Chapter 16




A/N:  Thanks for the reviews last chapter. And for those of you who read my story and didn't bother to review…Shame On You!!! lol. I still love my dear readers. So, I left with a major cliffhanger, and now I have come to end your suspense. Do I hear applause?


Summer looked at the card that read Ava Sebastian. Sometimes she was really envious of that girl Ava. The only reason that she made her the guest of honor was because then Soir would get tons of publicity. Once Ava wore something of Soir, then it would be the IT look. Another reason was that she really wanted to get to know Ava. She seemed like a sweet girl.

The large room was dark and was only lit by the lights from the sides of the runway. "Will someone please turn on the lights?" Summer demanded in a not-so-nice tone.

Almost immediately, the overhead fluorescent lights flickered then turned on. Summer enjoyed the immense feeling of power she got. Now that it was lit, she surveyed the room. It actually had white tiled walls and ceiling, but that was hidden in the dark. As she was looking the room over, she spotted one of the crew pushing a rack of clothes. Summer suddenly remembered her last task before the show.

She followed the rack of clothes being wheeled into the back room. It was more like a closet. She looked at the assortment of clothes. This was the thing that she loved more than ever about her job. Summer just started pulling out random clothes from the rack. She ran her hand through the clothes-careful not to ruin anything-, and decided that Marissa should wear a dress. She walked over to the selections, color? Hmm…light pink. Length? To the floor, that'll be about 72 inches. Neck cut? Definitely very low.

Summer walked and looked through the carefully labeled sections. "Ah Ha! I found you!" She triumphantly grabbed the dress she had in mind.

"Talking to yourself?" Her assistant, Ali, remarked from the doorway.

Summer turned her back to face Ali.

Ali's face wore a smirk.

"Umm…Nooo…" Summer stuttered.

"I beg to differentiate." Lorenzo (Seth's sexy man) remarked.

"Excuse me! Renzo! You're the one whose assistant designer! You should be looking at the clothes!" Summer exclaimed.

"This IS where the clothes are Summer."

"I meant on the MODELS outside."

Lorenzo held his hands up in front of him in defense, "Sorry, your highness."

Ali giggled.

"Damn Straight." Summer stated, strode out, taking Marissa's dress with her. 

Summer walked out a little before Seth caught up to her.

"Ah, there you are my fair lady."

Summer threw him a dirty look.

"Okay, fine not funny, jeez lighten up lady."

Seth and Summer walked around a bit.

"So what exactly is the theme here?" Seth asked, gesturing to the canvases that the workers were putting up.

"It's a French theme. I mean the fashion line's name is French. The first portion is going to be, like, romantic Paris at night. You know ones with cafes and soft lights. That's when we're going to bring out the formal wear. Long, flowing, romantic clothes. Getting the picture?"

Seth nodded.

"Then after that, when the people are starting to get bored, we're going to get into the nightlife at France. You know, the Mod-Chic look. It's going to have club music, bright lights, and the hippest clothes. Definitely not Rated-G."

Seth raised his eyebrow.

"I hate when you do that. It's so annoying. It bothers me because I can't do that myself." Summer pouted.

"Well, Summer, it takes much talent. And, I'm a talented person. Plus, just be glad that I don't have my dad's uni-brow. Imagine the horrific way my face would look?"

Summer shuddered at the thought.

"See? Let's go home." Seth held out his hand.

Summer took it and they walked out into the brisk wonder world of Hollywood.
 

***

"Acck, what am I going to wear?" Ryan started flipping out.

Cindy laughed. "What you wore here is going to be just fine." She held up his now washed and dried clothes in her hand.

Ryan gave her a doubtful look.

"It's going to be just fine." She kissed the top of his head.

"You sure? I mean it's going to be star-studded. And, here I am, public defender from Chino, making an ungodly wage." The words just slipped out of his mouth. He didn't realize that he just revealed his insecurities and the fact that he was really just some poor guy with a horrible paying job. Ryan's face turned into one of fear. A famous actress just figured out that she was pregnant with some guy's child. He prepared for a major bitch-slap.

Cindy read right through him. "It's okay. I'm from a poor, hick, hill-billy area. We're on the same boat. My dad was an alcoholic. Plus, my brother is a police officer and my sister is a kindergarten teacher at some local, small elementary school. We're from the same boat. Trust me, it took awhile to get adjusted to the whole fame thing. But, it'll become part of you. Something you'll have to deal with."

"Thanks…" Ryan paused and look thoughtful. "What about the paparazzi?"

Cindy laughed. "The paparazzi is just doing their job. I mean, I don't know why people bitch about them. Everyone who is high-paid is too conceited and everything has gone to their head to realize that we're making millions for ACTING! I mean, it's not even a real profession. This is the price I pay for stardom. And I think its way more generous on more part. Really, I wouldn't mind being paid less, but I just want to be in movies that really change people's lives."

Ryan just sat there in shock. Not only was this girl stunningly beautiful, she was so sweet and modest. She could relate to him more than anyone. Marissa, Seth, Summer, they never knew what it was like to be poor and have a horrible family life.

"Earth to Ryan?" Cindy fanned her hand in front of Ryan's face.

"Oh…hiii." Ryan stuttered.

"Let's go get ready!"

Ryan went to change while Cindy took a shower.

Ryan finished dressing very quickly. He waited patiently on the couch for Cindy to come out. When she came out, she was back in her white, terry-cloth bathrobe. Her hair was blown-dry and was straight, but not stick straight like straightened hair. She took one look at Ryan and rushed back into the bathroom. When she reemerged, she headed over to Ryan's hair. She was about to put something in his hair when he blocked her with his arm.

"What???" Cindy asked.

Ryan gave an untrusting look at her closed fist.

Cindy opened it to reveal hair gel. She moved again towards his hair, but again he stopped her.

"WHAT?!?!?!?" Cindy yelled exasperated.

"It's pink." Ryan yelled defensively.

"It's just hair gel." Cindy retorted.

Ryan still gave her an untrusting look.

"Wow, Mr. Manly. It doesn't come out in pink and it doesn't smell girly." Cindy held it her hand to Ryan's nose.

After several close inspections with prodding and testing, Ryan deemed it safe to use. He made the go sign.

Cindy rolled her eyes and sighed and started styling hair.

***



"COOP???" Summer yelled into the deserted apartment.

"I'm right here." A meek voice replied from the bathroom.

"Oh poor baby." Summer exclaimed while rushing to the bathroom to a sunken Marissa who had obviously been crying.

"Sum, do I look like shit?"

"Um...No of course not honey." Summer said trying to reassure her. But, in fact, Marissa did look like shit. Her hair was messed up in a knotted mess, her makeup was smudged, her eyes were red and blotchy from crying. Summer tried to help Marissa straighten up, making sure that Marissa didn't stand tall enough to see her reflection in the mirror over the sink.

"Summer?" Seth called out. "I have the dress. I'm leaving the dress on the coffee table, so don't come whining to me about me misplacing it."

Seth walked towards the yellow light that illuminated the hallway. Seth walked towards the light, which he discovered came from the bathroom. He walked in and saw Summer dampening tissues under the sink. Then he saw Marissa lying slumped on the white marble Jacuzzi tub. Seth paused. "Damn Marissa, you look like shit."

"Really?" Marissa once again dissolved into tears.

Summer let out an exasperated sigh. "What the heck, Cohen? Now look at what you did!"

Seth feebly tried to save himself. "Hey, hey, Marissa. I mean right now you look like shit…but…"

Summer threw another dirty look.

"But…" Seth continued, "In five minutes, once Summer has fixed you up, you'll look like the Marissa Cooper that everyone loves."

Marissa suddenly brightened up. "Thanks Seth! That was so sweet." She got up and threw a hug around his neck.

Summer signaled two thumbs up. "Wow, Cohen real smooth, nice save if I must say so myself."

Seth bowed, "What can I say? I'm the brains."

Marissa and Summer simultaneously rolled their eyes.

"What???"

Both girls sighed, and turned their backs on him.

***

Fifteen minutes later, Marissa looked back to normal. Her hair was straightened out, her makeup was perfect, and she had on the beautiful dress that Summer picked out. They didn't have a stylist this time. Why need a stylist when the designer was right there?

Marissa twirled around in her dress in front of the three-paneled mirror. "Wow, this is gorgeous!" Marissa gushed. It felt like Christmas all over again.

Summer was obviously pleased that her best friend was pleased with the dress that she in fact designed.  "This night is going to rock! Especially since the kids are with Sandy and Kirsten in Newport." She winked at Seth.

Marissa stopped mid-twirl and almost lost her balance. "You're going at it again? Jeez, you guys are like…addicted to sex."

"Sorry Ms. Non-Vulgarity." Summer said while kissing Seth.

"Oh gross, give it a break already!" Marissa whined and stomped out of the room.

"Coop, careful with the shoes! They were 600 dollars!!!"




***




Seth, Summer, and Marissa piled into the stretch black limousine. They always rode in limousines these days, to galas, events, award shows, concerts, charities, you get the picture. Seth always thought it was a waste. More of a waste that they always actually just sat on the side seat, all three of them and just lounged reading, which you could do in any car. Well, the limo did have some perks like the T.V., the fridge-which was always stocked full of beverages, and the big room and shield from the driver and the occupants were great for quickies before Summer and him got home to the kids. Summer was engrossed with a magazine, Marissa was reading another one, and Seth just sat there in his light cotton blue shirt and jeans, twiddling his thumbs.

Marissa had finished the magazine. She really needed to get her mind off of Ryan. Everything reminded her of him, the blue eyed models made Marissa think of the bright eyes Ryan had, if they talked about poor places, she would think of Chino. It was heart-breaking for her. Marissa was so glad that a night of just clothes was on the horizon. It was the perfect remedy to forget about the guy she was in love with. Wait, I'm in love with him? I thought it was just long deep commitment. Ok wait, now I realize I love him? This is bullshit. Marissa threw down her magazine with considerable force, causing Summer and Seth to jump up in their seats.

"Sorry." Marissa muttered.

"That's ok, it just really scared me." Summer replied. Summer gave the please-continue face.

Marissa, not wanting to talk about Ryan changed the subject. "So who's the other guest of honor, you said they're were two, right?"

Summer nodded. "Yea, it's Ava Sebastian."

Marissa made a sour face.

"Coop, I know you don't like her. She's really good for business though. And I mean, it's not like she did anything to you."

"Sum, you don't understand!!! She's completely beautiful and seems so sweet. I mean the paparazzi is so nice to her! I mean they bill as the sweet beautiful girl-next-door you could never get. I mean they don't hound her like they do with other celebrities because they think she's too "precious"."

Seth rolled his eyes. "Jeez, Marissa, let her be! She's in the same stupid business as you, she's just trying to be famous. That's what you are trying to too! You can't hate her because she's attempting to become famous. Just like you did…I might add…again."

Marissa was furious. "You don't understand do you??? She's stealing the spot light from me. I'm supposed to be the girl next door. But now she's the girl next door, just better. Blond, blue-eyed, tall, and a great acting ability. I hate her."

Summer tried to soothe the now raging Marissa. Wow, she's having a rage blackout just like me. I'm so proud…

Marissa waved Summer off. "I hate her, I despise her. You know what, that Oscar Nom? Miramax could only choose one person for each category, just like all the other big film companies. Miramax only chose ME because I was in a more recent film that people would remember more clearly. But, I don't see how they could forget the incredible acting that Ava did!!! She's so much better than me."

Seth but in, "But they did choose you! I mean that means something right? You're an incredible actress!"

Marissa continued in her fury, "But she's a better actress then I am. And people said that if Miramax had chosen Ava, she would have won. But the head of Miramax just felt bad for me because Ava was getting all the attention."

Marissa finally calmed down.

Seth was so thankful. Thank you Jesus and Moses.

***

"We're here!" Summer announced.

Seth looked outside. "There's no one here basically."

"I know! I'm the designer I need to get here early." Summer looked at Marissa who looked worried. "Don't worry Marissa, you can just wait a while, then when it's time for everyone to arrive, you can take the limo and pretend you just arrived.

"Sounds good." Marissa replied.




***



Cindy stood in front of her large closet. It was filled with every single type of clothing imaginable.

Ryan was in awe.

"Help me pick out something to wear. You can only choose from this Section since that's the brand that we're going to see." Cindy pointed to a section to his right.

Ryan looked around, remembering Oscar night. "Where's your stylist?"

"I don't have one," Cindy replied. "I think it's better to dress yourself then have someone dictate your own style."

"Oh," Ryan thought of Seth who was completely whipped and had most of his clothes picked by Summer.

After some negotiating, Cindy picked out a blue dress that flowed to her feet. Ryan had to say it was beautiful. After Cindy prepped herself up, she was ready to go.

Ryan offered her his arm when she did a look-over and went to her room and came back with a watch.

"Wow, Cindy, it's a Jacob watch!" The watch was studded with diamonds and white gold.

"It's a gift." Cindy beamed.

Ryan offered her his arm again, which she took.

They got into a limo that was waiting for them.




***





"We're here!!!" Cindy announced.

The bulbs of the photographers were even going through the tinted glass of the limo. Ryan was hesitant, but Cindy pulled him closer to her. "Remember, I'm Ava," She whispered. Ryan nodded.

They got out to greet the throng.


***




Wow, so done with Chapter 16!!! What's going to happen at the show? And Marissa already hates Cindy! Cindy's not that bad...Well review or I won't update.