Did I forget about this story? (Maybe) But that's because I am currently writing three other stories, have two literally being in the works as we speak, and maybe twenty being planned in my head.

Guys, one of my New Years Resolution this year for my fanfics is to try my absolute hardest to write longer chapters.

Anj0921, you gave me this idea so freaking long ago and you most likely don't remember but nevertheless, this came from you.


Photo #44: Illéa's Next Top Model

Eadlyn has already clarified that her mother was a fashion icon for everyone. She can dress professionally, elegantly, and casual all in one outfit. She could even make bottoms as rustic as jeans work for a dress-only gala. Even with her red hair, which most would say is the hardest to work with for clothes, her mother pulled off every single color.

With that in mind, fashion designers from all around the world would use this to their advantage. Since they finally had a woman who could make a trash bag the next new trend, the sky was the limit to them when it came to designing. They could throw a multitude of colors, fabrics, accessories and even if Queen America said she didn't like the outfit they made, they was no denying that she still looked amazing in it. Even King Maxon would say she looked beautiful (then again, Eadlyn knew that even if her mother was in fact wearing an actual trash bag, that wouldn't stop her father from swooning).

The next photo on the wall comes with a series of snapshots. Each of them of her mother in a series of different dresses, all of them extravagant designs and colors. Her mother strikes a pose in each photo, as if she was a model on the runway. What confuses Eadlyn is that behind her mother in each of the photo stands Ms. Marlee, Mr. Woodwork, Mr. Ledger, and Ms. Lucy - each of them holding a white board. What's written on the boards is blurry and Eadlyn doesn't know whether or not she reads a number.

-o-

"Look at what came for you!" Marlee cheers, marching into America's room with a box in her hands.

Marlee places the clean, white parcel on America's bed, where she is currently sitting. She opens the package and America crawls over, excited for whatever contents may be inside. Marlee pulls out dresses by the handful - all ranging from casual to ball gown. America gasps as she puts the various fabrics and colors on her face.

"I love them!" America exclaims.

"You'll love these too, my lady," Lucy says.

Lucy, along with Maxon, Carter, and Aspen enter the room with a box identical to the one Marlee had with her. All of them with loads and loads of outfits just for her. America feels spoiled but a bit of her doesn't mind that feeling at all.

"How will I ever choose which of these I like and don't like?" America asks. There are so many outfits set before her that she wouldn't want to waste her time with the ones she would never spare a single thought to.

"I have an idea!" Marlee exclaims. "It's a bit odd yet fun and Lucy and I want to see the dresses. Maxon, get your camera."

Later, in the foyer of the castle, Marlee, Aspen, Carter, and Lucy sit in a row of chairs, each with a pile of white boards on their laps. Maxon walks in front of them with his camera. All of them desperately waiting for America to come walking out in the first dress.

"Are you ready?" America calls from the top of the staircase.

"Ready when you are," Maxon calls back.

America appears on the top of the staircase. She strikes a pose in a long, satin, royal blue dress with a cluster of silver jewels in the hip. America sashays down the staircase, swaying her hips back and forth. She strikes a pose at the botton and is greeted with cheers from her friends on the sidelines and flashes from Maxon's camera. Her friends all hold up boards with the number 10 written in bold permanent marker.

"Fit for a queen!" Carter exclaims.

"My Lady, you look stunning!" Lucy adds.

America runs back up the staircase to change into another dress. She comes out minutes later in a ball gown that has a deep red bodice and that fades into an ombre effect as it goes down the skirt. Maxon still snaps pictures but the scores vary on this one - most high and one low.

"It seems like your hair is a part of the dress," Aspen comments.

"Then she can just wear her hair up," Marlee says as if that was a given option. "For example, she can pair it with a bun."

"And a necklace with matching earrings," Lucy adds. Marlee nods her head, high-giving Lucy for the support of saying that this dress is amazing..

America looks at Maxon as the four of them continue to bicker over whether the dress is great or not. Maxon just gestures for America to change into the next one as he joins their debate (he personally liked the dress).

The next dress has America already cringing as she drags her feet across the top of the staircase. Her head is lowered as she walks down the staircase slowly as if she was ashamed to be in the dress. Everyone else cringes, even Maxon, but that doesn't stop him from taking pictures. The dress was a light brown with a knee-high skirt and poofy sleeves. The downside of this dress is that the skirt and sleeves were entirely covered in fringe.

"That dress looks familiar..." Carter mutters, still holding up a low score. Everyone turns to him wondering what kind of memory was provoked by an atrocious dress. "I've seen something like it in those Western flicks..."

"Cowboys!" Aspen exclaims.

America rolls her eyes at their amusement. She spins around in the dress with open arms to get the fringe flying - which frankly, was the only thing she liked about the dress.

After hours upon hours of trying on dresses, the ones that were already modeled were divided into the following piles: Definitely, Save for a Rainy Day, Different Opinion on a Different Day, Reserved for Marlee/Lucy, and Bye!

"This better be the last dress," Maxon says, taking a breath as if the modeling was taking a toll on his physical health when in reality he was just pushing a button on his camera. "My camera is almost out of film."

"This is enjoyable," Marlee says happily, "it's like being at a real fashion show. I mean, look, we're the judges/audience, Maxon's the photographer, and America's our model."

Everyone takes that into consideration and nods their heads, seeing how much sense that makes.

America approaches the top of the staircase for the final dress of the show. She wears a proud smile on her face as she makes her way down. From the last step, she hops onto the ground and stands in the front and center of them, posing like a doll from the early forties with a pearly smile and teacup-like folded hands.

Her dress was a mix of vintage and Asian culture. The form of the took after the forties (hence America's pose) with a structured cupcake skirt that stops at her ankles and a simple bodice and white collar. The design, however, took the Asian route. The bodice was a solid white that slowly faded into a soft pink skirt that's decorated with Japanese cherry blossoms.

Everyone is left speechless, except Maxon's camera which takes pictures until the film ran out. America looks at her judges whose jaws all hit the floor in amazement and awe. Carter holds up his sign which has the number ten with an emphasized plus sign beside it, Marlee's has a heart with a happy face in it, Aspen drew explosions around his 10, and Lucy drew the infinity sign.

America claps her hands together in joy as she takes a spin in the dress.

"Well, we have our showstopper!" She exclaims, running back up the stairs to change back into the clothes she was wearing before all this happened.

"Who knew flowers were so pretty," Maxon says, still dazed from that last dress - or the whole show in general.

"I did," Carter replies, "but that's only because I work in the gardens."

"So, which dress do you think she'll wear to the upcoming gala?" Lucy questions.

Though that last dress was a definite favorite within the five of them, they all said a different dress for America to wear at the upcoming gala. That caused them to have another debate, arguing pros and cons for why their dress should be worn and not the others. They mention the guests who will be attending, the time of year, the theme, and much more to support their argument.

America, hearing everything from upstairs, sighs to herself with a smile. She would walk away but she decides to eavesdrop to see who could sway her (although she personally picks the last dress to wear).


I had loads of fun writing this chapter. This year is off to a good start for this story, I believe.

Stay Tuned - The stork's coming!