Nina's first scene - Once Upon a Love Story
I love introducing a new character. There's only one chance to make a first impression and have you as emotionally committed to their journey as I am.
So, just for fun I thought I'd post the first scenes for Nina. Today's snippet is from my free prequel, Once Upon a Love Story.
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Once Upon a Love Story
Chapter 1 A Model Life
“I’m out of here, coming clubbing with us tonight?”
“No, I’ve got an early flight home tomorrow.”
“Okay, bye Nina,” a girl no older than sixteen or seventeen waved on her way out the door with a gaggle of other young models who had probably done a fraction of the work Nina had pulled off over the past ten days.
The end of Nina Elphaine’s fifth Fashion Week and her toes were crying out for a foot massage and comfy slippers not more high heels and dancing. Her ice blonde hair wanted to naturally dry without being styled within an inch of breaking. Her back was complaining from hours of unnatural poses and even her face hurt. Why didn’t they tell you cheeks have muscles which ache after days of either smiling or pouting – depending on which designer and their mood.
She should be grateful designers still demanded her long, athletic frame despite her breasts being larger than some of their samples. Most designers and photographers forgave her almost anything when they saw her portfolio of work. Fashion blogs, high end fashion shoots, runways from her home town in Melbourne, Australia to Milan, New York and London.
The Europeans loved her relaxed Australian down to earth manner and healthy tan, while the American and Australian designers loved her Nordic features.
It didn’t matter – her covers sold magazines and her features moved racks of product. Since arriving in town, she’d either been working or sleeping. The camera didn’t lie and lack of sleep could be the death knell on the career she relied on to pay the bills while she completed her studies.
“Miss Elphaine,” a frantic young woman dressed completely in black interrupted her thoughts, “I’m so glad you haven’t left! Mr Andreas would like headshots of you in the blue evening dress. I’m so sorry but you’re needed in hair and make-up again.”
She sighed, not even having time to respond before the assistant left to deal with another of Andreas’ “emergencies”.
A model’s life generally lasted until mid-twenties. Nina needed it to last another two years – long enough for her to finish her double degree in commerce and international marketing at Melbourne University in southern Australia. Her middle-class parents struggled to give her the academic opportunities her grades demanded but were never going to be able to financially support her leaving home for university. Luckily, ever since a local photographer “discovered” Nina while taking graduation snaps in her final year of high school, her modelling paid for study. Which meant at the end of London Fashion Week, the only thing she wanted was peace, quiet and her own bed.
“Nina, you look wonderful,” Sebastien, Andreas’s photographer pulled her into position, “Fresh, gorgeous. Give me those blue eyes, turn. Look up, no, to the side.”
Andreas joined them to approve the proofs before Nina could escape.
“Darling, no one is looking like you! All my other girls are tired and hungry, but you, my darling. How can you still look so fresh. The camera doesn’t lie and you are flawless!” Even though his kiss didn’t touch her face, Nina was spun around for the make up artist to double check, triple check.
“You pay me to be fresh and flawless,” she laughed. “Seb, have you got everything you need?”
Nina ached to stretch, sit, even get a sip of water but knew until both photographer and designer were happy, she’d be at their mercy.
“One more set, ready?” of course they didn’t wait for an answer. Before the camera was in his hands, Nina was in place and ready to strike a pose. Half an hour later and even Andreas was satisfied.
“Leaving so soon, surely you are coming to my party tonight?” He looked crestfallen as her feet relaxed in soft pumps and headed towards the exit. Nina threw him her best smile to take the sting out of her rejection. The show was over, months of hard work at an end and Nina knew from past years, any after party tonight was bound to get dirty.
“You know, I would if I could, but I need to get back to class,” always a good excuse. “If you don’t need me anymore, I’ve got a plane to catch.”
“You’ve given me everything I need, you always do,” the façade slipped and for a moment, Andreas seemed sincere. For almost a year he had unsuccessfully pursued her. Thwarted by distance and time-zones. It took careful balancing not to mix business and pleasure. Perhaps one day – after her modelling days finished. But by then, he would have moved on. Men always do.