My Deadly Desire

Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Runway Rendezvous

Isabella's POV

The backstage buzz was electric, with models scurrying about like colorful butterflies in their vibrant attire. My heart raced as I adjusted the straps of my elegant black dress, feeling a strange blend of excitement and nervousness. Who would've thought that a criminology major would find herself here, living out her fashion dreams?

I glanced over at Diana, my ever-supportive best friend. She was the perfect foil to my fashion frenzy, her down-to-earth nature a soothing contrast to my exuberance. "Can you believe I'm doing this, Diana?" I quipped, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Diana chuckled, her eyes filled with pride. "Isabella, you're going to rock that runway like a boss, as always."

Her words were the shot of confidence I needed. With a grin, I gave her a playful punch on the arm. "That's what I like to hear. If I trip, you're carrying me off the stage, okay?"

She nodded, her eyes twinkling. "Deal. But you won't trip. You're a pro at this, and besides, your golden retriever energy doesn't allow it."

I laughed, loving the way Diana always saw the bright side of things. "You know me too well. Speaking of which, do you think they have snacks backstage? A girl needs her fuel, even on the catwalk."

Diana rolled her eyes, a gesture that had become a fond tradition between us. "Isabella, your love for food knows no bounds. I'll check the snack situation for you, but right now, you need to focus on strutting your stuff."

The call to line up came, and I took a deep breath. It was showtime. As I walked towards the stage, Diana's encouraging words echoed in my mind, infusing me with the confidence to face the spotlight.

The runway stretched out before me, and the lights blinded me momentarily. But as I stepped onto the stage, all my nerves disappeared. This was my happy place, where my passion for fashion and modeling met my sense of humor, creating a unique cocktail of charm.

I strutted down the runway with the grace of a seasoned model, my thoughts dancing in italics. Just a few more steps, and then it's snack time, Bella. You've got this.

The audience erupted into applause as I reached the end of the runway. I turned with a flourish and made my way back, savoring every moment under the spotlight. This feels like home.

As I exited the stage, Diana was there, beaming with pride. "You did amazing, Isabella!"

I couldn't help but grin, my heart still pounding with exhilaration. "I know, right? I should probably consider a career change to full-time modeling."

Diana laughed, her eyes twinkling with affection. "One step at a time, Bella. But who knows, maybe you'll end up juggling criminology, fashion, and a modeling career someday."

And with Diana by my side, anything seemed possible. We headed backstage, ready to take on the rest of the event, my heart still thumping with the thrill of the runway. I may be pursuing a path of crime-solving, but for now, let's just focus on solving the mystery of these snacks.

After the event, the exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks. It was an inter-college extravaganza, but I felt like I had taken on the whole world. "Diana," I said with a dramatic sigh, "I need to go home and hibernate. There's no way I can survive more of these events tonight."

Diana nodded understandingly, her brown eyes sparkling with empathy. "Bella, you've just conquered the runway. You deserve some rest. We can catch the highlights of the other events later."