Normal disclaimers apply.

I signed it.

I spoke it through with Carlisle and Esme and while they were disappointed that I wouldn't be getting a degree straight away, they understood that it was my decision and supported me anyway. They could see how unhappy I had become, and while they were reluctant to see me off to the other side of the country, they were pleased that I had found a new calling. Both of them knew that I had to figure it out for myself and I knew that they would be there for me no matter what.

I dropped out of college and said goodbye to my friends.

It was the end of November and in a while I would be leaving for New York. I would be working with Demitri up until, and including, fashion week in February. Living in his pool house for the duration of my stay. My belongings were in storage, my car shipped off to NY and I let Makenna continue living in my house. She moved one of her girlfriends in and they will be splitting the bills between them.

"Take care of yourself Edward. I know I kind of pushed you to do this, but I know you're going to be great. Let me know when you've landed." Mack pulled me into her arms and hugged me tight. "I'm going to miss my BFG."

"BFG?"

"Big. Friendly. Gay."

"That's not what you said when you first met me. It was more along the lines of 'eep'." I grinned.

"Ugh! Shut up." She pushed on my chest. "Go catch a plane and be brilliant. In the meantime, I'm going to eat all the garlic bread I want."

"Don't stink out my house!"

"What ever. Email me as much as possible. I want to live vicariously through you."

"You want to live as a gay guy?"

"You know what I mean."

...- flight to New York is now boarding.

I picked up my holdall and bid a final farewell to Mack. On to my new life.

000

"Yes! That's perfect!" Demitri clapped. "Okay, so I want this one and this. These two, that one and those four. They're to be used for the advertisements and then these ones are for the fashion week brochure."

It was the second week of January. I had been here for six weeks. It was nothing but work, work, work. I missed going back home for Christmas and new years due to a blizzard shutting down the airports.

Thankfully Demitri had his own studio in his Manhattan home, so I didn't have to travel around the unfamiliar city alone.

I got to see a couple of famous landmarks and the devastation left behind from 9/11.

Demitri's partner Felix is a great guy. Naturally funny and quick to let Demi know when he's being too much. Like when his questions get a little too personal.

He listened and was able to help me with my hang-ups about intimacy. I told them about my brief time with Jasper and that there hadn't been anyone since.

Felix understood where I was coming from. Saying that it was totally respectable to want to wait for love before taking that final step, but Demitri said I should be out enjoying a vigorous sex life at my age. Needless to say I felt more comfortable taking Felix's advice that Demitri's.

"Condoms and lube will be your new best friends." He called out, leaving the room.

"Ignore him. He was a bit of a whore in the nineties. Though his advice about the condoms and lube is useful." Felix said, reclining back in his seat. "One thing I will add though, when you do finally decide to sleep with a partner make sure you relax otherwise it's not going to be a pleasant experience for either of you."

A loud crash sounded from upstairs and Felix jumped up to go and investigate. Judging by the loud moans that followed soon after, it was Demi's way of getting Felix alone.

I called it a night and went out to the pool house, giving them their privacy. I should probably start looking for my own place.

000

"Mr Masen, this is the fifth apartment you've looked at this week. What exactly is it you're looking for?" Aro my realtor sighed, while gripping his clipboard tighter.

"I don't know. They've all been nice spaces, but I just don't see myself living in any of them." I rubbed the back of my neck. How do people do this on the regular?

"There are a couple of places in Robinson Square, Albany that you could look at, but they're a little over your current budget."

I had been using the money Demitri paid me to get by and it was more than enough for me to live on, so I didn't have to touch the money my father left me. Maybe it was time to dip into it.

"Let's go and see them." I said, walking out of the current place I was viewing.

Two hours later and we were pulling up outside of a great looking apartment complex.

"The apartment is only on the second floor, so you won't get great views of the skyline, but it is a corner one so you'll have plenty of natural sunlight." Aro said, as we made our way inside the building.

The lobby was brightly lit and the building had its own security guard, so I knew I'd feel safer here.

We walked into the elevator and rode up in silence. There were five apartments on this floor. We turned right and headed towards apartment 203.

Aro unlocked the door and let me enter first. It wasn't a vast space, but was perfect for a guy living on his own. It was all open plan apart from the bathroom.

"These are some pictures of how the previous owner had the place set up." He handed me a stack of photos. "As you can see, he had the bedroom set up over here on the raised area by the windows and the living space took up most of the main floor. The kitchen appliances are all brand new and are included in the sale price. The bathroom has also had an upgrade."

I walked around the space and I could actually picture where I wanted things to go. I could see myself living here. "I'll take it."

Aro's mouth dropped open in shock. "Really? I mean, like I said before, it's a bit above your initial budget. There are a couple of other options near by that I can show you."

"No. I want this one."

"O-okay then. When would you like the property by?"

"As soon as possible. I need to move."

"What?" He squeaked. "Sir, there are protocols that we need to follow. Legal documentation needs to be written up and signed. The seller needs to accept your offer first."

"Fine. Just get it done please. The sooner the better and I'll pay you a bonus."

I'm sure it wasn't this much hassle to buy my house in Seattle. Why does NY have to be so different?

000

I left Aro at his office and drove back to Demitri's.

"Oh Edward! There you are! Where have you been?" He asked as soon as I walked in the door.

"I was out looking at apartments again. I told you this yesterday."

"That was yesterday and I didn't think you were serious about moving out. Don't you like the pool house?"

"It's not that Demi. I think you and Felix need your privacy. I don't want to bear witness to any more of your sexscapades." I had walked in on them way too many times, in various locations and positions, than I really wanted to. I had even taken to announcing my presence rather loudly each time I stepped foot in their home and that still didn't work.

"Where are you planning on moving to?" Felix asked, always the calmer of the two.

"Albany."

"WHAT?! But that's over two hours away from here in Manhattan!" Demitri screeched.

"I've looked at places closer, but none of them felt right. This one in Albany I could actually picture myself living in."

"We support your decision Edward, but you'll be so far away from anyone you know." Felix said, concern evident in his voice.

"It'll be no different from moving across the country from all of my friends and family for the sake of a job."

Demitri opened his mouth to speak but Felix stopped him. "Dem, he has a point. He's eighteen years old. Legally an adult. Let him make his own decisions."

"But fashion week is almost upon us. I need him here to work on designs and the promotions. How am I meant to do that with him upstate?!"

"It doesn't actually state in my contract that I have to be living with you and I need my own space for the sake of my sanity."

"When are you planning on leaving?"

"As soon as the sale is finalised."

"Wow. That's fast."

"I'm sorry. I appreciate everything you both have done for me since I got here, but I need to do this."

"I understand, Edward. Even if mister drama queen over here doesn't. He'll come around eventually. I think he sees a lot of potential in you and he's extra stressed because of the upcoming show."

I nodded my head in understanding. "Thank you Felix. I'll head to the pool house. Give you both some privacy."

I left them to it and went straight to my room. I laid down on my bed and watched the harbour gulls outside of my window, once again wondering If I was doing the right thing.

000

"Hey mom."

"Oh Edward, sweetheart it's so nice to hear from you. How are you doing? Are you eating well?"

I glanced down at the bowl of instant noodles in front of me. "Yeah, I'm great mom. I finally moved into my own place. It's in Albany. Quiet area. Friendly neighbours."

"I'm so happy for you dear. I finally saw the adverts yesterday. You look so handsome. I think some of Alice's friends have developed little crushes on you."

I was revealed at the beginning of the week as the new face of Kournikova and the fashion press went wild. It was a bit unnerving walking down the street and seeing a giant picture of myself on the side of a building, or posters put up in the underground.

I don't know how celebrities cope with it on a daily basis.

"You, dad and Ali still coming up for fashion week?"

"Of course. We received the passes in the mail this morning."

"Great. It's a shame Emmett couldn't make it, but I understand. He needs to study."

"Did he tell you he's finally decided on what he wants to do?"

"No."

"Oh. Maybe I should leave him to tell you himself."

"He never said anything when I spoke to him earlier." Why would he leave something like that out?

"Hmm."

"What is it mom? Tell me and I'll act surprised when he tells me himself."

"He wants to be a personal trainer and use you as an example of his previous success."

"I'm okay with that. Why didn't he just ask me?"

"I don't know sweetheart. Look I've got to go. Dinner is ready." It was nearing seven in the evening there. With NY being four hours ahead, I always stayed up later to be able to talk to them.

"Okay. Tell dad and Alice I said hi."

"I will. See you next week."

"I can't wait. Love you guys."

"We love you too, Edward." She hung up the phone.

I suddenly wasn't very hungry. I looked at my - now cold - bowl of food and chucked it in the bin. I went straight to bed, never feeling so homesick in my life.

Just a little filler on how Edward is coping in NY.

Next up will be fashion week and the return of some familiar faces.

Let me know what you think.

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