21. Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-One

Sage

" A re you nervous?" Mel looks at me through the mirror as I get my makeup done.

"No." I try to convince myself, and when I see Mel's face, I know I don't sound at all convincing. "Yes? Oh my God."

She laughs softly, and I join her, but even my laugh sounds nervous.

All month, I've been prepping for Vincent's show tonight. I've been nervous since he first called me, but today's the day, and I can't believe a whole month passed so quickly, but I'm ready. Or as ready as I'll ever be.

"I'm so proud of you, Sage." She smiles at me with such admiration, and I force myself not to cry because we're only halfway done with my makeup. "I remember when I first followed you on social media, before you were even a Magic Model, you talked about wanting to be a Moore Girl, and the fact that this is the second runway show he's invited you to?"

I feel my smile widen as she goes on. "He obviously loves you, and you're going to kill it tonight."

"No, literally." Cara pauses on my makeup, and when I look over at her, she also looks so proud.

"Thank you guys!" I pull Cara in for a hug before she continues.

I didn't count the first runway show I did for Vincent since it was through the agency, and he asked for every Magic Model. Then, when he invited me to his party, I brushed it off as him thanking me for modeling extra pieces at his show, but now?

Now, he's having a runway show in New York on the biggest stage in the state, and I've modeled here before, but I haven't walked this stage for him and I'm losing my mind.

We get back to my makeup and by the time I'm done, Helena is walking in with a coffee for me. "Why isn't your hair done?" Helena stares at me like I grew another head, and I can't help but laugh at her.

"I'm literally about to get it done, Annet is in the bathroom."

She nods before handing me my coffee.

"Move over." She literally bumps Mel out of her way with her hip, and my eyes widen at her in warning. "What?" She rolls her eyes at me in the mirror.

"That was rude , don't push."

She only rolls her eyes at me again, and when I glance at Mel, she pulls in a deep breath. I see her fist ball, but she thankfully walks away.

I was allowed to bring two friends with me, and the rest of The Core Eight couldn't make it, so I, of course, invited my best friend and Mel since we've been getting closer. Helena was annoyed that she was here but has been cordial for the most part. I don't understand why she doesn't like her, but she needs to stop being mean because Mel looks close to calling her out.

I paint a smile on my face and try to lighten the mood. "Are you sure I shouldn't have gone with the second hairstyle?"

Vincent surprisingly let me choose between two hairstyles since I was modeling two outfits and he couldn't decide so I of course had my best friend help me pick.

I am glad that Vincent let them tag along and also let me bring my own team to do my hair and makeup though, because knowing that this won't go wrong is what's getting me through most of my nerves.

"No, the style I chose is going to look way better with your second dress, trust me."

I nod in response, but I notice Mel turning her head to the side in the mirror.

"I still think the second one matches both dresses perfectly and–"

"She asked me." Helena cuts her off and Mel only laughs to herself before walking out of the room.

I let out a breath and turn in my seat. "Lena, can you stop being so mean to her?"

"What did I say? Did you not ask me?"

"I asked the two of you." I give her a pointed look, but she only shrugs before sitting on the couch.

When Annet comes out of the bathroom, she immediately gets to work and I decide on the style Helena chose, but send Mel a quick message.

Babe, I am so sorry that she's being like that. I don't know what her problem is.

Mel Mel

Don't apologize for her, Sage. It's fine, I just needed a second to breathe because I really don't want to ruin your big day and I'm going to punch her in the face the next time she says something to me.

I try to calm her down as I get my hair done.

After a while, we're done with time to spare, so everyone leaves as I get dressed. I try not to think about the show and listen to music to calm my nerves, but a guy comes to take me to the rest of the girls, and I realize this is it. I take a deep breath before standing from my vanity, but my vision blurs with stars as my blood runs warm, and I have to hold onto the desk to steady myself.

"Are you okay?" He's suddenly in front of me, and he grabs my arm to catch me.

I blink a few times as I stumble a bit. "Yeah." My vision clears, but I sit back down. "I'm fine." I try to get up again, and I feel weak but better.

"Do you want some water?"

I tell him I have a bottle, but he keeps his eyes on me. "Did you eat today? We have sandwiches for the models, we know some girls forget to eat with how busy these days get."

I have been busy today but I didn't forget to eat, if anything I've made sure not to. This event is way too important for me to look bloated, as Helena said, so eating was not an option. I'm fine. I've been drinking water and coffee. I'm fine.

"No, that's okay. I'm not hungry, but thank you."

"I wasn't asking," he says apologetically. "You looked like you were going to pass out, and it's Mr. Moore's rule that you have a meal before going on stage."

I try to tell him that I really am okay, but when he tells me I can take it up with Vincent, I shut up and walk to the kitchen with him.

He has me take a seat at the table as he gets me a Gatorade and a sandwich with fruit. I stare at all of the food, and I feel a knot forming in my throat, but I force it down because I cannot ruin my makeup over something this stupid.

I take in a deep breath and tell myself that I can at least eat the fruit. Compromising with eating one thing helps, so I chose the fruit and finished the whole cup.

I smile to myself proudly and get up to put the sandwich back.

"You have to eat the sandwich, Ms. Loana." He sounds like he honestly doesn't want to bother me and I know he's only trying to help and these are the rules for whatever reason but I really wish he'd walk away.

"If you pass out on stage and Mr. Moore finds out I saw you almost pass out before going out and I didn't have you eat, I'd lose my job."

I nod regrettably before looking back at my plate, and I feel the back of my eyes stinging.

"If you'd like something else, I can–"

"No, this is okay." I keep my eyes away from him as I sit back down. I close my eyes as I take a bite, and I don't want to, but I force myself to swallow it. He stays in the kitchen as he also eats, but I sense him watching me. I'm not sure if he's still just doing his job, but it feels like judging, and I want to crawl out of my skin.

I force myself to finish the dumb sandwich and rush out of the kitchen. I smile when I pass a few girls as I look for the bathroom. The minute I'm inside, a single tear falls.

"Stop it, Sage," I whisper to myself and force myself to get it together. I tilt my head down so my tears don't touch my face as they fall. When I look back in the mirror my makeup is, thankfully, still close to perfect.

Without another thought, I walk into one of the stalls and make myself throw up. That sandwich was like a footlong, and I honestly feel too full, so it's fine that I do this. I can't go on stage and throw up out there, that'll be a nightmare so I just get rid of what's in my stomach now…

I was not about to pass out. I get a little dizzy when I stand up too fast all the time, and I've always been fine. That guy just takes his job too seriously because I'm fine and–

"Are you okay, babe?"

I freeze at the knock on my stall. I didn't lock the door.

I flush the toilet as I tell her I'm fine because I am . I wait there for a few seconds, but she doesn't walk away, so I get this over with and walk out. When I open the stall I realize it's Allie, one of Vincent's models.

"Sorry about that." I give her a small smile and rush off to the sink.

"Is it the nerves?" She comes behind me in the mirror with a smile. "I used to get so sick before big shows like this, but you'll be great."

I thank her and leave before she can study me any longer and figure anything out.

When I start talking to a few of the other girls, I surprisingly feel way better, and I think it's their essence. All of the models here are Moore Girls, and something about them just… shines. I don't know how to explain it, but there is something different about Vincent's models.

"Let's take a group pic before we go on stage!" They all circle up, and I smile when some of them swap to be on their good side. They seem like such a family in terms of how they operate. It's like this with my girls, too, especially The Core Eight, and I'm not sure why, but I was expecting it to be different here, more formal, I guess.

"Sage, come on!"

My face hurts a bit with how big I smile, but I join in their picture, and when I look at all of us in the mirror, I realize, tonight, I'm one of them. I'm a model for Vincent freaking Moore. This has literally been the dream since I had my first casting at nineteen, and I know he hasn't given me a contract or anything, but it feels surreal.

The opening music starts, and we all move around to make room for the first few models. They each go out one after the other, and when it's my turn, all of my nerves evaporate as I walk across the stage.

I keep my face stone cold as I focus on one point in the back of the room. A few people have their cameras out, but there isn't much flash and there also isn't a lot of cheering like our shows. At Moore events, everyone usually saves their cheering for the end as they clap here and there through the show and I don't know why, but it makes the events seem classier.

I make it backstage, and my eyes land on a girl who is frantically trying to fix her hairpiece.

"Can you help me with this?"

I rush to her and try to untangle her headpiece from her curls.

"Ugh! I hate when we have to change our hair between looks!"

I see her getting nervous, and I try to calm her down.

"You're okay." I gently pull one last curl. "There." I set the headpiece down and she lets out a breath of relief.

"Thanks, Sage."

I feel my brows furrow because I had no clue she knew my name, but I smile anyway. "Yeah, no problem, Jess."

She turns on her heels just as her hairstylist walks in. I walk over to my vanity, and I have to change into my next outfit, but just as I go to do so, I see a girl in tears.

"We have a problem." When I see my dress in her hand I think I forget how to breathe.

"What's wrong?"

She looks down at the dress I have to put on in a few minutes and just shakes her head.

"What–"

"Someone–" She burst into tears, and my eyes widen. Jess walks over in a hurry and snatches the dress from her. When she holds it up, I swear I could die. Everyone loses their mind, and shit hits the damn fan. I suddenly feel lightheaded, and I'm not sure if I say it out loud, but someone brings me water.

"Why is there a hole in her fucking dress?!" They hold the dress up again, and I look away from the opening because I have to wear that, and it looks like a freaking mess.

I go on stage soon!

Someone asks if she can just try to fix it, but she's crying and saying it won't work. One of my girls tells me to put it on, and I couldn't pull this off even if I tried because it's way too obvious that this slit on the side is not on purpose. It looks like I didn't fit in it and tore it.

"Dammit." Annet shakes her head at me. "This could've been covered if I did the second hairstyle on you." She sounds so upset, but this is definitely not her fault. She talks about trying to change my hair so it can hang down and cover this mess, but there's no time.

"This was perfect the last time she tried it on! What did you do?!" Everyone is yelling at the girl who brought my dress in, and she says she thinks someone cut it.

"What?" I shake my head, and everyone glances around the room.

Jess looks pissed as she turns to someone with a headset. "Check the cameras and find out who the hell sabotaged Sage's dress."

The girl rushes off, and I realize why Jess is Vincent's main model.

We ask her again if she can just sew it back together, but she tells us that there'll be a patch of diamonds missing, and I know she doesn't have time to put each bead back one by one because my music is starting.

"I need to go on stage," I finally say something, and everyone turns to me.

"What?!"

"You can't!"

"Sage, you–"

"I need to."

They tell me I can't, but all I can hear is the song playing, and I should be walking out right now. I glance around the room and grab a jacket. When I slip it on, I think everyone's soul leaves their body.

"You can't add something to Mr. Moore's look."

"He might kill you if you change the look."

"This jacket was already worn."

"Stop!"

Everyone goes silent, and I feel bad for yelling, but I can't hear my thoughts. "This was worn by one of the guys who walked one of the girls out, everyone was looking at her. They won't notice."

"Vincent Moore will."

Yeah, well, I think it'll be more noticeable if I don't go out there right this second.

I turn to the mirror. "Does it look good?"

Nothing.

"Yes or–"

"Yes," Jess agrees, and I walk out just as the beat drops. I should be at the end of the stage posing right now, and smoke appears at the spot I should be standing, but as if it was meant to go this way, everyone cheers as I walk down the stage.

I go off script since I'm already a few counts late. I stop in the middle of the stage and turn to the left. Some people are recording, and I give them a show before turning to the right and breaking the stone face I had the entire show, the glare everyone had. I smile.

I smile the rest of the show, and when people look shocked, I remember Vincent Moore's models don't smile, but it's too late, so I work it. If Mr. Moore is going to kill me, I may as well go out with a smile literally on my face.

After giving the middle of the audience my attention, I continue down the stage. When I make it to the end, I don't even glance at the man who might kill me, and my smile doesn't falter.

I pose at the end, and when I glance down at the sleeve of my jacket, I notice the model who wore it earlier didn't pull off the top layer. I pull the sleeve and the jacket is a completely different color. Everyone claps as I drop the top jacket at my feet.

I walk back down the stage, and instead of stopping in the middle, I continue, but I turn right before I leave, pose once, and disappear.

I don't only hear applause as I head backstage but cheering too, which is weird since it's not the end of the show yet. The last few girls go out, and a few minutes later, they're calling the designer on stage.

Everyone is mumbling things, and the room feels thicker as I change behind my curtain. Angie and Florence find me, and I guess someone told them what happened because they start reassuring me that it's going to be okay, but I don't think it will be.

It was a dream come true to model for Vincent not once but twice. I doubt he'll be giving me a chance like this again after what just happened, and it wasn't even my fault. I shake my head to myself as I slip my after-party dress on although I am so drained, I'll be going to my hotel room the minute Vincent is done yelling at me. I sit backstage as he thanks everyone and as he says goodbye I close my eyes.

"Where's Ms. Hale!"

I take a deep breath and tell myself to wait until I'm alone before I cry, but I don't think I'll be able to. When I open my eyes, I see Mr. Moore behind me in the mirror.

"What the hell was that?"

"She had–"

He puts a hand up and cuts Angie off. I expect her to yell at him, but she doesn't. No one says anything to help me, but I can't blame them. I take a deep breath and turn to him.

"There was a problem with the last outfit."

He says nothing.

"There was a tear on the side. It was my idea to add the jacket, and I take full responsibility for changing the look."

Nothing at all.

I blink away the stinging in my eyes as I go on. "I was already a few counts late when I went on stage, so I went off script. I'm sorry, but I figured the show needed to go on and–" I decide to just shut up.

He watches me carefully and I have no idea what he's thinking. "You decided to go over my head and break my one rule." He looks around the room "What's my one rule?"

"Don't change the look," all of the models say in sync.

"And you did."

I feel my throat tightening, and I look down at my feet.

"And they loved you."

My head snaps back up to him. "What?"

He lets out a scoff, but he doesn't look mad… he looks happy, and I'm so confused.

"You changed the look. You smiled at a Moore show, and they gave you a standing ovation in the middle of the show." He shakes his head and smiles.

I look around the room, unsure if this is one of those crazy smiles people give before killing someone.

"You broke every rule in the book, but you're Sage Loana. You're a Hale, so you may as well have rewritten them." He points at me. " This is what I like to see." He looks around the room and claps.

I didn't notice his team in here, but they clap with him.

"Any other model wouldn't have gone out there at all and certainly wouldn't have changed my look, but you took charge and owned the show." He takes my hand. "Model for me."

I blink once, twice, and he's still standing there.

"What?!"

Florence laughs and pulls my hand away from him. "Don't get ahead of yourself. She's a Magic Model, not a Moore Girl." She looks between the two of us. "She's mine ." She looks ready to fight to the death for me, and I glance at Angie for help.

"You can be both."

I look at Mr. Moore so fast that I suddenly feel dizzy. "I don't let my girls work with other companies. If you're a Moore Girl, that's all you are because that's all you need, but if you don't want to pull your contract with Magic, I don't care. As long as you also walk for me."

What?!

Angie tells him I'll think about it, and he tells me to take all the time I need.

"Did I just get offered to be a Moore Girl?" I mumble to Angie and she starts making phone calls as Florence tries to get her off the phone, but I stay stuck in place.

Before anyone can say anything else, Jess is storming in with a crowd beside her. "We know who sabotaged Loana's dress."

I feel myself smiling at the way she calls me Loana as if we're besties, but then she moves to the side and glares at the girl beside her.

"Lena?"

Helena looks around the room like she was accused of murder, and I shake my head at Jess.

"This has to be a mistake, she–"

"We saw the footage. Go ahead and tell her your reasoning."

Helena doesn't move to defend herself, and I feel a lump in my throat.

Jess rolls her eyes before turning to Vincent and Florence. "She said she ‘did it for Sage' and knew she'd get more publicity if she had an outfit malfunction which sounds like bullshit to me and–"

"Thank you, Jessica." Vincent cuts her off, and she quickly closes her mouth. He gives Helena a once over before turning to a very angry Florence. "She's one of your girls, so I'll let you handle her, but my lawyers will be in contact."

I don't move an inch as my vision starts to blur with tears.

"Get her off of the property," Vincent calls out before walking off, and his team follows. The minute he's gone, everyone is literally screaming.

I feel like my heart is going a thousand miles per hour and I turn to tell someone that I need a cup of water, but when they hand it to me, I completely miss it and it falls before I collapse beside it.