While it was true that my plan was not exactly thought out, it was brilliant. Even I had to admit that. Jane too, for that matter.
I knocked on my neighbor’s door. Hope answered after unlocking the numerous locks. “Truly, hi. Is everything okay?”
Hope Bradley was my twenty year old neighbor. She had dropped out of college four months ago for ‘personal reasons’. I had yet to uncover what they were, but I knew she had a lot of time on her hands and needed cash. My mom always got her to babysit for my siblings when I wasn’t available. If Mom trusted her with real, living human beings, surely I could trust her with a business. Right?
“Everything is fine.” I flashed her one of my award winning smiles (Note: that is a lie, I have never won any awards for my smile. However, if competitions like that did exist, I would totally have won). “This is my friend Jane. Can we come in for a minute?”
Jane waved like she was my hostage and I would kill her if she didn’t do everything I told her to. Hope stepped aside and let us in. “Do you want a drink or something?”
“No, we actually have something for you. A business proposition.”
Hope arched her eyebrow in question. “Oh?”
“How would you like to be a world famous fashion designer?” I asked, making it seem like we were on a game show.
“I know nothing about fashion. And I can’t draw.”
“You don’t need to.” As we sat on the couch, I explained our predicament. The fact we couldn’t run our own company and needed someone to pretend to be us. Jane didn’t say a word, neither did Hope.
By the end of it all, I was exhausted from talking but charged with excitement. I was actually convincing myself while I spoke. We could do this. Like, really do it. It didn’t matter that others didn’t have any faith in my abilities, I did. And I would put my heart and soul into making sure we succeeded.
“So?” I asked when I was finished. “Do you want to be a fashion designer?”
“This is a crazy plan,” Hope replied. Ha! That wasn’t even the hundredth time I had heard someone say that to me. I was a crazy plan machine.
“Sometimes the world needs crazy.”
Jane shifted in her seat. “I know it sounds a little… unconventional. But you wouldn’t really have to do anything. Your name will be on things, and if we get really good, you might have to sign some contracts. Other than that, we’re going to be doing all the work.”
“Do you really think people will believe I can run my own business?” Hope directed the question to both of us, even though Jane didn’t even know her.
I answered. “You’ve got half a college degree, of course they will.”
“Have you spoken to your mom about this?” Oh, don’t pull the mom card, please.
“I was hoping to keep it all a secret from her.” I didn’t mention the reason being that Mom wouldn’t think I could do it. I had enough self doubt, I didn’t need hers too.
“So let me get this straight. I will pretend it’s my business, and that I am the clothes designer. In exchange for that, I get a cut of everything you sell?” Hope clarified. It was actually a pretty good summary.
“Yep.”
“You know that’s fraud, right?”
“We are well aware of that fact,” Jane replied. “We are expecting nobody to find out. And it’s not hurting anyone, it’s only clothes.”
“Please?” I threw it in again, hoping one more please would seal the deal.
Hope sighed. “Fine, I’ll do it. But nobody else can know about this apart from us three. I don’t want to go to jail for fashion fraud. Got it?”
I held my hand out, Hope shook it. “Deal.” She did the same with Jane.
And just like that, the three of us were officially in the fashion business. Good thing Hope had half a business degree, because we were really going to need it.
The FASHION Series:
Book 1: Fashion Fraud
Book 2: Fashion Friends
Book 3: Fashion Finds
Book 4: Fashion Faux Pas
Read them all now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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[email protected] Jamie Campbell grew up in the New South Wales town of Port Macquarie as the youngest of six children. A qualified Chartered Accountant, she now resides on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.
Writing since she could hold a pencil, Jamie’s passion for storytelling and wild imagination were often a cause for concern with her school teachers. Now that imagination is used for good instead of mischief.
Visit www.jamiecampbell.com.au now for exclusive website only content.
Also by the Author:
A Hairy Tail
Cinderella is Evil
The Fairy Tales Retold Series
The Star Kissed Series
Ashes to Ashes
A World Without Angels
Angel’s Uprising
Gifted
Ignite
Unite
Divide
Conquer
Soar
Love Songs
Dark Eyes: Cursed
Celestial
Through a Tangled Woods
Trouble
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