When I look over at Mel, she’s already watching me with a sympathetic look. I give her a bright smile and shake my head, silently telling her not to say anything about Helena's attitude. I'm nervous enough as it is with the show, and I know Helena doesn't really like Mel for whatever reason; I don't need the stress of them arguing.
I look down at Mel's frame, and she looks really good even though she mentioned her stress eating. Maybe it’s okay if I have a small snack before the show? I let out a sigh at my conflicted thoughts and push them away entirely because I need to be in a good mood for tonight.
I see the paparazzi lights flashing from a distance as we pull into the main entrance. Mel's eyes are glued to the window, and I reach for her hand. She’s only ever modeled with us at Magic Model shows, so this is her first big event, which means it’s probably the first time she’s had to facethismuch paparazzi.
“I remember how nervous I was when I first had to encounter this much paparazzi.” I feel the nerves bubbling in my stomach at the reminder, and Mel asks me when that was as she keeps her eyes out the window. “It was the night they announced us as The Core Eight. I didn't get out of the car until my twin came to walk me out.” I laugh at the memory, and Mel turns to me, her brows pulled together.
“I remembered that night!” Mel's face lights up. “I watched the whole show at home; you didn't look nervous at all. That was actually the day I added working with you to my vision board.” She adds that last part sheepishly, a blush coming to her cheeks.
“I was terrified.” I laugh as I admit it. “Your vision board is your reality now; stand proud because you should be.” I squeeze her hand and give her a small tip. “If they know your name, they’re all going to call you. Don’t look for who’s trying to get your attention. Either look forward and walk or glance between all of them.”
She nods as I go on.
“If theydon’tknow your name, they will after tonight. Don’t cover your face from the flash, you’re new so don’t hide.”
“Right.” She nods again.
I give Mel a smile, and she returns it.
“You’re fine.”
She repeats after me before the driver opens the door for us, and Helena steps out. I follow after her, and there’s somehow more flash.
Helena walks ahead, but I hold a hand out, and the minute Mel takes it, I can tell everyone is shocked because it’s normally just Helena and me.
“Who is that with Sage Loana?”
“Sage, over here!”
“Who’s the girl in red?”
“You look beautiful, Sage Loana!”
“I love the dress, Sage!”
I smile and wave at all of the cameras but don’t stop like I usually would. I love talking to paparazzi, but more cars are going to start pulling up, and I’d hate to have a traffic build-up at the door.
As we step into the hall, Mel lets out a breath. “Wow, I think I’m blind.”
I burst into a laugh and assure her she’ll get used to it. I keep my hand in hers as we walk in, and as people walk up to greet me, I introduce them to Mel.
I glance around the room and notice a few Magic Models mingling with the designers who were invited. Most times the models would be in the back, but Mr. Moore wanted us toshow faceso his guests could see us since there were rumors that he wouldn’t be able to get all of us here, and technically, he didn’t, but that’s because of an issue with the airline, not because Florence denied him.
“There's a lot of designers here,” Mel mumbles to me, and when I follow her eyes, they're on Colette Dubios, the face of Paris in the designer industry.
“Yeah,” I take in her stunning pearl dress before reminding myself not to stare for too long.
“I know being a Moore Girl is every model's dream, but when I work withher, I think I can say I finally made it,” Mel mumbles, and I squeeze her hand to pull her away from staring. “How come people are making a big deal about us being here when it's Vincent's show?”
I almost think she's joking until I remember she's still new to Magic. “It’s pretty hard to get every Magic Model to walk in your show. Florence likes to say we're untouchable and exclusivelyhergirls, which is true. We don't model in shows she doesn't sign off on to keep up that image, and maybe it’s just because he’s Vincent Moore, but he got all of us.”
“Why was that again? I mean, I'm not complaining. I'll model for him every hour of the day in my most uncomfortable heels, but he has the best models in the world.”
“He said with this new line, he wants new girls to model them, but,” I lean into her and smile when I notice people are watching. “Don't say anything, but Angie said this was his way of scoping out which models he wants to sign as Moore Girls.” She only told me, and I don't know if it's true, but I told The Eight.
Mel's eyes widen, and when I squeeze her hand and force a smile, she changes her face. I walk over to Nin when I see she isn't talking to anyone, and the look of relief on her face tells me she's grateful for having someone to talk to.
Everyone is loving Mel and I feel my excitement buzzing off of my cells. She didn’t get a lot of attention with her last company, so I’m happy for her. She’s going to kill it tonight, and if I could let her model one of my pieces just to get her out in the spotlight one extra time, I would.
