When they show Quinn's section, everyone gasps before clapping for her. All of her models were other girls who have vitiligo and they all lookgorgeous.“Quinn, this is beautiful!” I turn to look at her, and she wipes her tears away as she smiles over at me.
“You have no idea how hard that was.” Her voice slightly breaks, and I, along with the rest of The Core Eight, get up to hug her.
“Talk about the biggest fuck you to your ex,” Coral exclaims before she hugs her best friend again, and we all let out a laugh.
“Like always, let’s start from least voted to most!”
Everyone is holding their breath as they start eliminating each of us. I wish they’d just share who the top two were rather than showing who essentially got last place, but whatever.
Macey, Helena, Coral, Royal, and Quinn get knocked out in that order, and while most of them are bummed, Quinn is ecstatic that she placed top five.
“In third, we have… Stellamae!”
The room cheers for her, although she sinks in her seat.
“We can’t all be winners.” Macey taps her leg. “Better luck–”
“Mace.” She warns as she shoves her hand away, and Coral and Quinn laugh at them before sharing a look. We think they're hooking up, but we're waiting for them to come out to us.
“In second, we have… Sage Loana!”
I shoot up from my seat with a scream before pulling Nin to her feet. “OMG! YAY! YOU WON!” I shake her arm, and she pulls me in for a hug as they announce her as the winner.
Everyone congratulates her, and while she’d normally hate the attention, her empty wine glass is to thank for her boldness tonight. She struts to the TV and bows with a pretty smile. “Thank you, thank you.” She flips her hair a few times before pretending to blush as we applaud her, and as she makes it back to the couch, I pull her in for another hug.
“Congrats, babe,” I whisper before kissing her cheek. “I still can't get over how perfectly you were able to imitate the moonlight.”
Everyone's piece was great, but I'm so happy Nin won. She added handmade traditional Thai outfits, and with her lake setting, she looked ethereal.
Everyone stays, and the night turns into more of a celebration for Nin. After a while, Jordan and Moon text me with their congratulations. I’m not sure why, but a part of me waits for Liam’s message. A few other friends text me with their congrats, and after every message I check my phone, and a ting of disappointment seeps in every time it's not him. As the night ticks away, I think he isn’t going to text me, and a part of me is bummed I won't be seeing him anymore. It was fun bugging him with the lighting and trying to make him laugh the last few weeks.
When my phone rings again, I pick it up lazily, and a smile quickly grows on my face when I realize it's him.
Liam
All that work and you only get second? That shit is rigged. You owe me a month of my life back.
I let out a laugh as I type out a quick response.
It’s not rigged! I’m happy with second.
I can’t give you back a month but I can give you a night?
As his bubbles appear, I shake my head at how bad that sounds, but he beats me to it.
Are you flirting with me??!!!
I throw my head back with another laugh and I can only imagine all the extra punctuation was to emphasize my voice.
I asked a simple question…
Seriously though, come to LA this weekend! It’s Trey’s birthday but we’re also celebrating our hard work. Everyone from the shoot and a few of my friends will be there.
I don't even know Trey.
You know me! Plus, I kinda want to see you again
Just kinda?
