Roses & Ruin

Chapter 1 (Lexi)

        There really is no way to get comfortable on an airplane. Cramped legroom and seats that don't recline far enough for you to actually sleep without your head bobbing forward. Or worse, when it cranks to the side in the most awkward of angles until your neck knots up. Even with that donut pillow I still can't find an angle that keeps my head right.

I was exhausted though. I had back to back modeling gigs in two different time zones. Now I'm on my way back to New York, where again I lose hours as time moves forwards and backwards for me.

"Are you asleep?" I heard the voice beyond my earpods. My eyes popped open and I sighed. "No, I never sleep on planes, but not for lack of trying."

Mia pointed to the aisle to show me why she tried waking me up. Snacks.

        Finally I can put something in my stomach. We almost missed our flight, so we had to run and skip the meal we planned to have at the airport earlier. Mia is many things in the fashion industry. She models, is the face of a few brands, and designs clothing with THE Karl Lagerfeld. This makes her a legend by proxy.

She and I met on a job recently, and both realized we live in New York City. That's how we ended up on this flight together. Mia's friend Simon was the photographer for the shoot, and we were both models participating in the Fendi advertisement for the new coming collection.

        "Blue chips?" I removed my earpods and asked her. "Always" she smiled. She's a very pretty girl. Green eyes, full lips, not exactly as full as mine but nice, and a sweet disposition. I wouldn't call us friends exactly. This was our second time working together, so we did exchange phone numbers, though I don't care whether she ends up calling to make plans or not.

I'm new to New York, just moved, so friends aren't really something I have right now. But I've never been one for socializing.

I won't be cliche and blame my fucked up past, but I do have one. A fucked up past that is.

Maybe I don't like making new friends because of all the questions they inevitably ask you in order to 'get to know you' better. I have too many secrets to enjoy answering questions without having to lie. And who can ever keep those straight?

        When we got our mini bags of blue chips it was less than satisfying to eat the three damn chips inside, while suffering an empty belly. "Sitting coach must particularly suck for someone who's flown in a private jet with a fashion industry icon" I nudged Mia playfully. She's told me things here and there about her career, and the rest I've honestly read online or in Vogue magazine.

She seems to have accidentally walked onto the express train of success because she's so new to this industry, and yet she's accomplished so much. She told me she just met the right people and was lucky, but I also know she's talented.

Maybe luck had something to do with it, but having that 'it' factor is what's important.

       I started modeling at 17 and a half years old when I was discovered by a Russian modeling agency who liked my bare faced, young, innocent look. I was surprised when Vitaly, aka my complicated father, actually let me do it. Model.

I just turned 20 years old, so just over two years in the modeling world is enough, but not a lot. I still have a name to make for myself. It gives me the opportunity to distance myself from Russia and the Petrov family chaos.

I actually lived in America most of my life, but when....nevermind.

        "Eh, not really. I was a broke girl living in LA for school, with a million roommates and shitty jobs to cover rent. The broke-girl in me still exists" she laughed. I knew what she meant. The Petrov's are rich for sure. Me however, not so much. Not if I want to distance myself from Vitaly's money.