AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I know it’s a little unconventional for me to come and welcome you to the show rather than waiting until the end. But this is my most important collection to date. This is a collection that encapsulates what it means to be a woman and contains multitudes. One of our models in particular stands out as someone you are not used to seeing on the catwalks of Bryant Park. Stella Banks, a virtual unknown in this world, and my new muse. An effortless beauty and unwilling to bend herself to convention. Today she is a model, but most days you can find her running Pair of Paws, a no-kill shelter in New Jersey. They are full-up with adoptable darlings, and we need your help in finding their forever homes,” Cash explains with an elegant, unquestioning air.
I’m glad Stella found her. At the very least, maybe she won’t regret the trip if she got a good friend out of it.
“After the show, join us out in the park to meet some of the animals up for adoption,” Cash says and then smiles, folding her hands gratefully. “Enjoy.”
Music begins to play, sweeping strings infused with an urban beat. The first models begin to walk down the runway, but I don’t even feel like I’m seeing them. I’m just waiting for Stella. Colin beside me is doing enough enjoying for the both of us, on the edge of his seat with his mouth open.
The things men will do for a woman that isn’t even theirs.
Finally, Stella walks out, her curls swept back in a tight ponytail and her expression impossibly serious as she keeps her eyes on the end of the runway. Her heels are sky-high, and she’s doing an amazing job of walking in them. Her blouse floats behind her like a train.
People around me start to applaud, so I do too, meekly. I feel my strength leaving my body as I’m consumed with nervousness. I hope she doesn’t see me. I don’t want to throw her off her game.
Models start returning in different outfits. Stella struts out again, this time in an olive dress torn asunder to reveal a T-shirt, complemented by a pair of combat boots. Somehow, she doesn’t seem as steady as when she was walking in the high heels. Her cheeks are sunken as if she’s sucking on them.
Something’s wrong. I can just feel it. I glance at Colin to see if he notices, but he’s too caught up in the drama of the show to notice.
She does her walk and then disappears into the back again.
The next round begins; every model is wearing a Pair of Paws t-shirt paired with incredibly crafted pants and sandals. Very Stella all around. Some of them are even walking dogs down the runway.
Stella emerges at the very end. Maybe it’s the makeup, but she looks incredibly pale. I know her body well enough to know when she’s struggling. Her chest is heaving as she takes measured breaths, walking down the catwalk in her signature Birkenstocks, her hair now tumbled over her shoulders, wild and free.
When she gets to the end of the runway, she strikes a quick pose before she starts back down the runway. Her steps are heavier, as if she’s about to trip over her own feet.
“Colin, something’s wrong,” I say.”
“What?!” he asks loudly over the music.
My concern is confirmed when Stella comes to a complete stop and grabs her head.
I get out of my seat as quick as a flash and leap onto the runway just as she wavers and her eyes start to roll back into her head. I grab her before she can hit the ground; she’s passed out completely.
There’s a collective gasp from the crowd; the music stops suddenly.
I lower Stella to the ground carefully, taking her up in my arms. Then I touch her cheek and rub my thumb across her skin. “Stella… Stella, can you hear me?”
Her head lolls to the side as she takes a deep breath, struggling to force her eyes open. “What’s…” Our eyes meet. “Flynn?”
I push the sunglasses up onto my head so she can see me clearly. “Hey. It’s okay. You’re okay.”
“Stella, oh my god, are you okay?” Colin exclaims, falling to his knees.
Her hand tightens on my arm. My heart flutters. “What happened?”
“You don’t remember?”
“I…” she shuts her eyes tight. “It’s so bright in here.”
I look up at Colin. “We need to get her to the hospital.”
Colin swallows and nods, pulling out his phone.
Colin and I look like clowns pacing back and forth in the waiting room in our matching suits. He’s told me a couple of times that I can go, but there’s no way that I’m leaving him here alone. Even if Stella doesn’t want to see me, I’ll be by my best friend’s side as long as he needs me.
He’s currently on the phone with Cash. “Everything’s fine. Please, you don’t have to come out here and check up on her right now.”
By the time an ambulance arrived, Stella was alert. She was complaining of nausea and dizziness, but otherwise, she seemed fine. Colin rode in the ambulance with her and I caught a car here.
