Warning: Profanity.

Note: The title is a reference to the James Bond film From Russia with Love.

A/N: I love this story a lot; it just needed a facelift, which explains why I have rewritten it for the third time, lol. I'm actually better at writing this time around, so that's a relief. I hope you enjoy this story.

7teen: From the Runway with Love

If the gang wasn't at The Big Squeeze first thing in the morning, then they were probably at the game shop with Jude before he opened it for the day. Being somewhere that didn't have a giant, blindingly yellow lemon was refreshing and made for better conversation.

"Guess who got a job at Amp Me Up?" Jonesy said. "Hint: It's yours truly."

Wyatt's eyes lit up with excitement. "Isn't that the new instrument store on the third floor?"

"Yep. It's got a crapload of stuff there, too."

"Mind if I stop by later?" Jude asked. "Music stores are pretty chill. Plus I want another pair of bongos." According to him, they were "the thinking man's drums."

"I don't mind; knock yourself out," Jonesy said.

"Sweeeet."

The conversation soon took a left turn when Jonesy mentioned something about a party he'd attended the previous night and the rest of the gang exchanged comments about it.

During this time, Jen glanced over at Sydni, who'd been staring at the gang while they talked without saying a word herself. Maybe she, being around a group of people who'd known each other since the beginning of time, felt awkward and possibly out of place.

We invited her to hang out with us; it's only right to make her feel welcome. When the conversation died down, Jen asked, "So, Sydni, how are things going at the Khaki Barn?"

"It's not so bad," she said. "I guess I could get used to life at the 'Gag Me' Barn."

"'Gag Me' Barn? Nice one, Bambi," Nikki said, her voice lacking its trademark sarcastic bite. "I just might steal that one from you."

Sydni couldn't hide her goofy grin, even moments later when Jude's phone rang.

"Hello?… Oh hey, bra… Yeah, I'll let you in. Gimme a sec."

He walked to the store's security screen. As soon as he pried it open, Caitlin came running and squealing towards her friends.

Everyone covered their ears and made pained faces.

"Is she always like this?" Sydni asked Wyatt.

"Yeah, but she's not always this intense. Something must be up," he replied.

"Caitlin, I don't mean to be rude," Nikki said, "but why the hell are you this happy at nine in the morning?" She regained her bite.

"Remember when I talked about that A&F modeling competition?" Caitlin asked. She'd noticed the ad for it in one of her favorite fashion magazines just as school had let out for the summer and, after buying some new clothes with Sydni a week ago, entered it.

Her friends nodded.

"I got accepted as a finalist! Can you believe it?" She hopped around. "This is so major. If I win, I'll be featured in local ads and the store's fall catalogue! Ohmygosh!"

Jen's smile was broad and warm. "That sounds like a great opportunity. Congratulations, Cait."

"Thanks, Jen!"

Jonesy stroked his chin. "There's gotta be more to this, right? The prize can't just be a few ads."

Caitlin grinned. He was clever, figuring she'd save the best detail for last. "Okay, okay—you've got me. The cherry on top is fifteen thousand dollars!"

"F-F-Fifteen grand?" he stuttered. He quickly regained his composure and cozied up to her, saying, "You know, a pretty girl like you should have her own agent and—what a coincidence!—I'm available. With pay, of course."

She giggled. "Nice try, Jonesy. You're not getting all of my money if I win."

"Hey, I'm not asking for all of it, princess. Just some of it."

"So what do you have to for the finals?" Jen asked.

"Well, I have to model on a runway this Friday, and I really need to nail everything," Caitlin said.

"No problem. We'll help train you so you can win it all."

Nikki raised an eyebrow. "Um, what's with this we thing?"

"Well, if you guys help me win, I'll split the prize money with you guys," Caitlin said.

"I'm in," Nikki said in a heartbeat. The gang stared at her, questioning her instant change of heart. She crossed her arms. "Traveling money."

"Maybe we can practice at the Khaki Barn today, only if it's okay with you two," Jen said to Nikki and Sydni.

"I'm fine with it. It's not really my call to make," Sydni said.

Nikki honestly didn't care. "You guys know I don't do much work there anyways."

Before the girls could carry on, Jonesy took Nikki by the hand and pulled her aside.

"Hey, babe, you down to hang out tonight?" he asked. He hoped she'd say yes, because he had big plans in store—plans that involved telling her he loved her. He knew his summer of la dolce vita wouldn't start until he confessed how he felt, as cheesy as it sounded.

"Yes, Jonesy, I'm"—in air-quotes—"'down to hang.' Any idea where you want me?"

"No clue, although the thought of you on me doesn't sound so bad." He wagged his eyebrows at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Subtle."

"Subtle's my middle name, baby."

"Actually, it's Ric—"

"The facts don't matter, Nik. All that matters is I wanna be with you tonight. We'll figure out where we wanna go when the time comes."

She flashed him a smile. "I can live with that."

"Nice."

After grinning and gazing at her for a moment, Jonesy leaned towards Nikki. His lips barely brushed hers when Caitlin blindly pulled her away, shouting, "Let's go! We have fifteen grand at stake!"

Once all the girls were gone, he sighed. "So close."