Assignment 5 - Cutthroat
“This is it, guys, it’s up to us now to prove we can do it,” I said on the last day of bootcamp.
“Good luck y'all, but I’m going to win,” Lachlan rang out.
“Huh! What makes you say that?” Delilah asked.
“He thinks because he’s the only male they’ll go for gender equality, right, Lachlan?” Ashley retorted. “Well I’ve got news for you, kid, it’s now or never and I’m going all out to beat you, just for saying that!”
“But I’m the only male and that will put me at an advantage.”
“It could also work against you, Lachlan.” I raised my eyebrows.
“We are all in this to win, Sabi,” Kit scowled, hands on hips, so good luck! I’m not wasting any more time here, I have an award to win.”
“Well looks like friendships don’t count anymore,” Delilah shook her head. “So we’re in it for ourselves, are we? ” Delilah shrugged and walked off.
I can’t believe this, we were all such great friends before this. Well if that’s the way they’re going to be they’re not worth my time. I knew deep down however, how much I really cared about them.
The friends, or ex-friends all walked off in different directions and no-one spoke to anyone in the days leading up to the contest. I tried on a hundred dresses that week and still couldn’t decide whether to go a bit risqué or dress for my age. I finally settled on something which looked elegant yet suited my age.
I read up about the agent that the lecturers mentioned and found out later was looking for models to display prom dresses for teens as his first gig, and so once I discovered that, I changed my choice of clothes again.
“Mum I’m never going to be able to decide, what do you think?” I paraded a few dresses for mum and then stood there expecting some feedback. “Well, which one do you think?” I asked again.
“Sabi, I’m sorry, Hun but I’m not going to make this decision for you. You are almost a graduate model and I’m not going to be around every time to make these choices for you. You have to resolve this for yourself. Go with your head and leave your heart out of this.”
I was a bit shocked at her response but she was right. “You’re right, I have to make this decision for myself.”
Mum left the room and went to sit outside next to the pool.
I finally settled on a long red chiffon and lace number that looked elegant but suitable for a teenager and set off my darker complexion well. Mum even bought me a corsage to add to the “teen prom” look. After looking up and down at my dress, I packed makeup that was subtle but natural for my eyes and a matte red lipstick to match my gown. My jewellery consisted of a delicate square-cut diamond choker-necklace with matching diamanté earrings and bracelet. I’ll wear the necklace mum gave me inside my neckline for luck.
“Well, I’m ready,” I said aloud to no one in particular. I dabbed floral perfume behind my ears and then with a deep breath and a resolute nod called out to mum letting her know I was ready.
Mum came in from outside and when she saw the gown I’d chosen she smiled. I carefully laid my dress on the back seat and we drove to my destination. A catwalk awaited me at “Prestige recruitment service” where all the top fashion agents eagerly sat in the audience waiting; including this one agent that would make or break our modelling career. I lowered my head. I wonder how the others will act going up against each other or even if we remain friends afterwards. I clicked my nails as we neared the prestige modelling recruitment agency.
When I arrived Lachlan was sitting on his own. I went over to speak with him and he put his hand up.
“Leave me alone, Sabi, I really need to be alone right now.”
I raised my eyebrows and turned to walk away. Being the first on the line for the catwalk, I made a bee-line toward the bathroom to shower and change into my gown before others got in there to get ready. As I neared the bathroom I heard crying. I followed the sound and found Delilah crying on the seat outside her dressing room.
“Delilah, what’s wrong?” Between tears, Delilah blurted out that Kit had told her that they were interviewing family members and putting the outcome of this competition all over the internet.
“Oh, I see.” She’d told me about her father’s reputation on a number of occasions. Why would Kit say such a thing?
“Anyway I don’t want to win now,” Delilah said welling up again, “so it doesn’t matter.” She got up and ran off.
I called after her but she was gone in a flash. At the same moment Ashley rushed past me nearly knocking me off balance. “Ashley? Hey stop! What’s going on around here?”
“Shut up, Sabi, did you trash my room?”
“What? No, I’ve just arrived.”
“Well somebody did and you know where that is going to end. I’m out of here.”
“No, Ashley don’t leave. Whoever did it, are you going to let them win? In fact that is probably their intention to try and make you leave.”
“Fine but don’t be surprised if you lose, because someone is trying to sabotage the rest of us.” Ashley stormed off.
Mm…first Lachlan, then Delilah and now Ashley. It’s got to be Kit or someone that was cut from the competition out for revenge. Well I can’t let their issues distract me. After all I’m here to win also. I walked into the bathroom deep in thought forgetting to lock the door, I turned on the shower. I couldn’t stop thinking about my class mates and what had happened. As I stepped out the bathroom door slammed shut. “What the heck?” I tried the door to make sure it was still open. I breathed out, thank goodness for that! As I dressed I suddenly realised the necklace my mum gave me, my beautiful lockett was missing. It had a picture of dad on one side and all of us together as a family on the other. After screaming loud, I sat with my towel around me for several minutes until I heard Maggie knock at the door.
“Sabi, you’re on in 15 minutes, hurry up.”
I snapped out of my reverie, dressed in my gown and applied my makeup. As I adorned my jewellery, anger boiled up inside me. Right, Kit or whomever you are, I’m not playing your little game. I know my necklace will be returned it's no value to anyone else, they’re just trying to knock us off balance emotionally. Well it’s not going to work!
After ensuring everything was perfect I strode out confidently and owned the catwalk. The audience gasped all together when I walked out the first time and after I'd done a few twirls and dips, they yelled and cheered as I walked past them. I turned to go back and saw three heads quickly retreating behind the false wall set up as a backdrop at the start of the catwalk. Even Lachlan had a strange, dreamy look in his eyes. I giggled, which broke his stare and then he removed himself quickly.
http://i.imgur.com/yOtaOx8.jpg
