Crave (18+)

"Come on, Roxanne. You're gonna make us late for the modeling auditions." My best friend, Mia, whined, pulling me out of my bed. "Get up and get ready!"

I groaned, burying my face in my pillow. The thought of stepping into the spotlight made my stomach churn. "Five more minutes, please!" I mumbled, hoping to buy myself some extra time.

But Mia wasn’t having it. She yanked the covers off me, exposing my bare legs to the chilly air. "No more excuses! We’ve been preparing for this for weeks. You know how important it is!"

With a reluctant sigh, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and rubbed my eyes. "Okay, okay! I’m up!" I reluctantly admitted.

Mia beamed, already rifling through my closet. "Great! What do you want to wear? Something that screams confidence!"

I shuffled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face to shake off the remnants of sleep. My mind raced with thoughts of the audition—strutting down the runway, the judges’ eyes scrutinizing every move I made. I took a deep breath, trying to quell my nerves.

This was all Mia's idea. This was the last thing I wanted. But, she was nervous to do it alone so she begged me for days to audition with her.

Now, standing in front of the mirror, I studied my reflection. My hair was a tangled mess, and I could see the shadows of doubt lingering in my eyes. "What if I freeze up out there? What if I trip?" I thought anxiously, feeling the weight of the moment settling on my shoulders.

Mia burst into the bathroom, holding a vibrant red dress that looked like it had been plucked straight from a fashion magazine. "This one! It’s bold, just like you!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

I hesitated, eyeing the dress. "Are you sure? It seems a bit... much."

"Trust me! You need to stand out," she insisted, thrusting the dress into my hands. "Now get dressed! I’ll do your makeup!"

With a reluctant nod, I slipped into the dress. It hugged my curves perfectly and, as I turned to check myself in the mirror, I felt a flicker of confidence. Maybe this wasn’t so bad after all.

Mia worked her magic with the makeup—bold eyeliner, a hint of shimmer, and just the right amount of blush to make my cheeks pop. When she stepped back to admire her work, I couldn’t help but smile at the transformation.

"See? You look amazing! Now let’s go show them what we’re made of!"

We walk downstairs, where I can hear chatting in the kitchen. Mom must be making breakfast. I wasn't going to eat anything because I was already feeling nauseous from the fear of going to this audition.

Mia was going to kill it. But, me? I was going to trip over my own feet in these heels.

"Hey, mom!" I say as I approach the island.

My mom gasps as she takes in my appearance, rushing over to check out my new and improved look that Mia has given me.

"Roxanne! You look so fabulous!"

My older brother scoffs from the kitchen table. "What diva threw up on you?"

I roll my eyes. "Shut up, Cody."

My mom playfully swats at Cody, "Be nice! Your sister looks stunning." she says, beaming with pride.

Cody just smirks, "Yeah, yeah, you look great, Rox. Just don't fall on your face out there."

I stick my tongue out at him, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, asshole."

Although, he is right. I'm definitely going to fall on my face.

Mia chimes in, "Come on, let's go! We don't want to be late." She grabs my hand and pulls me towards the door.

As I open the door, Levi, my brother's best friend, has his fist ready to knock on the door. He freezes as he takes in my appearance, scanning my entire body, his eyes lingering longer than they should have.

Levi's gaze made me feel like I was the only person in the world. His eyes, a deep, piercing blue, slowly traveled from my heels up to my face, taking in every curve and detail of the red dress. I could feel my cheeks flushing under his scrutiny, and a wave of heat washed over me, making me acutely aware of my body. His lips curved into a slow, appreciative smile, and he let out the breath he was holding.

"Holy shit.."

Mia gives Levi a playful smirk as she nudges his shoulder. "Like what you see, Levi?" she teases, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

He clears his throat as he snaps out of whatever trance he was in. "Uh.. Cody. He asked me to come over."

Mia laughs as she pulls me past him and to her car. "Have fun, Levi!" She calls back to him but I could feel his gaze on me until I got into the car.

The car ride was filled with Mia’s chatter about all the potential opportunities that could come from this audition. I nodded along, trying to absorb her enthusiasm, but my mind was still clouded with doubt.

When we finally arrived at the venue, the sheer size of the building made my stomach drop. Models were milling around, each one more stunning than the last. I took a deep breath, reminding myself why I was here. This was not just for Mia; it was an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and embrace something new.

Her words. Not mine.

"Let’s do this!" Mia said, grabbing my hand as we stepped inside, the energy of the room buzzing around us. As we approached the registration desk, I felt a surge of determination. I could do this. Together, we would tackle the runway, and no matter the outcome, I knew that we would face it side by side.

"Roxanne and Mia!" I announced, feeling a newfound confidence as I signed in.

The woman looked bored but still managed to put a smile on her face. "Have a seat through that door. They'll call you when they are ready for you."

The moment we walked toward the audition space, I could see the spotlight shining down, and for the first time, it felt less daunting and more like a stage ready for our debut.

The judges sat behind a long table, their expressions a mix of curiosity and critical analysis as they watched the models strut their stuff. Each girl who stepped onto the runway seemed to command the attention of the room, their poise and confidence radiating in every stride.

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach, my heart racing as I took in the scene before me. "What if I can’t do this?" I thought, glancing at Mia, who was practically vibrating with excitement beside me.

"Just remember what we practiced," she whispered, squeezing my hand. "You’ve got this, Roxanne. We’re in this together!"

As the minutes passed, we watched model after model take their turn. Each one left the stage with a smile, but I couldn’t shake the feeling of impending doom. I mentally replayed the routines we had rehearsed, trying to convince myself that I was ready.

Finally, it was our turn. I felt my name being called, and my heart jumped into my throat. "Okay, here we go," I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath as I stepped forward.

Mia gave me an encouraging nod, and I took a moment to focus on the rhythm of my heartbeat. With every step I took toward the runway, I could feel the eyes of the judges on me, weighing my every move.

As I reached the edge of the runway, I paused for a brief second, letting the spotlight wash over me. I could feel the warmth of it, almost like an embrace, and for the first time, I allowed myself to believe I could do this.

With a deep breath, I began to walk. I channeled every ounce of confidence I could muster, letting the energy of the room propel me forward. I swayed my hips slightly, remembering what Mia had said about owning the runway. Each step felt more natural than the last, as if the dress had a life of its own, flowing around me effortlessly.

When I reached the end of the runway, I turned and struck a pose, a smile breaking across my face. The judges nodded, and I could see a flicker of interest in their eyes.

Then it was Mia’s turn. She followed in my footsteps, and I watched as she commanded the stage with her infectious enthusiasm. Her energy was magnetic, and I couldn’t help but cheer her on from my spot at the side.

As we both made our way back to the waiting area, I felt a rush of adrenaline. "Holy shit. We did it!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around Mia.

"That was amazing! I knew you could do it!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

We waited anxiously for the results, our hands clasped together as we chatted nervously about the experience. It felt exhilarating to have taken that leap, and for the first time, I realized that stepping out of my comfort zone could lead to something beautiful.

When the judges finally called us back to announce their decisions, I held my breath, anticipation swirling in my stomach. No matter the outcome, I was proud of what we had accomplished together.

"Mia Davis!" Mia got called up to speak with the judges.

She walked up, confidence spewing out of her. I was so proud of my beautiful best friend. This has been a dream of hers since elementary school. A few moments later, she comes back and sits beside me. She doesn't say anything but before I could ask her what they said, my name got called.

She smiles brightly at me as I stand up. I smiled back nervously, scared at what the judges were going to say.

"Roxanne Everhart!" the head judge announced. I walked forward, my palms sweaty but my heart racing with excitement. The room felt electric, and I could feel the eyes of my peers watching as I approached the table.

"Congratulations," one of the judges said, a smile breaking across her face. "You did a fantastic job on the runway. We’d like to offer you a modeling contract with our agency."

My heart stopped for a moment, disbelief washing over me. "Really? You’re serious?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Absolutely," the judge replied, nodding. "Your energy, poise, and unique look stood out to us. We believe you have great potential in this industry."

I could hardly believe what I was hearing. A wave of joy washed over me, and I instinctively turned to look for Mia, who was standing a few feet away, her expression a mix of pride and excitement. I grinned back at her, my heart soaring.

"Thank you so much!" I managed to say, my voice shaky with emotion. I shook hands with the judges and walked back to where Mia was waiting, ready to share the news.

As I approached her, I could see the sparkle in her eyes, but there was something else—an undercurrent of tension. "What did they say?" I asked, my heart racing with anticipation to share my news.

Mia took a deep breath, her smile faltering slightly. "They... um, they said they would keep my information on file," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But they didn’t offer me a spot."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. The joy I felt moments ago faded, replaced by a heavy sense of guilt. "Oh, Mia... I’m so sorry," I said, pulling her into a hug, feeling her shoulders shake slightly against me. "I thought you got in. I can go and reject.."

"Absolutely not, Rox." She cut me off. If I can't do it then I can at least live vicariously through you."

We walk out of the venue, the cool air hitting our faces as we step onto the bustling sidewalk. The city lights reflect off the wet pavement, casting a glow that mirrors the mix of emotions swirling within us both. I feel Mia's arm tighten around my waist as she leans into me, her head resting gently on my shoulder.

"I know you didn't really want to do this, Rox, but I really am incredibly proud of you." Mia speaks up as we get back into the car to head back home.

"If I had known you didn't get offered a spot, I would've rejected the offer." I tell her honestly.

She nods knowingly. "I know. That's why I waited to tell you."

Shocked, I turned my head to look at her. She didn't say anything to my dumbfounded look. Instead, she keeps her eyes on the road and gives me a small smile.

"Your mom is going to be so proud of you!" Mia smiles over at me, taking her eyes off the road for a second.

I roll my eyes as I laugh. "Mom's proud of me for just trying."

She nods in agreement. A few minutes later, we pulled into my driveway.

"And, Levi? He's never going to look at you the same!"

I chuckled at the thought, remembering his surprised expression when I had opened my front door "Yeah, I can just picture it—'Roxanne, the model'." I smirked, shaking my head.

Mia parked the car and we both climbed out, the cool evening air filling my lungs. As I walked to the front door, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension about sharing the news with my family. What would they think? Would they be as thrilled as I was?

As soon as we stepped inside, the familiar scent of my mom's cooking wafted through the air, instantly comforting. My mom was at the stove, and she turned around, her eyes lighting up as she caught sight of me.

"Roxanne! You look radiant!" she exclaimed, rushing over to give me a hug. When she pulled back, I could see the pride shining in her eyes. "How did it go? Did you have fun?"

I exchanged a glance with Mia, who was beaming beside me. "Well, you won’t believe it, Mom," I started, my heart racing. "I got an offer!"

Her eyes widened. "You did? Oh my gosh, that’s amazing! I knew you had it in you!" She enveloped me in another hug, and I felt the weight of the world lift off my shoulders.

Mia jumped in, "And I didn’t get an offer, but I’m still so proud of Roxanne! She totally killed it on the runway!"

My mom turned to Mia, her expression softening. "You both did wonderful! It takes a lot of courage to even step onto that stage. I’m proud of you too, Mia."

Cody, who had been sitting at the kitchen table scrolling through his phone, looked up and raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you actually got a contract? Are you serious?"

I nodded, my heart racing with a mix of joy and disbelief. "Yeah, and I accepted."

He smirked, "Well, I guess I’ll have to start calling you 'Model Roxanne' then."

"Shut up, Cody!" I shot back, but I couldn’t help but laugh. It felt good to have the family’s support, even from my teasing older brother.

"Let’s celebrate!" My mom declared, clapping her hands together. "How about we order some pizza and have a little family party?"

Mia and I exchanged excited glances. "That sounds perfect!" Mia chimed in.

As we gathered around the kitchen table, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and chatter. My mom shared stories about her own youth, and Cody interjected with his usual sarcastic remarks, but I could feel the warmth of their support wrapping around me like a cozy blanket.

After dinner, as we all settled into the living room, I reflected on the day. Everything had changed in just a few hours—from anxiety and self-doubt to a sense of accomplishment and newfound confidence.

"Hey, Roxanne," Mia said, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Are you happy? I know you didn't want to do this.."

I paused, considering the question. "I think I am. I mean, it feels right. And even if it's scary, I want to see where this leads me."

Mia grinned. "That’s the spirit! We’ll navigate this together. You know I’ll always be here to cheer you on."

I looked at her, feeling grateful for her unwavering support. "I couldn’t have done it without you, Mia. You pushed me when I needed it the most."

"That’s what best friends are for!" she replied, nudging me playfully.

As the night wore on, I felt a sense of excitement bubbling inside me. I had taken my first step into a world I never thought I’d be a part of, and with Mia by my side, I was ready to embrace whatever came next.

Levi’s surprised face, Cody’s teasing, and my mom’s pride all blended into a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the scariest moments lead to the most rewarding experiences. I was ready for this adventure, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take me.

After the celebration dies down and Mia says her goodbyes, I go upstairs to my room I leaned back against the wall, still buzzing from the whirlwind of emotions from earlier. The excitement of the audition, the disappointment for Mia, and the fear that I'll mess it all up—it felt like my life had suddenly shifted into high gear.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the photos from the audition, my heart swelling with pride at the images of me in that stunning red dress. The moment I had stepped onto the runway felt surreal, and now, with the offer in my pocket, I couldn't help but wonder what this new chapter would hold.

I take a quick shower and pull on some baggy sweat pants and an oversized T-shirt. Pulling my hair into a messy bun, I lay down on my bed.

My phone buzzes. I look down and notice it's a schedule from the modeling agency. I sigh as I look it over.

The schedule is filled with dates, locations, and tasks that make my head spin. Photoshoots, rehearsals, and meetings dominate the list, and I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety.

I skim through the details, noting the first photoshoot scheduled for next week. My stomach churns at the thought of being in front of a camera, but I remind myself that I have to embrace this. I’m a model now, after all.

Another buzz interrupts my thoughts, and I glance back at my phone. It’s a message from Mia.

Mia: BTW, I just found out there's another audition tomorrow so, I'm going to try again. Maybe if they see how relentless I am, they will hire me, too! Lol

I shake my head and laugh at my crazy best friend. But, I hope she's right. Because I would love to be able to do this with her.

First chapters up! Before you keep reading, keep in mind I'm a mom of three and have responsibilities. I write in my free time but i will do my best to post as often as I can. I hope you guys enjoy! -Hailey 🥰🥰