Chapter 52 Audrey

I stood in the middle of our cramped studio, surrounded by a whirlwind of fabric scraps, half-finished designs, and the frantic energy of my friends. The fashion show was only days away, and we were all feeling the pressure.

"Okay, let's go over the checklist one more time," I said, tapping my pen against my clipboard. "Are the outfits all together?"

"Check!" Tina called from behind a rack of clothes.

"What about the accessories?" I called out.

"I'm just putting the finishing touches on the earrings for the second outfit," Avis said as she waved a handful of glittering jewelry in my direction.

"And the makeup and hairstyles are all decided?"

"All set," Betty confirmed, gesturing to her overflowing makeup case and her sketches.

I was about to ask about the models when my phone buzzed as if on cue. Frowning, I pulled it out and saw an email notification. As I read the message, my heart sank.

"Guys," I said, my voice so **e it was hardly more than a whisper. "We have a problem."

Gavin looked up from where he was adjusting a hemline of a dress. "What's wrong?"

I swallowed hard and held my phone up. "The models just canceled on us. They both got strep throat, and they can't make it to the show."

For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence. Then, chaos erupted.

""What?!" Tina shrieked.

"How could they do this to us?" Avis wailed.

"We're doomed," Gavin groaned, dramatically flopping onto a nearby chair.

I felt like I was going to be sick. I should have known that hiring siblings as models was too risky, because if one of them got sick, then the other would, too. And now, all of our hard work, all those late nights... it was all going to be for nothing if we couldn't find models in time for the show.

calm down!" Betty's voice cut through the panic. We all turned to look at her. "I have an idea," she

considering it for a moment. "That... could actually work," I admitted, chewing my lower

Gavin asked,

"We know the clothes better than anyone. And

us had any real modeling experience, but Betty was right; it was our only

a deep breath and setting down my clipboard. "Let's give it a try. Everyone, pick an outfit and let's

some test runs.

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our studio turned into an impromptu runway We took turns trying on different outfits and strutting up and down the length of

+5

I commented as Betty struck a power pose at the end of

and excitement as I stepped out in a sleek evening

I did

my

best to

to show off, we huddled together

be our female model," I said, and the others nodded in agreement without

widened. "Me?

perfect, and you look fantastic

faltered. "Wait, what about a male model? We still need one

who immediately threw up his hands. "Oh no, not

Gavin," I pleaded. "Just

of our men's outfits. As he awkwardly shuffled down our makeshift runway, his long limbs flailing, we tried our best to stifle our laughter and put on our best encouraging smiles. But Gavin was right; he wasn't cut

my lip to keep from grinning. "Maybe Gavin isn't our best option for a

at the

the reality of our situation sank in once again. We were so close, but

said as I picked up my new drawing tablet. "I can make recruitment posters and hang

I quickly sketched out a design. Within minutes, I had prepared an eye-catching poster

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