against all odds

chapter 3: juliana

Juliana's POV:

Today was not her day. She arrived at the Carvajal company studio in the morning to start putting the finishing touches on three of the five outfits she needed for the shoot. Unfortunately, after countless tries, nothing seemed to be fitting right or looking the way she imagined on her models.

She felt the pressure building inside of her, making her flustered and irritable. Time was against her at the moment and she still needed to come up with two more designs.

This photo shoot was very important to her. It was one of the biggest gigs she had gotten—being one of three other designers selected out of over 500 applicants. She came to impress, and even though she knew her designs had grown in popularity over the last few months, she wanted to make a lasting impression.

She had spent her whole life working to get where she was today. Her mother had taught her at a young age to never beg someone for something she could earn on her own; and here she finally was: designing five different outfits to be published into one of the most popular magazines across North and South America.

This was a high achievement for Juliana Valdés; but right now, all she could think of was her failure. She wasn't in the right head space to be working on her designs for the shoot. Her mind was only clouded with frustration and anger.

So, with the little bit of free time she had and after relieving her models for lunch, she decided that the best way for her to think straight was to get some fresh air and sketch.

Sketching had always helped her clear her head. Since she was a little girl, she had the ability to put her emotions into fashion designs on a page without even thinking.

She walked outside and basked in the afternoon sunlight, enjoying the new warmth that covered her body as she walked out of the building to a nearby bench. She opened her sketchbook, closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

Her shoulders relaxed as her mind cleared with the fresh air, looking out to the city before her in wonder as she tried her best to forget her worries. Within seconds, inspiration struck and her pencil was on the page, intricately drawing out a beautifully woven dress.

Nearly an hour passed before she even realized, having seven full dresses sketched out before her. She turned over each page, truly analyzing and seeing them for the first time. Each design showed off a different meaning and emotion to Juliana. They were beautiful in their own ways and unique.

Thankfully though there was one in particular that drew her attention and she felt was great enough to showcase in the photo shoot.

Finally content and happy with herself, she picked up her things and headed back inside to find Lucia. Every design being put into the shoot had to be checked over and approved by Lucia before being put together.

Juliana walked into the elevator, reciting in her head what she would say the meaning behind the piece was and why she wanted it to be showcased in particular. A few sort seconded later she had reached the top floor and the doors opened.

As she walked out and down the hall, she decided to take another glance down at her work. She nodded to herself in approval, thinking it was perfect before turning the corner and instantly slamming into someone.

Her papers went flying to the ground, as well as the other girl's phone. She watched for a second, still in shock at what happened while the other girl immediately bent down and started apologizing and picking up her sketches.

Juliana knelt down in front of her, scrambling to grab her sketches as well.

"...I'm so so-" the girl was saying before they both looked up.