This is my first attempt at writing a story. Your comments would be appreciated, especially from writers.
Just so you know, there's no sex in the story.
Chapter 1
Hm, .... 'Models Required ... A discrete Gentlemen's Camera Club seeks open-minded attractive female models - no previous experience necessary. 0779 ...... '
I kept coming back to the advert in the local paper. It was silly, of course. No girl in her right mind would ever respond to an ad like that! Certainly not me! But somehow I kept coming back to the ad.
At 18 I'd long fantasised about being a model, after all what girl hasn't? And when you're slim, fairly pretty, with nice legs, cute bum, and 34c upstairs you think you have what it takes.
But no way I was going to respond! The next day as I looked again through the classifieds, forcing myself NOT to look again at THAT ad, I found myself browsing the Clubs section and noticed:
'Gentlemen's Camera Cub for discerning broad-minded amateur photographers. New members welcome. Wednesdays from 8pm, Michael's Studio, 37 Main Street, 0779 .....'
Yes, that looked familiar, the style, the layout, and looking at the phone number given I flicked back to the model ad. Yes, same number! Of course I just laughed, thinking 'dirty old pervs!' and didn't give it another thought.
Except that I did. I kept imagining being a model for them, wondering what they'd want, how far they'd expect me to go, what it would feel like to be ogled, photographed, appreciated, desired, lusted over ... mmm
How was I to find out if they already had someone? Could I make some sort of discrete enquiry? If only I was a bloke I could pose as a broad-minded amateur photographer; but I certainly didn't want any of my guy friends to know I was even thinking of it, so I couldn't ask them! Maybe I could pose as a teenage boy whose voice hasn't broken! But then they surely wouldn't discuss it. How about I say I'm a potential model, and withhold my phone number?
I carried on with normal life, going to college, being a good girl at home for mum, secretly trying on different skimpy outfits in my bedroom every night, to see how sexy I looked ... slowly stripping off each layer in the bathroom as I watched myself in the mirror, my heart beating and tummy churning.
And yes, when Wednesday came round I just had to walk past number 37 Main Street at around 8pm ... Yep, there were some nice ordinary looking respectable men going in to Michael's Studio. Crossing the road to walk past on the other side of the road I glanced over and noticed a small temporary sign on the door 'Gentlemen's Camera Club'
Walking quickly home I withheld my number and called the one in the ads ... it was ringing.
My heart was in my throat and thumping so loud it had to be audible at the other end when a deep pleasant voice answered, "Yes?"
"Er, is that the camera club?" I asked, almost breathless.
There was a pause, then, "yes it is, what can I do for you?"
"Um, I saw an advert in the paper, models wanted? .."
"That's right, are you interested?"
"I think so ... er, do you already have models booked?"
"Not at the moment .. Would you like to audition?"
"Audition?" That caught me by surprise. After a brief hesitation, "Oh! ... Um, yes, I suppose ... er, would next week be convenient?"
"Can you come to Michael's Studio next Tuesday at lunchtime? Do you know where that is?"
"Oh, er, yes I know it," not mentioning I'd already checked out the address! "But I don't think I can do Tuesday ... I'll be at c ... work ... how about Wednesday evening?" I held my breath, wondering if he'd let a potential model appear on club night without his having seen her first.
He paused. "What experience do you have, my dear?"
"Well none, but your ad said that wouldn't be a problem?"
"Not usually, no, but if we're going to take up club time I need to know a little more. Can you send me a photograph? Just a snapshot of head and shoulders perhaps?"
"Er, I'm not supposed to give out my phone number ..."
"You are 18?" he asked quickly.
"Of course .. Oh never mind .. Maybe its not such a good idea ..."
"No.. hold on ... if you really are 18, I suppose we could just do a quick audition and see where we go .. Be at Michael's Studio at 7.50, OK?... Oh, and what's your name?"
"Um, Mandy," quickly blurting the first name that came into my head
"Very well, Mandy, be here on Wednesday at 7.50 and we'll take it from there, ok?"
"Sure, thanks, bye"
I swallowed hard. Thank goodness I'd withheld my number, and given a false name. I felt a little weak, a little shaky, a little excited, more than a little turned on. Of course I wasn't actually going to go, but the act of making the enquiry was sort of sexy and naughty. I had to look through my wardrobe and drawers for something suitable, so I could pretend that I was going to the audition.
The week went by in a bit of a muddled blur. Mum noticed that I was distracted but apart from checking I wasn't ill she left me alone. On the one hand time crawled, and the next Wednesday loomed in the near future like some kind of spectre, hovering, hardly getting closer. On the other hand, I found it difficult to concentrate on anything, including my college work. Every time I saw a man I knew I wondered if he went to the club. How would I react, cope if he was there? But of course this was silly, since I wasn't actually going to go, ... was I?
I knew the answer, but kept pretending up to the last minute.
I told Mum that I was going out after tea to meet some friends, but wouldn't be late back.
And so here I was, opposite Michael's Studio on Wednesday at 7.40. Well, I didn't want to be late. The discrete little sign wasn't yet in the door, but there were lights on downstairs as well as on the floor above, so someone must be setting up, I supposed. It occurred to me that I didn't know the name of the guy I spoke to on the phone, but I didn't think that would be a problem.
At 7.45 I couldn't wait any longer. I took a deep breath, held it as I smoothed my ponytail, pulled the low-front, cropped white t shirt straight without uncovering the thin white bra, then tugged the mid-thigh blue skirt snug on my hips, the yellow cotton hipster briefs well below its waistband. Exhaling slowly I crossed the road, careful not to trip in my 2 inch black heels, and pushed open the door. There didn't seem to be anyone there, but the stairs to the floor above were pretty obvious, so up I went turning back on myself to the right. At the top, another door, closed. I knocked and pushed this one open too.
It looked like a cross between a lounge, an artist studio but with lights, and a classroom. To my right was a raised platform with the lights that were in front of me all pointing at it. On it was a simple wooden stool and a neutral backdrop. To my left was the open room, with a couple of leather sofas against the long left wall under the windows onto the street. Facing me was a projector screen on the far wall. And half stooping, looking back at me sort of over his shoulder as he paused setting up a lamp, was a middle-aged man with dark hair and a surprised look on his face.
"Hi, I'm An .. Mandy?" I stood at the door and held my hand out, but of course there was no way he could reach from where he was in front of the platform.
He appeared frozen in place ... then seemed to come to life. Quickly straightening he wiped his hands on his button front shirt and came over.
"I'm so sorry, Mandy, I didn't expect ... I mean, you look, ... er, welcome ... you're early!" he laughed nervously as if me being early explained his reaction.
He had the same deep voice from the phone conversation. We shook hands and I felt his eyes rapidly appraise me, then return to my face. He smiled warmly, and his eyes were bright; I thought, yes, I can do this!
"Why don't you take a seat on the sofa for a moment while I finish setting up, and we'll get you sorted ... er, would you like a drink, or anything?" He nodded over to the fourth wall and I noticed he'd already set out some refreshments ... it looked like everything had to paid for.
"No, I'm ok thanks," I replied sitting carefully, demurely on the sofa, knees together and slightly to one side, skirt decently covering my thighs, mostly.
"So I'm Brian, Mandy ... well not Brian Mandy, ha ha, but yes ... um ..." he prattled on and I could only suppose that I made him nervous, which was a bit of a shock since I was the one new to all this.
He seemed to give up on the lights and invited me to sit on the stool while he did some light checks. I complied, moving carefully but quickly, and settled onto the stool with my knees pointing to my right, my body half turned towards the room. Brian stepped close with a small gadget which he held near my face.
"Just getting a light reading," he told me, then held it next to my shoulder. I watched closely, curious, and smiled to myself when I saw him looking at the exposed chest and down my top. He seemed to want to take a reading against my skin there but couldn't bring himself to do it. He coughed and left the stage, getting a camera and facing me from the floor.
"Ok, look natural, look at the camera ... now to your right, now over your shoulder to the left ... wow you look great!"
Just then the door opened and two more men came in, similar ages to Brian.
"Well what have we here, Brian?" the taller of the two called as soon as he saw us. I smiled at them, waiting for Brian to explain.
He never got the chance, because the tall man came straight over. "Well hello, young lady! My, you are gorgeous! I hope you're going to model for all of us, not just Brian here?"
Flattered at his compliments, I grinned and replied, "I'm Mandy, and yes I'm offering to model tonight, if you guys want me, that is?" adding the last bit with a pretence at being coy.
"Welcome Mandy, I'm John, ... And yes, I think we'll all want you!" grinning, he held out his hand, which I shook,
"And I'm George," the other newcomer added, shaking my hand too. He was shorter and younger, fair haired, maybe 30s, quite good looking and muscular. I blushed.
"She's ever so cute, Brian. Where did you find her?" Asked George, while John went over to the refreshments table.
"She answered the ad, and I asked her here to audition," Brian replied, and John called over, "You actually got a response? Good for you, Mandy!" as he returned carrying 3 cups. One for George, one for himself, and one, it seemed, for me!
"Thanks," I said, taking it. It looked and smelled like neat spirit. John tossed his back in one go, and looked at me expecting me to do the same. I tried, swallowed the fire, and immediately bent over coughing and choking.
I was helpless as I bent double, and felt hands comforting me and rubbing my back, gently holding my arms. Eyes streaming, when I straightened I could tell that it was John and George who had been stroking me, Brian just watching, embarrassed.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" I said, half choking, pulling a tissue from my skirt and dabbing my eyes. "I didn't realise what it was!" I added unnecessarily, trying not to smudge my mascara.