The Fourth of July and the Surrounding Events

Chapter 22

After the photographers started putting away their equipment, I sought out my mother. She had said she was going to pick me up at 6:30, but it was nearly 7:00, and there was no sign of her. Making my way through the white tents to a table, I ran through the day's events in my head. Sarah came home, I did a shoot with CMA, I saw the girl who Morgan had left the restaurant with, who I thankfully was able to avoid the entire day, and I was promised an email with details about publication. The day, though strange, was turning out to be okay. 

A tap on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. 

"Hey," a smooth velvety voice said.

Turning, I mentally palmed my face for not knocking on wood. The day just got a lot less okay. "Hi." 

"I'm Emery, one of the scouts for Clade Models."

Standing up to greet her, I shook my shoulders out. 

She's not out to get me. She probably doesn't even know anything about me. 

"Alexandria, one of the models. I'm not sure how I got here. My dear mother brought me without details," I shared. 

The night I ruined things with Morgan, I barely got a good look at Emery, but up close, she was truly stunning. Clearly mixed, maybe Indonesian and some type of European, her eyes perfectly slanted, and high cheekbones, I understood the appeal she had to Morgan. Jealously filled my thin frame as my brain tore my confidence down to a thread.  

"Nice to meet you, Alexandria," she replied, continuing the niceties. "I'm having a small get-together in an hour if you want to come. It'll only be the models and a friend of mine." 

That's when the mental argument started. On one hand, this girl seemed genuinely decent, and she didn't have to invite me. I wouldn't have known if she hadn't. It sounded like a good idea, I haven't gotten out of the house in days, and maybe, just maybe, this might raise my spirits. On the other hand, there are reasons why I don't try to make new friends. I'm awkward, and honestly, though I can be extraverted, I am introverted. 

Going with the option that I knew would make my mother proud, I accepted her invitation and she gave me the information. If Sarah knew I turned down an offer to socialize and make connections, she'd never let me hear the end of it. 

Finishing up the conversation, I gave the excuse that I needed to call my mother because I was starting to like this girl. She was with Morgan when they left the dinner and there's no doubt in my mind that this high-class socialite didn't hook up with my best friend.

Not that I can call her that anymore. I ruined that. 

My mother turned out to be back at home, as she had left after an hour or so of watching flashing lights. Which left me to find myself a ride home. Uber would take 25 minutes, and Lyft was about the same. Perks of living in a small town? Shitty transportation. Sitting by the curb checking taxicab times, I felt a person behind me. 

"Hey," I said, expecting Emery to be there. 

A deep voice let me know that it was not Emery, but a guy around my age. 

"Hey yourself," he said, sitting beside me, "Any reason why you're still here?"

"Mother left me," I explained, "I'm Alexa."

"Gael."

"Why are you still here?" I questioned him, putting my phone down.

"Saw you here and figured I couldn't leave a damsel in distress all alone, now could I?" he laughed, "No, but in all actuality, I just saw you here."