T H I R T E E N

I wake to a heavy arm draped over my waist, and two long legs intertwined with mine. I try to untangle myself as much I can, straining to see the alarm clock. "Shit, shit!" I scramble out of bed, waking Beau with a start.

"All I'm gonna say, is you better have a good reason for waking me up like this," Beau nearly growls, flinging an arm over his eyes like a child. I peel my eyes from his hard, tattooed chest and begin grabbing my things for a shower.

"We're late, get up." His confused squint urges me on. "You have a talk show appearance this morning with the rest of the guys, I just have to tag along I guess. I think there's another this afternoon," I rack my brain for our schedule.

Beau groans, not moving from bed. "Hey!" I shout, tossing a throw pillow at his head. "Get up," I yell as I make my way into the bathroom.

I turn the shower on and undress quickly. Bobby and Maeve will be here any minute and it's bad enough my hair will be soaked, I'd hate for them to get here when I'm still in the shower and Beau is still in bed. I step under the water, scrubbing shampoo through my hair. I close my eyes, letting the hot stream rinse down my back, feeling relaxed for the first time in a few days.

A rattle on the shower door makes me jump, eyes wide. Immediately, I throw my hands over my privates. "Beau, what the hell!" I shout at him through the crack he's created and simultaneously cower in a corner.

"You said we were late, this'll save time, no?" Beau laughs, proud of his little joke about joining me.

"Get out!" I scream, pushing the door closed so he can't see through the crack anymore.

"Calm down," Beau laughs again, unusual for him. "My eyes were closed, I didn't see anything."

"Mhm," I mutter, not one hundred percent sure I believe him. I expect him to leave, but instead, he brushes his teeth at the large sink.

"Save me some hot water, would you?" Beau says before leaving the bathroom finally. I finish my shower quickly, my earlier feeling of calm completely gone.

***

The fact that Fiona penciled me in for these interviews is ridiculous, I complain internally as I stand backstage at MisFits second interview of the day. I return with a coffee from the little buffet counter and hand it to Val. "How's it going?"

"Great," she nods, taking the coffee graciously. "They're getting a lot of focus on the tour, so that's good."

We watch quietly for a few moments. Zach and Tyler sit on a leather couch next to the host's desk while Beau and Jace sit in high stools behind the sofa. They take turns answering questions and joking with the host, and I notice how much lighter Beau looks around the guys.

The interview goes well for a few more minutes before the host begins asking more personal life questions. "Beau, obviously, you were involved in a pretty bad bar fight last month. You were even arrested, isn't that right?"

The guys all get quiet and Beau looks irritated. "Oh, we don't need to bring that up, do we?" Zach smiles an easygoing smile at the host.

"But we haven't heard your story yet, right? I mean, what is your side to this, Beau? Wha-" the host talks in that way that all talk show hosts do - they act like they truly care, but the celebrities know it's all for ratings and we all see through it.

"You're right, yeah. I got arrested." Beau confirms, suddenly seeming less confident. He picks his black nail polish quietly.

"And?" The host prompts.

"I uh," Beau runs a hand through his hair, but doesn't push it out of his face at all. Fiona was booking a lot of interviews to get good publicity, and if I'm not mistaken, she wanted Beau to make a public apology at some point. I watch him and can tell he's struggling. "I'm doing better." He says finally. "I've been away from everything for awhile and I'm doing better. I'm focused on the music and my girl, over there," he points casually off stage and the camera follows. I smile and wave, as I know I'm supposed to. "So yeah. Things are better."

I squeeze Val's arm, knowing Beau probably got her into trouble, passing up the perfect opportunity to apologize to their fans. She grins at me, nervousness etched into her features.

"Well we're all so glad to hear that, truly." The host commends Beau, who just nods uncomfortably, a tight lipped smile on his face. I roll my eyes just as I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket.

"Gemma?" I step away to get some privacy.

"I'm surprised you remember me, now that you're practically famous!" Gemma squeals into the phone.

"What're you talking about?"

"You really haven't seen anything? You're so out of it, Emma, really. Okay, 'New Girl 'Emma' Steals the Show at Red Carpet for charity,' .... 'Beau Lewis New Girlfriend - Who is she?'... there's more, Emma," Gemma continues reading me article titles from her social media. "You're everywhere and honestly... this picture is gorgeous."

Confused, I stop her. "What picture?"

"Ugh! Emma! I'll send it to you now." We hang up and my phone immediately chimes with a new text.

I open the photo - a screen grab of an article wondering "Emma - the next big thing?" with my photo just under the headline. I tilt my head curiously, not remembering the photo at all. It's a sultry solo shot, zoomed in shoulder up, where I'm smoldering right into the camera, my lips parted slightly in a full, red pout.

"Oh," I gasp, remembering the flash right in my eyes while the guys got their pictures taken. That must be where this picture came from, I realize, surprised it came out decent at all.

I look my name up for myself and see a dozen articles all trying to figure out who I am, how I met Beau, and whether or not I'm signed into a modeling contract. My head feels like it's spinning on my shoulders - what the hell is going on?

I rush back to Val, thrusting my phone into her hands. "Wow, I don't think we expected this." She covers her mouth with her hand. "How're you feeling?"

I shrug. "I don't know..." My phone vibrates again - more times this morning than it normally does in a week. "It's Fiona," I look to Val. "She's gonna kill me, isn't she?"

"You better answer it." Val offers me a supportive smile.

Again, I head to an empty corner and answer the phone quietly. "Miss Carter, I assume you are aware that your face is all over the tabloids this morning."

"Fiona, hi. Uh yeah, I'm really sorry. I didn't mean for any of this to happen,"

"You're sorry?" I don't reply, not sure what to say. "Your face took up any room for bad publicity about MisFits. I'm not upset." I wait, still not certain of her tone. "In fact, Miss. Carter, I think we have business to discuss. Would you join me for dinner this evening?"

I sputter, "Dinner? Tonight?"

"Will that be a problem?" I'm sure her voice is sharper now.

"No, I'll be there. Send me the details," I bite my lip, wondering what this dinner will be about and thinking about how uncomfortable it will be, just the two of us.

"Valerie will get them to you." She hangs up.

I stare at the blank screen, thinking that she is an even bigger jerk than Beau, before returning and explaining the conversation to Val.

"Wow, this must be a good thing, right?" She gives me a quick hug, never fully taking her attention off the interview.

"You'd know better than me," I admit, still unsure about the entire thing.

***

I decide to wear the same outfit Bobby put me in for this mornings interviews to dinner. It's casual, but chic - a long, form fitting knitted dress with a short black leather jacket and strapped nude heels. I arrive to the hotel restaurant early, but Fiona is still there before me.

As I approach the counter to tell the server my reservation, I notice two others with Fiona. Both are older with graying hair, a man and a woman. But both are dressed outrageously, in bright colors and bold patterns. Still, they look expensive. I gulp. So much for a dinner with just us two. I glance down at my dress, unsure if it was the right choice, now.

With no other option, I follow the server to our table and shake everyone's hand before sitting. "This is Emma Carter." Fiona introduces me in a friendlier voice than I've ever heard from her. "Emma," I notice how we are on a first name basis, now. "This is Zara and Oliver. They represent a top modeling agency here in LA, and they're wonderful friends of mine." She smiles at me in a way that says "You're welcome, don't screw this up."

I smile brightly at them, "It's so amazing to meet you. Although, I must admit, I'm not sure what the interest is,"

Fiona shoots me daggers with her eyes across the table as Zara, the woman, speaks. "We know of a new project some designer friends are working on, and we've been looking for new talent."

Oliver quips, "The current girls are getting stale." I'm taken aback by his words but try to keep my face neutral.

"With your recent attention on the red carpet," Fiona explains. "We decided to set up a meeting."

"Mmm. Yes." Oliver rubs his chin, dark eyes squinted at my face. I squirm in my chair, uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on me, especially knowing they're scrutinizing every feature.

"You're wearing makeup, no?" Zara leans forward, rubbing a finger down my cheek.

"Ah, yes." Oliver nods, leaning back in his chair.

"Yes?" I stiffen in my seat. Maybe I shouldn't have come.

"Go take it off," Zara waves me off dismissively with long, bony fingers.

"Excuse me?"

Fiona nods. "Agencies need to see blank canvases. Go on, in the bathroom there," she points to the far end of the restaurant. Suddenly, I wonder why no one has even offered us drinks yet. What kind of service is this?

"Um," I almost tell them I'm uninterested in the whole ordeal, but the look in Fiona's eyes makes me do as she says. In the bathroom mirror, I flush at the sight of my freckles once I've rinsed off my face. Covering my skin, there's no way you don't notice them. I pull my hair back into a bun and head back to the table.

"Ah, much better," Oliver raises his hands, "This is what the line needs!"

Zara nods. "You were beautiful before. This is how modeling works - certain jobs need certain looks. Before? You didn't work. With the freckles out, you do." She explains to me very simply, in a kinder tone than she used before.

"Wait, modeling..." I look at everyone across the table. "I've never even thought about it,"

"We will give you two days to decide. Fiona will give you the numbers," Zara grabs her purse and stands. Oliver follows. "It was good to meet you Emma. We do hope you'll consider the offer," They say goodbye and leave Fiona and I at the table by ourselves.

"They're very busy." Fiona folds her manicured fingers under her chin. I wonder if she minds how Zara assigned her the work she normally assigns to Val.

"I'm sure." I shift in my seat.

"Here," Fiona hands me a slip of paper. She grabs her large bag and jacket, but stops and places a hand on my shoulder before walking away. "I'll give you some advice, Miss Carter." She shuffles through her bag to find her phone. "I've been in this business for a long time. You should really consider that offer. Chances like these don't come around often."

Before I can reply, she leaves. The slip of paper feels heavy in my hands and I wave down a waiter before opening it. When my wine arrives, I nearly drink half the glass before finally looking at the paper. The dollar amount inside nearly makes me choke.

"Excuse me?" I call to another waiter passing by. "Could I get another wine?"