The morning of the test shoot came faster than Lily expected. A week felt both endless and too short. She had spent most of it trying to pretend she was calm. Maya helped her choose what to wear again. Nothing fancy she said. Just be you. Lily nodded though she wasn’t sure she knew who that was anymore. She stood in front of the mirror holding her denim jacket the same one she had worn to the audition and thought about how everything since that flyer had felt like someone else’s life wearing her face

The studio was on the edge of downtown. When she arrived she could already hear the hum of voices and the sharp click of cameras from somewhere inside. A woman at the front desk checked her name and smiled. You’re here for the Bright project right. Go straight through that door second room on the left

Lily followed the hallway. The air smelled faintly of makeup and dust and heat from the lights. Inside the room there were about ten people. Some models looked experienced their posture perfect their eyes steady. Others looked new like her quiet and unsure. A man with a headset walked in snapping his fingers. All right folks quick intro we’re doing a lifestyle campaign real faces real energy no posing just movement. He turned to Lily and the others. You’ll pair up and walk through different sets act natural pretend you’re living your day. Easy

Easy she thought and laughed under her breath. Her hands trembled a little when they handed her a prop bag to carry. A photographer with short blond hair adjusted the lights and said to her You’re Lily right. I saw your name on the list. You’ve never done this before

No she said

Good he said smiling. Then don’t think too much. People who think too much get stiff. Just breathe and look around like you’re curious

She nodded. When the lights turned on she felt the heat on her skin. The camera started clicking. She tried to walk slow the way he told her. Her heart beat so loud it almost covered the sound of the shutter. She looked at the other model walking beside her a tall girl with dark curls who smiled kindly. You’re doing fine she whispered.

They changed sets three times. Each one looked like a slice of normal life a small café corner a city street backdrop a simple window light. Lily found herself smiling not because they asked her to but because she felt something move inside her like wind through an open door. The photographer laughed once and said perfect hold that

When it was over she felt dizzy but light. The man with the headset gave her a water bottle and said you did great kid you’ve got something natural. We’ll be in touch soon

She thanked him but her voice came out small. Outside she leaned against the wall of the building letting the cold air hit her face. For a moment she just stood there breathing. The city noise felt distant muffled by her heartbeat.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Maya popped up. How’d it go tell me everything

Lily typed back slowly. I think it went well. They said they’ll contact me.

Maya sent back three emojis and a long You did it that made Lily laugh quietly.

She walked to the bus stop and watched people hurry past in their normal clothes carrying their normal problems. She wondered if they could tell she was different now if the lightness she felt showed on her face. Maybe it did or maybe that was only in her head.

On the ride home she closed her eyes. For the first time in a long time she wasn’t thinking about escaping something. She was moving toward something instead. The thought felt strange and solid at the same time.

When she reached her apartment she dropped her bag and sat on the floor leaning against the couch. The small window beside her caught the last bit of evening light. She thought about the store and how she used to count hours till sunrise. Now she wanted the night to slow down. She wanted to keep this feeling a little longer

Later that evening Maya came back with takeout and two bottles of soda. To celebrate she said. Lily laughed. Celebrate what

Starting she said. You started. That’s everything

They sat on the floor eating fries and talking about nothing. Lily’s body ached from standing but it was a good ache. She felt alive. She didn’t know if she would get another call or if this was as far as she would go. But she knew she had stepped out once and could do it again.

Before bed she looked at her phone one last time. No new messages but she didn’t mind. She placed it on the nightstand and turned off the light. The room went quiet except for the soft hum of the city outside. She closed her eyes and smiled.

Tomorrow would come and whatever it brought she would meet it standing up.