Iva's POV :

I woke up with a throbbing headache. My vision was blurred. I moved my heavy head left and right and I realized I was not at my home but at Ana's. I yawned, still need some sleep, so I curled myself, smiled and was again ready to sleep but something popped in my head and I almost fell from the bed. Today is the day! Today is the show! Today is Ana's exam! My eyes revolved the room, but Ana wasn't there. I immediately ran downstairs hoping Ana to be there. Ana was doing something in her laptop while drinking her favourite chocolate milkshake.

"Ana?"

He eyes turned to me. She was ready. Her hairs were tied properly. She had her perfect clothes on. High heels and a winged eyeliner shaping her beautiful eyes.

"Iva, you woke up so early. The doctor said you to rest." She stood up and took me upstairs. I was confused. Before I could ask her questions her I Phone rang.

"Yes Liz...yes...I'll meet you directly at the school. Thank you.." was all I could hear her talking.

"Who's Liz?" I asked.

"Ah Liz? Remember yesterday I said I have arranged a model to walk for me today? She was asking where to meet me as we have to reach the school early than the others.

"Ana?" I cleared my throat. "Have I not walked properly? Have I done something wrong?"

"What? No. Of course no Iva. You are not well. You need to rest."

"For God's sake I am fine! I have had a damn makeover just for you. I have practiced on heels and damn heavy books on my head for hours and now you are telling me to take rest? Have you gone crazy?"

"Hey..hey..hey...calm down Ivee!" She smiled.

"Seriously? You are smiling and calming me down? Call your model now and tell that doesn't needs to come." I demanded.

"Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yes I am absolutely fine!" I hopped three times and stretched my arms and legs and did somersault. Yes I have learned it from my father. We used do it every day when my mom used to watch TV. She used to get so irritated and to take revenge she didn't cooked the dinner and so we have to go to restaurants. Mom realized that the punishment was no longer punishment for us and finally gave up. But, from that day dad and I never troubled her with the somersault but carried it on doing behind the couch when she was busy in the Television soaps.

Ana laughed. "Where did you learn it from?"

"Dad." I replied. Smiling remembering the days.

"Okay! We are on! Get ready we have to rush."

°°°°°°°°°°°°

We reached Manhattan's fashion school. There was work going on near the entrance of the school. Ana showed her ID and we were allowed to go inside. From distant I was able to hear the hustle and bustle going on. The backstage was filled with the students and models. There were many mirrors with lights lining their borders. Some models were having their make-up done and some were having their hairs working. I was stunned by the view. I have seen such a thing in fashion channels. I never ever even wondered that some day I'll be doing this. My heart started pumping.

"Tia.." Ana called. Though I heard her I didn't responded. My tongue got numb.

"Tia!" Ana shook me this time.

"Y...ye..yes.."

"Go wear this." She handled me a dress. A dress she has designed. Without uttering a word I did what Ana said. I looked at the mirror. The dress was beautiful. I have never imagined to wear something like this. It was amazing and it was enhancing my skin tone. It seemed that this dress was made to be worn by me. I blushed. I just couldn't take my eyes from the dress. I felt so good.

I came out of the changing room and saw Ana tapping her feet anxiously. When she turned to see me, she had the same emotion in her eyes like I have seen in the mirror few minutes ago.

She then told me to sit in one of the chairs which had the lighting mirror in front. The hairstylist came and started doing my hair. After my hair was done the make-up man came. He had given me a nude make-up. The make-up perfectly blended with my skin and I looked natural. Make-up and natural? Well..

"Tia, you are looking gorgeous!" Ana exclaimed.

"I am getting goosebumps." I replied nervously.

"The same is happening with me. But it's okay. It's natural. I know you'll do well."

I nodded.

We had our rehearsals before the start of the show. While we walked, I saw Dash standing to the right of the stage. He smiled. I got more nervous than before. He had trained me and I have to walk my best. He was making corrections in everyone and during my turn he pointed out my mistake. "Tia, you are again bouncing. Do you have springs in your heels?" He tilted his head. I heard some chuckles behind me. The voices made me fume in anger. I turned back and glared at them and they went quiet. I smirked. I went back and walked again.

"Still any problem Dash?"

"It was good. Try not to bounce. It looks pathetic." He said and arranged us for the final rehearsal.

I went backstage. Ana was ready with some juice. She gave me one and we sat for a while to chill.

"Attention please." A woman entered in. She was wearing a formal grey suit and a black shirt. Down her knees shone black stiletto.

"Can I have only the participating students and their respective models here please. The rest can wait outside." She had a genuine smile.The make-up artists, hairstylists and other members moved out.

"So students listen to me attentively. There has been some changes in your exam. One girl drew a table on which different things were kept.

She gestured her hands towards the table. "These are some head gears, handcuffs, belts and scarfs which you have to add it to your design. You can do whatever with it just make sure that it shouldn't be altered in any form. These things which have been given to you have thoroughly checked by the judges and any slight disfigurement or change done purposely on these things will take you in trouble."

"What? But these are very different from the theme we have been given." One of the student said.

"Yes. It's really unprofessional. It's are exam dammit! We are already in so much stress and you came up here with these things." Said another student.

"I am sorry. It isn't my rules. It's compulsory to use any of these things of your choice or else you will be disqualified."

The backstage was filled with murmurs and swear and heavy breathing. Though we models weren't affected by the things, we just had to walk but it was their exam and such a change didn't felt right. The nervousness, the rising of the blood pressure, the swearing, the anger, the clutching of the fists and gritting of the teeth filled the atmosphere.

"Guys, let's not get hyper. We have no choices left. We have to follow the rules. After all it's the biggest and life changing exam for us. People die to be in this college. We are the students of on one of the most prestigious fashion institution across the world. What else can you expect? It was going to be different. It was going to be more just than designing the outfits. We all just failed to see it coming." Ana said.

All the students nodded in positive. The previous haunting atmosphere was now filled with energy. The students scattered and started doing their work.

"Wow! You said it really well!" I winked.

Ana took a deep sigh. "Yeah. I'll be back in a minute.

She came back. She looked fresh. "Tia, I think this head gear will be perfect but it's a bit heavy. Will you be able to handle it?" She asked.

"I'll manage."

As Ana came ahead to put the head gear on my head one of her colleague grabbed it from her. "I have already chosen it Ana. You can't take it."

"Chloe, this hat will match your dress more than this gear." Ana mumbled.

"I know but I can't do anything. It's already taken by Alice and once taken is not given back."

"Who made this stupid rule? Can't we talk and solve this?"

"It's a competition Madam. It's the toughest exam. You only said it moments ago right?" She smiled and left with the head gear.

Ana's lips were twisting. Her eyes scanning the table with the objects. "Competition ha. No issues." She rolled her sleeves and took a scarf and a belt. She then started to do something and told the make-up man to give me the final touch up. I was looking at the mirror, mesmerized by the reflection it showed. I saw Ana standing behind me and kept something on my head.

"See, I made a head gear. How's it?"

"It's good!"

"I didn't had time to stitch them so I glued them together."

"It's looking classy. Far better than the previous head gear. You did a good job." I gave her a thumbs up.

"I hope the judges like it too."

"Come on girls stand in a line. The show's going to start in five minutes." My heart pounded.

The staff member made us stand in a proper line according to our numbers. She had Bluetooth in her ear and a notepad in her hand. Her eyes was in the notepad as she started numbering us. "Alice you'll go first. Grace you are second. Tia, you are sixth."

When I heard my name I got numb. In few minutes I was actually going to walk in front of many people. The thought of it made my stomach churn.
"All the best Tia. I know you'll rock the stage. Be confident. Just look straight and don't blink your eyes too much. I trust you." She said more and more but I had lost the capability of listening so everything she said was like blah blah blah. I got numb.

"Tia you are next. Come in front." The staff member said.

She had her index and middle fingers pressed against the bluetooth she nodded and then said, "Tia get ready. 10...9...8" I started taking deep breaths. There was a sudden rush of blood in my head. I clutched my fist and released them. I was ready. It's just a walk. A single walk. No big deal. I assured myself.

"Oh my goodness!!! Tia!! The head gear!" I turned around to see Ana. She ran towards me and picked up the gear she made. The glue had failed miserably to keep the scarf and belt together. Ana started doing something with it.

"Dammit!" Ana shouted. Tears falling from her eyes. She applied the glue again and pressed them with palms.

"6.....5....4...."

*************

So what do you think will happen next? Will Ana be able to make gear fixed or will she be disqualified?

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