Page 75 of A World of our Own

Even if it does exist, why the hell would they let me in?

Becka

Send me a selfie.

[Sent 08:13]

Why

Becka

Just do it.

[Sent 08:14]

I sighed, but took a selfie from where I sat in the back of the minibus. The group were sitting up front with the managers. I had the whole back row to myself as only two other members of the media team were coming to the Vogue shoot.

There. See? Normal outfit.

Becka

That’s why they might let you in The Wardrobe.

[Sent 08:17]

Explain

Becka

They might pity you.

[Sent 08:18]

I’m blocking you.

Strictly speaking, my presence here was not necessary. The other two media team members were there to film the shoot and post the footage on the tour’s social media accounts, but I happened to know the staff writer listed on the schedule, and I’d wanted to tag along. I had run the idea past the tour coordinator, and once she found out I knew the interviewer, she’d given me ENT’s blessing.

I wasn’t going there to work. I was just tagging along to buddy around with someone I used to send memes to on Teams.

So that was how I happened to be walking through the hallowed halls of Vogue in lower Manhattan.

It was a group shot for the front cover, and a spread. It was a huge deal, and even the normally implacable Woojin seemed awed.

The interview was taking place after the shoot, but my writer friend came down to say hello to everyone – me included. It was surreal to meet her in real life, like it always was with people I’d only ever spoken to virtually. We lounged around in empty makeup chairs and fell into an easy rhythm of conversation that was a mix between talking shop, talking about the tour, and just general life. We commiserated about Becka, whom she knew in passing when I’d referred her to Pisces for an interview.

My friend couldn’t stay, but we made promises to meet up for dinner, if our schedules ever aligned. We both knew they wouldn’t, but it was the sort of thing you said.

Now on my own, I slung a leg over the arm of my chair and watched the room. Woojin, for all his initial excitement about the prestigious coverage, was asleep in his chair. Ace was scrolling on his phone. Lee and Minjae were conversing enthusiastically with the stylist and shoot coordinator. GVibes had creative input on the looks for the shoot. Lee was especially excited by this. He was the undisputed fashion icon of the group, and he was so clearly in his element right now that it was a delight to watch.