Busy Times (3)

The next day was the same pattern as Jian went through the normal day of school and at the end of it she smiled as she waited with her friends. "Strange, Jian you wanna ride with us since your mom's not here yet?" Nicki asked looking at the cars in the lot.

Jian shook her head saying, "No, my mom's not picking me up. Johnny and I are going fabric shopping this afternoon." Nick smirked asking, "Why don't I join you?"

"I don't think so Nick," they heard John's voice as he approached them and Nick frowned as Johnny said, "We wouldn't have any space in the car especially after Jian's done shopping, she told you all right?" Jian shook her head saying, "Not yet, I was planning on tell them after William got back to me about the chains."

"What chains?" Nicki asked and Jian smiled explaining, "I got an opportunity to showcase a few of my designs at a local fashion show in August and my deadline is July 5th so I am pressed for time and John is working as my assistant helping me with shopping, cutting, and cleaning. The chains I am talking about are gold or silver coated chains to see if I can afford those in the collection."

"That's a real close deadline," Nick said and Nicki nodded adding, "Do you need any extra hands?" Jian smiled saying, "Not yet, but I might soon anyways we should get going." John nodded reaching for her book bag and Jian passed it to him.

The two went shopping that afternoon to Isabella's place again. She was able to recommend great fabrics as well as a few reference shops to look for appliques and the gems she wanted. The two followed her advice going shop by shop and by the end there was a lot left to do.

...

"I really don't like how much this fabric frais," Jian said as she finished cutting the lightweight white chiffon. John smiled as he gathered the scraps placing them away while she folded the cut fabric. Jian then proceeded to pin the fabric onto the dress form.

It was around 9 when all the parts were finally pinned and the two ate dinner. "So what's all this about?" Jessica asked as she passed them their dinner plate.

Jian smiled saying, "I recently got an opportunity to show case 5 designs at a local fashion show on August, so I am preparing for that." Jessica nodded asking, "Will John be stay for dinner like this till you finish?" Jian gulped as she said, "If that's alright with you mom."

Jesscia sighed saying, "Sure," before she walked to the sofa sitting down with a few documents near her. Jian let out a small breath of relief before they parted ways after dinner.

...

The next day was the same as the day before except today afterschool Jian went to another casting. It was similar to Monday as she soon finished and went home with Johnny.

"Here, I learned that if you burn the edge of this fabric over a candle fire it will stop fraying and that is my solution, can you do this while I get the next dress-" Jian paused as she turned to her phone before saying, "It's Will, let me take this."

"Hey Jian, so I have some good news," Will said his tone excited as Jian smiled saying, "Yes." Will continued as he explained, "We unfortunately do not have gold- or silver-plated chains in bulk at our shop but for large orders like this we usually refer our clients to a dealer. I spoke with the dealer, and she has allowed for you to be able to use their private website so send me your email and I'll forward you the link."

"Alright, thank you so much Will," Jian said and Will laughed saying, "Any time, just don't forget to invite us to the show later." Jian nodded as she said, "Of course, I will send you my email now, thanks again."

Jian smiled as she cut the call turning to John. He smiled asking, "Good news?" Jian nodded as she explained while typing on her phone, "Will was able to get me their dealer's private website for a quicker delivery. I am so happy." Jian was grinning from ear to ear as she sat down.

John nodded as he continued to work on the chiffon dress while Jian opened up the laptop. "John, we have to measure the amount of chain we need, plus there are a few with this gem in the middle, what do you think?" Jian asked as she walked over to him sitting down on the floor as they looked over the pictures.

"That sounds good to me," John said as he put the candle out. He looked at the time saying, "I have to leave a little early so lets do this order and then I will get going." Jian nodded as she passed him the laptop before going to her desk and getting the design pictures.

They finished calculating and ordering around 8 and John left soon after as Jian spent the next few hours working on the dress.