Week Two:
Emma-
After the first elimination, Emma realized just how much she wanted this. Seeing someone with as much beauty and personality as Cruella leave put things in perspective for Emma. Her dream seemed so close.
"I can't believe Cru is gone." Mal said in the room when they got home. "Being in the bottom two is so scary."
"I never want to experience that." Ruby stated. "By the way, congrats Emma and Regina. Your picture looked so amazing."
Mal didn't say anything. It was clear that she was annoyed that Emma had done well. Until then, Emma didn't think anyone saw her as real competition. Emma had been the underdog, but she knew now that her talent was shining through.
"I was surprised by how well we worked together." Emma admitted. "Regina is the posing queen."
"Thanks." Regina smiled with a slight blush. "You worked really hard on set, Emma. You deserve most of the credit."
Emma was shocked by the compliment. She knew Regina didn't say those things lightly. It was sincere, and Emma felt proud to have impressed Regina.
"Beginners luck." Mal said with an eye roll. "I just had an off week."
Emma wondered if Mal's attitude would improve before the next judging. Emma had watched previous cycles of the show and it seemed that they always kept a mean girl in the house for a while. Half of why people watched the show was to see the stupid girl drama.
"We'll see." Ruby muttered.
The girls were interrupted by Tink's voice. She was announcing to the house that they had mail. Everyone hurried to the living room to hear what the letter had to say.
"You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk? Fierce and love, Tyra"
Everyone knew that it could only mean one thing: runway walks. Emma had been dreading this. She was clumsy in heels, and she knew her walk was not her strongest. But, Emma was not going to give up. She would work twice as hard because there was no way she could go home.
Emma was up at the crack of dawn. They didn't have to leave until 8 am, but Emma wanted to get in some runway practice. By 5:30, she was taking advantage of the giant runway in their living room. She strutted up and down, trying to remember all the little details. It was hard judging yourself on your own walking ability.
"Chin up a bit." Emma nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw Regina standing there. "And try not to bounce so much."
"Uh, thanks." Emma gave her a half smile. She was too embarrassed to keep practicing in front of Regina.
"Don't stop on my account." Regina told her. "You actually had the same idea I did."
"Oh please, like you need practice." Emma huffed. "Your first steps were probably runway worthy."
"I'm short for a model." Regina reminded the blonde. "I have a lot to make up for. Come on, we can practice together before the dragon wakes up and takes over."
Emma couldn't help but snort. The dragon was the perfect nickname for their roommate. Mal seemed to want to be Regina's friend, and Emma was glad that Regina wasn't falling for it.
Regina and Emma practiced for the next half an hour. Emma was surprised by how easy it was to make small talk with Regina. They didn't have much in common at first glance, but they found many things to chat about. Emma was actually enjoying the brunette's company more than she should have. It was getting tough to remember that Regina was her competition.
The competition ended up being a runway show for one of Emma's favorite designers. The Charming brothers were identical twins who designed ball gowns and formal wear. It wasn't Emma's typical style, but she knew the brothers were very down to earth. Their mother had been part of the business before she died of a rare heart disease. Since her passing, the brother's donated half of their earnings to a charity in her honor. Emma felt it was very nobel.
"The girl with the best walk will be safe from elimination and will win a one of a kind dress from the designed." The runway instructor told them. "Myself and the Charming brother's will judge you and decide who we think owned the runway."
It began to get chaotic. There were girls being thrown into dresses all over backstage. Emma was put in red dress that was made of silk. It had cape sleeves and a long flowing skirt. She loved it. Regina, she noticed, was in a light blue ball gown made of lace. She looked soft and beautiful. Emma couldn't help but stare.
"Emma your up!" Emma snapped out of her staring and was pulling to the runaway.
Her adrenaline was higher than ever. She took a deep breath and shook off her fear. Once she was out, she let herself have some fun. She made it to the end of the runway, struck a pose, and turned back around. Emma felt like she was doing great. Until, that is, she tripped in her heels. She nearly tumbled right off the stage, but managed to catch herself. She felt her heart stop. The embarassment hit her when she heard the crowd gasp. She practically ran back to the changing room.
Emma felt like she had royally screwed up her chance to impress some of her favorite designers. On top of that, runway walks were crucial for a top model. She was probably going to be sent home for her horrible performance.
"Emma?" She looked up to see Regina. "Are you okay?"
Emma shook her head. Hot tears were running down her face. She was even more mortified that Regina had witnessed her failure. She wondered who else had watched her tumble.
"It wasn't so bad." Regina tried to comfort. "Honestly, you looked so good until you tripped."
"I probably lost my chance." Emma sniffled.
"Nonsense, you can still make it up with the photo shoot. Besides, it's the first fashion show. It's going to be fine. Jasmine's walk was way worse than yours." Regina said. She handed Emma a tissue. "Don't give up, Emma."
"Thanks." Emma offered a weak smile.
The two headed back out. The show was wrapping up and the winner would soon be announced. Emma hadn't seen how the others had done, but she hadn't heard of anyone else who fell. She hoped that they could see past her mistake and understand. She felt bad for hoping someone did worse.
"Alright, so we had a few stumbles." The judge said. "I've seen worse, but we have much work to do. That being said, many of you did fairly well. There was one girl who really surprised me. She was confident, and she looked really great in the designer's clothes."
"We feel that one of you definitely proved to us that you can rock a runway." One of the brothers, James, said.
"And that girl is Ruby." David announced.
Emma was happy for her roommate. She knew Ruby had a really strong walk. Emma just hoped she stuck around long enough to ask Ruby for help.
*EMMA CONFESSIONAL*
"I feel very defeated today. I was trying too hard, I know that. My time here can't be done. I need to prove to myself and everyone else that I deserve to be here. This photo shoot has to be damn good or I know I'll be the one packing my bags. I know Regina said it wasn't that bad, but I feel like it was the worst of the group. I don't know what I will do if I go home."
Regina-
The competition was growing more and more intense. Even growing up with Cora Mills as her mother couldn't prepare Regina for the intensity. Girls seemed to be constantly at one another's throats, and they never seemed to have a break. Regina knew she was lucky to be here, and she wasn't ungrateful for the opportunity, she was just starting to feel the stress pile up.
"Hey." Regina looked up from her seat on the balcony. She had snuck out to escape the chaos of the house.
"Emma, come sit." Regina offered with a smile.
Emma took Regina's invitation and came to sit next to her. Regina knew that Emma was her competition, but she was also starting to see the blonde as her friend. She had been surprised by how quickly she was coming to like Emma.
"I needed to escape all that estrogen." Emma joked. Regina chuckled.
"I understand."
"It's been a long day, but all they want to do is act like sorority girls on a Saturday night." Emma stated.
"I know what you mean." Regina smiled. "I think some of them think they're still in high school."
Emma nodded. They sat in a comfortable silence. Both enjoying the small dosage of quiet they were getting.
"Thank you, by the way for what you said at the challenge." Emma said. "I know I said it earlier, but really, it helped."
"I'm glad you feel better." Regina told her sincerely.
"I need to kick butt on this photoshoot." Emma sighed.
Regina didn't want to think about Emma going home. Her feelings for the blonde were something she didn't know how to explain. They grew quickly. She knew the more time she spent around Emma, the stronger they would be.
The girls had received mail stating that they would have a photoshoot the next day. Emma and Regina had gone to bed before the other girls to get some sleep. Regina didn't care about making friends much with the other girls. They weren't her type of people, and she was happy just hanging out with Emma.
"What do you think we'll be doing?" Mal asked the next morning as they all got ready. Emma was eating breakfast and Ruby was in the shower. It was just Regina and Mal in the room. "The letter said Don't sink in this competition."
"Probably some kind of water shoot." Regina said. "I hope it's not underwater. I'm not ready for that."
"So, I totally envision you and I will be the top two." Mal told her roommate. "You and I will definitely be the last two standing."
Regina did not agree with her vision. Mal was pretty, that was certain, and she had a modeling ability, but Regina felt she was too much of a bully to win. America's Next Top Model had to be a role model.
"We'll see." Regina smiled.
"I think we could be friends." Mal said. "And, as your friend, I'm telling you to lose Emma. America's Next Top Model isn't going to be some white trash-"
"Emma is a fantastic model." Regina cut her off coldly. "She would be a true inspiration for young girls who struggled like she did."
"Pick your friends carefully, Regina." Mal warned. "What would Cora say about your budding relationship with Foster Girl?"
"My mother doesn't get a say in who I chose to spend my time with, and honestly, I'm sure she'd rather I spend time with someone who has actual potential as a model."
Regina didn't wait for Mal to respond. She stormed out of the room and down the stairs. She poured a cup of coffee and tried to stop steam from coming out of her ears. She was so angry at Mal for judging Emma without even knowing her.
"You okay?" Emma asked from the counter top where she was eating her toast.
"Fine." Regina grumbled.
"Right." Emma didn't buy it at all. "Look, don't let whatever it is get in your head. Focus on the photo shoot, okay."
Regina knew Emma was right. Her issues with Mal could be dealt with later. Right now, she needed to worry about nailing her next photo.
When they arrived on set they found out that they would be doing a photoshoot on life rafts in a pool. It would be a photo for a new line of hats. Regina was glad they would just be floating on the water instead of going in the water.
Regina made sure when she went to hair and makeup to sit far away from Mal. She refused to allow drama from this girl to ruin her shoot. It was too important to do well today. She was not ready to go home.
When Regina got to wardrobe Emma was there. She was dressed in a black bikini with a matching black sun hat. Regina tried not to oogle her, but it was difficult. Emma looked wonderful in her suit. The stylist handed Regina a red one-piece suit to put on. Regina forced herself to look away from the blonde and get changed.
"Good luck." Emma told Regina as Emma was lead to set.
"Thanks, you too." Regina smiled.
Regina was done in wardrobe and had some time to wait for her turn on set. She was able to watch part of Emma's shoot from afar. It was clear that Emma was struggling to find a pose on the raft. It was surprising to Regina because Emma was a natural at posing. Emma seemed to grow frustrated more and more as the shoot went on. It worried Regina.
Jay called Emma off set. He told her it hadn't been the best shoot for her and that she needed to learn to be more comfortable in her own body. Emma looked like she was going to cry. Regina wanted to comfort her, but she was being dragged to set before she had the chance.
Regina climbed onto the raft and discovered that it was easier than she had expected. She found the light right away and started to fall into poses that felt the most natural. She ended up having a lot of fun on the set too.
"You rocked this shoot." Jay told her proudly. "I was really impressed with you today."
Regina was glad to get some praise, but she couldn't enjoy it too much. Not when she knew Emma had struggled. She was nervous for elimination.
Judging happened the next day. Emma had told Regina she was worried about going home. Regina had tried to comfort her, but there was nothing she could do to ease the blonde's worry. Her fate was in the Judges' hands.
Tyra started calling people up to look at their photos. Jasmine had been first and the judges seemed unimpressed by her picture. Ursula was next, and she also seemed to have a rough shoot. Regina hoped that meant Emma still had a chance. Mal was called and her photo was good. Not the best Regina had seen, but definitely in the top.
"Regina, you're next." Tyra called. Regina walked up to them and they pulled her photo up.
"Marvelous!" One of the judges exclaimed.
"It's very pin up meets vogue!" Another judge stated.
"You had the strongest film out of all the girls." Tyra smiled.
Regina thanked them. They dismissed her and called up Ella. They kept going down the line. Some girls got great feedback, others not so much. Emma was the last name for them to call.
"Emma, I was a little disappointed in your film this week." Tyra told the young girl. "It seemed like you really struggled."
"I did." Emma admitted. "I just, I want this so badly, but it's hard, you know? I am still trying to be confident in myself."
"You have a talent." A judge told her. "Learn to believe in yourself and you're there."
The girls were sent out of the room so the judges could deliberate. Emma and Regina sat away from the others. Regina tried to cheer Emma up and not let her feel too down. Soon, they were called back.
Regina could feel Emma shaking next to her when they got back to the judging room. Tyra stood in front of them with the photos in her hands. Regina prayed that both and she and Emma's photos were in that pile.
"I only have thirteen photos in my hands, and these photos represent the thirteen of you that will still be in the running toward becoming America's Next Top Model. The girl that I do not call must immediately return to your house, pack your bags and go home." Tyra told them. "The first name I will is best photo this week. Regina."
Regina was shocked. She had gotten praise, but she didn't think her photo had been the strongest. She smiled and walked over to accept her photo from the judge.
"Next name." Tyra began to call off the rest of the girls. "Mal. Ruby. Ella. Mary Margaret. Tink. Belle. Mulan. Aurora. Marian. Ursula."
Regina held her breath. Emma was in the bottom two. She and Jasmine were called up to stand in front of Tyra. As much as Regina like Jasmine, and as beautiful as she was, Regina hoped it was her who went home. Emma deserved to be here more than anyone.
"You two had the two weakest photos in the bunch." Tyra explained. "Emma, last week you were on the top of this pack. But a not so good runway show, and a not so good photo shoot makes the judges wonder if your success was a fluke."
It was not a fluke, Regina knew it. She wished she could scream it out loud. Tyra hadn't even had a chance to see how amazing of a model Emma was.
"And Jasmine, your also struggled this week. Unlike Emma, you have faded into the background, but your unique beauty should make you stand out." Tyra took a breath. "So who stays? Emma."
Regina let out a breath of release as Emma grabbed her picture. She felt bad for Jasmine, but she was so glad Emma got another chance.
*REGINA CONFESSIONAL*
"I know that this is a competition, but Emma wants this so badly. It would have been horrible to see her leave. I know that she can do this. She has it in her, and I am so confident in her abilities. I want her to do well."
A/N Next chapter is makeovers and maybe a make out ;)
-Kai