“Winning this fashion show is gonna look amazing on my UCAS.” Alya grinned.

Alya and Peggy sat in the corner of the library during their free period. They were supposed to be studying for their Biology quiz next week, but Alya pulled out her sketchbook instead.

“Look at how good our designs are.” Alya thrust the sketchbook into Peggy’s hands with a broad smile. “What’s it been like working with First Time Viv and the Tank? I heard from Lee who heard from Dom that you guys had a fight.” 

“We’ve hit a bit of a creative wall at the moment.” Peggy replied.  

Unsure whether anyone had actually heard about the fight. She didn’t exactly see Attis and Vivienne telling anyone, or if everyone was just guessing they’d had a fight. 

Either way Peggy didn’t want to talk about the fight. Especially after Alya had bragged about her designs.  

“Aw that’s a shame, but you know some people just don’t have that creative flair fashion needs.” Flourishing her hands over her designs Alya smiles. “But I’m sure you’ll get something eventually. It doesn’t even have to be good, as long as you’ve got something to enter you can still write about the fashion show in your UCAS personal statement.” 

Humming, Peggy studied Alya’s design. It was a safe design. 

A ballgown with some modest beading in the school colours with a sweetheart neckline. 

There was nothing wrong with the design, per say.  It was a safe design. The kind of thing parents went to a school fashion show expecting to see. 

Peggy hated to admit it, but Viv was right. 

This is what people expected to see. Some version of this is what half a dozen kids from half a dozen schools would produce. It was a nice dress. But ‘nice’ doesn’t win. 

Herringbone-House, the fashion brand judging the competition, were known for leading the trends. The judges from Herringbone wouldn’t be looking for ‘nice’ dresses. 

To win they’d have to risk the judges hating their dress, with the slim hope that it’d be different enough to win. 

“It’s nice,” Peggy smiled, trying to be supportive, while the cogs in her brain were turning faster and faster with ideas. Gathering her things, Peggy stood. 

“Where are you going? I thought we were gonna study together?” 

“SHhhhh.” The librarian hissed from her desk and they both cringed. 

“I gotta go talk to Mr Toft about the maths homework. See you at lunch.” 

Another lie. 

This lying thing was rapidly becoming second nature to Peggy. 

One thought consumed Peggy’s mind as she hurried from the library. 

She needed to find Vivienne.