Catch Me

Chapter 3

Maddy

The first week back in class was for some reason more stressful than the three years before, put together. I got the syllabus for each class, and it was a lot. I needed time to design for the new line. Cleo had been working nonstop since we landed in New York. She had a few meetings, none of which I could go to because I was in class, but she said they didn't need me for those. She did say I was going to have to find some time though because we needed to meet with people for the fabric and things like that were not her forte. I told her I would find the time. She also had a website done. All but the name of course, because I couldn't seem to think of one and that was driving me crazy. "We have to figure it out before we can order actual inventory, Maddy." She had told me on Wednesday when we opened the box with samples of my designs in it.

"I know. But this is a huge deal, Cleo. This is what people will know us for. It cannot be stupid. We can't just decide on something without knowing it's for sure it." I was more afraid of picking the wrong name than I had been when Cleo made me go with her to the interactive haunted house last year. I thought I was going to die then but, picking the wrong name for a fashion line I have spent years thinking about would kill me for real. To say that was adding to my stress was an understatement.

Thankfully, it was Friday, and I would have the weekend to think of a name and maybe get some design ideas that had been running through my head down with detail. I couldn't wait. I opened the door and heard laughing. "Maddy?" I heard Cleo from the kitchen.

"Yep," I popped the P as I kicked my shoes off and walked into the living room where I found Kierra and her best friend, Zara on the couch. Destiny was in laying on the floor, books all around her. She is always here studying. She might as well just move into the last bedroom we have. "What's up?" I asked them, throwing myself on the couch across from them, face down. I sighed and moved my head until I could see them both out of one eye.

"Nothing much," Zara said, cocking her head to the side to look at me. "Long day?" She was always so concerned about everyone around her. Maybe be because she was raised by two feelings therapist. I don't know if she is serious but, that is what she called them.

I turned my head to look at her better, "Long week," I sighed then sat up.

"Still no name?" Kierra asked. She has given us a few suggestions which weren't bad at all, but they weren't right either.

I shook my head at the same time that Cleo walked in and told her 'No'.

"You guys will get it," Zara told us, and we both nodded. We didn't doubt an ounce of our abilities. Both sets of parents have always been very encouraging in any way they could. We knew the name would come to us. I just wanted to get it now so that I could focus on the designs and Cleo could focus on the business side.

"Anyways, let's finish talking about tonight," Cleo smiled sitting beside me.

"What's tonight? PJ party?" I smiled. I liked that idea. I could relax and let the creativity just flow into me.

"Nope!" Kierra said then folded her lips in and sat back on the couch looking at Cleo.

"What is going on now, Cleo?" I asked turning to her.

"You got the party part right," she beamed.

I groan and sink into the couch, knowing where this is going and it's the exact opposite of what I had been planning.

"The girls convinced me that we all should celebrate making it through the first week of classes."

"You aren't in school, Cleo," I point out.