Girls flitting everywhere like butterflies, makeup and glitter clouding the air.
The Corinne Woods spotted me first, rushing over in her silk robe, hair already blown out to perfection.
She was one of biggest models, influencer and beauty brand owner in world.
Her life was a dream and she was engaged to one of dad's business partners son.
"Brittany!" Sonia squealed, hugging me.
"Oh my God, you’re going to slay out there!"
Natasha appeared beside Corinne,who was looking at us with a smile, balancing a green juice and a curling iron.
She was also another hotshot model.
But tonight Corinne was wearing the biggest wing.
"Your first show?!" she said, grinning.
I nod slightly,
"Babe, you’re gonna crush it."
I smiled. I laughed.
I lied.
Inside, I was shaking so hard I could barely stand.
An assistant shoved me into a makeup chair, and the team descended — brushing, curling, spraying until I didn’t recognize my own face anymore.
I watched myself in the mirror — watched the transformation.
Watched the girl Jasper had loved turn into someone else.
---
When it was time to walk, the nerves nearly swallowed me whole.
I lined up backstage, wings strapped tight to my back, the bass from the music vibrating up through my heels.
Sonia squeezed my hand.
"You’re going to be incredible," she whispered.
I smiled. Nodded. Lied again.
The director shouted, "Go!"
I stepped into the lights.
I smiled like my life depended on it.
I posed, winked, blew kisses.
The cameras flashed. The audience screamed.
And somewhere deep down, something inside me crumbled.
