Reality And Romance

“A lot of people didn’t fail to notice that I’m black. Well done by the way,” she said sarcastically. “A few of you were even kind enough to refer to me as Andrew’s ‘jungle princess,” Libby scoffed in disgust at the memory. “Therefore, I also thought I’d take this opportunity to make it abundantly clear that I am indeed royalty and therefore it is a very bad idea to fu*k with me.” Libby smiled purposefully, before continuing. “I know I’m not perfect. I over think everything, I doubt myself, and sometimes I take these doubts to heart, sometimes I do let them hold me back. I nearly let them come between me and Andrew. So that’s why I’ve come in here. I want to let you all know that I’m not going to let others dictate how I behave, and what this relationship is going to be about. I love Andrew. That’s enough for him, and that’s enough for me, and as far as ‘us’ is concerned, those are the only two things that matter.”

With her final sentence complete, she stood from the tub and walked back out the door.

*****

Libby’s appearance on the show had gone down far better this time. As it turned out, once you stopped caring about the press liking you, they loved you. Libby was slightly bemused by the whole thing, but Andrew was delighted. Libby now had fans. To her great surprise, she had now collected a small faction of supporters, especially among teenage girls, who were tired of putting up with rigid beauty standards. This fan base was only small at the moment, but it made all the difference. Every time someone attacked Libby online, or in the paper, chances were there was a whole other faction prepared to defend her.

With Libby now having adjusted to the media attention, they turned their minds to other matters. They had entered the final few days before the fashion show, and had all been called together for the final rehearsal. The show was taking place in a large glass building in the center of town, it was usually reserved for theater performances, and rock concerts, but for one week only, it would be hosting New York Fashion Week.
“This is it.” Andrew said. There was a slightly nervous quality to his voice.

“It’ll be fine.” Libby gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. “You’ll blow these guys out the water.”

“I hope so.” He leaned down and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, before leading her to her dressing room.

It didn’t take her long to get changed. Libby found that after everything that had happened, she wasn’t really nervous. She was excited.

After she had put her costume on, she stepped on stage and lined up for the proper rehearsal. They had been scheduled to go towards the end of the show, so they got to first watch the other models walk down in their costumes. Libby had never seen such beautiful men and women in all her life, and some of the dresses were spectacular. In particular she had enjoyed the selection of wedding dresses based off of the Disney princess’ and the suits and dresses that had been designed around the fairies and characters from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Eventually their turn came. They were three acts before the end and therefore would have to stand out to get attention, as they had been put on at a time when people’s attention started to wane and they became impatient. Diane and Chris were up first, although as they had no formal training, they moved a bit too fast, and instead of a strut, both of them did a rather contrived, overly casual sort of walk. They were made to repeat it a couple of times, but finally got it right when Aaron came on the stage and showed them how to hold their posture, and told them to walk as if they were stepping in time to the beat of ‘Another one Bites the Dust.’ Next on stage came Vanessa and Johnny, neither of whom had any problems, pouting, posing and flexing, Next on came Aaron and McKenzie. Most noticeable about those two was the contrast between them, and how they held themselves on stage. Aaron looked like he was born for the stage, as he moved down the line, eyes poised and focused. McKenzie had the posture and timing right, but there was still something strange about the way he walked, it seemed much more defined in some way, more purposeful. Nonetheless, in his costume, which was based off the design of a spider, it really worked.

Finally the time came for Libby and Andrew to take their turn. Libby held her breath as they walked down the catwalk together. She tried not to look down at the crew, and instead did as she had practiced with Andrew and kept her eyes straight ahead. When they got to the front of the stage, they pulled out their weapons and began their routine, although they didn’t get very far before Andrew tripped and stumbled onto the floor.

“Sh*t!” he yelled, as his head contacted with the floor.
“Andrew! Are you alright?” Libby asked, reaching down to help him up.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, taking her hand. “Sorry everyone,” he said forcing a smile, before readjusting his outfit and picking up his weapon. Libby bit her lip anxiously, he may have resumed his movements, but she could see the furrow of worry that had formed across his brow.

*****

As soon as they had gotten backstage the chaos started to ensue.

The cool demeanor Andrew had maintained on stage cracked, and he buried his head in his hands.

“I fell!” He yelled. “How could I fall?”

“It’s the dress rehearsal,” Libby replied, soothingly. “You’re supposed to mess up.”

“No.” Andrew’s shoulders were now shaking violently and he looked as if he were about to cry. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for three years. This is my big chance! If I mess it up, I don’t know how I’ll live with myself.”

“Don’t worry about it dear.” Began Vanessa, although Libby noticed that she wasn’t actually looking at him. “Whatever you do, it won’t be as bad as McKenzie’s strange spider walk.” She feigned a laugh, as if this had been a complete joke, and not just a snide dig.

McKenzie, simply huffed, giving Aaron a quick wave, before announcing that he was leaving. Vanessa looked pleased, but Aaron gave her a piercing glare, before following him, with Johnny close behind him.

“Andrew dear,” His mother began but he cut her off.

“I need to go…sort through this. I feel sick.” He said, his face as pale as a sheet, and he turned to leave.

Libby ran after him immediately, leaving Vanessa standing alone.

*****

Libby hurried to Andrew’s dressing room.

“Andrew you need to listen to me. You won’t -” Libby tried to begin, as she opened the door, although her words were cut short when she actually looked at him. Andrew was in a sorry state, leaned against the wall, with his arm to his eyes. He was crying.

“I know I won’t fu*k up on the night, okay? I know I’m making a big deal out of nothing.” He said, his frantic tone, his tears and hoarse words, didn’t reflect the optimism of his words. “It’s just a lot of pressure, alright?”

Slowly, Libby walked towards him, gently removing his arm from over his eyes and taking his hand.

“Andrew, I know you don’t want to hear this. But you might mess up.”

“What the fu*k Libby? Why would you say that?” Andrew dragged his arm away from her.

Libby shrugged, “Because it’s true. You’re human, I’m human. Sometimes we fu*k up.”

“This is going to be one of the biggest nights of my life,” He snarled, finally walking away from the wall, trying to stand as far away from her as possible. “And you’re telling me I’m going to fu*k it up!”

“Not that you will. In actual fact, you probably won’t. But it’s a possibility.” Libby remained perfectly calm, meeting his fiery gaze with one as cold as ice. “I overslept one of the exams for my University finals after falling asleep half way through an all-nighter. I cried and sulked for a few days, but then I went back and re-sat.”

Andrew shot her a blank look, “I don’t see what you’re saying.”

“That even if you mess up, it isn’t the end of the world.”