The Fourth of July and the Surrounding Events

Chapter 25

Waking up a few days after the party was similar to every other day: like hell. I wanted nothing but to stay at home and wallow in my self-pity, but my mother had other plans. Waking me up at the crack of dawn, which was more like 10:30 AM, she dragged me out the door.

"Why are you always so cryptic about where we're going?" I complained to my mom, who barely seemed to be listening. 

Brushing my words off, she simply walked towards a cab, her heels clicking on the cobbled driveway. 

"Fine, ignore me then," I muttered, opening the car door rather roughly, getting in.

My mother's head snapping up, she snapped at me. "Get your shit together, Alexandria. You are not going to screw anything up today. Are we clear?"

So, she heard about the party?

Sinking deeper into my seat, I felt my cheeks burn. No matter how much I've told myself I don't have to listen or care about what Sarah says, her chastising always felt like a slap to the face. "Yes, sorry," I mumbled.

She just nodded, signaling to the driver that we were ready to be off. 

The car ride was silent enough to hear a pin drop. I didn't dare move. Ever since my dad left, she became uptight. Her strict and cutthroat attitude never ceased. It was terrifying at times. I know my dad cheated. I didn't always know, but after years of finding my mother nursing a bottle of Bourbon every anniversary, I eventually found out the truth. But even after knowing that, I just wanted him back. He was my father and we had good times, irrespective of later scandals. 

The car came to a halt at the piers where white tents were set up, much as they had been for the previous modeling gig. Clade Models. Well, my mother certainly knows how to do damage control. There was no doubt in my mind that word had gotten back to her about my behavior at the afterparty, however, with my mother's, and unfortunately, Tyler's influence, no one would speak a word of it. They wouldn't dare cross the woman wearing red bottoms carrying a golden pocket knife, with a boyfriend to match. 

Getting out of the car, the daughter of Clade Models came up to us with an envelope in her hand. 

"Hello, Ms. Hart, Alexa," Emery nodded to us in greeting. "Alexa, if you'd like to go over with to the tents, I need to have a word with your mother." 

Obliging, I walked over without putting up a fight. It wasn't worth it after the scene I had caused at her house. I was already in enough trouble, I don't need my mother to hate me any more than she already does. 

A few minutes later, I found myself in 3-inch heels and a silky, green slip dress. Muttering to myself about why I chose to be follow through with modeling all these years, with the foot pain I always acquired, a familiar voice got my attention. 

"Gael," I exclaimed. The boy looked good. He was in a gray suit with green accents. His cool eyes sparkled with humor. 

"Hey, Alexandria. You really do know how to make an impression, don't you?" he laughed. 

Oh god, so has everyone heard of my indecency?

Laughing it off, I shrugged. "It's part of my charm." But inside, my cheeks were aflame. Hearing that more and more people knew, just added to the embarrassment that I felt waking up the morning after. 

Shaking myself off, I followed the instructions given to me and the shoot went smoothly. I used the time I had alone in my headspace to devise an apology to Emery. Yeah, she's still a best friend and potential lover stealing bitch, but she didn't deserve my ridiculous attitude. After I got changed out of my clothes, I would explain myself and try to form a civil agreement.