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  Model Student

  (Oddball #1)

  by C. J. Washington

  Model Student (Oddball #1)

  Copyright C. J. Washington 2014

  All rights reserved

  eBook Edition

  No Part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or any other information storage and retrieval system without prior written consent given from the author or publisher, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be uploaded without the permission of the author or the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding, cover or printing other than that which it is originally published.

  This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, actual events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters and name are products of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

  Cover Design by: LM Creations

  Formatted by: Polgarus Studio

  Dedicated to

  All my fabulous friends;

  Carrie-Ann, Cheryl, Mo, Tracey,

  Julie, Suzy & Kerry

  Table of Contents

  Synopsis

  Chapter one

  Chapter two

  Chapter three

  Chapter four

  Chapter five

  Chapter six

  Chapter seven

  Chapter eight

  Chapter nine

  Chapter ten

  Chapter eleven

  Chapter twelve

  Chapter thirteen

  Chapter fourteen

  Chapter fifteen

  Chapter sixteen

  Chapter seventeen

  Chapter eighteen

  Chapter nineteen

  Chapter twenty

  Chapter twenty one

  Chapter twenty two

  Chapter twenty three

  Chapter twenty four

  Epilogue

  Note from author

  Also available:

  Synopsis

  Bow’s life has been anything but ordinary. The only child of a mogul and a business woman, she has wanted for nothing; except genuine friends. After the death of her Father, Bow decides it’s time for a change. She enrols at the University of Houston, Texas.

  There’s just one small problem; she’s a famous supermodel.

  Asher’s home life is in tatters. His Father’s double life has torn apart his family. Returning to College with his best friends, Asher lets football and Greek life distract him but even that’s losing its appeal. Then he meets Bow. An upfront, kind and poorly dressed girl in his marketing class.

  His life is about to get a whole lot more distracting.

  Chapter one

  Bow

  The last fourteen months have been some of the best of my life and now they are coming to an end. My Dad is dying. The cold brass of the door handle to his bedroom isn’t stuck, I just can’t bring myself to turn it. When I go in there it’s over, really over. I knew it would be today. He wasn’t the same this morning when I ate breakfast with him. He seemed pensive and spoke little, just held my hand while I ate my toast.

  Cancer. I hate the word. It took my Mom from me eight years ago and now it was going to take my Dad. My parents didn’t have me until later in life, they’d focused on their careers and businesses first. I wish I could say all that changed when I came along, but it didn’t. Raised mainly by nannies, I rarely saw my Dad other than at the obligatory weekly family meal on a Sunday. My Mom I saw everyday, but it was mainly to check and give advice on what I was wearing or how I did my hair. She was all about appearances. I never saw her not fashionably dressed, make up in place with her hair perfectly styled.

  I’ve never resented them. I had a good childhood with everything any little girl could want. I never knew that other families were any different from mine until I saw them on TV. My Dad is a very successful business man and owns three major companies, the biggest, Stratton Inc. He’d built them up from nothing to the multi-billion dollar corporations they are today. I’m proud of my Dad, I follow his work ethic myself with my modelling career. Take risks, go with your gut and keep fighting until you’re the last one standing.

  My Mom and I got really close when I started modelling at age ten. She always came with me to photo shoots and even cut back her work hours when I started getting more jobs. She was the pinnacle of beauty for me and I tried to emulate her in everything I did. When she died, my passion for modelling temporarily died with her. My Dad encouraged me to pick it back up when I turned sixteen, saying I would be honouring her memory. I like to think that’s true. My success has taken me to unparalleled heights in the fashion industry thanks to everything she taught me.

  ***

  A tap on the shoulder shocks me back into the present.

  “It’s time to get in there, kiddo.” Ralph is my Dad’s best friend and right hand man. He’s like an Uncle to me, yet his hand on my shoulder isn’t comforting today.

  He’s a good man and has always treated me like his daughter, bridging the gap between my Dad and I more than once. Taking a deep breath, I try to calm my racing heart. Giving a simple nod to Ralph, I push open the heavy wooden door.

  “There she is.” My Dad’s deep, raspy voice is filled with his love for me. “Climb up here with me, my beautiful Bow Bells.”

  My Dad is propped up with a mound of pillows on his gigantic bed. He refused to have a hospital bed brought in claiming that if he wanted to sleep like a starfish, a hospital bed wouldn’t give him that option. It didn’t seem to matter to him that he always slept on his side. He said “I’ve never let other people set my limitations and I’m not going to start now.” He is a bit wacky and always makes me giggle with his random life philosophies. He has one for any conceivable situation.

  His face is sunken and his skin a pale grey. This once giant man looks frail for the first time in his life, his core of strength is still there though, shining through. I hold back my tears best I can as I carefully climb up next to him, making sure not to disturb the many wires and tubes attached to his body. He reaches out to take my hand, it’s coldness breaks my heart. This really is the end. The nurse monitoring him quietly leaves so we can be alone.

  “Now, I want to talk to you about something.”

  “Anything, Dad.”

  “I’ve been putting everything in place over the last couple of months as you know, but what I haven’t told you is that I’ve sold my companies, including Stratton Inc.” I can’t contain my gasp.

  “I don’t understand. You always said that it was your legacy.”

  “I was wrong, baby girl…. You are my legacy.”

  Looking into his piercing blue eyes, I can see that he truly means those words. Sobs build in my chest and I try to hide my face in our joined hands. Tears start to stream down my cheeks and I feel like they’ll never stop.

  “I’ve lived a full life, Bow, but it would have only been half a life if you were never in it. My biggest regret is that I didn’t make you my only priority. I should have. All those years wasted on business meetings and building my companies, when I could have been spending time with my little girl. This past year has been the best of my life, leaving work behind and spending my time with you. I would trade every cent I have for another day with you. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve grown to be. You’re smart, caring and more beautiful than my eyes can take in. If I can ask anything of you now, is to not make my mistakes, Bow. Life’s literally too short. We lost your Mom before her time and now I’m leaving too. But I’ll always be with you, watching over you and in you’re right eye.”

  I giggle through my body-wracking sobs. My right eye is the exact blue
of my Dad’s, and my left is an exact replica of my Mom’s emerald green. His words mend and fracture my heart all at the same time. What was I going to do without him?

  “You’ll live on, Bow.” I didn’t realise I’d said that out loud. “You’ll live, not survive, but live. Go to college, meet a man worthy of you, cherish true friends and start your own family. Take time for yourself and follow your passions. They’re the really important things.”

  I nod as he tries to dry my tear soaked cheeks with his fingers. “I promise, Dad.”

  “I’m going to bring Ralph in here to make everything official and then you and I are going to watch Dr Who.” It’s his favourite TV show and I adopted it as mine this last year. A genuine smile graces his face and he places a gentle kiss on my forehead. I smile back and squeeze his hand in mine. He rings the small bell by his hip. Ralph enters with his ever present briefcase.

  “Let’s get this done, eh? It’s only three signatures, Bow, the rest has already been taken care of. Charles, you’ve already signed, however, I still want you to double check everything before we move forward.” He passes my Dad a stack of documents that he starts to flip through. I hate this, it feels official at a time that is deeply personal to me. I know it must be done and if it gives my Dad peace of mind, then it’s worth it.

  He hands the papers to me and I sign my name, Bow Bells Stratton, under every ‘Charles Joseph Stratton’ signature. The last page has the pen in my hand shaking. It states net worth: 17.6 billion dollars.

  “Is this right?”

  My Dad answers me. “Yes it is and it’s all yours. With the properties, shares and money from the sale of the companies that you just signed for, that is the net figure. I want you to be smart and charitable. I know you have plenty of money of your own and I’ve asked Ralph to take over helping you to manage that and the rest of this. He has my absolute trust and I know he has yours too. Is that okay with you?”

  “Y…Ye…Yes, of course. I just didn’t expect it to be so much.” I sign the last page and let the shock take over me. My head’s spinning with all this, it’s just too much to take in. I vaguely hear Ralph leaving and my Dad sat quietly while I try to process what is going on. He takes my hand again, pulling my attention back to him.

  “Remember, money makes life easy, it doesn’t make it good. That’s up to you. But if you forget everything else that I’ve said, just remember that I love you, you made my life complete.” A few tears escape his eyes.

  “I love you too, Dad. Forever.”

  I tuck myself as close to him as I can and rest my head on his shoulder. I can’t tear my eyes aware from our entwined hands. His large hand still feels so strong grasping mine. I want to stay in this moment forever. Silent tears roll down my cheeks. I don’t wipe them away. My brilliant, loving Father deserves every one. I hear Dr Who on the TV and I sink into the safe feeling that I’ve carried for the last year.

  ***

  A gentle hand shakes my shoulder. I didn’t realise I’d fallen asleep. I look into the sad eyes of my Dad’s nurse and everything floods back to me. I spin towards my Dad next to me and I know he’s gone. I feel a red jagged scar mark my soul as I bury my head in his lap and cry. I resolve to remember every word he said to me and live my life by them. I’d make him proud.

  Chapter two

  Six months later

  Bow

  I don’t know where I’m going to put all this stuff when I get to my dorm room. I’ve gone through it twice now and thrown out everything I can. My tendency to over pack is really being challenged here. The butterflies in my stomach have felt more intense today than ever. I’m leaving for college in an hour. My disguise is already in place, all I have to do is finish packing. Ava, my wonderful housekeeper, had offered to do it for me but I’m determined to do it myself. I’d have to pack it all again soon anyway, if I get into a sorority like I hope.

  After my Dad died, I spent a week wallowing in misery. His funeral had hundreds of attendees, all spoke very highly of him. They didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Before his coffin was lowered into the ground, Ralph and I had a small service by ourselves. It was then I decided to follow my Dad’s advice and get the real college experience that he’d treasured.

  The main problem of course is that I’m recognisable. My cover on ‘Sports Illustrated’ was the highest sold copy this year. I want to make real friends and hang out, without my model status tainting it. I’m keeping my favourite modelling commitments and have plans in place so that I can do them without drawing suspicion. My new disguise should take care of most of that.

  I’ve got waist length, thick blonde hair that would be hidden under a shoulder length brown wig. It’s been made just for me and it is so real looking, Ava had done a double take when I passed her with it on. I also have brown contact lenses to cover my distinctive mismatched eyes and a whole new wardrobe of slouchy, comfy clothes.

  I’ve never owned anything like this before. I have sneakers and flat shoes packed too. My skyscraper heels are well hidden at the bottom of my second suitcase. I always wear heels, minimum four inches since I was thirteen. The only time I wore flats before was at the gym where I wear my sneakers. I even have specially designed Adidas hard rubber stilettos to change into when I walk on a treadmill. Those are definitely going with me.

  Time is ticking away. I have ten minutes before I have to leave for the airport. I’m flying to Houston, Texas, to start my collegiate life at the University of Houston. I want to go south. I’ve spent most of my life here in California with regular trips to New York and Europe. I want to experience southern hospitality and eat grits (whatever that is). Ralph knocks on my door and comes in to check on me.

  “You ready, Bow?”

  “Yep, all done. Thank you so much for coming with me to the airport.” Ralph has really stepped up for me since I’ve lost my Dad. He calls every couple of days just to check in and has dinner with me at the house every Sunday. I’m going to miss that.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world. You sure you don’t want to take the jet?”

  “I’m sure. I want to arrive like everybody else.”

  “Your one in a million, Bow. That won’t change no matter how you travel. Now, let’s get moving. I’ve got everything sorted at the other end. Your bags will be taken to your car for you and student housing is already loaded up on the sat nav.”

  “Thanks for everything, Ralph. You’re going to come visit me, right?”

  “You know it!” He makes his hands into the cougar paw, taking his third finger and hooking it over his thumb across his palm. It’s the hand sign for the Cougars, the University’s football team. He sticks his tongue out and lifts his hands above his head. I nearly pee, he’s so funny. He always knows how to put me at ease. “You go there and show all them southerners how Bow Bells Stratton rocks a campus! Well, the quiet Bow Stratton, who plans to be blend in.” He laughs.

  I’m not changing my name or altering my life story for people at college. I just plan to leave bits out or down play aspects of my life. I’m famously known as Bells Stratton. My real first name, Bow has never been used by my modelling agency so it isn’t really known. That, along with my new look should keep me under the radar. I’ll have to see how it goes.

  I’m enrolling in college as a sophomore. I’ve got enough college credits to skip my freshman year of my design degree. I know freshman year is meant to be a big part of college but I can only commit to two years and I’m determined to get that degree.

  ***

  After a tearful goodbye to Ralph and Ava at the airport, I’m finally about to land in Houston, my new home away from home. I’m nearly bouncing out of my seat in excitement. The business man next to me keeps looking at me like I’m crazy but I don’t care. This is the start of the realisation of mine and my Dad’s dream.

  Asher

  I can’t believe Summer has gone by so quickly and I’m back for my second year of college. I’m ready for a vacation already. Not that my
first year wasn’t good. I rose quickly in the ranks of my fraternity, had fucked more girls than I did throughout my entire time in high school and I was second string on the football team. This year, I’d be a starter.

  After the semi-quiet of home, it always takes me a few days to settle into the madness that is Greek life. Most of my brothers are cool and decent guys but there is a falseness to the whole lifestyle that pisses me off. Everybody is wearing some kind of front to protect themselves from scrutiny and ridicule, when the odds are that if they all dropped the crap they’d find they have a lot more in common than just sports, beer and girls.

  College girls are the worst. Yeah, they’re good for a fuck but to me they all seem to think one way, wear the same thing and act the same way. They all could have come off the same product line. I guess that’s why I never pay attention to one over another, but they sure do try to make me notice. There’s something about a guy not fawning all over them that drives them crazy and makes them determined to be the one to catch your eye.

  The main group in our sister chapter are more annoying than most, led by the queen bitch, Sylvie. The two Lindsey’s are her regular partners in crime. Yes, they’re some stunning bitches yet they have zero personality. Being irritating and shallow negates any positives for me. I’ve had them all at some point and Sylvie is forever nagging me for a repeat performance. No thanks. I don’t want her to try to sink her claws into me. The girls have one goal and are ruthless in their efforts to get it. They are here looking for rich husbands, not an education.

  It’s smart not to put much credence in what you hear around a frat house. Most things are massively exaggerated or a flat-out lie. I’ve seen more than one brother having their reputation ruined by a vicious rumour. The problem is that when it’s found out to be complete shit they’re still ruined. That’s what you get from superficial people.