Runway Love

Chapter Six

Today is the day of my second show. It's a pretty big deal, considering I'm going to be in the same runway with people like Kelly Jane and Sierra Jones again. I was kind of excited to see Connor again when I walked out on the runway, too. He called last night. I told him I wouldn't fall into his arms again. He said that's fine, but if I did fall, he wouldn't hesitate to catch me again. Except people might think we're repeating the act again. But still, the fact that he said that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I felt the urge to push away the warm and fuzzy feelings, but instead I let them hang around within whatever party of my body keeps those feelings. Probably my heart, but it could always be the spleen. Either way, I'm pretty sure I like Connor. I like him in all ways possible and I hate myself for falling so fast for him.

"Jaime, thirty seconds!" a voice called from outside of the dressing room. I sat up and rushed outside in my vibrant pink dress and white pumps. My hair cascaded down my back in soft beach waves. Dana said that George planned out my entire outfit, makeup and hairdo and it slightly scares me how obsessed George is with details and being in control of everything. But whatever, Dana thinks he's the greatest thing and he gets the job done.

"Alright, go!" the intern next to me commanded. I walked out from behind the curtain, and began to strut down the runway. I tried looking straight, but my eyes couldn't help but scan the crowd for Connor. All I could see was the crowd and the flashes of the camera. I kept Dana's advice of l don't fall again or I'll send you back to your home town" in mind, and paid no attention to the near blinding flashes, and made it to the end of the runway. I placed my hand on my hip and as instructed, I smiled at the crowds and cameras, then walked back down.

That's when I saw Connor. He was at the same spot where I had fallen. I felt my face get all hot. There were still photographers there. Dana said I'd have to get used to it if I wanted to get somewhere in this industry. I didn't really care that there were photographers there, all I saw was Connor smile and wave at me, and I could help but break out of character. I looked down to him and smiled back. The moment was electric, but short as the next model came out from behind the curtain and I was out of the spotlight. I quickly ran over to the entrance off to the side where I could see Connor. It's as if he knew I was there, as he looked over moments after I got there. I gestured for him to walk over, and he did. The second he got here, I took his hand.

"Well, it's a privilege to be personally called over by a model.l he joked, smiling down at me. I laughed, smiling back at him.

"Wanna go get coffee?" I asked him.

"Don't you have to get back to your boss?" he replied. "Don't you have another dress to display?" he was fretting more about my career than I usually did. His concern for me made me like him even more. I caressed his arm, watching as he calmed down a bit.

"No, I don't. I don't have anything else to do, except be with you." I spoke softly. "So what do you say, coffee?"

Connor laughed, and eventually nodded his head. "No, let's go on an adventure instead." he said, taking my hand and leading us out the back exit. We both got into his car, and began our adventure. It was really just sightseeing. But having Connor showing me around made it much more memorable.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked me, keeping his eyes on the road. "There's not a lot in Santa Barbara, but we could always just drive around."

"The beach. I've been dying to go there since I've been here, but I've been so busy." I said.

Connor raised an eyebrow at me. "Really? Not even for a shoot?" he asked me. Wouldn't he know? Trevor is the guy Dana usually brings in for photos.

"Well, I'm new so.." I drifted off. I think Connor still understood where I was getting at. "Is this it?" I asked, pointing over at the rolling waves that crashed onto the sand.