The Mermaid Tale "If I Could Stand"

Unwanted Feelings

It was hot. It was cold. The room was filled with so many tall girls. They had plasters of make up on their faces and prissy dresses. Me on the other hand, just had one my regular face. Andrina told me the biggest mistake on coming to a modeling convention was wearing make up. Agencies want to see fresh faces nothing fake.

"How long are we gonna be here? It's hot as hell." I whisper in her ear. She simply shakes her head. She gives me the signal not to embarrass her.

"Anastasia?" A woman calls from the front of the room. I walk between the other girls who eye me up and down. I glare at them.

"Just follow me in here. We want you to talk about yourself." The woman says sitting down in the seat.
I look into the dark and I see judges sitting in chairs with pens drilling the paper in front of them.

"Anastasia where were you born?" At this moment I was freaked out. How was I supposed to know? Andrina never even told me what to do.

"I-uh was adopted. I'm not sure where I'm actually from. I think I'm from Hawaii."

"What do you like to do?"

"I like walking. I like the outside with nature and I love to draw. I enjoy being with friends. I really like writing in my diary."

She nods. Her eyes are bright and cheerful. She looked too happy. I guess it was her job to make people comfortable but she did the complete opposite smiling like that....

"What do you think makes you beautiful on the outside?" She says tilting her head thoughtfully. I wasn't sure if I was truly beautiful. I thought I was pretty but I thought beauty was something you had to discover.

"I'm not sure. I haven't found what's beautiful with me yet."

"I'd say your red hair and unique face. You have perfect features." She says smiling.

I smile back at her but I felt like she was lying. She probably said this to all the girls.

" Before you leave we want to take some photos for you. We found the ugliest outfit out there and we want you to model in it."

I followed her to the back. There, I see photographers around staring at me. They smile and wave and I wave back.

"I'm Angela by the way." She says handing me this color clashing dress.

"So I try this on?"

"Yes. Now, tell me what is your favorite thing to do? What is your favorite activity?"

"I have this bike at home."

"Then you'll model on a bike. Now go get dressed!" She says shooing me into the dressing room.

After about five minutes I come out in this rainbow dress. It comes to right about my knees.

"Beautiful!" She says clapping. I smile as I follow her outside.

There, we get into a van and we drive away from the studio.

"You excited?" One camera man asks.

I look at him and I study him. He looked beautiful. He had a middle eastern accent. He had his dark hair slicked back. His skin was light skinned but tan and his skin was shiny and clear. His eyes were light like a hazelnut. He looked tall but he was definitely older than me.

"I'm very..." I say shyly.

He smiles and winks at me. I blush and we pull up to the area for the shooting.

"Alright Anastasia this is the photographer. His name is Azul."

"We met." He says interrupting her.