Chapter 418: The Runway

Saturday, February 11th, Evening

Once she got to the venue, everything was crazy. Brett felt fortunate that Angela sort of walked her through things. The one thing Brett felt was that things backstage were like a NASCAR Pit Crew. Brett was impressed.

In quick succession, Brett was in a gown and getting her hair and makeup done. She also noted that there was a lot of flesh as the other women were getting ready. Brett tried to count how many women were booked, but it was so chaotic she couldn't keep track.

Brett noticed Ellie was spending more time in makeup. They were using body makeup to cover some of her tattoos. Brett noticed Angela was out of makeup quickly. Brett looked at Angela as she was dressed.

They finally got to dressing Brett. Once everything was ready, she started to get ready to go out.

"Are you ready for this?" Angela asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Brett said.

Angela nodded and looked at the woman ahead of her.

"Any advice, Auntie Tall?" Brett asked.

"Have you been practicing walking in heels?" Angela asked.

"Every chance I could," Brett said.

"Good, also don't fall," Angela said.

"Seriously?" Brett asked.

Angela chuckled, "Well, don't fall, but just enjoy and have fun," Angela said.

"Why do they put us in these heels?" Brett asked.

"I don't know, something to do about lines and legs," Angela said.

Brett nodded as the music changed out by the runway. Brett knew that was the song to indicate things were about to kick off. Brett also heard some of the venue staff talking about some celebrities in attendance in a matter-of-fact way. The venue staff was probably used to it, but Brett wasn't.

She took a deep breath and wondered how a seventeen-year-old young woman from a small coastal town ended up here? One of the celebrities she heard was here to see the show was one of her favorite singers, Anya Wolfle.

To top it off, the venue staff were chatting about the rumor there was royalty in the audience. Brett guessed it was from the American Branch. That could only be a handful of them.

"Get ready," Angela whispered.

"Okay," Brett said.

The music changed, and the ladies started to walk out. The line moved quickly. Brett noticed Trin stood by the entrance to the runway. A headset sat on her head, and she held a clipboard in one hand.

Angela was soon up and took a quick moment to listen to something that Trin had to say. Angela nodded and was left off to the runway. Brett walked up to Trin and stood waiting, maybe even shaking a little. Trin looked up, tight-lipped, and gave a quick nod.

"Just like we practiced, and head level, chin up," Trin said.

"Facial expression?" Brett asked.

"That model one we taught you," Trin said.

"Okay," Brett said.

"Time to go," Trin ordered.

Brett stepped out and just kept doing what they had instructed her to do and practiced. It became almost when she played in a game the crowd noise was gone; she was alone as she walked. Somewhere along the way, she passed Angela, but Brett didn't notice.

At the end of the runway, Brett stopped, as instructed, and struck a pose. After a specific count, she turned and started walking back down the runway. Finally, she returned to behind the curtain.

This is where Brett thought the NASCAR Pit Crew analogy fit. The dressers quickly got Brett out of her dress, shoes, and she was quickly into her next outfit. With everything adjusted and in place, Brett got ready and back inline.

Brett tried to slow her breathing down. Strangely, Brett had to admit it was a rush to walk the runway. Looking at Angela, Brett smiled slightly; Angela nodded and smiled back.

"Once more around," Angela said, with a bit of her usual childish giggle.

"Yes, once more," Brett said.

As they moved closer to the runway, Brett tried to keep her breath under control. Watching the women head out onto the runway. Once Brett got to Trin, she took a deep breath and stepped out onto the runway.

It was the same path, crowd, Brett, just different music and outfit. Brett felt more comfortable out on the runway. Stone-faced, as she was instructed, Brett reached the end of the runway, stopped, and struck another pose.

After the pause, Brett started her way back down the runway. Without a thought, she dipped behind the curtain and was behind the scenes.

Brett walked over to the dressers and started to remove her shoes and outfit. They slipped on her next outfit. Once the dressers had Brett's shoes and outfit secure, she went back inline.

Brett looked at Angela. Angela nodded and turned towards where Trin stood. Brett could clearly see Angela's angel wings tattoo; the wings have sort of become Angela's calling card. Brett remembered asking Ashlyn about the wings. Ashlyn said Angela got them when she was rehabbing her knee after her freshman year at UCONN. Ashlyn didn't know the significance of her getting angel wings.

Angela went to the threshold and looked over her shoulder at Brett.

"Once more onto the breach," Angela said and gave Brett a cheeky smile.

Brett smiled and nodded as Angela stepped out onto the runway. Brett stepped closer to Trin and looked out the door, and watched Angela walk the runway.

"Last time around, Brett, enjoy," Trin said.

"Thanks," Brett said.

"Now, go out there and work it," Trin said.

Brett stepped out onto the runway and walked the line. It took all her will to walk toe-heel, something she didn't do naturally. Finally, Brett arrived at the end of the runway and paused, struck a pose. As gracefully as she could manage, for the third time, she turned and walked down the runway.

Behind the curtain, Brett saw Brooke talking with two of the bigger named models in the show. Brett nodded and started to walk over to get undressed. Angela grabbed Brett's elbow. Brett noticed Ellie standing next to her.

"Where you headed off to?" Angela asked.

"To get dressed," Brett said.

Ellie chuckled, "You've got plenty of time for that," she said.

Brett looked at Angela and Ellie, "So, what are we doing?" she asked.

"You've got to see this," Angela said.

"Yeah, you do," Ellie said.

Brett followed Angela and Ellie to the entrance to the runway. After the last model left for the runway, Brett noticed that Brooke and the two top models waited at the threshold. Brett could hear cheers as the last model headed down the runway to return backstage. Brooke and the two models stepped out onto the runway.

Brett stood at the threshold and watched as Brooke confidently strode down the runway flanked by two models. The crowd cheered as they saw Brooke. Brett watched as Brooke stood at the end of the runway and waved to the masses.

The three women started to return to the backstage area. Brett could see Brooke had an enormous smile on her face. Brooke came backstage and looked at everyone around the room.

"Thanks, everyone, for making this a successful show," Brooke said, "We'll see every one of you at the after-party."

"Are you going to the after-party?" Ellie asked.

"I don't know," Brett said.

"If you do, just be careful; some people are snakes," Ellie said.

Brett nodded.

"Aunt Libby!" a boy's voice called out.

Ellie turned to see Wyatt run towards her. Ellie got off the counter and hugged Wyatt. When they broke apart, they looked at each other.

"You looked great out there," Wyatt said.

"Thanks; what did you think about Brett?" Ellie asked.

"She looked great," Wyatt said.

"Why don't you tell her?" Ellie asked.

"Where is she?" Wyatt asked.

"I'm right here, Wyatt," Brett said, turning to look at Wyatt.

"Wow! You look amazing; I didn't recognize," Wyatt said.

Brett smiled, with a bit of color starting to creep into her cheeks. "Thanks," she said, looking at Wyatt.