Page 34 of Quiet
Isa nodded shyly. Maybe he should learn some makeup skills? The flashbacks would get better with exposure. He’d read that online somewhere.
No. It was better for him to keep a low profile. Makeup was for performances only. If he got used to it, he’d only have more to cram back into the box he had to shrink himself into when he was with his family.
“What do you think, guys? Did I capture the essence of what you were going for?”
“Oh my god, Alice.” Bea gasped as she came out from behind her easel. “He’s perfect. Isa, are you sure you aren’t into girls?”
“Umm . . .” Isa’s ears burned. He was never going to get used to being flirted with. Girls were so weird.
“What about trans girls?” Alice batted her eyes teasingly.
“It doesn’t matter who I’m interested in, I’m still not available. Sorry,” Isa stammered and clambered out of the makeup chair.
There was a clattering sound from Briar’s part of the room. Paint brushes were scattered across the floor, and Briar glared down at them like they’d insulted his mother before stooping to start the process of cleaning them up.
“Oh no! Do you need help, Briar?” Isa rushed over and started to kneel down to pick up brushes.
“Stop.” Briar caught Isa by the hips and forced him to stand upright. He pulled away before Isa’s body had a chance to act up.
“He’s right, Isa. The floor is filthy, and your outfit is white.”
Isa looked down at the outfit they’d foisted on him today. His shirt was a thin, white, knitted sweater. It fit close to his body and had holes cut strategically to expose part of Isa’s torso and most of one arm, leaving it bare from shoulder to wrist. At the waist it flared out asymmetrically to create a half skirt that showcased the tight, white pants he had on.
“Do everything you can to keep it clean, okay? I’m only borrowing this outfit, and I don’t want to get it dry-cleaned if I don’t have to.”
Isa looked down and realized Briar had left a tiny smudge of charcoal on his pants when he’d grabbed Isa. “Oops.”
“Briar . . .” Bea sighed in annoyance, but her face softened when she took in Briar’s look of alarm. “No, it’s okay. It’s better than if Isa had rolled around on the floor helping you pick up brushes.”
Alice inspected the mark. “I can fix this.” She took Isa by the hand and dragged him back to the makeup chair. There was another clatter behind them as they left.
“What is up with you today, Briar?” Bea asked. “You’re never this clumsy.”
It didn’t kill Isa not to look back to see what had happened, but it was close.
While Alice was busy cleaning Isa’s sweater, a group of people started filing into the studio.
A girl with a round face and freckles separated from the group and bounced her way over to the makeup station. “Hi! Nice to finally meet you!”
“Hello?” Isa wiggled a few fingers at her hesitantly.
“Sorry, I’m Kit. And you’re Isa, right?”
“Yes?” Isa exchanged glances with Alice, but she didn’t seem to know what was going on any more than he did. “Who are all of these people?”
“I don’t know, but they seem to be staring a lot, don’t they?”
One by one the entire group of newcomers came to crowd around Isa and began peppering him with questions and comments.
“Wow, you’re ever prettier than I thought you’d be!”
“You’re right, Alex, he really is perfect for this.”
“Your skin is absolutely gorgeous. I need to know your skin care routine.”
“Hi, I’m Tor. Can you model for me next? Or is there a line?” This came from the copper-haired boy who’d offered to help Isa during the duck rescue.
Isa threw out his hands to protect his personal bubble before it popped out of existence. “Alice, what did you do to my face?”
