Here is a new chapter! Sorry it is taking me some time to update, but christmas season is too crazy.
But here's a new chapter, which I hope you like.
Also, I'm working on a Saphael 25 days of Christmas, so if you could check it out I would be very grateful.
Thanks!
"I would like to see the outline of your final project" Jocelyn Fairchild spoke to her class "This is a very important project. Not only is it half of your note, but the ones with a higher score will be featured in this year's end-of-semester gallery"
Murmur soon engulfed the whole class as everyone started to chat in excitement between themselves. The end of semester gallery was a big deal for all of them. It was something their college did for the art programme, where the best pieces of all types of art were featured. It was a thing that lasted a whole week. There was the main exhibition, with all the paintings, sculptures and photographs that the students had worked on. There were also some other events, plays being showcased, concerts, poetry nights and readings for those whose art was not something that could be exposed in a gallery as easily. It was really cool, in Raphael's opinion. It also helped because many representatives of different museums or people looking for young people to work with would attend. Job opportunities flew in that gallery and Raphael wanted to be part of that. It would be a great leap to take, being showcased in the end of semester gallery was a big deal and it could help him get a serious job in the media.
"So you better work hard" Jocelyn continued "This is a huge opportunity, it would do you good to take advantage of it."
She then proceeded to go around the class talking to each student about their ideas for the project. Raphael soon took out his notebook and started to sketch a few ideas that had been going on around his mind for a few days now. He knew he needed to start working seriously on the project. He needed to start taking the pictures if he wanted to have enough time to edit them and have them printed. But he still needed to find a model. And while he already knew what he wanted to do, he knew only one person could make it work. Raphael had thought about asking Simon to model for him for the project. They had been texting non-stop since the day they spent together in the coffeeshop. They had grown closer, or so Raphael thought. He didn't really knew how Simon felt about it. They hadn't hung out again, and mostly just spoke through text message. Usually, Raphael would not worry too much about it. He wasn't the kind of person who liked going out. But there was something about Simon...Raphael couldn't really explain. There was this softness to him, this innocence that made him endearing. Raphael craved his presence like nothing else and it scared him a bit. He had never felt that way about anyone, especially someone he had just met.
"Okay Mr. Santiago" Jocelyn said, suddenly standing next to him "Show me what you've got"
"Well...I don't have anything concrete yet" Raphael coughed "It has been hard choosing a model, you know"
"Right" Jocelyn nodded "Finding the right model is key to this whole project. Though I wouldn't take too long, you are already against the clock"
"I know" Raphael nodded "I'm working on it"
"What about a theme?" Jocelyn asked "Do you have something planned?"
"I do, actually" Raphael nodded, turning the page of his notebook to show his professor his ideas "It's called Pretty in Pastels, it'll be a series of portraits"
"Of the same person?" Jocelyn asked, her eyes going over the words Raphael had written and few sketches he had made
"Yeah" Raphael nodded "It would be too complicated finding the right people for the theme, I rather just stay with one"
"It seems pretty intimate" Jocelyn nodded, giving the notebook back to Raphael "If it turns out the way I'm imagining, it'll be fantastic"
"I hope so" Raphael nodded, closing this notebook
"Well, good luck" Jocelyn grinned "I can't wait to see what you come up with"
With that Jocelyn Fairchild moved to the next student and Raphael was left staring at his things. He needed to ask Simon as soon as possible or find someone else to pose for his photos.
Simon: So I have this thing coming up...
Raphael: Want to be more specific?
Simon: I was coming to that.
Simon: Jeez
Simon: I have a small gig tonight
Simon: I was wondering if you would like to come?
Raphael: Would it kill you to write in one single paragraph?
Simon: ...
Simon: Does that mean you're not coming?
Raphael: Of course I'll go, idiota
Simon: You do know I can google that and see it is an insult?
Raphael: Idiota
Simon grinned at the screen of his phone until it turned black. After the conversation with Clary at their movie night, Simon had doubted a bit if he should continue talking to Raphael. But then, the morning after Raphael had sent him a quick text in the morning and all those doubts had flew out the window. He had decided to ignore Clary. She didn't know Raphael, anyways. And Simon was happy. Simon trusted his gut and his gut told him Raphael was a good guy.
So now he had less than 4 hours to get ready for the gig. He quickly sent Raphael the address and the time the gig would be before moving to his wardrobe. It wouldn't be anything too big. Just a small thing in a local coffee shop that did open mic nights every now and then. They had given a spot to Simon and he was going to play 3 different songs. It wasn't that much. Simon was sure nobody would really care if he played less or no. There would probably be more talented people that night. But it was something. Simon loved playing. It was something that had always made him feel lighter and true to himself. And that it had to be perfect. Raphael Santiago was going to watch him play. He needed to re-think his whole playlist and make sure he didn't mess up.
With that, he took his phone and called Isabelle. She would be able to help him choose the right outfit.
"I never thought I would see the day" Magnus said loudly from his seat next to his boyfriend, Alec Lightwood. "Raphael Santiago! In an open-mic night!"
"Callate Bane" Raphael snapped in Spanish
Magnus just laughed loudly. Isabelle brightened as soon as she saw him. Of course, when Simon had called her in a panic because he didn't know what to wear, Isabelle knew there was a guy involved. In the end Simon had ended spilling it all out to Izzy. From the moment when Raphael had taken the photo of him, to their 'not-date' in the coffee shop, to all the texts they had exchanged. Izzy had been delighted to find out Simon was interested in someone. After his huge crush on Clary that had not ended well, but well-enough because they were still friends, Simon had not shown interest in anyone. Of course, Izzy knew who Raphael was. She had been surprised when Simon told her about him. Raphael was not what anyone would expect when Simon talked about the guy he liked. It was just that Raphael and Simon were so different. Raphael was all hard edges and dark colors while Simon was all soft and pastel. But now that Isabelle could see it, she could not think of anyone better for Simon. She knew Raphael. Not in a personal level, but she knew him well enough. Plus, he was Magnus's friend. She knew Raphael was a good man and seeing as he had shown up for Simon's concert gave him points in his favor.
"Raphael!" She called instantly "Come sit with us!"
Clary turned to glare towards Raphael, hissing to Jace why Raphael had shown up. Jace just shrugged his shoulders, but directed a nod towards Raphael as he took a seat between Isabelle and Magnus. The two of them instantly caught Raphael in a conversation, Alec joining every here and there with a comment.
"What is that?" Clary demanded, pointing at the bag Raphael had brought with him.
"My camera's case" Raphael replied, unsure why Clary was being so hostile towards him and responding in his usual cold and calculated tone.
"My dear Raphi here is a photographer!" Magnus beamed
"Please don't call me that" Raphael rolled his eyes, but his comments were ignored.
"I heard you're really good!" Isabelle said "You'll have to show us some of your photographs some day!"
"It's nothing really" Raphael shrugged "Just something I do sometimes"
"Right" Magnus snorted "When I get my own fashion line, Raphael will take the photos that will appear in vogue and Elle and all the mayor fashion magazines"
"Why would you bring a camera?" Clary asked instead. "It's just an open-mic night"
"I always carry it with me" Raphael shrugged "Plus, I though Simon would appreciate having some photos of the concert"
"Simon doesn't like having photos taken of him" Clary glared
"I wouldn't be so sure" Magnus shrugged "Have you seen his profile picture?"
"It's stunning!" Izzy nodded "I wish I had someone who took photos of me like that one"
As she said that her eyes turned towards Raphael. Raphael coughed, but didn't comment further. Soon the lights turned down a bit and someone stepped into the stage. It was someone from the coffee shop and she welcomed everyone to the open mic night. She introduced the first act, a girl who sang a cover of a Taylor Swift song. Everyone clapped politely, though Raphael didn't think she did as good. Another two people played before it was Simon's turn. As soon as the girl introduced Simon, Raphael took out his camera and stood up to be able to move as he took the shots.
Simon stepped into the stage, and sat down in the stool that had been placed in the middle of it. He adjusted the microphone, so it was at a proper distance to his mouth and placed his guitar between his arms. There were no other people playing with him. Just him and his guitar.
Raphael thought he looked stunning, though he would never admit it out loud. Simon was using a long-sleeved yellow shirt with a denim jacket on top. He was also wearing black skinny jeans and yellow converse. In his hair he had small yellow daisies. They stuck to his hair as if they were held by clips, though Raphael doubted since the flowers looked real to him.
"Um...hey" Simon smiled nervously, a small blush covering his freckled cheeks. "T-Thank you guys for coming...I-I'm Simon, though you already knew that"
Some people in the crowd laughed softly as Simon blushed harder and looked down at this guitar. When he looked up, his eyes instantly landed on Raphael, who was standing in the middle of the crowd, the camera in his hand. He smiled at Simon and gave him a small nod. Simon grinned back and adjusted his seat.
"Well...I'll be playing for you guys three songs. I wrote them a few years back. Hope you like it"
His fingers started dancing on the strings of his guitar as soft melody filled the room. Everyone was quiet, listening to Simon play. Raphael stared, looking how simon's long fingers moved across the strings effortless. It was almost as if he knew the tune by heart, and he probably did. And then Simon started singing, and it was almost as if the air had been pulled out of Raphael's body. Simon's voice was so beautiful, bordering on angelic. He sang softly, but with certainty. He closed his eyes as he sang and Raphael brought the camera up to his eyes. He had brought a better lens with him that night, and with it he could capture up-close details. Like how Simon's eyelashes touched his cheeks as he sang. Raphael snapped a photo and then another. He paid close attention to Simon singing the first two songs while still taking some photos. He moved to different places so he could get different angles and different shots. He had planned to give this photos to Simon afterwards, but now he wasn't so sure if he wanted. He just wanted to keep this photos to himself and admire Simon from the moment when he looked the most beautiful.
"Thank you" Simon said as he finished the 2nd song and everyone clapped. "This is the last song I will be singing today. I wrote it just a few days ago...this is Warm Coffee"
Simon started playing and Raphael decided to place his camera away. Something about the melody captured him instantly, and as Simon started singing he looked up and locked eyes with him. Raphael didn't dare break the stare and neither did Simon.
He's the sort of boy you find early in the morning, somewhere at the markets morning eyes,
& he is the sort of boy you find down by the sea, for the sea never left,
& I don't know much about him because I met him at the markets didn't ask his name,
But his eyes were soft & his words were the same
Raphael knew the lyrics were not completely accurate, which made him doubt a bit of the meaning behind them. But as Simon kept singing and didn't break his stare of Raphael, he just knew. Taking a deep breath as Simon reached the chorus he could not stop his mind from wandering at how beautiful Simon looked in that moment.
These were things that I, things that I was sure about,
These were things where I, things where I felt the same,
Now that I'm trying, now that I'm singing softly again,
Same way she said thank you when I told him he was beautiful
Magnus turned to look for his friend and found him standing completely still. He had his camera in his hands, as if he had just taken it away from his face. However, he didn't seem like he would be taking another picture. Raphael was staring directly at Simon, his eyes wide and his mouth slightly parted. Though his expression was slightly schooled so anyone who didn't know him would not know at all, Magnus knew Raphael was falling badly. He had never seen Raphael falling for anyone so fast before. It concerned him a bit, but when he turned his eyes Simon as he played the last part of his song, he knew both of them were just meant to be together.
Warm coffee on your lips, warm coffee on your lips, warm coffee on mine,
Warm coffee on your lips, warm coffee on your lips, warm coffee on mine
Simon finished the song with one last note in the guitar. It wasn't until then that he broke his stare with Raphael. He stood up, as everyone in the coffee shop clapped and cheered for him. He said a quick thank you into the mic, blushing furiously and then walking off the stage.
And in that moment Raphael knew. He was screwed. For he knew he had fallen in love.