Roxie could feel her nerves buzzing beneath the surface as she stepped into the trendy downtown café where she was meeting Ryan. The place was packed with people who looked effortlessly polished, stylish professionals on laptops, sleek business types discussing deals, and the occasional model or influencer sipping overpriced lattes. It was worlds away from the familiar, greasy comfort of the diner where she spent most of her time. Roxie shifted awkwardly, pulling her jacket tighter around herself as she scanned the room.
And then she saw him, Ryan, sitting near the back, casually leaning against the wall in a sharp blazer, his eyes already on her. He offered an easy smile, motioning for her to come over.
"Roxanne!" he called out as she made her way through the sea of tables.
Roxie smiled, though her heart was hammering in her chest. She was excited, no, thrilled, that he wanted to meet with her, but a small part of her couldn't shake the lingering doubt that maybe this was all a mistake. That maybe he had changed his mind and was about to break the news gently over coffee. She shoved those thoughts aside as she slid into the seat across from him.
"You look nervous," Ryan said, smirking as he leaned back and eyed her curiously.
"Nervous?" Roxie forced a laugh, trying to hide the very obvious truth. "No, I'm just... excited. What's up?"
Ryan gave her a knowing look before straightening up and pulling out his phone. "Well, I've got some good news for you. I've lined up an audition, Southwest Airlines. National commercial spot. Big exposure."
Roxie blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. "A national commercial? You're serious?"
Ryan grinned. "Dead serious. They're looking for someone fresh, someone real, and I think you're exactly what they need."
The surge of excitement that shot through her was immediate. A national commercial. This was exactly the kind of break she needed. It wasn't a movie, but it was big. Roxie's hands gripped the edge of the table as she tried to contain her enthusiasm, her heart doing little flips in her chest.
"Wow, that's... that's amazing," she stammered, barely able to believe it. "I mean, Southwest Airlines? That's huge, Ryan. Do you really think I'm ready for something like this?"
Ryan gave her a reassuring smile. "Absolutely. You've got the look, you've got the talent, and more importantly, you've got the drive. That's what they're looking for. You're perfect for this."
Roxie's nerves were buzzing again, but this time it wasn't from doubt, it was pure, unfiltered excitement. For the first time in a long while, she felt like something was finally happening. Something real.
Ryan's phone buzzed on the table, but he ignored it, sliding it aside. "Now, there's one more thing we need to talk about," he said, his tone shifting slightly.
Roxie's excitement flickered as she noticed his serious expression. "What is it?"
Ryan pulled out the portfolio of headshots she'd given him a few days ago and placed it on the table between them. He flipped through the pages quickly, his brows furrowing slightly as he reviewed the photos.
"These...well, they're not bad," he began, choosing his words carefully. "But they're not going to land you the big gigs."
Roxie's heart sank. She had worked hard on those headshots. Sure, they weren't done by a professional, but she'd thought they were good enough to at least get her through the door. Her excitement deflated as she tried to mask her disappointment.
"Oh," she said quietly, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I thought... I thought they were okay."
Ryan looked at her, softening his tone. "Look, you've got the talent, Roxanne. But in this business, presentation matters. A lot. You need headshots that scream 'I'm ready for the big leagues.' These just aren't going to cut it."
Roxie stared down at the photos, her fingers brushing over the edges of the portfolio. She had been so proud of them before, but now they felt like proof of how far she still had to go.
Seeing her deflated expression, Ryan leaned forward, his voice reassuring. "Hey, don't sweat it. This is just part of the process. You're not supposed to know all this right off the bat. That's why I'm here, to help you."
He pulled out his phone again, tapping quickly on the screen. "I've got a photographer, Mia. She's one of the best in town, and I'm booking you a session with her tomorrow morning. We'll get you the shots you need to make sure casting agents take notice."
Roxie blinked, a bit overwhelmed by how quickly things were moving. A new photoshoot? Tomorrow?
"Tomorrow?" she echoed, her nerves creeping back. "Isn't that kind of... soon?"
Ryan smiled. "There's no time to waste. The sooner we get these done, the sooner I can start sending your portfolio to the right people. And trust me, with the right shots, they'll be knocking down your door."
Roxie took a deep breath, her mind racing. She wasn't ready for this. She wasn't prepared. But at the same time, how could she say no? This was her chance, her real chance, and if she didn't take it now, she might never get another.
She nodded slowly, a small smile creeping back onto her face. "Okay. Let's do it."
Ryan's grin widened. "That's what I like to hear."
As they wrapped up their coffee meeting, Roxie's mind was already buzzing with thoughts of tomorrow. She still felt the familiar stir of doubt deep down, but for the first time, she pushed it aside. This was her moment, and she was going to make the most of it.
Roxie stood in front of her small closet, biting her lip as she stared at the meager selection of clothes hanging limply on mismatched hangers. Everything felt wrong, too casual, too worn, too... ordinary. How was she supposed to show up for a professional photoshoot tomorrow when she didn't have anything that looked remotely "Hollywood" ready?
She pulled out a few dresses, holding them up to her body in front of the mirror. One was a floral print she'd worn to a friend's wedding years ago, and another was a simple black dress that she usually reserved for job interviews. Both felt off. She tossed them on her bed in frustration and collapsed onto the edge of her mattress, sighing.
How did I get here?
It wasn't the first time she'd asked herself that question. Ryan had been so confident when he talked about Mia, about making her look like a star, but now all Roxie could think about was how unprepared she was. The clothes she had weren't glamorous, and she couldn't just transform herself into someone polished and camera-ready overnight.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, snapping her out of her spiral. It was Nick, her best friend from back home. She picked up the call, grateful for the distraction.
"Hey, Rox," Nick's voice came through, sounding chipper as always. "How's the big city life treating you?"
Roxie gave a half-hearted laugh. "Oh, you know, same old, same old. I'm preparing for a photoshoot tomorrow, and I have no idea what I'm doing."
"A photoshoot? Look at you, moving up in the world!" Nick's excitement was palpable even from miles away. "What's the shoot for?"
Roxie explained the situation, how Ryan had set up the session after telling her the headshots she'd been so proud of weren't good enough, how she didn't know what to wear, and how the whole thing was giving her serious imposter syndrome.
"Rox, this is a good thing," Nick said after a moment. "He's not just blowing smoke up your ass, he's helping you take that next step. You've wanted this for as long as I've known you. Now you've got a guy who's actually investing in you. That's huge."
"I know, I know," Roxie replied, staring at the pile of rejected clothes on her bed. "I just... I'm so scared of screwing it up. What if I don't look the part? What if I don't belong?"
"Come on, Rox. You've always belonged. You've been working for this your whole life," Nick reassured her. "The clothes don't make the actress. You do. Just show up, be yourself, and let the camera capture what's already there."
Roxie smiled, feeling a bit of the tension ease out of her shoulders. She could always count on Nick to talk her off the ledge when her insecurities started creeping in.
"You're right," she said softly. "I've got to stop freaking out."
"Exactly. You've got this. Besides, if that Ryan guy didn't think you were the real deal, he wouldn't be wasting his time."
That was true. Ryan believed in her, more than she believed in herself, sometimes. And if he thought she could pull this off, then maybe she could.
"Thanks, Nick," Roxie said, her voice steadier now. "I needed to hear that."
"Anytime, Rox," he replied warmly. "Now go knock 'em dead at that photoshoot. I expect to see you on billboards the next time I visit LA."
She laughed. "I'll try not to let you down."
After hanging up with Nick, Roxie felt a little more grounded. The anxiety was still there, but it was quieter now, replaced by a glimmer of excitement. She glanced back at her closet, this time with a more open mind.
She didn't need to look like a supermodel. Ryan had told her to be herself, and that's what she needed to focus on. She pulled together a few outfits that felt more her, a simple white blouse, a soft blue sundress, and a pair of jeans with a leather jacket that always made her feel a little more confident. They weren't designer, but they were hers, and that was enough.
She carefully laid the outfits on her bed, folding them neatly before packing them into a tote bag. Tomorrow, she'd step in front of Mia's camera, and for the first time, she'd let herself believe that she was supposed to be there.
The next morning, Roxie woke up early, nerves buzzing through her like an electric current. She pulled on her first outfit, the white blouse and jeans, and gave herself a once-over in the mirror. Simple, but clean. Fresh-faced, but authentic. She pulled her hair into loose waves and applied just enough makeup to highlight her features without feeling overdone.
Grabbing her tote bag, she took a deep breath and stepped out of her apartment. As she made her way through the city toward the photography studio, the usual noise of LA traffic filled the air. But this morning, everything felt different, brighter, more full of possibility.
When she finally arrived at the studio, Ryan was already there, waiting by the entrance. He flashed her a grin as she approached.
"Looking good, Roxanne," he said, glancing over her outfit approvingly. "Ready for this?"
Roxie smiled, though her heart was pounding. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Ryan led her inside, where the studio buzzed with activity. It was sleek, modern, with high ceilings and an industrial-chic vibe. A large white backdrop was already set up, along with lights and cameras stationed around the room.
Standing by the equipment was Mia, the photographer Ryan had mentioned. She was chic, with short-cropped hair, a black turtleneck, and an air of effortless professionalism. She greeted Roxie with a friendly, confident smile.
"So, you're Roxanne," Mia said, her voice warm but no-nonsense. "Ryan told me you've got a lot of potential. Let's make sure the camera sees that."
Roxie nodded, her nerves bubbling up again, but she pushed them aside. This was her moment, and she wasn't going to let fear get in the way.