Nelly looked calm, a hint of a smile on her lips as she flashed Nancy an “ok” sign. Nancy drew a deep breath, lifted her chin, and stepped out onto the runway with purpose. Surrounded by some of the industry’s top models, she still managed to draw every eye the moment she appeared.
Her outfit, though, was nothing like the others in the collection. The difference was so obvious, it set off a wave of whispers.
“Is she not wearing makeup?”
“Her makeup looks kind of messy…”
“Maybe it’s just the style? It actually matches her clothes…”
“But it’s still kind of weird…”
Nancy caught bits of the conversation. It made her hesitate, her confidence slipping. She even wobbled a bit, but her stage presence was so steady that no one really noticed.
Backstage, Nelly was watching and could tell Nancy was starting to crack. She grabbed the assistant’s walkie-talkie and told the stage crew, “Can you change the lighting when Nancy gets to center stage?”
Right as Nancy reached the middle of the runway, the lights dipped. When they flared up again, a golden, dappled glow washed over her face, highlighting her sharp features. The floor projection shifted too, turning from a sparkling coastline into a faraway, endless desert. The effect was just as stunning as before, even though it clashed completely with the main theme of the show.
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