"Wala pa rin si Gwen?" I ask, a bit irritated. We all look around and Tobi shake his head.

"Wala pa.. pero on the way na daw siya eh." He replied..

"OTW nakalagay?" Ali ask, Tobi get his phone from his pocket and read something from there.

Tobi nodded. "Oo.. 'yun nga lang ang sabi eh." He replied...

Ali sigh. "Naku.. on the water palang 'yan. Naliligo palang 'yang babaeng 'yan." Ali said, I sigh and look on the other side.

It's almost 5:30 am. Our meeting time is supposed to be 5am. Para hindi kami ma traffic sa daan. After a week napag desisyunan kong pumunta na sa Manila to go to that agency. I practiced my walk a lot. Take care of my skin and self. I also make sure I get enough sleep and that I eat enough fruits and vegetables.

That's what it said to the videos I've watch. And also to what Lory and Ali told me to. My routine for the past week is to wake up early to jog and exercise. Eat light breakfast. Then practice all day.

"Oh andito na si Gwen oh." Jax said when a red car stopped in front of my house. Gwen came out from the passenger seat. A backpack on her hand and a neck pillow around her neck. She bid goodbye to their driver and walk towards us.

"Ang aga ng 5:00am mo." Ali teased..

Gwen put down her back pack and started taking deep breaths.

"Pagod na pagod? Naglakad ka?" Ali once again teased. Gwen glared at her before standing up straight.

"Hindi.. nagmadali na kasi ako. Nagalitan pa ako ni mommy dahil wala daw ka poise-poise 'yung pag takbo ko." She said and we just chuckled.

I look at my phone. "Let's go.. baka ma traffic pa tayo." I said and we entered our van.

Ali is behind the driver, next to me. Jax is at Ali's back next to Tobi and it's Lory and Gwen at the back.

The engine started and we drove off.

-

"Patugtog tayo?" Ali ask while holding her phone.

I look at her for a second before leaning forward and grab the cord for the speaker.

"Thankie." She said and plug it in to her phone.

She played shuffle. So there's kpop, pop, and OPM. Party song and sad songs as well. Whenever it's kpop that is a hyper song. Ali, Lory and Gwen would literally scream the lyrics.

One this one song Ali stood up and started dancing. When our driver suddenly stepped on he break making Ali almost fall down. Accidentally gripping on the chair rest of our driver and gripping on some of his hair that made us burst to laughter.

"Ayan kasi, sayaw pa Alejandra!" Gwen teased from the back.

Ali glared at her and pouted before sitting down.

"Pahingi ako niyan." Ali said while looking at Gwen from the back.

Gwen handed the chip to Jax, Jax get some before handing to Ali.

"Salamuch." Ali said and get some chips before returning it.

-

"Saan tayo kakain ng breakfast?" Ali asked while we are in the forest part.

"Diba may Jollibee sa Atimonan? Dun nalang kaya?" Tobi said..

I lean forward to talk to our driver. "Kuya malapit na ba tayo dun?" I ask our driver.. the driver look at me from the rear mirror.

"Opo maam, Atimonan na po kasi ito. Konti nalang po." He replied and I nodded.

Few minutes I saw Jollibee. I remove the stuff on my lap and unbuckle my seatbelt.

"Ayan Jollibee na!" Ali cheered. I opened the door and we started heading out.

"Gaga para tayong nga artists dito." Ali said when she went out.

My brows furrowed. "How come?" I confused ask.

"Wala lang.. ang ganda kasi ng sasakyan niyo. Ang laki tapos ang lamig. Para tayong mga kpop idol dun." She said and I just chuckle shaking my head.

We head inside. There's people inside since it's 8:26am. We pick a table near the glass window.

"Longsilog sa akin. Tapos dalawang mango pie at isang choco float." Ali said while giving Lory the money.

"Spaghetti with chicken sa akin tapos coke float." Gwen said and gave me her money.

"Umagang umaga coke float."' Ali said.

"Ali.. we are living in a democratic country. Pwede kong gawin kung ano gusto ko!" Gwen said making us laugh a little.

"Hotsilog sa akin." Jax said giving me a 500 peso bill.

"Tapos hot choco." She added and smiled.

"Chicken with rice lang sa akin. Tapos ice cream." Tobi said and handed me his money.

Me and Lory went to the cashier to give our orders. I had a hard time with the moneys since mga sobra naman ang binibigay nilang pera.

In the end I just decided to use Jax and my money to pay then when I came back to them I just told them to give Jax the amount of the money I paid  for their food.

We're just silent while waiting since we are using our phones. Lory and Ali's food came first. Then followed by Jax and Gwen's then mine and Tobi.

We ate for about an hour. Pag balik namin sa van ay andoon na ang driver at na-una pa sa aming matapos kumain. Of course Lory and Gwen take too much time to eat.

And we drove off once again. We didn't have that much stop over except sa Lucban na nagpa gasolina kami.

We also stopped over sa Los Baños to eat lunch. Well it's late, we ate around 1pm. Because during lunch time we are all knocked down and sleeping.

We ate to another fast food chain that didn't last long. Because we need to hurry up. We are sure na gagabihin na kami sa daan because we will still go to the agency then sa Mall.

We arrived in Manila around 3pm. We entered the agency but before I go to the interview. The girls gave me a make over first. Ali gave me a light make up. Lory curled my hair. Jax and Gwen make sure I look good.

When we finished we went out and talk to the receptionist. She guide me to the office while my friends are left outside.

I entered an office. There's three people inside who I assume are the judges.

"Good afternoon, Maam, Sir." I said and they smiled at me.

"Please go to the center." The lady said and I nodded. With good posture and poise I walk with my 4 inches heels.

"Please introduce yourself." The male judge said.

I smiled and nod at them.

"Hi, I'm Laura Kassandra Milendez, 16 years old. A student from Tagkawayan, province of Quezon." I said with the voice I practiced and with the smile I mastered.

They seems to like it cause I saw them smile and write down something on the paper.

"Now can you show us your walk?" The other make judge said. I smiled and nod. I walk back and take a deep breath. I once again smiled and do my walk.

I spin and turn, show some fierce and different faces and pose.

"That's beautiful Ms. Milendez! You're going to be a great model!" The lady exclaimed which made me feel relief.

"So.." She look on the other judges. Or mentor?

"She's good.. body and looks." The male judge said.

The lady looked at the other male mentor. He shrug. "Well.. she's good. We really should get her." That made me smile even more.

Please accept me, please accept me!

The lady looked at me, and smiled. "Well.. congratulations Ms. Milendez! You're accepted! Would you like to sign the contract now? But since you are under 18 we need a proof from your guardian na pumapayag sila sa modeling career mo." The lady said.

My eyes widened and nod. "Yes ma'am.. i would like to sign a contract now. And I also have my mom's message to me, allowing me to do modeling." I said and grab my phone. I walk towards them and show them mom's message.

"That's great!" She said and showed me the contract.

"So we need three signatures. For your contract here in the company, signature that you're agreeing for the terms and policies. And signature that means you are letting us manage you when it comes to your photoshoot and other events." They said and I nodded. She handed me the pen and I read the contracts.

I picked the 7 years contract. I don't mind being a model and college student at the same time. And if I didn't have any problem with this I industry. I'll probably sign more contracts in the future.

I smiled as I finished signing the contract.

"Congratulations Ms. Milendez. Welcome to the company. Please proceed to the receptionist and ask them to bring you to the managers." They said and they shake my hands and I take them.

I leave the office and my friends stared at me with wide eyes.

"So.. may model na ba sa group natin?" Gwen ask..

I pursed my lips and look down, acting as if I'm sad.

I immediately felt a hand on my back. "Okay lang 'yan.. lost nila 'yun." Jax said.. and I tried my best not to laugh.

"Let's go." I said and they nodded they were about to go to the exit when I take the other direction.

"Bakit kayo lalabas? Kakausapin pa natin magiging manager ko." I said and it looked like they wasn't able to process it immediately.

"Gaga ano?" Gwen ask, mukha siyang lutang na Lola.

I chuckled. "Pupuntahan pa natin manager ko. Nakasign na ako ng contract. Now I need to talk to my manager." I said and their eyes widened before started running towards me, hugging me tight.

"Gaga! Nakapasa ka! Tanggaris sabi ko na!" Ali said while literally chocking me. I slap her hands so many times so that she would let go.

"Sa receptionist muna tayo." I said and they nodded. We walk towards the receptionist and I ask them the room.

"Nakapasa po kayo? Congratulations! This way Maam." She assisted us to another room. There a lot of people inside.

"Sino daw po dito ang naka assign na manager ni Laura Kassandra Milendez?" The receptionist ask. A girl stand up.

"Me.. ako naka assign." She said smiling. The receptionist nodded and leave the room.

"Hello po." We greeted, there are a lot of people here. My still a little bit introvert self is not comfortable with too much people.

"Ay! Ang bongga naman niya Ava! Ang ganda ng model mo!" I assume a gay manager said.

My manager, named Ava smiled. "Salamat.." she shyly said before facing me.

"Hi.. What should I call you? Laura or Kassandra?" She ask softly. I immediately feel comfortable.

"Laura nalang po.." I said and she nodded, still her smile on her face.

"I'm Ava Santos. I'll be your manager for 7 years. I'm 26 years old." She said before reaching her hands forward. I smiled and take her hand.

"Are these your friends?" She ask pointing at them. Ali being herself immediately waved her hand.

She look at them and smiled. "Hi I'm Ava.. nice meeting you." She said before shaking their hands one by one.

"Hi I'm Ali po." Ali said with a smile.

Tobi chuckled shyly. "Tobi po."

Gwen smiled at her. "Gwen po, nice meeting you po." Gwen said even waving her hand.

"Lory." Lory simply said even accidentally bowing at her.

Jax smiled. "Jax po.. friend po ni Laura." Jax awkwardly said that made Ms. Ava chuckle.

She looked back at me. "Would you mind sitting down? I'll just check on you to see if ano ang mga kailangan natin ipa make over sa'yo." She said and I nodded. The other manager move aside and as I walk towards the chair in front of a mirror.

"You really have a beautiful eyes, lips and nose. Your skin is clear but we need it glowing. Then.. we need to lighten your skin tone. And.. just some exercises and vitamins." She said and I nodded..

"Sinong gumawa ng make up mo?" She ask.. and from the mirror I saw how Ali's eyes widened.

"I like how your brows turn out. May make up artist ka ba?" She ask and I immediately shake my head.

"It's Ali po, she did my make up. Then Lory sa hair." I said and she nodded.

"That's great! You have a supportive friends!" She exclaimed and I smiled.

"You may now stand up." She said and I nodded. I stand up and wait to what she going to say next.

"I heard you're from Quezon. So hanggang kailan ang stay niyo dito sa Manila?" She ask.. Then my head slowly turn at them.

"We can stay here longer po. Summer naman." Lory said..

"Magpapaalam lang po ako sa parents ko." Ali added and Ms. Ava nodded.

"Okay.. so I'll let you go now. But tomorrow please come back here, then we will bring Laura to the derma and some other stuffs." She said and we nodded.

"Take care." She said and we smiled at her before leaving their office.

We went to the parking lot and saw our driver waiting outside the car.

"Saan na po tayo ngayon maam?" He ask.. I look at my friends?

"MOA?" I ask and they immediately nodded.

"MOA kuya, doon na rin tayo mag dinner." I said and they nodded. We entered the van and drove off to MOA.

We pull off on the parking lot. A gave our driver his allowance for his dinner. We talked that we will meet by 7pm dito rin sa parking lot. We went inside and went straight to a bookstore.

"Saan mo naman gagamitin 'yan Ali?" I ask Ali as I saw her looking at this one notebook.

She shrug. "Journal, pwede rin akong mag sulat ng lyrics dito or what." She said and I just nodded. I walk on the different aisle. Then I saw this one BL book. And I didn't let go of that anymore.

We finished in the bookstore around 6pm. And we decided to eat dinner so we won't have to squeeze ourself later.

We eat on a restaurant. Gladly there's still available seats. It's Ali and Gwen who ordered this time.

"Sa tingin mo Laura.. hanggang kailan pa tayo dito?" Jax ask.. I look up and shrug.

"Not sure, wala pa naman sinasabi si Ms. Ava." I said and she nodded.

Ali and Gwen came back. Our foods will take 10-15 minutes. While waiting we just talked about things we can do sa stay namin.

"We don't have to think about hotel. Sa bahay nalang namin." I said and they nodded.

"Mamumulubi tayo kung mag ho-hotel pa tayo." Ali said and I nodded.

Our food came and we started eating. It took as an hour to eat. When we leave the restaurant it's pass 7pm. But we still decided to grab some milk tea. We return at the parking lot by 7:25pm.

Then we drove off to our house. We stayed  together in one room. My room, dad is in his room and he didn't bother us anymore which is good.

"Wait lang I'll just talk with mom." I said and they nodded. I go to my balcony and talked with mom.

[I'm so happy for you anak! Isa ka nang model! I can't wait na sumikat ka then makita na kita sa nga brochure at billboards.] Mom happily said, I can't help but to laugh and smile.

"We will get there mom. Bukas, my manager will bring me to the derma. Then buy me stuffs I guess, I don't know to be honest." I said laughing a bit.

[That's good! Basta tell me kung anong mga nangyayari sa'yo okay? Tell me your progress.] She said and I nodded.

[Pero kapag sikat kana, I know you'll be busy so we won't have that much time to talk.] Mom added. I frown and nodded, kinda feeling bad about that one. I know I'll also miss mom once I become busy. There's no single day I missed talking to her. Even is just 30 minutes or shorter.  That's why I always have my laptop and pocket WiFi with me wherever I go.

"I'll find time to talk with you mom. And matagal pa 'yon. I haven't started yet. Hindi pa ako busy para hindi ka makausap." I said and mom smiled..

[Yes.. but I can't wait na maging super model kana!] mom exclaimed happily.

I smiled, my eyes traveled to the time. "It's almost 9pm mom. I need to sleep now." I said and mom nodded.

[Okay.. take care Laura! Sleep well, goodnight, love you!] I smiled

"Love you too mom." I said and ended the call. I closed my laptop and about to go back inside when I remember Jiro.

Fuck! I forgot about him! I haven't texted or call him for a day!

I grab my phone and immediately called his number. He immediately answered.

"Uhm H-

[I'm in front of you house.]

My eyes widened and I rush towards the edge of the balcony. I look around.

My brows furrowed and I see no one.

"Huh?" I said..  he's here?

Then he suddenly started laughing. [Biro lang, akala ko kasi kung napa-ano kana jan kaya pupuntahan na sana kita.] he said while laughing. I just rolled my eyes.

"I'm fine, I'm sorry kung hindi kita natawagan. I was busy." I said and he hum.

[By the way, how was your day? And audition?] he ask..

I smiled and bite my lower lip. "I'm going to be a model!" I exclaimed while smiling, holding my excitement cause I don't want people seeing me here being all excited.

I heard Jiro gasp. [That's great! I'm so proud of you!] he said and I smiled.

"Thanks.. how about your day?" I ask and he just hum.

[Great as well. The girls didn't really come back anymore. And the shop is doing good.] He said and I nodded.

"That's good to hear. By the way, I need to go now. I still have things to do tomorrow. Bye!" I said and he hum.

[Bye.. love you.]  he softly said.

I smiled and I felt my cheeks heat up. "Love you too, goodnight Jiro." I said, I hear him hum before ending the call.

I smiled and grab my laptop.. I faced the door, going back to my room.

My eyes widened because to my surprised..

"Jiro pala huh?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•