✭ ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇ ✭

ᴏʟᴅᴇʀ

ᴀ ꜰᴇᴡ ʏᴇᴀʀꜱ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ...
ʏ/ɴ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ

Summer mornings always had a quiet warmth to them, and today was no different. The sunlight spilled through the curtains, brushing my skin with soft gold. I stretched out under the sheets before sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

No school today, thank God being homeschooled had its perks. But this wasn't just a lazy summer morning.

I had two important things on my schedule: a dentist appointment to get my braces tightened and a photo shoot later in the afternoon.

I was 15 now, and it was 2005. One more year until these shiny pink train tracks came off my teeth and I was so ready.

I walked to the bathroom, brushing my teeth extra carefully before hopping into the shower.

The water was warm and calming, washing away any nervous energy. When I stepped out, I wrapped my towel around me and stood in front of the mirror.

I studied my reflection for a moment. My curls had grown longer, darker, and bigger. My freckles still dusted my cheeks, and I had this soft glow from the sun. But still... I sighed.

I wished I looked more like the supermodels in magazines. I still hadn't "filled out" the way I imagined I would by now.

No curves, barely a chest, and don't even get me started on my butt. It'll come, I told myself. It has to.

Back in my room, I picked out my outfit for the day: low-waisted jeans that hugged my hips just right, and a black long-sleeve crop top with thumbholes.

It was cute. It was very 2005. I slipped on my sneakers, grabbed my purse and keys, and headed for the door.

Just as I was about to leave, I opened it to find Tom standing right outside.

"Tom, hi," I said with a small smile, stepping outside and closing the door behind me.

"Hey, Y/N. Where are you off to?" he asked, eyes flicking down to my outfit before meeting mine again.

"I have to go to the dentist first. Then I've got a photo shoot later," I said, turning to lock the door behind me.

"What time do you think you'll be back?" he asked, sounding casual but his eyes lingered, curious.

I glanced back at him, raising a brow. "Maybe around five. Why?"

ᴛᴏᴍ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ

"Maybe around five. Why?" she asked, her voice soft and playful.

The truth? I just wanted more time with her. Ever since we were eight, Y/N had been part of my everyday life.

She used to come over all the time, and I never got tired of it. She's just...different. In the best way.

"I just wanted to know if you'd wanna come over. We miss you," I said. I meant I missed her but Bill and the guys did too, even if they wouldn't say it out loud.

She gave me a teasing smile. "I think I can make it. But you better be free when I show up."

She leaned in and gave me a hug before heading off. I watched her walk to her car, her curls bouncing with each step.

Y/N had changed a lot since we were kids. Her hair had grown out, her lashes were longer, her lips fuller.

She still had her signature freckles, and even though she always complained about her body, I thought she looked perfect.

She said she didn't have curves yet, but honestly? She didn't need to. She was already beautiful. And she didn't even know it.

ʏ/ɴ'ꜱ ᴘᴏᴠ

The dentist appointment went exactly how I expected tightening the braces felt like medieval torture. I held in the pain, smiled politely, and left as fast as I could.

ɴᴇxᴛ ꜱᴛᴏᴘ: ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴜᴅɪᴏ

When I arrived at the photo shoot, the building was bright, busy, and buzzing with voices. People moved around with clipboards, coffee, and confidence.

I walked in and was quickly greeted by another girl around my age except she was gorgeous. Like, model-perfect.

"Hi, I'm Y/N Jolie," I said, offering a small smile.

She looked me over, not smiling back. "Denise Richards," she said simply, before turning on her heel and walking off.

Um... okay. I blinked. What was that about? I hadn't even done anything. Some people were just born with an attitude, I guess.

A man with a headset approached me quickly. "Y/N, there you are! Let's get you ready."

I followed him through a maze of backdrops and lights to a small dressing room.

He handed me a sleek outfit: I looked like I was working in an office.

"Makeup will be in soon," he added.

I changed into the outfit, then sat down in the chair in front of the mirror.

When makeup arrived, they only added a little mascara and some lip gloss.

"We're leaving your hair natural," one of them said. "It's part of your look"

I grinned.

I looked at myself in the mirror. For once, I felt like I belonged in that chair. Not just a girl from next door. Not just the homeschooled kid with braces. But someone with a future.

☆

After the shoot wrapped up, I stood off to the side watching the photos roll across the screen, falling in love with each one. I looked amazing.

I was about to grab my things when I felt someone step next to me. I turned and saw her again, Denise.

"Not bad," she said, arms crossed, barely glancing at the screen. "For someone new."

I raised a brow. "Thanks. You looked... busy storming off earlier."

She smirked without humor. "I just wasn't expecting to share the shoot. Usually, I'm the only girl in the room. But I guess they needed 'diversity' today."

Ouch. She said it with a little too much edge, like she wanted me to flinch. I didn't.

Instead, I smiled sweetly. "Well, now they know what real competition looks like."

Denise's jaw tensed just slightly. Then, out of nowhere, she pulled a pen from her purse and scribbled her number on a torn piece of paper.

"Here. Call me if you ever need advice," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Or want to know how this industry actually works."

Then she winked, flipped her glossy hair over her shoulder, and strutted out like she was still on a runway.

I looked down at the number, rolled my eyes, and shoved it in my bag. That girl had claws but so did I.