The First Cut

The First Cut — page 5 — after school Are you Chloe Montgomery Like for real Amazing fashion designer and future star of Teen Design Diva Can I get your autograph Cut it out I say feeling myself blush Alex has been getting a huge kick out of my newly minted celeb status Not only does she get to laugh at my discomfort but because we’re usually joined at the hip she also gets to enjoy all the perks without having to suffer any of the embarrassment Aw come on You should be enjoying this a little more Nina sure is Alex says nodding down the hallway Sure enough I turn and see Nina strutting toward us fake smile firmly in place A crowd of mini-Ninas trails adoringly behind her Ugh I can’t deal with her right now I

The First Cut — page 6 — mutter Nina and I may have called a truce for the time being but I still don’t want to be BFFs I’m sure she doesn’t either but the reporters who have been hounding us seem to want us to be friends rather than rivals so she’s playing that up for them I just do my best not to grimace every time she hugs me Chloeee Nina squeals as she runs to me How have you been girl She leans in and air kisses me on both cheeks Hey Nina You feeling ready for the next round I ask The mini-Ninas immediately perk up They love hearing about anything that has to do with the competition Almost says Nina smiling There’s an art fair tomorrow I’m planning to hit up for some inspiration See you there Maybe I say keeping my answer

The First Cut — page 7 — vague The truth is Alex and I have been looking forward to the art fair all week but I don’t need to give Nina any more opportunities to steal my ideas Cool Nina says with a tight smile She gives me a quick hug goodbye and motions for her posse to follow They do blowing air kisses to me as they go I don’t know how you put up with her Alex says when they’re gone She’s so fake it makes me sick to my stomach Yeah tell me about it I agree But I figure the competition will be at least slightly less painful this way I swing my backpack over my shoulder and Alex and I head out the school doors As soon as we’re outside a bright flash goes off I shield my eyes and see three reporters

The First Cut — page 8 — notepads and recorders ready One of them excitedly motions to me I groan and walk over to them Nina is already there arms moving animatedly as she tells some story It seems like my CC nickname the one my best friend Alex created for me when I first heard about auditions is changing once again First it was Cowardly Chloe then Courageous Chloe Celebrity Chloe here I come The next day there’s a slight breeze and the temperature is in the mid-seventies perfect weather for an art fair There’s nothing worse than looking for bargains under a sweltering sun while making sure

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