Page 60 of Without Fault

“How’s it going with your modeling stuff?” Lis pulls me out of my thoughts. “You still loving it?”

“Of course I am.”

She smiles through the screen as I continue. “I don’t think modeling is something you can do if you don’t love it. It gets stressful, especially since we’re influencers to such a huge audience.”

I’ve never gotten backlash orcanceledfor anything, but people can be so mean. I’ve had to put filters on my comments, but somehow, I still get hate on everything I do. For the most part, I get positive reactions, but the negative ones have left me in tears from time to time. I don’t understand how someone can be angry enough to make a mean comment about how I look and act when they’ve never met me, but they definitely find ways to get under my skin.

I’m grateful my supporters are quick to defend me. I looked back at the comment I got the other day about my weight, and the replies turned into hundreds ofthousandsof comments from my supporters, tearing them to shreds. I might end up deleting the entire post because it's getting to the point where death threats are being made, and nothing should ever be that serious. After years of being a social media influencer though, I’m still learning to not read the comments and to definitely not reply. Most of the time, they comment mean things for a reaction.

“Good.” Lisette nods once. “You better let me know if anyone is being an online bully so I can fight in your comments.”

I tell her I will, even though I definitely won’t. She can get a bit… aggressive.

“I have a casting soon. That’s actually why I called. I’m nervous.”

Sire leans into the frame and tells me not to be and that,I got this. It’s cute, but this is why I call August when I’m nervous.

“That’s so motivational, Sire. I’m sure she appreciates that.” Lis rolls her eyes at our brother. “Get the hell out of here.”

I bite back a laugh when Sire’s jaw drops.

“Listen, you asshole, how about you look for your damn turtle before I step on it.”

Lisette literally threatens to kill him, and August thankfully takes the phone back.

“Come save me from them, Sage. They’ve been fighting all morning.”

“Why?”

“Because he lost Piglet!” Lisette shouts.

Sire says he cooked her turtle, and I think they start fighting again, but my twin and I ignore them per usual.

“I have to go in there soon, August.”

“What’s the worst thing that can happen?”

I smile at his usual question, and I sit there thinking about the worst-case scenario. “I could trip as I do my walk and break my leg.” That’s my biggest fear because then I can’t even get up and walk it off because mylegwould be broken!

“It could be worse than that, you could bump into the agent, spill their hot coffee on their limited edition designer shirt, and then when they tell you to forget about it and just do your walk, you trip, but as they try to catch you, you drag them down and breaktheirleg.”

I laugh at his scenario and definitely feel better. He always comes up with the worst-case scenario when I’m nervous, and I don’t know how he always makes a different horrible situation.

“If that doesn’t happen, it went well, right?”

“Yeah, thanks, August. I have to go now. I love you guys!”

“Love ya!” Sire yells out first.

“Don’t break a leg!” Lis calls out next, and I laugh at her.

“Bye, Sage. I love you most.”

I smile to myself at August’s usual words before I hang up. I don’t think he actually loves me the most because I don’t think he could pick a favorite since he’s so indecisive, but it’s cute that he says that instead ofLove you moreorLove you too.

I climb out of my car and make my way into the building. After letting them know I arrived, I sat in the waiting area with a few of the other girls. I talk to them for a bit, then go back to my seat and listen to some music.

I’m not too nervous anymore, but I like a few minutes alone before I go in, so I blast my ears with some Adele. I make sure to keep my attention on the door in case they come out and call me since I can’t hear much.

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