Melody

When Gavin and I arrived at the venue, I realized it was a cattle call. This meant there were a hundred girls in the large space, hoping to get a job. The probability of getting a job was very low in general, but this specific casting was for a Macy's catalogue, so the chances were a little higher. While I didn't love commercial work as much as editorial, a booking was a booking and I hoped to be one of the girls in the catalogue.

***

On the way back from New York, Gavin and I drove quietly along the freeway. The traffic moving around us, hues of green fading to orange and yellows in the autumn air lining the road. The radio was on, playing pop music that Gavin didn't really listen to, but thought I liked. I didn't ever correct him. He probably just felt responsible for me because his father worked with my mom.

"I still think you should open that Instagram account," Gavin said suddenly. My eyebrows curved into a frown at the thought and I opened my mouth to speak. "Wait, before you say anything against it, just hear me out."

"Okay," I nodded.

"It's a new platform that you'd be able to be seen on. People look at that sort of thing when they want a model. It's like having an online portfolio. You don't even have to run it if you don't want to, but you need to be seen more. According to social media you don't really exist. And I think it'd help," Gavin told me.

Lips pursed, deep in thought, I didn't respond right away.

Social media: a complex concept that many people my age found themselves being enslaved to. While I was on it, I wasn't really on it. Like I had told Carson, I had a secret account that I used to look at fashion and art. But to open myself up on social media was scary. People were mean enough in person; they didn't need the protection of being behind their little screens.

Yet, if Gavin thought it was a good idea... Exposure. I could be a step closer to becoming a model. To being like my mother.

"Okay," I said quietly.

"Okay? You'll do it?" Gavin asked.

"Yes," I said. I suddenly thought about Carson, and how he'd probably be able to find me on there. Maybe it wasn't the best idea. "Um... just give me like a week or two?"

"Deal."

***

When I got home, I sat on the steps on my front porch. The November air was nippy, but the people inside my house were colder. I watched as Gavin's car drove away and dialled Carson's number. He picked up after the first ring, making my lips curve up into a smile. "Did you miss me?" I teased, getting a chuckle from him.

"You wish," Carson replied.

"Yeah, right," I said sarcastically. "What did you want to do?"

"Well, considering you missed school today, I think English homework would be a good idea," he said, making me groan.

"Oh no! Did we get assigned something?"

"Just, another book for now, so I say we go back to that little coffee shop and read and take notes. I'll get you a latte or hot chocolate if you like?" Carson offered.

"That sounds perfect."

"I'm leaving in five minutes then."

"See you soon," I said, a smile audible in my voice.

I went inside after hanging up and ran up to my room excitedly. I was so grateful for him. Always making me smile and feel like rainbows could shoot out of my ears any moment.

I ran up to my room and looked at my outfit. Skinny jeans and a white t-shirt. The way the casting agents wanted us all. I looked through my closet and sighed. Five minutes was not sufficient time to look pretty enough for Carson.

I pulled out a pair of ripped boyfriend jeans and a cute pink sweater that was oversized. After changing into that outfit, I throw my hair into a ponytail with a pink scrunchie. I slipped on a pair of little white sneakers and grabbed a small white backpack and put my English notebook inside of it, before leaving my room.

When I made it down the stairs Mia sat at the dining table munching on her stupid cubed fruit. "Wow, leaving again? Your 'friends' might get tired of you," she smiled.

"Can you worry about your own life for once?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

Mia smirked and shrugged her shoulders. "Did you get the gig?" She stuck a piece of fruit in her mouth, the fork between her fingers waving in the air after.

"I don't know; it was a cattle call," I said. The casualness of the question after the quip was so confusing. It was almost like she genuinely wanted to know. Or maybe she was butting in again? I didn't know and it made my head spin.

"Cattle call... good luck with that," Mia smirked. I couldn't tell if it was meant to be mean-spirited or not. My phone buzzed in my back pocket and I was grateful for an excuse not to reply.

"Um, I have to go," I said reaching for my pocket.

"Yeah, don't annoy them too much," Mia said stabbing another cube of fruit. I rolled my eyes as I turned to the front door. That didn't take long. I slammed the door behind me on the way out.

Carson's car was parked next to the curb, and my feet pulled me down the porch steps towards him like magnets to each other. He was leaning against the side of his white car, a relaxed smile playing on his lips. As I reached him, he engulfed me in a hug, and I could feel my irritation at my stepsister dissipate.

Moving back from slightly from the embrace to see his face, I smiled at him.

"Hi."

"Hi," he said. His breath fanned over my face, reminding me of our proximity. He gave me a soft kiss on my lips, lingering for a moment before pulling away. "Ready to go?" I nodded, though I wasn't so sure my heart would ever get use to the feeling of Carson's smooth lips moving against mine. It was overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time. Carson opened the car door for me. "Well, let's go read The Catcher in the Rye."

As he closed the door, the tiny grin he wore let me know that he knew the affect he had on me. And he enjoyed it a little more than he should have. Or maybe, I had more of effect on him than I thought... I just hoped he'd still feel the same way in a couple of weeks when I told him the truth about where I was today.

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Yayayay for kissy Carson and Mellie asdgjkdsalsfkj (:

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