This is a new occasional series that takes its basis and some of its storyline from the cancelled Tokyopop Manga, Yubisaki Milk Tea by Tomochika Miyano. It’s a great series and well worth looking out, it’s a mystery why they cancelled it. For my version I’ve changed the setting from Japan to England and of course the names, then I’ve added some new characters and situations to produce Jamie and the Peach. The original series was cancelled before completion but I intend to take my version somewhat further!

Maddy Bell, June 2010

Chapter 11

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Chapter *11*
 
"Eh?"

"You going to reprise your first studio session for me?"

"You serious?" by the look on Dan's face he was, most definitely.

"So?"

"No way, you can get a proper model in."

"I tried that before if you remember."

Boy do I remember.

"And anyway," he went on, "you have a certain 'something' that those girls don't, plus you look good in a wedding dress."

"Ut uh."

"There is a modelling fee."

“Nope.”

"Sod! I was certain you would, I’ve booked the makeup girls and got Ted Jones’ Roller lined up and everything for Friday evening."

Talk about lay it on.

"What if I can get you a model?"

"You know someone?"

"I can ask."

"Its not your sister?" his tone fell.

"As if!"

"And you reckon this girl will do it?"

"Fairly sure."

"Hmm, okay but if you can't supply a model you're it right."

"Fair enough." I allowed.

"Just bear in mind that I organised all the stuff to fit you."

Well Karen is about the same size as me so that’s one thing but how do I get her to go for it? All the way home I ran various scenarios through my mind, 'do you fancy doing some modelling?' - that sounds like something in a porn film, erm 'you want to be famous?' - nah that won't work. Everything I could think of sounded crass and the whole thing followed me into my dreams.

‘Peaches look this way.'

I flicked my tresses over my shoulder and pouted at the camera.

'Luvverly, now show us your tits'

Hang on this is getting a bit er beyond dressing up. Still, I hefted my chest towards the camera.

'Great stuff girl, now take the dress off.'

There was a leer in the voice; this is getting out of hand. I hesitated; I didn't want to do this.

'Come on doll, I haven't got all day.’ he moved from behind the camera, but it wasn't Dan - or even a he.

'KAREN!'

A sharp knocking noise woke me with a start.

"Jamie, Jamie, what are you screaming for?"

"Eh, what?"

"You were yelling, are you okay?" Jess enquired.

"Dream." I managed.

"Well if you're okay I’ll go back to bed."

"Sure."

"You can tell me who Karen is in the morning."

"Wha?"

Of course, Karen and Jess have not been exactly introduced, lets face it taking your girlfriend home to meet the family when she insists you dress as a schoolgirl is not good karma. Especially when the family is Jess - even if she does seem to be kind of ok with Peaches - at least as a concept. No that’s not something I want to do any time soon.

"So who is Karen then?"

Bum, she remembered.

"Who?"

"Karen, you were shouting out her name half the night remember."

Not strictly true - well I don't think it is at any rate.

"She’s Sal's tutor, you must have seen her."

"That mousy girl with the glasses?"

"Er yeah."

"So that’s the who, why were you shouting her name?"

"Nightmare?" I offered, well it wasn't a lie.

"I can see why she might cause that reaction, she's not exactly a looker is she."

I nearly choked on my corn flakes! That’s the girl I love she's denigrating.

"She’s not that bad."

"Did I strike a nerve, do you fancy her?"

"She’s in my class is all."

"You must admit that she's hardly model material."

"If you say so."

"I think I know what I’m talking about." Miss tarty pants preened.

What’s the point in arguing? However the exchange hardened my resolve regarding Dan's shoot at the weekend, that is I really need to convince K to do the job. The question is how.

"Erm Karen?"

"What?"
I think I’ve mentioned before how she barely speaks to Jamie or Jono. We were walking towards my place, well strictly speaking Karen was headed to Sal's and like living next door its difficult not to go the same way.

How do I phrase this?

"You know that I help out at the studio."

"It has been mentioned."

"Well Dan's doing a shoot on Saturday, for his new promo brochure."

"So?"

"Its for weddings, so its all white dresses and stuff."

Did I just see a glint of interest?

"And?"

Talk about Ice Maiden.

"Yeah like there’s a problem, his original model has cried off so he needs a replacement."

"Get Peaches to do it, I’m sure she'd love all that, she did it before didn't she?"

"She can't do it."

"How come?"

I’ve got interest.

"I’m doing the assistants stuff, sorting out the cameras and stuff."

"So why are you telling me all of this?"

"Well we, that is I wondered if you'd like the gig, er job? You get paid." I hastily added.

"Why me, what about your sister? Sally told me she's a model."

"Lets just say that there’s a bit of history between Dan and Jess."

"So why me, why not one of the cuties in our class?"

Well that’s a fall back position I guess.

"You’re just as cute, I mean pretty, er good looking as any of them. I’ll just get in the hole and bury myself now shall I?"

She didn't say anything for several long minutes as we walked up my street; in fact we were at my gate before she spoke again.

"If I were to do it..." she was cut off by Sal.

"Hi Jamie, Karen."

"Er hi Sal."

"Hi Sally."

"So what are you going to do for big bro Karen?"

"Apparently I’m to be a model on Saturday."

"Cool. I wish I could do that."

"When you're older maybe." Karen suggested.

"You could come and watch." I offered.

"Really?"

"I don't see why not," I decided to try the guilt line,” that is if Karen agrees to do it?"

"Go on Karen it'd be so cool."

"That’s what i said." I added.

"Ok I’ll do it."

"I guess I’ll have to ask round at school."

"I said I’d do it."

"Brill!"

"I’ll have an experience to share with Peaches who will be coming to my house after school tomorrow."

"Sure, sure, I’ll tell her, I can't believe you're gonna do it."

"Neither can I." Karen mumbled.

"So romantic." Sal cooed.

"That’s Saturday, tonight its Logarithmic algebra."

As I unlocked my door I couldn't help but overhear Sal talking to Karen just a few feet away.

"Its cool that he asked you to model Karen."

"I guess."

"Its a surprise though."

"It is?"

"Well I’d have thought he'd ask his girlfriend."

"Girlfriend?" Karen’s voice rose an octave.

"You know, Peaches."

"Peaches." Karen sighed.

"Yeah, she's round here a lot lately, she's really pretty and cool tho' she can't play football to save herself."

"Yeah, she's not exactly the sporty type is she." Karen agreed.

"Anyway its great that he asked you."

"Yeah, its really er surprising." Karen half-heartedly agreed.

Well at least I have my model for Dan without having to wear a dress myself. I’m sure there will be repercussions with Karen but I’ve scored some Brownie points with Sal too, not that I’m sure I know why that matters. I pushed the door open with a sigh and headed to the kitchen to start dinner, I am so not getting on the wrong side of Jess over that again anytime soon!

Maddy Bell 25.06.10