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.

her. "I have an idea," she said, raising her hands in a placating gesture. "Why don't

her, considering it for a moment. "That... could actually

Gavin

know the clothes better than anyone. And it's not like we have many other options at this

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

breath and setting down my clipboard. "Let's give it a try. Everyone,

some test runs.

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took turns trying on different outfits and strutting up and down the length of the studio floor, critiquing each other's walks and poses. "Work it, Tina!" Avis

+5

commented as

I felt a mix of nerves and excitement as I stepped out in a sleek evening gown. channel my inner supermodel, but

I did

my

best to

a chance to show off, we huddled

and the others

widened.

said. "Your catwalk was perfect, and you look fantastic

what about a male model? We still need

his hands. "Oh no, not me. I'm not cut

I pleaded. "Just give it

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 out for it. He was just too awkward and self-conscious

keep from grinning.

grumbled, tugging at the tight

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

me. "How about this?" I said as I picked up my new drawing tablet. "I can make

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

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