Aurelie was shown where she had to stand, and she nodded in agreement. She would not see any of the other models until after she was on the stage. Jean stood with her, carefully arranging the dress on what was soon going to be the floating platform.
That was another thing making her uneasy. She wasn't particularly afraid of heights, but the weight of the moment pressed on her. She could hear the murmur of the crowd just beyond the runway. The microphone crackled, sending a brief jolt through her nerves. She took a deep breath, forcing herself into a calm state.
A stagehand peered around the corner, a scrawny girl with nervous energy. She raised a thumb at Aurelie. Auri nodded in acknowledgment and took her place. She bowed her head, legs firmly apart, gripping the bar she had been instructed to hold. No harnesses. Just balance and precision.
