
He looked down at himself and grinned. He moved to the closet and started rifling around for the box the camera had come in. Finding it quickly, he began to read through the instruction manual. Figuring it couldn't be too hard he pushed some buttons on the camera to take a test shot. He sat waiting the 20 seconds he was said to have, counting aloud. And then the flash filled the room. "Perfect."
He stripped out of the shirt and then set the camera, and put it on the desk facing him. He grabbed his acoustic guitar and placed it in front of him, the warm brown of the wood concealing his boxers. He had his arms wrapped around the neck of the guitar when he shot his most seductive look towards the camera.
A few seconds later the flash went off.
He grabbed the camera and pushed the button to bring up the picture. He grinned when it popped up on the screen. Sara was going to love it.
(One week later)
(Sara)
The photo was in her hand again, Michael at her fingertips and yet still so far away. She looked at him hugging the guitar, the look in his eyes one she knew well. God, she missed him so much!
She sighed and tucked the picture away inside her book. A little over a month and we'll be together again, she reminded herself for the third time that night. She glanced at the clock. He would be going onstage soon. She smiled as she remembered his excitement when telling her about the gig. The club they were playing tonight was a big deal supposedly, and she knew playing there was like a dream come true for Michael. She only wished she could be there to share it with him.
She sighed again and grabbed her pencil. Stupid, stupid paper! The paper was due Monday and she couldn't seem to get a word on the glaring whiteness in front of her.
The chirping of her cell phone going off a welcome distraction, Sara fished it out of her bag. Michael. She flipped it open and stuck it to her ear.
"Hey, you." The sound of his voice was just what she needed.
"Hey, yourself. Aren't you supposed to be onstage right now?"
"We go on in about forty-five minutes. I just wanted to…I needed to hear your voice."
Sara took a deep breath. "I needed this too." After a beat, "I wish I was there with you Michael…Sharing this with you. I know it's a big deal. I know how much this means to you, your first real gig."
"It does mean a lot. But hey, you'll be here for the whole summer. And that means more to me than twenty gigs." He spoke softly, his voice moving over her like warmth on a cold day.
"I know, a little over a month, right?" She spoke the words aloud this time.
"A month and four days to be exact, but then I'm counting… Hold on a sec, Sara?"
Sara could hear someone in the background speaking to him and then he was back.
"I have to go. They wanna do some sound checks before we go on." He sounded reluctant to go.
"It's okay. I need to get back to this paper anyways."
"Okay. Don't study too hard?" He teased.
"Yeah right." She knew she would be lucky to even make a dent in her paper tonight.
"Break a leg, huh?" She said this softly her words moving through the line.
"Thanks I will…Sara?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you." His voice was lower, more intimate.
"I love you too, Michael."
She flipped the phone closed and pulled her eyes from the photo that had somehow found its way back into her hand.
(Michael)
"This song is for Sara."
He closed his eyes against the bright lights and pictured her there in her bedroom, in their bedroom, text books surrounding her.
"I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh…I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away…I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well…I wanna hold you high and steal your pain…"
He opened his eyes and the full club met tear, glazed blue; each word he sang written for her, sang only for her, but falling on hundreds of ears…
The one he wanted to be there more than anything was still so far away.
''Cause I'm broken when I'm open…And I don't feel like I am strong enough…'cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome…And I don't feel light when I'm gone away…"
He took a deep breath as the song came to an end, the applause washing over him, breaking through his heavy thoughts.
He smiled softly, and turned to Linc who gave him a nod. And then they went into their next song, a much heavier tune.
"Cozy in this home, burnt up swollen pains…Fear is on the plate but you can't recognize the danger that you've gotten yourself in. Do as I'm told not for long…"But on the mattress, I had a good time…I can't remember… she wore the same brands…. as everyone else…That's why I don't mind if she deciphers the lines..."
(Songs and Lyrics- Broken by: Seether,
Passive resistor by: Sinch)