What Now? | N.H.

Chapter 11 | Runway

I waited nervously behind the curtain waiting for my time to walk. The line of models in front of me kept getting shorter until I was next. The girl in front of me had gone. I shook my arms and legs out before straightening my posture and walking out onto the runway.

    I step out onto the long white runway. It's a liberating feeling to walk down the runway with the train of the silk dragging behind me. I stare into the bright lights ahead and walk forward, swaying my hips confidently, swinging my arms at my side.

When I reached the end of the runway I stepped my right leg out, untied the silk outer garment, and let it hang on the lower half of my arms. I posed and spun around receiving an applaud from the audience. I kept my head raised as I walked back towards the curtain.

Once I got behind the curtain I hurried to the dressing area where I was swarmed by people fixing my hair and makeup and helping me change into my next outfit. The next outfit they put me in was a black, silk, slip dress with a cut in the leg. I slipped out of the shoes I had previously been wearing and put on a pair of tall, platformed, black heels with flower details.

I struggled walking in these heels but made it to the end of the runway and back successfully without falling. I changed once more into a velvet ball gown.

All of the models do one last walk together. The crowd erupts with applause as we all walk back onto the stage. I focus on looking ahead of me when I see Niall in the crowd smiling at me proudly. The corners of my lips turn up but I quickly force it down and continue walking. Seeing Niall in the crowd sent a wave of calm over me.

When I get backstage I start to get changed into a simple mid-length cocktail dress along with the other models.

As I slip the strap over my shoulder I hear someone behind me. "I love that dress," I turned around to see who said it. A girl with dark, golden, blonde hair is sitting in a chair behind me putting on a pair of heels.

"Thank you!"

"I'm Gigi by the way," She stands up and reaches her hand out towards me.

"Diana," I answered, shaking her hand and smiling.

"Is this your first show?" Gigi sits down in the chair at the mirror next to mine and fixes her makeup. "I haven't seen you around before,"

"Yeah, I was hired about two months ago,"

"You were really good. You didn't seem like a first-timer,"

"Thanks," I say excitedly "You were really good too. How long have you been modeling?" Our conversation went on like this and by the time we had to get to the after-party we were joking around and laughing.

We both walk out into the main room where various designers, guests, and photographers congregate.

"You should come to meet the boys," I nudge Gigi on the arm and wave her over to where I see the boys standing. I drag her arm through the crowd over to the small circle the boys were standing around. I let go and Niall walks up to me and lifts me into a hug. My toes barely touch the floor and I bury my face into his neck. Luckily most of the boys are distracted by something Louis had said. Niall puts me down and I join the table. They all smile at me and shower me with compliments which I accept gratefully.

"Who's this?" Louis says pointing at Gigi.

"Boys this is Gigi," I point at Gigi, and she waves. "Gigi this is Liam, Zayn, Louis, Niall, and Harry,"

I grab a glass of champagne off of the table and offer one to Gigi. Niall leans over and whispers in my ear, "You look so beautiful," I blush and playfully slap his shoulder.