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Chapter 1
Liza
Liza Eckland hit the gas and pulled in front of a parade float carrying a giant labrador retriever carved out of wood. On the side of the float she read the sign, “UnderDogs Rescue.”
Showtime.
This was Liza’s moment to show off her latest design in front of a live audience and then stream it to her thousands of followers. She pushed a button that would retract the top of her dad’s red Mustang convertible and then hit record.Just make it to the stop light…
Liza gave her brightest smile while cheerily waving to the crowd. The people on the street waved in return.One more block to go…
As Liza rolled into the main street intersection, she threw the car in park and pressed play. Music began blaring from the car speakers. A Seven Co. faux fur coat flared around her as she gave a grand wave and spin. The beat shifted and she let the coat fall to the floor revealing a sparkling “Unwrap Dress” that she had designed.
Liza stood on the trunk of the car, striking a variety of model poses. The UnderDogs truck was inching steadily closer to her bumper. It was now within millimeters, and she knew her time was almost up.
Suddenly, the driver blasted his horn and Liza stumbled. Shooting the truck driver a glare, she recovered, climbed back into the driver's seat, and smiled to the crowd while blowing one last kiss.
In her rear-view mirror, a police officer was approaching on foot. Liza peeled off to the right while the rest of the parade floats continued straight.
Time to make myself scarce.
After driving thirty minutes, she pulled into a gas station. Once safely parked, she let out a deep exhale. Her heart was pounding and her hands trembled. Pulling out her phone, she texted her best friends.
Liza Eckland:Guys… I did it!!!!
Parker Halstead:Liza… What did you do!?
Gemma Reyes:Your parade idea? You actually did it!?
Parker Halstead:Liza… oh my gosh! You’re gonna end up in jail!
Liza Eckland:Or I could end up going viral!!
Gemma Reyes:Or both… most likely both.
Liza had been friends with Parker and Gemma since elementary school, but after high school their life plans sent them in different directions. Parker took a scholarship to attend UCLA on her way to becoming a doctor. Gemma stayed closer to home, but still went the college route by going to St. Paul University to study marketing. Liza’s passion and goals revolved around fashion since she first discovered the showProject Runway. At ten-years-old, she’d begged her grandma to teach her how to sew and began consuming Youtube videos on all things design.
Liza's parents, who were divorced, never agreed on anything. Their concern about fashion design as her career choice was one of the few things they saw eye to eye on. Her mom, Deborah, thought it was a cute hobby in middle school but soon lost her enthusiasm when she heard Liza wanted to pursue it professionally. It was way too "out there" for Deborah Eckland.
Liza’s dad, John, was concerned about the financial stability of a fashion designer. Liza was determined to prove them both wrong. All she had to do was get the attention of a major retailer and her dresses would be worn world wide.
Her idol, Seven, had millions of followers on social media. He dressed all the top celebrities and influenced the design industry at every level. That’s why when he commented on one of her Unwrap Dress videos, she experienced a taste of viral fame. He even sent her a direct message encouraging her to keep up the good work.
After the shock of his comments wore off, she got the courage to ask him for advice on how to take her designs to the next level. He told her to look for inspiration every day and find unique opportunities to showcase her dresses.
His advice to “Create your own spotlight!” was seared into her brain. Sneaking into her town’s Thanksgiving Day parade was a step in that direction—right?
Liza Eckland:Posting the video soon!!
Parker Halstead:Hope you can make prison-orange fashionable. So nervous for you!
Gemma Reyes: Yay!! Can’t wait to see it!
Clearly, Parker was the level headed, cautious one of their friend group. Gemma was the spunky go-big-or-go-home friend. Liza fit somewhere in between. Although she had been shy when she was younger, in high school she came out of her shell. Her newfound confidence was thanks to her best friends and the positive feedback from high school guys for dressing so daring. Every time she pushed the envelope, her need to go a little further swelled.
Liza’s phone pinged and she saw a text from her mom.
Mom:Liza, just a reminder that Thanksgiving dinner is in an hour. Please be on time.
