Poster Girl

The ideas were endless with more suggestions piling on. Alice started to tune them out and end up grabbing her phone again. She would do her part in participating when it comes.

Alice slid up people's social media to see what they were up to. Many vacation photos despite it being in the middle of the school year. Alice hoped that her family would be able to go to the beach soon.

More chatter made Alice tired, and she eventually pulled up a shopping app and scrolled through the clothing. There were other pressing matters to worry about instead of the carnival such as the tests that were coming up before spring break.

All of the teachers were beginning to cram more material all around the same days, and Alice needed to get ahead before she fell behind. Others would just take it as it came, but Alice couldn't let her rank slip.

Alice was at the top of her school, maintaining her grades to the utmost ability so that she could continue to go to the academy. She was on a large financial scholarship with the deal that she maintained her scores, which most of the people around her were not, but she had kept the secret hidden from many people.

It wasn't exactly a secret, however, since she wasn't being shady about it. If someone asked her about it, she would truthfully answer. But she wasn't going to advertise her background to the sharks if not needed.

It was tiring to maintain her image, but it was fine. She didn't want a pity party, not that anyone would care since every day there would be a new pressing story that would take the students by storm which was why her humble beginnings were not going to be a sob story. It was her life. She wasn't going to let anyone take that away from her.

"We could do multiple games or tests that can prove compatibility with another person," Bella offered.

"I agree," Madeline nodded. "We will need to gather a lot of materials to figure out what times of games and tests we will put together, but that isn't needed until later."

"How about we get started on the posters first?" Tristan asked.

"Yes. Let's do that," Madeline agreed. "Hm…" Her eyes surveyed the room until landing on Alice who tucked an errant strand behind her ear. Alice?"

Alice turned her attention away from her phone that she was guiltily on. "Ah, yes?"

"Do you want to be our poster girl?"

Alice tilted her head. "Taking photos?"

"Well, it would be more along the lines of modeling which I'm sure you're familiar with," Madeline said.

"Sure, I don't mind then."

Sophie smiled. "If Alice is on our posters, we're going to win for sure."

Alice blushed when the class agreed. She hoped that she wouldn't let them down.

Alice wasn't as popular as they all thought, but she was known for getting tons of compliments from people everywhere she went. Alice had a doll-like visual with porcelain skin and large eyes.

Her face was small as was her figure. Luckily, she had kept the average height of a woman and not taken her mother's petite stature that Alice would tease her mother for. What her mother didn't have in height, she made up in heart.

She found it easy to make friends since she could always keep a conversation going, but it was the effort she had to put into making sure that she was portrayed a certain way that was draining, making her give up on being friends with every single person she came across since in the long run, she likely would never meet them again despite knowing it would be best to keep a business relationship with everyone.

By approaching that mentality at the academy, people thought she was shy and haughty, however, that was not the case at all. What could she do anymore? She had already achieved her goal of maintaining her academics, so she wouldn't complain about how others see her since it would all go down the drain by a misstep anyways.

"I have already texted a friend of mine, Alice. She is a gifted photographer and also a student here. She said that you can meet her in room 402 after school ends," Madeline said.

Alice nodded. Madeline got to work fast, but the photoshoot after school shouldn't be too bad. She didn't have any plans after school besides studying anyways and helping her parents put away the new stock that was coming in the evening.

"Her name is Bella. She is also in our year. I'll give you her phone number."

Alice lifted her phone in Madeline's direction, and Madeline put Bella's number inside her phone.

The notification came in fast, and Alice opened up the new chat.

Bella: I heard that you need some photos for your class's poster.

Alice: Yes. Should I bring anything?

Bella: No need! I have outfits in the art room from previous shoots that you can wear.

Alice: Okay. I'll see you there.

Madeline smiled at Alice. "Everything good?"

"Yes. Just some more info for later."

"Perfect. Well, I guess that's it for today," Madeline said to the class.

The class decidedly went back to their chatter after their work for the class was done, and Alice sighed as she ran a hand down her skirt. Claudia pulled some chocolate out of her briefcase and placed it on the corner of her desk. Alice unwrapped the wrapper and placed the square of sweetness into her mouth, coating her tongue with chocolate.