Against all odds

The First Casting

KIARA'S POV

I stood up, holding my portfolio tightly against my chest.

Turning to Bella and Lukas, I caught their reassuring smiles before making my way toward the office where the casting interview would take place.

As I stepped inside, several people were seated behind a long desk. I straightened my posture, took a deep breath, and stopped in front of them.

"Hi. Please tell us your name and agency."

"I'm Kiara Lamar, and I'm from Amore's Modelling Agency," I answered confidently, although my heart was racing.

"Let's see your portfolio."

I handed it over. I was nervous. I didn't know what they would think of my portfolio, but I hoped their reaction would be positive.

"Now let's see you walk."

I walked toward the end of the room before pivoting gracefully to face them again. My palms had turned clammy, and it felt as though the temperature had suddenly dropped. Every pair of eyes remained fixed on me. I forced myself to maintain eye contact, even though it wasn't easy.

It wasn't as if I'd never walked a runway before. This was simply my first official casting.

Silently praying to God, I began strutting back toward my original position. Each step felt more confident than the last. My expression remained composed as my hips swayed naturally with each stride.

When I finally came to a stop, I released a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"We're going to take your measurements," the only woman on the panel said.

Someone else—a junior designer, I presumed—stepped forward and began taking my measurements.

"Can you smile?"

I gave them the smile I'd been practicing in front of the mirror every day.

"Turn around."

I did as instructed.

"Can we take some digitals?"

As if I had much of a choice. Unless I wanted to fail the casting, saying no wasn't exactly an option.

A photographer walked in carrying a camera and began taking my digitals. Every flash made me even more nervous. I just hoped I didn't look terrible in the photos.

A few minutes later, he lowered the camera.

Oh God... please let them come out flawlessly, I prayed silently.

"Thank you for your time. We'll get back to you."

I nodded politely before leaving the office.

The moment the door closed behind me, I let out a long sigh of relief.

Bella and Lukas immediately rushed over.

"How did it go?"

"Did you do well?"

"Did you recognize anyone on the panel?"

They bombarded me with questions.

"You guys should let me catch my breath first," I said with a hint of attitude.

"My bad," Bella apologized.

"Come on," Lukas said. "I'm sure you did a good job."

"Yeah..."

We hurried out of the building. I waved at the receptionist before stepping outside.

Once we reached the cars, Lukas convinced James to drive my car home so the three of us could ride together.

Lukas took the driver's seat while Bella and I sat in the back.

She seriously couldn't get enough of me.

"So," Lukas said as he pulled away, "tell us everything."

"It went well. They were pretty strict, so I knew they were taking the casting seriously."

"Yeah, they're usually like that," Lukas reassured me.

I filled them in on everything that had happened, and we chatted throughout the drive.

"I got an email from Ms. Banks," Lukas suddenly said. "She'd like you to come in for a test shoot. They need updated portfolio images before your next casting."

"Ughhhh..." I groaned, dramatically rolling my eyes.

"You get to wear beautiful outfits," Bella reminded me.

That immediately made me feel better.

I shrugged.

"I know I'll enjoy it... I'm just exhausted."

"Can we please grab lunch first?"

"Of course."

A few minutes later, we pulled into a McDonald's drive-thru.

The cashier smiled warmly.

"Welcome to McDonald's. What can I get for you today?"

"I'll have French fries, a cheeseburger, and a Sprite."

Bella stared at me in disbelief.

"Seriously?" she asked. "After talking about how tired you are?"

"Don't judge me," I laughed. "I've earned this meal."

Lukas shook his head with a grin.

"You walk one casting, and suddenly you're rewarding yourself."

"Excuse me," I replied dramatically. "That casting nearly took ten years off my life."

The three of us laughed before they placed their own orders.

"That'll be $51.13. Please pull forward to the first window."

We drove ahead, and I paid with my card.

Once we collected our food, Lukas drove toward the agency.

My lunch tasted incredible. I didn't eat fast food often, so whenever I did, I made sure to savor every bite.

Soon, we arrived at the agency.

Believe me when I say I was exhausted and desperately wanted to sleep.

But time was money.

We headed straight to the changing room, where I sat as the hairstylist immediately got to work.

When she finished, I looked in the mirror.

My platinum-blonde loose waves rested just above my shoulders, styled with a sleek middle part. My makeup was soft glam—fresh, polished, and flawless.

I slipped into a fitted cowl-neck camisole in rich shades of mocha brown, burnt orange, and deep red.

The draped neckline rested effortlessly across my chest while the fitted silhouette highlighted my waist.

I paired it with distressed, oversized, high-waisted, washed-blue cargo jeans. Their relaxed, wide-leg fit gave the outfit a bold yet effortless edge.

Black open-toe heels added just the right amount of elegance beneath the long denim.

To complete the look, I wore silver hoop earrings, a delicate tennis necklace, and a matching tennis bracelet.

Running my fingers through my shoulder-length waves, I smiled.

The outfit was confident, stylish, and perfect for my portfolio test shoot.

"Thank you so much," I told my styling team.

They all hugged me.

Without them, I wouldn't look half as good as I did.

I stepped into the photography studio, where the photographer, Bella, and Lukas were already waiting.

The moment they saw me, they fell silent.

"Oh my goodness, Kia! You look stunning!" Bella squealed.

"Thank you."

I walked to the mark in the center of the backdrop.

I planted my feet shoulder-width apart, shifted my weight onto my right leg, and extended my left foot slightly forward with the toe pointed outward.

My shoulders relaxed.

My chin moved slightly forward and down.

My hands rested naturally at my sides as I looked directly into the camera.

"Perfect... chin forward just a little... astonishing."

The shutter clicked in quick succession as flashes illuminated the studio.

I turned forty-five degrees to my right, placing one hand on my hip while letting the other fall naturally by my side. My expression remained serious as I looked directly into the lens.

The photographer lowered his camera for a moment, studying the images on the monitor before giving an approving nod.

"Beautiful. Hold that expression... now give me another angle."

The camera fired again, capturing every subtle movement as I shifted effortlessly from one pose to the next.

Outfit after outfit, pose after pose, the flashes never seemed to stop. By the time the photographer finally announced we were done, I was completely drained.

I changed back into my clothes before heading outside.

Bella and Lukas were fast asleep in the car.

"Y'all aren't s**t," I muttered as I climbed in.

They had disappeared after the first outfit change.

"Sorry," Bella yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

Lukas simply gave me an apologetic smile.

"Do I have to beg you before you start the car and take me home?" I asked, slightly raising my voice.

"Oops."

He chuckled before starting the engine.

I rolled my eyes.

Apparently, he thought it was funny.

The drive home was peaceful, filled with Tems' soothing voice flowing through the speakers while Bella quietly snored beside me.

When we arrived, I was the first to jump out.

"Good night!" I called over my shoulder as I hurried to unlock my front door.

Inside, I kicked off my heels and placed them neatly on the shoe rack in the hallway before locking the door behind me.

I walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and took out the leftover noodles. After warming them up, I ate quickly.

Then I headed upstairs to my bedroom.

I changed out of my clothes, tossed them into the hamper, completed my nighttime routine, slipped into my pajamas, and collapsed onto my bed.

Picking up my phone, I dialed a number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

"Hello!" the person answered cheerfully.

"Hey. Are you free tomorrow?"

"Yep."

"Can we meet up? I'll send you the address."

"Alright. Bet."

"Good night."

I ended the call.

Then I sent Jalen a text.

I hadn't heard from him all day.

Well... he had left me a voicemail saying he was extremely busy.

That made two of us.

After saying my prayers, I closed my eyes and allowed exhaustion to pull me into a deep, dreamless sleep.