“Benjamin,” she says again, louder now as if he’s suddenly lost his hearing. “We discussed this already. Remember?”
He glances back at her. “I’m sorry, Mia. But I can’t do this anymore. Erin nailed it. I do feel like I sold out. Like I’m selling my soul to the Devil for a little bit of fame. And I refuse to keep doing it. It’s wrong.”
I feel like someone just pulled the floor out from under me. Is this for real? Or am I getting scammed just like Paige did? “Whatever,” I say. I don’t trust him yet.
“For real. I am sorry,” he says in a contrite voice. But then, I remind myself, he is an actor. And reality TV, well, it’s not always as real as it seems.
“I did tell Paige that I loved her,” he continues. “And I told her that I wanted to break up with Mia. Mia knew all that. But what she doesn’t know is…I did fall for Paige.”
“You did not!” Mia steps closer to him. “Liar!”
“Everything Paige said was true. I fell for her—the moment I met her I was swept away. She’s sweet and genuine and fun. Mia, I haven’t been in love with you for…” he pauses to think. “Well, months anyway. I just played it that way because we know that’s what fans want. Always give them what they want, right?”
“But you told me that the whole thing with Paige was just a publicity stunt!” Mia is fuming. “You lied to me.”
“I had to. You wouldn’t accept anything else.” He shakes his head. “And I’m not proud of it. I can’t imagine how hurt Paige feels. She’ll probably never forgive me.”
I feel lightheaded. Is this really happening? I glance over to see cameras are still running. And their director Rod looks pleased, like this is even better than he expected.
“I hate you!” Mia screams at Benjamin. And then she begins swinging her fists and yelling some really foul words that may or may not end up on the cutting-room floor.
“I have to get Paige,” I call to no one in particular. Maybe Mom, although I haven’t spotted her yet.
“Tell her I’m sorry,” Benjamin yells back. Then, as I reach for the door, he lets out a yelp that sounds like Mia just landed a solid slap. I sort of wish I could’ve seen it, but right now I just need to find my sister.
Chapter 18
“I’ve looked everywhere for her,” I tell Mom. It’s nearly seven and dark out, and Paige is still missing. I drove all through Mia’s neighborhood, expecting to find her wandering the streets and sobbing. I even went to look for her on the beach, but it was raining and the beach was deserted. Then hoping she’d taken a taxi home, I came back here. But it’s obvious she hasn’t been home.
“And her phone is still going straight to voicemail,” Mom says in a worried voice. “The light just turned green so I should probably hang up before I cause an accident.”
“Yes,” I say urgently. The idea of having lost my dad, Paige missing, and my mom in a car wreck is more than I can handle. “Just come home, Mom. There’s no way you’re going to find her by driving all around.”
“You’re right. But I can’t help but look as I drive. Although I can’t imagine her out walking by herself in the rain. That just isn’t Paige.”
“But none of this is really Paige,” I point out.
“Poor Paige. I wish she’d answer her phone.”
“Hang up,” I tell Mom. “Maybe she’s trying to call you.”
“Maybe. See you soon.”
I start pacing in the kitchen. Like Mom, I’d rather go drive around looking for Paige, but I know that’s ridiculous in a town this size. I’ve already called Blake and several others, begging them to pray for Paige. Because, I wouldn’t be surprised if my sister’s on the edge—teetering—and I really hope that she falls on God.
I continue to pace. Pace and pray. And as I pray for Paige, I realize how much I love my sister. I know we’re different as night and day, and I know I sometimes make fun of her or call her shallow. But more than ever, I realize that I need Paige. It’s like we’re connected…like yin and yang, like shadows and light in a black-and-white photo, it takes both to give dimension. My life would be flat without her. And despite all the trouble that comes with my sister, I really do love her. I so don’t want to lose her.
“Look what I found!” Mom exclaims. I turn to see my sister—at least I think it’s her, but it’s hard to tell since she looks like a drowned rat.
“Oh, Paige!” I run and hug her. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
She hugs me back, tightly holding onto me as if she missed me too. Then finally, she steps back and I’m thinking I’m almost as wet as she is. “Mom told me what you did, Erin.”
“Go get out of those wet things,” Mom insists. “Take a hot shower and I’ll fix us all some soup. Then you and Erin can talk.”
Paige doesn’t argue and I help Mom make grilled-cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. It’s one of our favorite “comfort” meals and I’m thinking I could use it tonight.
“I found Paige just a few blocks from home. Can you believe she walked all the way here from Mia’s house?”
“No way.”
“Yes. She said she wanted to think.”
“Wow, that was a lot of thinking. Wet thinking.”
“I only told her about how you dressed down those horrible kids, Erin.” Mom reaches over and pats me on the back. “By the way, I can’t remember ever being prouder of one of my daughters. I would’ve stood up and cheered, except that I promised to remain quiet.” She chuckles. “Also, I didn’t want to spoil the scene because I’m hoping they’ll use it on the show.”
“Oh, I seriously doubt that—”
“Don’t be so sure. I was chatting with the director after the bloodshed, which by the way, there was.”
“What? Bloodshed?” I’m partly horrified and partly curious. “Who? How?”
“Shortly after you left, Mia slugged Benjamin right in the nose. It looked like it might be broken.”
“No way!”
Mom nods. “Yes, it got ugly. But once Benjamin’s nose was spurting blood, the director stepped in and called it a wrap.”
“Will they put that on the show?”
“It sounds like the whole thing, from you and Paige showing up until the nose punching, will air. The director was actually quite pleased with himself.” Mom shook her head. “You’d think he’d planned the whole thing.”
“He didn’t, did he?”
“I really don’t think so. I kept watching him as the whole thing was going on, hoping that he’d stop it earlier when you girls were still there, but I watched his face and he looked as shocked as anyone as to how it turned out. Shocked and pleased.” She sadly shakes her head. “Reality TV is a strange beast. In some ways it’s like the news…only far more brutal.”
Finally, Paige emerges looking warmer but still unhappy. While we eat our soup and sandwiches, Mom and I take turns replaying the whole thing for her, even to the part where Benjamin publicly declared his love for her. But still she doesn’t seem to react.
“Aren’t you happy?” I ask as I finish the last of my sandwich.
She just shrugs. “It feels like too little, too late.”
“I must admit I wanted to wring that boy’s neck,” Mom says.
“Me too.” I said.
“You did better than wring his neck, Erin,” Mom tells me. “You brought him to his senses. That line about selling his soul to the Devil—well, it was just perfect.”
“You said that to him?” Paige looks at me with wonder.
“That and a lot more,” Mom confirms.
But still, Paige doesn’t seem too happy. And I guess I can’t blame her. Benjamin might’ve come around, but just moments before he was Mia’s puppet, sacrificing Paige for his own welfare. Not a trait a girl likes in a boyfriend.
I’m helping Mom clean up after dinner when my cell phone rings. “Go ahead and get that,” Paige tells me as she takes the saucepan away from me. “I’ll finish up in here. It’s the least I can do.”
I look my p
hone and see that it’s Blake. “Sorry, I forgot to call you,” I quickly tell him. “Paige is home and fine.”
“Good to know, but I thought I’d let you know that the gossip sites have already picked up the latest story. And I have to say, that sister of yours is coming out on top. Paige is smelling like a rose.”
“Seriously?” I run to my room and turn on my laptop, hunting for the site that he’s currently looking at. And he’s right. The tables have turned and now Mia is looking like the wicked witch and Paige is the victim. Isn’t life funny.
But even after I hang up and go show the site to Paige, she’s not really happy about it. I wonder if she’ll ever be happy again. I also wonder who leaked this story.
It’s not long until our home phone rings with Fran Bishop on the other end, saying that we’re still on for the fashion show tomorrow.
“You’re kidding,” I tell her. “We’re still invited to Mia’s fashion show? How is that possible?”
“It’s not really Mia’s show,” Fran informs me. “So it’s not really her decision. And when it comes to publicity…well, you know how it goes.”
“Right.”
“So, I want you girls at the studio around ten. Then we’ll all drive over together. The show’s supposed to start at one, and our crew will be all set up.”
Once again, Paige isn’t really happy when I tell her what should clearly be good news. “That means we’re still doing the show,” I say plainly, like maybe she doesn’t really get this.
“That’s good.” She looks back down at the Elle magazine she’s been flipping through.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
She just shrugs.
“Still hurting over Benjamin?”
Now she nods. “I’ve never been treated like that before, Erin. Aside from losing Daddy—and that’s a whole different kind of pain—I can’t remember feeling this hurt.”
“It’ll probably take some time,” I tell her. “Has Benjamin called?”
“My phone’s off.”
“And he’s probably in pain too.” I’m primarily thinking of his nose.
She sighs and looks back at her fashion rag.
Paige continues to remain somber the next day. She’s unusually quiet as we drive to the studio. And even as Fran helps pick out our outfits, stressing that today matters more than anything since it will be our first official On the Runway show—our premiere—Paige is like ho-hum.
“Paige?” Fran finally demands. “What is wrong with you, girl? It’s like you’re not even in there. Are you sure you’re up for this?”
Now Paige smiles and starts to chatter away, as if hoping to convince Fran that all is well and that she really can pull this off. While Fran might be buying this little act, I know that’s all it is. But hopefully no one else will be able to tell.
We arrive at the hotel where the fashion show is being held, and as we go through the lobby, one of our camera guys, Alistair, meets us and immediately goes into filming. And, remembering my role here, I follow suit. It’s a comfort to have my camera to keep me busy—and to hide behind.
Meanwhile, Fran hurries ahead to make sure that all is ready in the fashion show area. Somehow Paige manages to keep her bubbly, chatty self going, talking to the camera as if she’s talking to her new best friend (the viewer) as she discusses today’s fashion show and what designers are being featured and, once again, I can’t help but admire her grit. I couldn’t pull that off if I was suffering a broken heart.
We’re almost to the elevators when we see a guy approaching and I think it must be Benjamin, although it’s hard to tell because his face is so swollen and his nose is bandaged and his eyes are blackened. He literally looks like he was hit by a truck. A truck named Mia.
“Benjamin!” Paige gasps to see him. Then she subtly signals at Alistair to stop shooting. But he just keeps going like he thinks he’s getting something good.
I put down my camera and actually place my hand over his lens. Knowing how much camera guys hate this, I know I’m taking a serious risk.
“Let’s give them some privacy, please,” I tell him. “It’s not like we’re the paparazzi, right?” Paige and Benjamin hurry off to a secluded area over by the bathrooms where, thankfully, no one seems to notice them. I thank Alistair for cooperating, then open my backpack, extract my camcorder, and begin asking him for some filming tips. This keeps us both busy for a few minutes and eventually Paige comes back, and to my relief, she looks a little happier. She’s not yet her same old self, but something has changed. I’m hoping that means Benjamin gave her the full apology she deserved.
We go up the elevator and into the ballroom where the fashion show will be and where a number of people are already milling about, including some designers and other guests. Everything seems pretty much set with lights and sound technicians and cameras running and, like a pro, Paige immediately takes control of the situation. She begins talking to various Big Name people, discussing the latest fashion trends with them and even fielding, with wit, their own questions about her new show and personal life. We slowly make our way to the back and into a smaller room where the models are getting ready. It seems pretty hectic back here, but I just keep my camera focused on my sister and film her as she works this room just as efficiently as she did the other. And, in fact, all seems to be going smoothly. I feel like maybe I can breathe a little more easily.
That is until we see Mia and several of her friends, the “bighearted” ones who are “donating” their time as models this afternoon. So charitable of them. I’m wondering how Paige is going to handle this sticky situation. The simple solution would be to avoid them—and it would serve them right to lose their opportunity for extra publicity—but instead she heads straight for them. Not an easy feat considering they’re clear in the back, where I’m sure they hoped to be overlooked by On the Runway.
“And here we have some of the stars of that immensely popular reality show, Malibu Beach,” Paige says brightly. “In fact, Mia Renwick has generously helped to put today’s fashion show together. Hello, Mia.” Paige extends the handheld mic toward Mia. “You look absolutely beautiful today. That shade of blue is stunning. Can you tell us a little about what and who you’re wearing, Mia?”
Mia looks stunned, but she quickly recovers and launches into a description of her silk-and-lace evening dress and the designer who made it. It’s obviously not the one Paige gave her for her birthday; I’ll bet that one might’ve gone up in smoke.
Paige moves on to the other girls, who’ve had a couple minutes to regain their composure, and they manage to answer the questions almost as flawlessly as Mia. And, amazingly, that’s it. No name-calling, hair-pulling, swearing, or mean looks. Whether it’s all just an act is anyone’s guess, but these girls have on their best manners today. Go figure. Maybe their moms are in the next room.
The fashion show seems to come off just as smoothly as my sister’s coverage of it. All in all, everyone seems pleased. It’s also nice to know that the proceeds of the event are going to be donated to the Children’s Miracle Network. Finally, Paige signs off by explaining that the next On the Runway event will be at the Golden Globes.
“And I hope to see you all there,” she says happily. “In the meantime, keep putting your best foot forward.” Our cameras move down to her long legs and zoom onto her shoes, just like Fran directed us earlier when we staged this final scene. Paige giggles as she points her toe and jiggles her foot for this shot. She’s wearing a pair of pretty hot-pink pumps, although I don’t get the bright red soles. Then our cameras zoom back to her face. “And in my case that would be Christian Louboutin.” She makes a finger wave. “See you next time—On the Runway.”
“Cut and that’s a wrap!” Fran tells everyone. “That was great, Paige.” She pats her on the back. “And, unless I’m mistaken, this premiere show is going to be a hit. I can’t wait to hear Helen’s reaction next week.”
“Thanks.” Paige is beaming. And I’m thinking she’s mostly b
ack. Okay, maybe not totally back. In a way, I think that’s a good thing. I think maybe her old self actually decided to grow up just a bit. At least I hope so.
Chapter 19
I can’t believe how quickly the On the Runway film editors went over what must’ve been hours and hours worth of film, magically reconstructing it into what turned out to be a cohesive and entertaining show. To my surprise, it looks as if some of my own camera footage actually made the cut. They also fit various excerpts from the Malibu Beach show into it, including some of the less-than-flattering Mia scenes. Finally, the show covered the fashion show, ending with the put your best foot forward line.
“Wonderful,” Helen exclaims as the house lights come back on. We’re in the studio’s viewing room, which is actually like a mini theater, along with the rest of our crew.
“The editing was brilliant,” Paige says. “Amazing.”
“And that music was awesome,” I add.
“Do you think we might actually have a hit on our hands?” Fran asks cautiously.
“We’ll know the answer to that in a few days.” Helen stands up. “Nice work, people. Now keep your fingers crossed.”
As we walk down the hallway, Helen puts her arm around Paige’s shoulders. “I have to say, I doubted that we’d get here.” She chuckles. “It’s certainly been a rollercoaster ride this last week—but you turned out to be a trooper. And if you keep it up…well, there’s no telling where you’ll end up.”
“Thanks for not giving up on us, Helen.” Paige smiles as she slips her arm around me, pulling me into their little love circle. “The truth is, I never would’ve made it without Erin.”
“Oh, I’m fully aware of that.” Helen winks at me. “Where would we be without our little Jiminy Cricket?”
“What?” Paige looks confused.
“Never mind,” I tell her. Then we part ways and Paige and I head for the exit.
“I wish Mom could’ve been here,” Paige says as we walk through the parking lot.
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