Why Wait?

35

Kelli's model picture! I didn't really want to have to do underwear because she's trying to prove to her brother that she can handle it. What do you think happens?

"Victoria's Secret Model Agency," a woman says on the other line. "This is Amelia speaking, how may I help you?"

I fidget with the ends of my hair. "I'm calling to speak with Barbara. She was expecting me to call."

The line stays silent for a few moments before. "Is this Kelli Ross speaking?"

"Yes," I say in my most formal voice. "This is she."

"I'll send you through to Barbara's office," she says before I'm put on hold.

Seconds later, a voice speaks back to me. "Kelli! I was waiting for your call. What have you decided? Did your brother like the pictures?"

My hair was now fully braded. I take it apart and start braiding again. "He, um, he loved them."

"Great! When do you want to start?"

"Start?" I ask in a quiet voice.

"Yes," she exclaims. "You are calling because you want me to hire you right? Because no one ever calls to say no. You want the job don't you?"

Yes, I want the job. But Austin will kill me. "I don't think---"

There's a knock on the door and I grab the phone before heading inside the built-in bathroom. "Okay," I tell her. "I guess I can start this Friday," I say, running a hand through my hair. "But please don't call my brother."

"Thank you, darling. This is going to be great. I will see you this Friday! Ta ta for now!"

She hangs up and I let out a sigh of relief.

Now I just have to hope whoever that was didn't hear my conversation. But as I walk out, I see Alex - his arms are crossed. "What are you doing Friday that you can't mention to your brother?'

I bite my lip. "N-nothing. I just... applied for a job. At Starbucks."

He goes to shut the door and turns back to face me. He takes my hands and leads me to the couch in my room. "What's going on?"

I show him the picture. "What do you think?" I ask. "And don't say anything my brother would say. I want you to be honest."

He stares at the picture for a long while, his expression blank. After a minute, he looks up. "You look beautiful."

I blush a little before managing a smile. "Why does everyone think so but Austin? Why can't he see it like you do?"

Alex looks over at me. "Kelli, why does it matter what your brother thinks?"

"He's the only family I have left. And maybe he doesn't agree with this whole modeling thing, but I'm going to show him that I can do this. And that I won't be like all those girls who become obsessed with trying to become someone I'm not."

He starts to smile and I notice him glancing down at my lips. "What do you want to be?"

"I want to help girls find themselves. I realize how ridiculously dorky that sounds but I feel like I'm so much more than Austin's little bipolar sister. I can do more than just snap at people and run away if I just get the chance to do so."

I must've said the right thing because he grins at me. "Do you realize what you just did?"

I shake my head slowly. He grabs my hands. "Kelli, you just proved that you aren't just doing this in the heat of the moment. That Cody has nothing to do with this. I guarantee you that if you let Austin know these things - everything you just told me - he'll probably change his mind."

My frown deepens. "You don't know Austin like I do. He doesn't change his mind. It won't matter what I say. I just wish he were like dad sometimes. Dad doesn't care what I do as long as I wake up the next day. And obviously that could be careless and stupid sometimes but if Austin were just a little bit more careless, I'd be happy."

"Do you really mean that?" Alex mutters quietly. "Do you really believe that Austin backing off will be the answer to all your problems?"

I don't even have to think about it. I look him directly in the eyes and nod. "Yes."

     ~~~modeling agency~~~

"You look gorgeous,  darling," Toni says in his lovely British accent. "A little to the left, bend you shoulders, pucker your lips. Yes, yes, my darling. Absolutely wonderful."

I continue posing as he tells me what to do. I catch Sidney's eye from the dressing room and she gives me a thumbs up. Minutes later, I was given my clothes and told to walk into Barbara's room.

She looks up from her laptop. "You have talent, Miss Ross. You really do."

I smile at her. "Thank you so much."

"I was hoping we could discuss a contract," she tells me, pulling out a few sheets of paper.

A contract? "I thought you said I already had a spot here."

She glances up from her computer. "Well, you do. But we need evidence in case something happens. It basically states that if you get injured on the job, the company can't be sued. A bunch of other safety issues involving your medication and stuff. But once you sign this, we can move on and we'll start talking about real modeling gigs in New York, slowly moving to France, then hopefully around the world."

I'm not exactly sure I should sign this yet. Austin doesn't know and if he does find out, he'll try to pull me out - which he probably can't do.

"How about this," she says softly. "I give you the contract to take home and you bring it back next week with your final answer. How does that sound?"

"Actually..." I pick up the pen.

Hey, guys!!!!!! Sorry about earlier. I accidentally published this unfinished chapter but it is now finished and it is all well.

Please let me know what you think about the chapter!!!!!!! I know it was kind of filler but in the next we will have some great things happening!

Can you guess?

Thanks for reading!! Have a great week!!!