chapter 1

I had been in the need for some extra cash and when an acquaintance of mine told me about a guy who paid generously for people to model for him I jumped at the chance. It wasn't what people would probably think either. It wasn't some sleazy porn shoot or anything. He needed people to model for his photos for his projects. He was a student. He went to an art school and was majoring in photography. I think he wanted to do more commercial stuff, because the guy who told me about the job showed me what he had to do. He was just in a suit and sitting at a table. It was a pretty good photograph from what I could tell and I was glad I wouldn't have to be in like a speedo or something.

I was a big guy, not fat or anything, just tall and...beefy, I guess. I didn't think he'd even want to hire me though. I wasn't the most attractive guy. I mean, I wasn't ugly or anything, just average, and photographers didn't want to photograph average.

I was 6'4" and 247 pounds. I worked out a lot, but not like extensive cardio or any of those types of exercises. I probably should have, but I didn't really mind being bigger, I mean, I had been a bigger guy for as long as I could remember. And to be honest, I thought my size made me feel more powerful.

I went to the address I was told about and braced myself for rejection. I didn't mind it either. I had been rejected enough to know it didn't matter. I got rejected in high school, college...hell, I was being rejected still. Guys just didn't like me, and it was partially my fault. I found it hard to navigate the dating scene and I was awful at flirting. I didn't even know too much about relationships. I had only ever dated three guys, and all three were complete failures in terms of romance.

"Hi." I looked down at the guy who had opened the door. He was short and fit. He was wearing a pair of Browline glasses. I thought he was cute, totally my type. "Are you here about the modeling job?" he asked.

"Yeah, I am. Are you Quincy Howard?" I asked. He nodded and we shook hands. "I'm Hayden Pierce." He had soft hands, like a girl, but they were man sized. He seemed really nice, although a bit quiet, but that was cool, I didn't talk much either. I guess he was just the artsy type. Creativity was pretty hot.

"Do you want to get ready?" he asked. "What I need you to wear is in that room over there." He pointed towards a door across a hallway we had been walking through. I was a bit shocked. Was he telling me I got the job?

"Uh, I'm going to be modeling for you?" I asked. He smiled at me and nodded. I smiled too. I mean, he picked me, and I needed the money. My desk job just wasn't enough to pay all the bills anymore.

I walked into the room and an outfit was laid out on a very large chair. It wasn't a speedo, but it might as well have been. It was a pair of spandex biking shorts and a short sleeved collared shirt. I noticed a bow tie, suspenders, knee high socks, glasses with tape around the middle, and converse sneakers. There were about ten different pairs and I found a pair in my size, 13.

I looked in the mirror, a full length one, and I saw myself blush. I looked...I looked silly. He probably didn't want somebody like me for this. I was too big for this type of stuff. My arms were ripping the sleeves of the shirt and I couldn't even fasten the top button.

Quincy was in the hall when I left the dressing room. He looked at me and I heard him breathe in sharply. I bet he wanted somebody different. I knew I said I was okay with my body, but I didn't showcase myself knowing it'd make me uncomfortable. I had just come to accept it. In middle school I was the fat kid, but then I got really tall and I was the awkward, gangly kid. I couldn't catch a break, until I started working out. It made me feel good about myself.

"I knew you'd be perfect for this," he said finally as we walked into another room. Apparently I was perfect. Who knew?