Sorry for the delay in posting, work got in the way.

Normal disclaimers apply.

The summer flew by in a blur of activities and packing. All too soon it was time for me to leave.

"Mom, please don't cry. You know I will be back home for the holidays." I wrapped my arms around her as she sniffed into a tissue. "And besides, I'm only in Seattle. I can drive down on the odd weekend to visit."

"I know. I'm just being silly." She dabbed at her eyes. "The house is going to be so quiet with both of my boys gone."

"Oh ma, how about we make sure we come home every weekend to see you?" Emmett said, wrapping her up in his meaty arms.

"Only if it doesn't affect your studies." She replied once he let her go. "And Edward, if you need any help decorating let me know."

"I will, but I kind of like how it is for now."

Instead of living in the dorms like most college freshmen, I bought a little house close to the school. It had everything I needed, including my own utility room. No traipsing to the laundrette for me. Two decent sized bedrooms each with their own ensuite bathroom, an open plan kitchen/living room combo and a quaint little garden. It was perfect for me and it had space for a house mate if I wanted.

Emmett was happy living at his frat house for the time being and politely turned down my offer of being my roomie.

I didn't mind. I understood that he didn't want his younger brother cramping his style.

We finished saying our goodbyes and I put the last of my belongings in my car, climbing behind the wheel and following Emmett down the drive, waving farewell out of my window as I went.

The journey to Seattle was quiet, giving me time to reflect on the last two years.

A lot has happened. I've experienced love and loss. Friendship and bigotry. Happiness and heartbreak. I came out and was thrown out.

I'm finally happy in my own skin, exuding a confidence I didn't know I had.

Once we hit Seattle we drove straight to my house. Emmett helped me unload all of my boxes, but left me to unpack them. "Thanks for your help Em. Swing by tomorrow and I'll treat you to pizza."

"No can do little bro. Maggie's back in town tomorrow. I promised her I'd meet up."

"Oh. Alright then. Maybe next time."

"Sure thing." And with that he was gone.

The silence was deafening.

I pulled out my iPod and put my headphones on. I put it on shuffle and got to work unpacking.

I lifted the flaps of the first box and on the top was Ryan, the stuffed toy lion I had bought Alice when she first came to live with us.

I sat down at my desk and sent her a text.

It would appear I have a stowaway.

You're all alone now Edward. You could do with a friend.

I smiled sadly to myself. She's right. I was alone now.

000

"Edward please come with me and do this. You don't even have to audition, just be there for moral support." My friend and house mate Makenna begged.

I had met her during one of my creative writing classes.

I came to college not knowing what I wanted to do or study. In the end I just picked some classes I knew I was good at in high school.

We were assigned to write an article together and became fast friends from there.

She used to commute from her parents house on the other side of Seattle, but when I mentioned I had a spare room she jumped at the chance of moving in.

Her parents were reluctant at first, but when I explained that I was gay and didn't see their only daughter in a sexual way what so ever, they happily agreed to let her move.

"I think your appearance intimidated them a little." She said as I drove her back to mine - well ours now.

"What?! How so? Should I go back and apologise?" She sat there laughing while I panicked. "Why are you laughing?"

"Because you're just so sweet. Here you are, a towering wall of muscle, but really you're as soft as a marshmallow."

I admit over the past year I had shot up to six foot three and became more broad in the shoulders - which resulted in another whole new wardrobe of clothes from Esme -, but I didn't think I was scary.

"Even I was a little afraid to approach you when our professor made us work together."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You really don't realise it do you? You're like the strong silent type. Brooding and slightly aloof."

"Aloof?! I'm not really like that am I?"

"You are, for people who don't know you. But like I said before, you're really a marshmallow."

"Please stop saying that. All that comes to mind is the Stay Puft man from Ghostbusters."

She burst out laughing. Her laughter so infectious I couldn't help but join in.

"Hello, earth to Edward!" She snapped her fingers in front of my face a few times, bringing me out of my reverie. "Where did you go just then?"

"No where. It doesn't matter. Do I really have to go to this with you?"

"Pleeeeease." She begged. "It's not very often they hold auditions in Seattle for fresh new models. I want to give it a shot."

"Fine." I relented. "When is it?"

"This Saturday at nine."

"Mack, you know I go home on weekends."

"Edward, this is your home. You just go back to visit. I'm sure your mom won't mind one missed weekend. You can make it up to her next week. Please! Please! Please!" She bounced up and down in front of me. "I'll do kitchen duty for a week if you say yes."

Neither of us could cook well, despite the fact that I took home ec for a year, and attempting to do so always stresses me out. Even something as simple as grilled cheese or instant noodles.

"Deal, but I want the good cheese in my sandwich this time."

"Oh yes! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" She cheered, flinging herself onto my lap and kissing my cheek. "You're the best."

"You're welcome. Can I get back to my essay now?"

"Of course." She climbed off me and sashayed to her room.

And this is how I found myself queueing outside of the HUB at seven AM on a Saturday morning, with over five hundred other students.

"Wow. I didn't think there'd be so many other students here." Mack said, primping herself in a compact mirror.

"It was a public advertisement. I'm sure there were more than just you that read it."

"I know that. I just wasn't expecting it, is all. I hope the queue goes down fast otherwise we'll be here all day."

"Ugh, tell me why I agreed to do this again?"

"Because you're my gay best friend and you love me. Also I'm super cute." She puckered her lips at me.

"True." She really was a gorgeous looking woman. She stood at five foot eight, with waist length black hair and flawless light brown skin. Dark eyes, full lips and a button nose. She could easily be model material.

000

It was nearing lunchtime by the time we made it inside the building. A trio of official looking, middle aged people were walking up and down the line. scouring the crowd as they went "What do you suppose they want?" Makenna said while I was busy texting Emmett.

I glanced up before turning my gaze back to my cell. "I guess they're looking for a particular type of person to be in their ads." I laughed out loud at Emmett's next text which inadvertently caught the attention of one of the suits.

"YOU!" She yelled, coming forward and parting the crowd like the Red Sea. "Absolute perfection. I gulped and took a step back, using Makenna as a shield. The suit reached around her and grabbed me by the jaw, turning my head from side to side. "That height. That build. This jawline. This is exactly what we've been looking for!" She took my hand and pulled me out of the queue and into a nearby room. I shot a scared look at Mack and she gave me an encouraging two thumbs up, following us into the room.

"DEMITRI!" The female suit cried. "I've found your model."

"But I wasn't auditioning." I protested. "I was just supporting my friend." I pointed my thumb over my shoulder to where Makenna was sitting behind me.

She got up and rushed over. "Don't mind me Edward. You should go for it."

"But Mack, this was your idea."

"Yes and my plan worked perfectly."

"What?"

"It was never my intention to audition myself. I think you would make a great model and I looked up Demitri's work online. He's amazing and his designs would look magnificent on you."

"Why would you do this?"

"Because I'm giving you the option to do something more with your life. You hate school, that much is obvious. So why not try something else?"

She was right. I was not enjoying college as much as I thought I would and it was very thoughtful of Makenna to give me the option of doing something else.

"Go and see the world and when you figure out what you want to do you can come back."

"It's only a two year contract." The suit piped up. "How old are you now?"

"Eighteen ma'am."

"Oh good looks and so polite too. I'll have none of that ma'am nonsense. I'm Siobhan, this is my husband Liam and as you can probably tell, we work for Demitri Kournikova.

The two men in suits came to join us. "Ah, my love, you have done it again." The tanned man with sandy blonde hair and an English accent said. This one must be Liam.

The other guy was tall with dark hair and an intense stare. He looked like he wouldn't be out of place in the Russian mafia. But when he opened his mouth to speak it was a whole different kettle of fish.

"Oh my god sweetie! Where do you find them?" He stepped up and smooshed my face in his hands. He ended up being the campest guy I had ever met.

I shot an annoyed look Mack's way as she snorted in silent laughter.

"Come, come let me see you." He opened my coat. "Tsk. This won't do. Off. Off. Take it all off."

"Excuse me?" Was this guy really asking me to strip for him?

"Too many layers. Take them off darling. How am I meant to see you under all of this fabric?"

"You do realise it's November, right?"

"What's the matter? Afraid things won't look as big as they should?" He held up his little finger and waggled it. "Honestly, all you hetero guys think about is size." He rolled his eyes.

"For your information I'm not hetero and size is not the issue." I said, getting annoyed. "I haven't agreed to anything yet and you expect me to strip in front of three strangers.

I haven't been naked in front of anyone for almost two years. Not since the morning of Jaspers departure from my life. My heart ached at the thought and I pushed it away.

"Not hetero hmm. Bi then?"

"Guess again."

"Sweetie, you're the straightest looking gay guy I've ever met."

"Well you don't exactly scream gay either, until you open your mouth." I quipped back.

Demitri threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Oh we're going to get along just fine. If I weren't already in a long term relationship, I'd climb you like King Kong did the Empire State. Now off with all of these layers."

I shucked out of my coat and removed my scarf and hoodie, leaving me in a tight grey Henley, black jeans and cargo boots.

"Oh baby! You are an adonis! Siobhan take his measurements. I can picture so many designs on him. I'm going to have a field day!" He clapped his hands together like an excited child.

000

Makenna and I spent four hours in that room with Siobhan, Liam and Demitri. I tried on countless outfits, posed for countless photos and even did a couple of topless ones.

I came away exhausted with a contract to read and sign by the end of the week.

I flopped down on my bed and stared at the ceiling.

Did I want this?

Sure I wanted to see the world. Explore places I've never been before, but could I really do all of that in front of a lens? And better yet, how do I explain to Carlisle and Esme that I was considering dropping out of college to become a model?

Oof, topless pictures of a buffed up Edward *drools*

Let me know what you think.

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