Who They Really Are

four

The next week was spent with Martha keeping a constant watch on Kat. She picked her up for every shoot, and stayed the whole time, lingering around behind the cameramen. Kat assured her that there was no need for this, that she had learned her lesson, but she'd said that before too and Martha was taking no chances.

The week went by slow and boring until Friday afternoon. Kat was extremely excited for her Victoria's Secret audition, and very nervous. She knew that once she got through this the rest of the weekend would be hers to relax, but she also knew her dream was riding on this one audition. She had to do her absolute best.

Kat walks into the studio around 1:45, and there was a line of girls in sweatshirts and leggings waiting for their turn to go in. She looked around, waiting for Martha to come back and tell her what to do. She sat down and waited for a few minutes until Martha came back with a some clothes.

"Go put all of this on then wait in line with the rest of the girls. You've got this," she says, kissing Kat on the cheek.

Kat smiles, taking the bag, and goes to the bathroom and changes into her outfit then goes back to sit with the rest of the girls. She chats with a few of them every once and a while, but it was mostly quiet in the room full of nervous girls.

She waited about an hour while the string of girls in front of her shortened until it was finally her turn.

"Kat Riley?" A younger lady with blonde hair walked out of the audition room and asked.
Kat stood, smiling, and followed her into the room. The lady lead her into a little corner where there was a makeshift changing area set up.

"Go ahead and get yourself ready, then wait for us to call your name. Then you can walk out."
Kat nodded, then began to undress as the lady walked away. For the audition she had to walk down the room exactly like she would on the runway, only at the end of the line there would only be 3 people there watching and judging her every move.

Kat shivered a little bit at the thought, or maybe it was just the outfit she had on. For the audition all girls wore the same thing- a plain black bra and tiny black underwear.

This was something Kat wasn't used to- she was normally fully clothed in all the work she'd done before. She was completely comfortable in her own skin, but showing this much of it to some strangers who were there to judge her made her more nervous than she'd ever been.

She turned and looked in the mirror to the right of the door and studied her reflection.
You're fine. You've got this completely. And you look amazing, she mouthed to herself.

"Come on out, Kat," someone outside the room called.
Kat took one last deep breath, then walked out.

•••••••
The audition took maybe 20 minutes at most. Kat walked down the middle of the room, doing her best walk, and struck a pose at the end giving the people her best pouty face. She did a couple more twirls when they asked, then they asked her different questions about herself, her previous modeling, and why she wanted to be in the show. No one questioned her about things that had happened in the previous weeks, and she felt very confident as she left the audition room.

"Soooo.....??" Martha asked as she walked out with her.

Kat broke out into a grin. "I think it went... very well."

"With that smile I'm sure it went fantastic," Martha answers, opening the door to Kat's car for her.

They both climbed in, then Martha gave her the typical run down.

"This weekend is yours. We have no plans so you're free to go home to New York or home to Pennsylvania. But those are the only two options I'm giving you, Dear."

Kat nods, knowing she was the only reason for her limited options.

"Then when you get back we have that Seventeen Magazine interview and shoot on Tuesday and Wednesday, and then the Teen Choice Awards on Saturday. You can go down to Vicci's on Friday to pick your dress out."

Kat nods again, this time more excitedly. She was up for Choice Model this year, and just getting the opportunity to go to the awards was amazing for her. She'd grown up watching every awards show she could, dreaming of being able to go to just one. And now she was nominated for an award at one!

They arrived at the hotel as Martha finished her speech about being responsible, and Kat got on her phone as she stepped into her room.

"Hello?" The person on the other end of the line answered.

"Hey Mom," Kat responded. "Mind if I come home for the weekend?"

There was a short pause, then, "Of course not, Honey! We'd all love that. Especially the boys."

Kat smiles at her moms enthusiasm. "Great. I'll take as early a flight as I can get. But on one condition..."

"What is it, Kat?"

"No lectures about the things I've done. I'm 19 and don't need or want that in my life right now. I just need you to trust me."

"I think your father and I can manage that since you'll just be home for the weekend.."

"Good. See you soon, Mom."

"I love you, Sweetie."

"I love you, too."

Kat hung up her phone and packed her bags even though it was only 6:00. She ordered up food for dinner and put in a movie, taking some time to relax and try to not stress about whether or not her parents were going to keep their promise. She was just happy to be able to go home and see her little brothers, even if it was just for the weekend.