Say My Name

"I'm sorry, Georgie."

Those were the words uttered by Georgina's handler, Paul Young, when she went to his office today.

She's been trying to get into a fashion show in New York for three weeks now but Paul couldn't sign her for any show. Worse is he told her she needs to leave the suite by the end of the week. She's not selling to any designers and runways anymore because of gaining weight.

It's definitely any model's nightmare!

And it hurts that gaining a few pounds is already fat in the fashion industry. She got sick for a month because of stress and not getting enough sleep because of extreme demands at work. She used up her savings for medication and was advised to give herself some time off so she stayed at her friend, Donna’s place in San Francisco.

Donna works as a doctor in a city hospital and she made sure she's well taken cared of before she left for New York. But Donna overdid her care because Georgina gained fifty pounds more.

You’re too thin! She remembered Donna telling her.

They went to the same university together after senior year. She's the only person who helped her after her parents died in a car accident on their college graduation. Her other friends offered to help as well but Donna was the closest to her at that time. Both Becky and Hanna left after their senior year while Katrina migrated to Europe. They're all busy in college and now with their careers—Becky as an accountant in Seattle, Hanna as a university professor in New Orleans but they never heard news from Katrina since.

Devastated and broke, Georgina left for the door of Paul's office. She's got nowhere to go. She wanted to call Donna but she just helped her out last month to get back on her feet after being sick. She tried working out and going on a diet but her doctor said she shouldn't do strenuous works and to always eat healthy and on time because if not, she may just go back to square one. She can't afford being sick again because her savings are gone.

She wanted to cry but she stopped herself. There's no point crying right now or blaming her decisions after college... after her parents died.

She took literature in college for her parents. Her mother is a children's book writer while her dad works as a secretary in a publishing firm. But after her parents died, she lost the purpose of pursuing a career in writing. She's so depressed she decided to take a full career as a model to keep herself busy, almost no rest.

A tear fell from her eyes but she wiped it roughly. It's a busy Monday and she needs money as soon as possible so she can find a new place.

Her phone beeped. It’s a message from Donna.

How are you?

I'm good. Rough day. She replied.

Wanna talk about it?

I'll let you know. Thanks, Donna.

She went to the park to gather her thoughts and plan her future or... just make plans about how she's going to survive this week. She pulled out a note on her phone and typed:

Find money.
Find a job.


Find a place to stay.

“But how?"

Her tummy growled. "Well, I guess right now I need to find something to eat."

While walking along the streets with her thoughts still all over the place, a hand grabbed her arm. Her eyes trailed the hand on her arm—a small delicate hand with some paint stains. Her forehead creased and she looked up to see the owner's face.

It's Katie from the few runway shows she joined months back. As far as she can remember Katie is an art student who works as a part-time model. She's wearing her red hair up in a messy bun. She looked like a real art student wearing a tribal print dress, black stockings and boots.

"Georgie?" She looked so surprised to see her.

"Oh my God, Katie! Can't believe I'll see you here. How've you been?"

"I'm great! How are you? You look different." She said, noticed how she’s gained weight.

Her smile disappeared which Katie immediately sensed that something's wrong. "Coffee?"

She nodded. They went to a coffee shop nearby and Katie ordered for them. "Are you okay, Georgie?" Katie asked, looked concerned. She's a good friend from work. They just didn't have so much time to hang out because of her art classes but they're about the same age.

She sighed heavily. "Honestly, no." She could feel her eyes starting to fill in tears.

Katie reached out and squeezed her hand in hers. "Maybe I can help."

She told her the story and Katie only had the chance to talk after the waiter served their cups of coffee.

"I'm actually thinking about quitting my modeling job because I have this new work that's not really stressing me out too much unlike runways. I'm done with glamour and branded clothes, bags and shoes. I want to embrace art fully." Katie paused, looking at Georgina. "I have an offer."

She nodded, willing to hear her out.

"I can set you up for this new work I have. It's big money. And they won't judge you for gaining a few pounds." She winked.

"What is it?" She's curious.

"Ever heard of nude art?"

She swallowed. "Yeah. I think. A little."

"I'd like you to meet someone.”

Georgina swallowed hard and silently hoped she's not going to regret considering Katie’s offer.