The Lucky One

Chapter Five

Chapter Five

I awoke the next morning to the shrill shriek coming from my alarm clock. I slammed the button down and pulled myself out of bed. The floorboards were freezing cold and I quickly jumped back into the sheets. Just five more minutes, I thought to myself as I closed my eyes and pulled the sheets over my head. 

Fifteen minutes later; it was eight fifteen and I was going to be late for the job interview. "NO! NO! NO!" I yelled as I ran to the bathroom. I quickly washed my face, brushed my teeth and got changed. I looked through my wardrobe. I needed something elegant and dressy, I thought to myself. I found a casual top and the dressiest skirt I could find (not really that dressy, but the best thing I had). I quickly put it on and threw a thick coat over the top. I skipped breakfast and hurried downstairs.

I looked out to the kerb. No car...? Oh, that's right. Derek decided to take his crap car back, I'd have to walk. I looked at the address on the business card. I knew where this was, kind of anyway. I quickly walked as fast as I could downt the street. I could see my breath every time I breathed in and out, it really was a cold day. I looked at my watch; 8:45. I was definitely going to be late. Paul had given me an appointment to apply at 9 and there was only fifteen minutes left. He could have texted me earlier than ten at night. I would never get there in time. I started jogging, which was regrettable since I was wearing the most expensive pair of heels I had. 

Ten seconds later, I knew it was a bad choice. I'd broken the thin heel and sprained my ankle. "Ow, ow, ow!" I exclaimed in pain. I ripped the heel of the shoe completely off and limped towards the office. I'd have to make that appointment. I needed that job big time.

I finally arrived...half an hour late, puffing with a sore ankle. 

"Why are you so late?" a stern woman snapped as I entered.

"I'm sorry, I had to walk because..." my voice trailed off when I realised Paul was appearing from behind the wall. "I had no car so I had to walk," I said quietly.

"Anyway, we have to get started," she said, hurrying me into the dressing room. "She is the one you're talking about?" she turned, asking Paul.

"Yeah," he replied.

"Well, we can try to work with this," she said, observing me.

I felt extremely self conscious as I stood there awkwardly. I could hear Paul try to control his laugh a few times.

"Get out!" the woman snapped.

The smile was wiped off his face as he walked out of the room.

"Wear this, hurry," she said, passing me a dress on a coat hanger.

"Umm, okay," I agreed as I waddled away to get changed.

I changed into the one shouldered beige dress. I'd never worn anything so nice, it was quite a strange feeling. I felt so self conscious and I had to suck my stomach in.

"Alright, girls, get started on her makeup and hair," she instructed a few people who I assumed were makeup artists when I'd walked out.

I took a seat on a cushiony swivel black chair as about five people fixed my hair and makeup.

"We're done," they said as the showed me a mirror.

Wow, I thought to myself.My hair had small bouncy curls at the bottom and my eyes were bigger than usual. I looked completely different. 

"Ok, come over here, the photo shoot is now," the old lady instructed, re-appearing.

I quickly walked over to where she was standing and slipped on some shoes she'd given to me to wear for the shoot. She moved me into position and made me stand there.

"Lean on your left foot more," she instructed.

My left foot? It was sprained. No matter, the money, I need to pay him back, I thought to myself. I would need to sacrifice my comfort. I leaned down on my left leg. The pain was evident, my ankle was pretty much close to purple and I was dying of pain. I remained like this for the next half an hour as they took several shots.

"This is good, we'll take some more tomorrow. Your work only goes for half the day," she said. "Remember to be on time tomorrow. Take a car," she said to me with what seemed like half a smile. 

I quickly changed out of my clothes and put the broken shoes back on as I walked out of the office. It was a pretty good job. I wonder how much the pay was. Probably not much; After all, I'm just a rookie. This was just to see if I was alright as a model. I was invited back tomorrow, maybe I've been accepted...? I thought to myself as I limped out of the office.

I opened the door and a big gush of wind blew at my face. It was going to be hard to walk home. The thing on the news from last night still bothered me, a lot. I didn't want to be seen as someone who was scabbing off money, I thought to myself.

Anyway, tomorrow was my birthday and I was definitely going to spend the day with Vivienne, Han, Trinh and Gec. Something to take my mind off of the stress. I continued limping as I headed up the hill. My ankle was badly swollen and it hurt like hell.

"Do you need a lift?" Paul offered, winding his window down.

"Nah, it's alright. I have no intention of being seen as scabbing off you," I laughed.

"No, seriously. It's freezing cold outside and my mum's gonna be pissed if a new model's ankle is bright purple."

"You noticed?"

"It's bright purple!" he exclaimed. "So, get in?"

"Ok," I agreed, getting into the car. It was so nice inside. It was a silver Camaro, very cool.

"You don't have a car?" he asked.

"Uh, yes I do," I lied.

"That's a lie. I heard you tell my mum."

"Yeah, yeah, I don't have a car." I admitted. "Rub it in,"

"Well then, we're going to have to change that. My mum wants to make sure all models get to their shoots on time. Let's go look at cars,"

"What? Really?"

I could hear his phone ringing.

"Hello?" he answered. "Really? Right now? I'm busy," he remained silent for a while. "Fine, fine. I'll be right there."

"Something wrong? I can walk," I offered.

"No, don't worry. I texted Stephen, he's on his way here,"

"I don't want to be a bother or anything..." I said slowly.

"You're going to need a car eventually!"

"Yeah...I'll wait until I save up the money," 

"Do you want to lose that job?" he asked, looking at me.

"Well no..." I replied.

"Good. Then I'll need to buy you a car,"

"Buy...me...a...car?" I repeated slowly.