we run this ⇒ cel, kbh & mnz

maddie? a model? sure...

"Hey C!" Kalani winks cheekily, her face turning into a smirk.

Just as I am about to reply, the three B's turn around, all of their sharp, penciled eyebrows raised.

"Oh – hi guys." I say sheepishly, mentally slapping myself for being so stupid.

"Hi." Maddie replies with a fake smile.

Of the three girls, I have to admit that Maddie looks the worst. Her face is plastered with luminous orange foundation that isn't even applied all over her forehead, and where she has tried to cover her minimal acne the concealer is dark and heavy. Her eyes are actually looking nice if I'm honest. It's the eyebrows that ruin them. They are inky and far too fake. They look as if she's got a three-year-old to colour them in for her – all blotchy and uneven. It's a shame really, since she has such a pretty face. I look down at her feet to see a set of designer heels and my eyes widen.

"They're cute right?" Maddie says, realising I've noticed them. I just nod my head in admiration, not taking my eyes away. "Yeah, they're Dolce and Gabbana." She continues smugly. "My mum works for them – she told me they were looking for models recently. I think I might go for it. You think I should?"

I look up at her when she says this, not sure what to say.

"Y-yes. Definitely!" I stutter, throwing my arms out to the side with a half-confused, half-happy look on my face. Maddie just grins smugly and lifts her chin as if she is above everyone else.

"Good. Because I was going to audition anyway – even if you said no."

I smile and laugh awkwardly, not knowing if she is joking or if she is serious, but too scared to confront her.

"We all know you'll get the job." Kendall adds, kissing up to Maddie like she always does. Jordyn nods along, her arms folded across her chest.

"Yeah, you'll definitely get it." Kalani says, taking my wrist and pulling me towards her. Usually I'd be mad at her for pulling me around, but right now I'm like a lost puppy – not knowing how to act or what to say, so I'm thankful that she's helping me out. I must look like the biggest idiot in the world.

"You guys wait here. We'll go and get some drinks." Kalani drags me away, her fake French nails digging into my wrist.

"Ouch! Cut it out why don't you?" I shout, tugging myself from her grasp as soon as we're out of earshot, trying not to show any weakness and to snap back to my usual independent self.

"Oh stop! You were making a fool out of yourself up there. I'm trying to help you, dingbat." Kalani glares, her hazel eyes now looking black in the darkness.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. You know I'm not good around cool people." I reply, looking down at my feet and rucking up a small piece of moss from between two paving stones with the tip of my high-heeled boots.

"Don't worry. You'll be the life of the party once you have a few more of these!" Kalani chuckles, handing me two bottles of beer.

I giggle back, watching her try to carry two bottles and balance a third on top, but failing.

"Look." I say, placing the two bottles she gave me back down on the table, and then taking another and slotting it between my arm and my chest. "See?" I smile, then picking up the other two carefully in my hands. Kalani claps sarcastically and then does the same, instead taking four, with two placed beneath her arms and two grasped in her fingertips.

"Cool. Let's go." She winks. And just like that we're off, straight back to the party.