Good morning! I had an 8:50 class, but put on your best outfit and look amazing (like always). Take a cab 8 blocks up to a studio called “Model Synch”. You have an interview at noon with Madison. I love you so much you’ll do great! Dinner at 6-Sparklers, McCartney’s coming too.

-Greg

”And you Greg Raposo never cease to amaze me!” she smiled at the note. That gave her about an hour and a half to get ready. Hilary got into the shower and took the time to shave her legs and then blow-dry her hair straight. She had bought some new clothes and good make up with her saved money, anticipating getting a job soon. She wore a pair of dark jeans with a stylish top. It was freezing outside, so she layered with a nice suede jacket. Greg saw Hilary eye a pair of gorgeous black leather boots, and spoiled her with them. She was so grateful to him and assured Greg she’d pay him back somehow. So Hilary pulled on her boots and locked to door behind her. She hailed a cab on the street corner and gave him directions to the place. When she arrived, Hilary told the lady at the front desk who she was and sat down on a couch to wait. Amazed, Hilary looked around. The walls were covered with pictures of unbelievably skinny, perfect models walking up the catwalk in expensive one-of-a-kind couture outfits. A little doubt came over her. She couldn’t picture herself doing that sort of thing, but then again 3 months ago she couldn’t picture herself living with Greg in New York City, and for a split second, Hilary thought of her dad. But this ugly thought was interrupted.

“Hilary Dock?” a voice came from behind her. Gracefully Hil stood up and walked to a tall breathtaking woman standing in the doorway of a huge office. “I’m Madison, please come in,” Madison guided her to a chair in front of a desk and smiled politely. “A friend of mine called and told me about you.”

“Y-you know Greg?” She stammered.

“Of course I know him, he’s my cousin!”

“Oh, look I don’t want this to be just a favor for family or anything like that,” Hilary felt like leaving.

“Oh not at all love, Greg showed me pictures.”

“I don’t think I’m like one of those girls on the walls out there, strutting up and down,” Hilary questioned her.

“Eh, that isn’t for everyone. When I saw you sitting there and saw the picture, I was thinking more of magazines. What sort of clothes are you in to?”

Hilary was shy and embarrassed, “Well, actually I…I don’t really have much and what I do have come from department stores. I never really had much money for expensive clothes…”

“Hilary, I think everything is about to change for you. Ever been into Abercrombie & Fitch?”

“I’ve looked once or twice, why do you ask?” Hilary was stumped.

“Don’t be naïve love, you’re going to be on the cover one day. And I’m going to help you do that.” Madison had a confident and big white smile on her face, one that you saw and couldn’t help smiling back at.

Sparklers was shockingly crowded for a Wednesday night, filled with university kids mostly. The vibe coming off of Hilary was so strong Greg and Jesse noticed it right off the bat.

“It went well, very well,” Greg mumbled.

“You bet your ass it did!” Greg hadn’t seen Hilary this excited in a while. “Your cousin and I talked about it over lunch, and she said she’s going to call her partner at A&F in the morning for a quick photo shoot, as a tester sorta.”

“That’s awesome! They have the hottest girls!” Jesse was so pumped.

“Ha-ha, this is great, celebrate over drinks, anyone?” Greg laughed devilishly.

The crew was so drunk by the end of the night, but so happy for New Beginnings.