It felt like he was sweating.

But he wasn't.

Because Simon doesn't sweat. It's strange really. His forehead feels wet but there is no moisture on it.

Even after he jogged around the neighbor for a half hour in 83° weather.

If he's just going to sit inside his room all day taking pictures and eating snacks, then he might as well say goodbye to his stick-thin body. Simon refuses to let that happen so he's decided to start jogging every morning.

Especially since he might become a full time model.

Simon panted as he trudged up his front lawn. His line of sight veered off over to Vik's house. He looked up to the second floor and found Vik staring at Simon through a window. Simon scowled at him. Vik shut his curtains.

"Fucking creep." he muttered to himself.

A cold breeze blasted Simon when he walked inside his home. So refreshing. Simon immediately went to the kitchen to get a drink.

"Oh, hello, JJ." Simon was startled to find his friend standing there unexpectedly.

"Hey." JJ remained leant back against the tan counters. Simon sensed something was off. The air was tense. He twisted open a bottle of water.

"Is everything okay?" He asked after taking a gulp of cold water.

"Yeah, I uh, just didn't know you were into modeling."

Simon choked and nearly dropped his water all over the floor. How did JJ know about his modeling? Did he find Simon's Instagram? Or all the women's clothing in his room? Panic pumped through Simon's veins. He prepared for the worst: For JJ to be disgusted by him.

"Wh-What do you mean?"

"There was a call earlier. While you were out. So I answered it for you." JJ spoke in pieces instead of one flowing sentence. "It was from a place called, Elite Modeling Management?"

"Oh?" His breath was shaky.

"I can't believe you've been sneaking out of the house. And you? Model?"

"I'm sorry." Simon looked up at JJ through his eyelashes. A mess of sad-themed emotions sat in the bottom of Simon's stomach.

"Sorry? More like congratulations!"

JJ embraced his friend in a big hug.

"Huh?"

"The company called to say you got the job!" he squealed. "I'm so proud of you."

"You are?"

"Of course! I don't know why you tried to keep it a secret. This is the growth I've been waiting to see; You putting yourself out there. I told you Tobi would help!" JJ patted Simon's back.

Simon grimaced at the darker man's words. That therapist Tobi had nothing to do with Simon's success. He never even told Tobi about anything relating to his modeling. In fact he told Tobi he can't stand the sight of himself in the mirror! That he has no self confidence!

"Aren't you happy?" JJ's smile dropped a little with the tilt of his head.

"Yes! I'm over the moon I got accepted." He smiled at the thought of spending every week with Josh. But anger is a more powerful emotion in Simon. It rules over all.

"Oh good. I can't wait to call and tell, Tobi." JJ hummed.

"No! You can't tell him." he shouted.

"Why not? He'd love to hear about your new job."

"I don't want you to. I'm his client, it's my personal decision to disclose what I want and don't want him to know."

"M'kay. Whatever you say." JJ shuffled out of the kitchen. "But you should tell him eventually."

"I will! I will!" Simon hissed, hurrying JJ out of the kitchen.

"Wait, one more thing." He spun around.

"What?"

"That Elite place, they want you to call back so they can give you your work hours."

As soon as Simon heard JJ's bedroom door shut, he sprinted upstairs to his own room. He jumped onto his bed, quietly squealing in excitement.

He had done it.

Simon grabbed his phone and dialed the number he had memorized by heart. He flopped on his bed and rolled onto his belly. He waited, anticipating each ring with a shiny smile.

"Hello, this Elite Modeling Management. How can I help you?"

"Hi, this is Simon Minter. You called earlier about my new job and said to call back for my schedule."

He was like a giddy teenage girl getting a call from her crush.