Chapter 1
I looked through the line-up rack in my dressing room, aimlessly flicking from one bra set to another. I was in my Victoria's Secret dressing room choosing what outfit to model next as someone knocked on the door.
"Yeh?" I said wondering who would disturb my 5 minute break.
"Hey are you decent?" Angela asked me through the door. I should have guessed, My agent doesn't know the meaning of 'personal space'.
"Just a sec" I said, slipping my pink silk VS robe on. "Come on in" I said as Angela burst through the door, palm pilot in hand.
"Ok, you have another half an hour here then we whisk off to broadway for the theatre lingerie shoot, then tonight I need you in Times Square by 6:30 for the night club dress wear shoot, make sure your legs look airbrushed! Tomorrow I want you in the office bright and early ready to start the test shots for the Victoria's Secret fashion show at 7am then we'll head straight to the air port to fly to Miami for the swimsuit shoot. Oh and the next day I have you scheduled for the first fashion show practice of the year, they'll have all the bands come in as well and it will be a dress rehearsal" Angela said tapping away at her hand-held
"Is sleep in there anywhere or am I relying on mineral water and goji berries to keep my eyes from falling out of my head?" It was shocking to me how Angela insisted on berries and water to keep me awake rather than coffee, I get the whole 'you're a model, eat like one' junk but come on, my eyes have to meet their eyelids eventually!
"You can sleep on the plane, in the mean time keep on reapplying the eye stick and concealer to prevent bags from forming under your eyes" Angela replied, hardly looking up from her palm pilot.
I rolled my eyes as she left, bumping into the door frame as she attempted to navigate through the room without breaking eye contact with her palm pilot.
I should probably introduce myself, my name is Katie, I'm from Brisbane, Australia, I'm 18 and I recently became a Victoria's Secret model. This is my second time visiting the States, last time I was here I was in Miami doing a swimsuit shoot. My first visit was great, I got some great surfing and skateboarding time in and I met one of my new best friends Laura Marano. I'm back to do some more photo shoots and then, when I finish in Miami, I get to stay there for a few more weeks to relax. But right now I have a lingerie shoot in New York to get back to.
I slid into a blue bra and underwear set, then I stuck my feet into the matching blue stiletto pumps, saying a quick prayer to ensure I stay vertical for the next half hour. I fluffed my hair and walked out onto the bedroom set.
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The next 24 hours were a blur of hair, bras and mascara wands. I managed to climb up the stairs of the VS private jet with my agent and various other crew members. It was bliss as I sat down in a big leather chair in the two person cabin I would share with Angela. I flopped down, just enjoying the sensation of sitting without being swarmed by makeup and hair artists. Angela sat in the chair next to me, still tapping away at her palm pilot and talking into her ear piece. I picked up my overnight bag and slipped into the bathroom. I pulled out my favourite singlet, it had an owl wearing glasses on it with a caption underneath that read "it's not about how you look, it's about what you see". I liked it because the modelling business is built over looks, so the caption reminds me to always rise above that and she the good in people. I slid into it and some cotton short shorts, did my teeth, brushed my hair and wiped the makeup off my face. I was ready for my beauty sleep.
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I woke up with a start as the plane lurched in mid air. Suddenly, the pilots voice crackled out over the planes speakers:
"Attention passengers, we have hit a small patch of turbulence, nothing to worry about, but I do need everyone to return to their seats and buckle up until it passes, thank you"
I sat up in my chair and buckled my seat belt as the plane lurched again. I had flown quite a bit so turbulence never bothered me. I looked around at the cabin I was in. I hadn't fully been able to appreciate the plane since I had fallen asleep so fast. I peered around at a crisp white carpet, two large cream coloured leather recliner chairs, a matching cream couch that wrapped around a deep caramel coloured wood table, then my eyes settled on a beautiful sight. A mini bar packed with lollies, chocolate and chips. I suddenly realised how hungry I was as my stomach growled at the sight of the food. Before I made a beeline for the mini bar I checked the time on my phone, it was 2:30 am, I got on the plane at about 1 pm, wow I had slept for over 12 hours! No wonder I felt so much better. My stomach then reminded me of the task at hand as the seatbelt sign flicked off, I looked over at my sleeping agent as I started to creep towards the mini bar. Yes! I made it half way! I relaxed and turned towards the bar. My mother had entrusted Angela with my 'health and well-being', meaning I had to watch what I ate or Angela would turn on mother mode.
"What do you think you're doing?" Angela's voice rang throughout our small cabin.
"Getting some food..." I said guiltily. Damn. Busted.
"Kate I know it's hard not being able to eat your favourite foods but we need you flawless for the photo shoots! That stuff may make your skin oily and your face break out!" Angela said in her 'mother' voice.
"That has never happened to me before can I please just have some chips and a chocolate bar? Please please please please! I've been eating healthy for the whole trip!" I begged
"Ok, but just a chocolate bar, no chips!" She negotiated
"Yes! Thank you thank you thank you!" I praised as I grabbed a mars bar and sat back down.
I pulled my new iPad mini out of my bag and tapped on the new episode of Supernatural as I settled down with my mars bar ready to enjoy the rest of the flight.
My iPad was a Christmas gift from my mum back in Australia. She had made Christmas extra special for me because I was scheduled to leave for the States on January 15th. She invited my cousin Kirsty and friend Steph over for Christmas lunch. It was an awesome day and I took tonnes of pictures on the new iPad as memories to look back on when I felt lonely. It had become a big comforter to flip open the purple plaid case and look through pictures and videos of that day while my hair was getting done, it would give me a bit of a confidence boost before I had to go in front of the camera. Definitely one of the best presents I've ever received!
But right now it was exercising a different use, scaring the shit out if me! I love the show Supernatural, but it freaks me out... A lot... The good thing is I have episodes of Gilmore girls, sex and the city and gossip girl on here as well, so when ever I get too freaked out, I just switch shows. It feels so good to just relax. And eat chocolate... It's been so long :)
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As soon as the plane landed I was rushed out to a waiting car which would drive me directly to the swimsuit shoot. As the car travelled along the road I watched as shops, people and other cars passed us. I decided to ask if Laura could meet me at my shoot to keep me company until I finished.
Like I said earlier, I met Laura here a few months ago when I did my first shoot for VS. When I first met her I was skeptical about telling here my job since I'd had many people in the past use me for my status, but after I recognised her as an actor I realised she would understand and I told her. We've been thick as thieves ever since. I was so excited about seeing her again! All we'd done for the past few months was text, but I couldn't wait until I could see her! Her TV show finished filming about a month ago and she wasn't scheduled to return until March so I had her all to myself during my trip.
But before I could invite her to the shoot,I needed to know where it was being held!
"Hey Angela, where is this shoot being held? Like which beach?" I enquired to Angela
"We are shooting at South Beach, why?" She replied
" I was just going to text Laura and invite her to meet me there, is that ok?" I asked
"Yeh go ahead, the photographers won't mind as long as she stays out of the way and doesn't disturb the set" Angela said
"Oh she won't, we'll just talk on my breaks and leave together, she wants me to meet some of her friends" I replied
"Ok, we're almost there" Angela replied
I hurried up and texted Laura before I had to get out of the car (LAURA, katie)
K: Hi I was wondering if u wanted to meet at my photo shoot? You can see me work then we can hang out together!
L: YEH SURE SOUNDS GREAT! WHERE IS IT?
K: It's south beach
L: COOL ILL BE THERE SOON!
I quickly turned my phone off and shoved it in my bag, ready to go to hair and makeup.
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Laura arrived on my first break. I had just slipped into the second bikini of the shoot, a blue string ensemble, when she walked on set.
"LAURA!" I almost screamed, remembering I had to keep quiet on set.
"KATIE" Laura whisper screamed, enveloping me in a hug.
"I missed you so much!" I said, realising how short she really is as I hugged her. I'm 5"9, so generally I find I'm taller than most girls my age.
"Wow you look great!" Laura said as she pulled away from our hug.
"Thanks! It's amazing what a little food and water can do!" I replied.
"So when are you shooting next?" She asked.
"Well they are taking some pictures of another girl right now so maybe 10-15 minutes until I'm due back I'd say" I told told her, thrilled that we can spend a few minutes catching up.
"Awesome! Let's talk! It's been ages since we really caught up! What's been going on?" Laura inquired, looking me in the eyes inquisitively.
"Well, I did some test shots for Victoria's Secret yesterday, and, they want me to model in their next fashion show!" I said as Laura started whisper squealing.
"Oh my god that's so amazing Katie!" She replied. This is what I love about Laura, she gets genuinely excited about other peoples good news.
"Oh and I have to talk to you about your friends that I'll be meeting tonight" I said cautiously, hoping Laura wouldn't take offence to what I had to say.
"Yeh sure what's up?" Laura replied, cocking her head to the side as a look of confusion crossed her face.
"Well I kinda don't want to tell them about my job at Victoria's Secret" I replied.
"Well I guess we don't have to tell them, but they are a band so they do get what it's like so you don't have to be afraid to tell them!" Laura said calmly.
"It's not that anymore, but I've found that it's hard to make friends when I tell them about my job straight up, some can be judgmental, others can be rude! I was trying to be friends with one girl back home, when I told her she acted like I was an idiot or something! Like if I was a model I had to be stupid! So I will tell them but I want them to get to know me first!" I explained, hoping she would understand.
"Yeh that makes total sense!" Laura said as her phone buzzed.
"Katie we need you on set darling" The producer said to me.
"Yeh sure I'll be right there" I replied.
"Hey Katie I have to go, my friends need some help setting up for dinner tonight, I'll text you their address, can you catch a cab there?" She asked.
"Yeh sure, it was so good seeing you! I can't wait for tonight!" I said as I slipped my robe off and checked my makeup in a mirror.
Laura walked back to her car as a makeup artist fixed my gloss, I fluffed my hair, ready to walk on set. I walked onto the dock where we were shooting. It was a beautiful area, Victoria's Secret had hired out the dock and the surrounding beach so there would be no other people in the photos. It gave the area an almost deserted feel which really helped the photos create that 'private paradise' feel which the producer went crazy for. The photographer checked his film as I strutted onto the dock, I'm ready for my close-up!
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I loaded my suitcases into the cab as Angela talked to me about my time off.
"Ok so you have three weeks until you're due back in Australia, you have the hotel room booked out until then but they had some problems with the last visitors so you'll have to check in tomorrow, do you have any friends you can stay will until then?" Angela inquired, she was heading back to New York tonight so she wanted to get this out of the way now.
"Yeh sure I can just stay with Laura tonight!" I replied, excited that I had a reason to suggest a sleepover.
I slid into the back seat of the cab and waved to Angela as I handed the driver the address of Laura's friends house. Wow I still don't know who she's talking about! I should probably clarify that at some point...
As we drove through Miami's streets I decided to text Laura and ask her exactly who I'm meeting...
K: hey Laura, who exactly am I meeting this evening?
L: oh yeh its my costar Ross Lynch and his band R5
K: oh ok cool! I think I've heard one of their songs before... Anyway, I'm on the way now I'll be there soon! Oh and is it ok if I sleepover at your house tonight? Apparently there was a mixup with the booking so I can't check I until tomorrow morning
L: oh well I'm staying over at Ross's tonight, he has lots of siblings so I often sleep over there and we have a huge slumber party type thing so I'll ask if you can join us! They should be fine with it, ahh I'm so excited!
K: ok sounds awesome! Text me when you know!
L: Ross said they'd be happy to put you up for the night! Can't wait to see you!
K: awesome, see you soon!
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20 minutes later the cab pulled up in front of a huge house. I hopped out of the car as the driver started pulling my bags out of the boot.
"At the front door miss?" He politely asked.
"Yes the front doors perfect thanks" I replied as he grabbed the two largest bags while I grabbed my model bag and purse.
*side note* a model bag is a bag which models take to every shoot, it's supposed to have all different kinds of under wear in nude, black and white, strappy heels and pumps in nude and black, band aids, sewing kit, makeup, insoles basically everything a model may need while on set that the producers don't provide, generally it's so much stuff that we use a small suitcase to fit it all in *end of side note*
I turned towards the front door as the driver trotted down the steps and drove off in his cab. Taking a deep breath I pressed the button next to the large door as a bell rang out inside the house. I heard light voices as Laura opened the door.
