Guardians

Part Four

    Kimberly, Tommy, Katherine, David and Billy were on their way to Beverly Hills for their modeling shoot. Pam had graciously loaned Billy one of the Chronicle's vans for the hour trip.
    "Now remember, subtle yet charming. I want the Angel Grove Chronicle to be known as the first media to get a personal interview with Zelana Christina," Pam had told Billy while handing him the keys.
    Billy had done his usual smile-and-nod routine, all the while wondering how on earth he was to get an interview with the vigorous shooting schedule he had been sent.
    He had read her sketchy bio over and over, trying to get a feel for the shadowy designer. According to her secretaries, she was about twenty, of medium height and build, an average figure and weight with brown hair and blue eyes.
    She had premiered in Paris two years ago, wowing the the fashion world with her innovative use of colors and textures. She had become an international sensation practically overnight. The aura of mystery around her heightened interest in her designs. No one knew where she was originally from, and she only made one public appearance per year, at the end of her runway shows. These appearances were never longer than ten minutes, and there were never any photographers allowed. Supposedly, everyone who had the privilege of seeing one of these appearances came away with a feeling that she was a strong, confident young woman who wasn't afraid to be herself. Another designer who had been to her shows supposedly commented: "It's like going to a fashion show put on by your younger sister...your extremely talented younger sister."
    All these facts Billy had memorized, but he still had no mental image of this woman he and his friends were about to meet.
    Tuning out Kimberly and Katherine's chatter, Billy pulled the van off the freeway. They were almost to the studio/boutique. All five spotted it immediately. The shop had a prime corner location on Rodeo Drive, a glossy black exterior and a script ZC over the door. The handles on the mirrored double door formed a chrome Z. Tommy let out a slow whistle of appreciation. "Nice architecture," he murmured.
    Parking in the wide lot behind the shop, the friends headed for the door. Just inside the entrance, they were greeted by a tall, slender young woman with light brown hair pulled into a french twist. Her sharply tailored green suit accentuated her height, as did her green heeled shoes.
    "Hello, I'm Doreen, Ms. Eltan's press secretary. You must be the five models from the search," Doreen smiled warmly at them as she extended her hand. Her voice had a faint accent which seemed somewhat familiar to Kimberly, Tommy, and Billy. "If you'll follow me, I'll introduce you to the photographer and then take you to the studio to meet Ms. Eltan herself."
    Doreen led them through the boutique, green heels clicking on the black marble floor. The teens were awed by the interior of the boutique. The lower half of the walls were covered in black silk with the top half lined in silver mirrors. The ceilings were a deep black with scattered silver stars.
    As they walked, Doreen told them a few more details about the actual shoot. "A few of the prints we'll take here are going to be used in the catalogue that's sent to the elite customers. The others will be used in the official boutique catalogue and the runway program. Also, certain prints will be used in fashion magazines such as Glamour and Mademoiselle for publicity purposes. Before we start shooting, you'll all sign a release form allowing us to use the prints." They reached a silver door. Doreen opened it and led them into what appeared to be an opulent ballroom. "Welcome to your first set," Doreen smiled.
    A woman with short red hair, bright green eyes and a mischievous smile sauntered over to the group. "Hi, Zariana Danata," she introduced herself. "You must be the models. I'll be shooting you today." She grinned. "I mean, I'm the photographer." Doreen introduced them to Zariana and led them on to the design studio.
    "Zari has been the main photographer for Zelana Designs as long as there's been a Zelana Designs. She and Ms. Eltan have been close friends for a long time," Doreen told them. The group arrived at another door, this one black enamel so smooth, the teens saw their mirrored images on it. Doreen knocked softly then turned the knob.
    The teens braced themselves, not knowing what to expect. For all they knew, the brilliant designer could be horribly disfigured or crippled beyond human recognition.
    Doreen motioned for them to step inside. Cautiously, they did. The studio was draped in colorful fabric swaths, yarns, and trimmings wherever the eye looked. "It's like being inside a rainbow," Kimberly breathed.
    "Ms. Eltan!" Doreen called out. "Your models are here!" A rustling came from one corner and a head popped out from under a pile of multi-colored lamés.
    "Oh, good! I've been so anxious to meet you!" the head spoke. "Give me a minute to untangle myself and I'll be right out." The head disappeared again and with a shaking of lamé, she emerged. "Sorry about that. I tend to get rather involved when I'm designing. I'm Zelana Christina, and I know who you all are." As she shook each of their hands, the teens had an odd feeling that Zelana Christina could see into their very souls.
    Katherine and Kimberly both looked at Zelana's outfit with a touch of envy. A black peasant blouse draped across her pale shoulders while a silver and black patchwork gypsy skirt cascaded from waist to ankles. Silvertone sandals crisscrossed their straps over her feet and across slim ankles, and a slender silver chain hung around her neck, the pendant tucked into her blouse.
    Billy didn't notice the designer's outfit. Her blue-green eyes had captured his attention, followed by her fall of thick auburn hair. In all his musings of what the secretive designer looked like, never in any of them had he imagined her as beautiful.
    "I hope all of you enjoy the shoot today. I believe Doreen showed you the first set, so you know that we'll be shooting the evening wear first, to get it out of the way." Zelana and Doreen started leading the group to the changing rooms. "Your outfits are numbered and labeled with your names. Katherine, Kimberly, you can change in here. Tommy, David, and Billy, here's your changing room. Zari's going to have everything set up soon, so the hairstylists and makeup artists will be waiting for you at the set in about ten minutes. I'll see you there." Zelana left them to change.
    Ten minutes later, Katherine and Kimberly were sitting in styling chairs having their hair styled to fit the taffeta and lace confections they were wearing. Tommy and David had their hair pulled back into low ponytails. Billy grinned, glad that he hadn't grown his hair out any longer than what it was. The stylists basically just combed it back into place. As soon as Katherine and Kimberly's feet hit the floor, Zari was in command, barking out orders and arranging the five like they were furniture.
    "Kim, Tom, you two stand by the window. Tom, I want you to stand next to the curtains. The black of your tux'll stand out more than Kim's pink dress will against that light curtain. Now, put your arms around her waist, turn more towards the camera, perfect!" Zari snapped a few at that position. "Now, Dave, you and Kathy..."
    "Kat, please," Katherine interrupted.
    "All right, you and Kat sit on that love seat. Dave, you sit against the arm, Kat, lean back against him. Good, good! Kat, maybe if you lean your head against his shoulder a little more...perfect!" Zari snapped a few more. "Now, Billy....uh-oh."
    "Uh-oh?" Billy had started to wonder what they were going to do with him for this set since there were an odd number of people.
    "Oh, never mind, here she comes. What held you up?" Zari demanded as Zelana rushed onto the set, black silk skirts swishing.
    "Phone call. Sorry."
    "Understandable. Anyway, you and Billy are going to stand here in the entrance way. The light wood should be a good contrast to the black material. Now, Billy, lean against the doorframe...no, with your back to it. Zel, lean against the other side, facing him. Good, wonderful! Look at each other, good, good!" Zari snapped away, rearranged the couples some more and kept snapping. "All right, time to reload," she said. "Quick break for all, then on to individual outfit shots. After the first, go change into the second formal and get back here." She led Katherine, Kimberly and Zelana away for the first round, since their dresses were harder to change in and out of. David, Tommy and Billy helped themselves to the water that was available for them.
    "Man, those dresses really look good," Tommy said, eyes on Kimberly.
    "Tommy, do you ever wonder about this?" Billy asked. "I mean, look. Kat and Kim both have pink dresses. Your vest and tie are red. Mine are blue. Do you think that maybe..."
    "It's just coincidence, Billy. I mean, pink is a favorite color for formal dresses. Besides, neither you, David or I sent in the application. Maybe there was a blank for favorite color."
    "That's another thing. Is it just coincidence that the five of us were chosen? What are the odds that all five of the winners would be from Angel Grove, not to mention..." he lowered his voice, "associated with the Power Rangers?"
    "Billy, I think you've either been spending too much time in the Power Chamber, or you've watched JFK one too many times. Just relax and enjoy it." With that, Billy knew the subject was closed.
    He reached for the water pitcher to pour himself a refill, and found himself looking Zelana right in the eyes. "Sorry," he mumbled, pulling his hand back.
    "It's all right," she replied, smiling. "Go ahead." She watched as he poured himself a glass of water. "You work for the Angel Grove Chronicle, don't you?"
    Billy choked on his water a little. "How'd you know?"
    "I saw the van parked out back."
    "You're not going to dislocate my shoulder, are you?"
    "Of course not. Today, you're not a reporter. Today, you're a model. But I bet that your editor doesn't see it that way."
    "Got that right. She expects me to come back with a prize-winning interview."
    Zelana smiled at him again. "Well, today is bad for me, but is next Tuesday all right?"
    This time, Billy did choke on his water. "Wha...what?"
    "Next Tuesday. Interview?" she asked again.
    "But...but...why now?"
    Zelana shrugged. "It seems like the right time. A new boutique, a new line coming out, a new catalogue, why not give an interview? Besides, I like you."
    By this time, Billy had set the cup on the table. "Huh?"
    "Most other reporters are just hungry for a story and they don't care how they get it. You, on the other hand, seem like you'd take the subject's feelings into consideration when writing."
    Billy was still in a state of disbelief. "So, next Tuesday? Here?"
    "No, why don't you come to my house? I'll give you the address after the shoot today."
    "Um, okay." Billy was still grinning as Zari called him over for his individuals.
    The rest of the day flew by for Billy. He barely noticed the casual shoot, the sportswear shoot, or the swimwear shoot. Zari noticed this as well.
    "Zel! Over here!" she called at the end of the day. "What did you do to him?" she asked in a whisper.
    "Nothing, Zari. All I did was promise him an interview."
    Zari cocked an eyebrow. "Just an interview?" she asked, smiling.
    "Zari! Just an interview. That's it. Nothing more." She smiled back at her long-time friend. "C'mon, it's time for the presentation."
    Zelana, Doreen and Zari caught the teens at the door. "Here," Zelana said. "These are part of the winnings. All the outfits were designed with you five in mind, so these are yours to keep." The three handed the group two garment bags and several wrapped boxes each.
    Kimberly peeked inside one of her garment bags. Inside, she saw one of the ball gowns she had modeled. "You're just giving these to us?" she squealed in delight and disbelief.
    Zelana smiled. "Yes. That's my policy. My models receive the designs they model in addition to their paychecks. It was a pleasure working with all of you. I'll be sure to call you the next time I need models. I'll see you all at the opening of the boutique, and Billy, I'll see you Tuesday at the interview." She handed him a small black card that had her address printed on it in silver.
    Billy accepted the card with a smile, and that smile stayed on his face the whole trip back to Angel Grove.