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Editor Note: The images used for this story were purchased and used under royalty-free license* from Istockphoto.com . ~Sephrena

Author Note: Please email me at AngelJediGirl (at) gmail (dot) com before posting this story to any other site. Posting to a pay site is prohibited.

Comments and suggestions are also welcome at the above email address.

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I wanted to show my appreciation to everyone that has provided the wonderful feedback I've received. I was wishing that there was something that I could give you all for Christmas. Then I realized that I could. Exclusively for Top Shelf, I present you with a new chapter of Sarah Carerra.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Megan

Chapter 14 - Marketing Blitz

"Hurry and get dressed," Dad told me when I walked into the house. "We need to go."

"Ok," I said. I dropped my book bag on the couch and headed for Sarah's room. "What should I wear?"

"It doesn't matter, they'll have your wardrobe there," he replied. "And go light on the makeup."

I nodded and went to get ready.

*  *  *

"How did you get my principal to back down?" I asked my dad while we were driving to the studio.

"I told him that you are under contract with a record company to be at a photo shoot tonight," he told me. "I also told him that they were specific about your look, so you couldn't cut your hair or anything."

I smiled at him. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he smiled back. "He's not causing you any more trouble then?"

"I wouldn't say that," I replied. "He made sure that nobody would mistake me for a girl. I think school is going to suck until the end of the year."

"What did he do?" Dad asked. His tone seemed to indicate that physical harm could come to my principal depending on my answer.

"He made sure that all of my teachers call me Mr. Brett Campbell during roll call."

"That's it?" Dad asked. I rolled my eyes at him. He obviously didn't understand how detrimental that was.

"For now," I told him. "But people were starting to think the other way, even a couple of teachers. I thought it would be easier for next year until he did that."

Dad nodded. He seemed to understand better now. "Tell me if he does anything else, alright?"

"Okay," I replied.

*  *  *

We pulled into the parking lot of the studio. It was the same place where we'd had the photo shoot on Wednesday. Thankfully there wasn't anyone standing around the door with a camera this time. I wondered how long it would be before the paparazzi were following me around.

We met Max in the lobby. He looked agitated, and I hoped that it wasn't anything I had done.

"Good afternoon, Sarah," he said. He managed to smile, which made me feel that I wasn't the cause of whatever problem he was having, thankfully.

"Everything okay?" my dad asked him.

"Yeah," Max replied. "We have a good photographer today. He does excellent work, but he's also a pain to work with."

"Who is it?" Dad asked.

"Greg Gunthrie," Max answered with a grimace. My dad rolled his eyes. He'd obviously worked with him before.

"Sarah, just…" Dad started. "Just don't take anything he says personally."

"O...Okay," I replied nervously. I didn't like how much they seemed to dislike working with the photographer.

"Follow me," Max said and then turned to walk down the hall.

Dad and I followed, and we eventually entered one of the studios. There were a lot of people there, more than at the last photo shoot. There was also a tall, skinny, bald man who seemed to be yelling at everybody at the same time.

"Finally!" he yelled when he saw us enter. "Where have you been? We don't have all day!"

I looked at my watch. It was 3:50, we were only about five minutes late.

"Why aren't you dressed?" he yelled at me.

"I just got here?" I replied meekly. I didn't know what he expected me to do.

"Oh, great!" he looked even more upset. "Another diva! My day is officially ruined."

I just stood there in shock. Was he serious?

"Go!" he screamed and pointed towards a set of dressing rooms along one wall.

Not wanting to spend any more time with him, I hurried toward the dressing rooms. I wasn't sure what I was supposed to change into, but at least I was away from him.

A lady in her late 30's stood up from a chair as I approached. She smiled at me.

"Sarah?" she asked kindly. I nodded. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Amy and I'll be in charge of your wardrobe today. Your first outfit is inside the dressing room if you want to change."

"Okay," I said with a smile. It was a big improvement talking to her over the photographer. I glanced back and he was yelling at someone else. "Is he always like that?"

"Unfortunately," she replied with a slight frown. "I wasn't too excited when I learned he was the photographer today."

"I hope I do okay," I told her. "This is only my second photo shoot, and the first wasn't more than a couple of quick shots."

She smiled at me. "You'll do fine."

"GET DRESSED!" the photographer yelled from the other side of the studio. I looked and he was glaring at Amy and me.

"Give her a minute, Greg!" Amy yelled back. "She's new to this."

That seemed to be the wrong thing to tell him. I thought I heard him say something like "Great, just great." I really didn't like him.

"You'd better change," Amy said. I nodded and entered the dressing room. Hanging on the wall was a short red dress. It intimidated me. I'd worn dresses before, but this thing looked like it was going to be short, and expose more of my chest than I wanted to.

With some trepidation I removed my clothes and slipped the dress over my head. It was short, shorter than anything I had ever worn before. But the skirt wasn't mini by any means. The hem rested a couple of inches above my knee.

There was a mirror in the dressing room, and when I looked into it, I was once again amazed at how good I looked.

"Are you ready, Sarah?" I heard Amy ask through the door.

"Yeah," I replied and opened the door. I stepped outside to show her the dress. She eyed me, had me twirl around slowly, and fiddled with something on the back.

"Looks good," she eventually proclaimed. "Are you ready for makeup?"

I nodded and Amy motioned to another girl in her early 20's. "This is Cary. She'll be doing your makeup."

"Hi, Sarah," Cary said with a smile. "It's an honor to meet you."

I blushed. I didn't know what else to do. Cary continued to smile.

"Anyway," she said. "Makeup?"

"Uh, yeah," I said and followed her over to a chair. She wrapped something around me, to protect the dress, and got to work.

When she was done, I looked even more amazing! She'd given me a smoky eye, and coupled with the light pink lip, I thought I looked stunning!

"Is she ready yet?" Greg yelled from right behind us. I jumped and let out a yelp. He was really starting to get on my nerves.

"Yes, Greg," Amy said. She sounded upset. I was trying to come down from the adrenaline rush I was on.

"Good," the photographer stated. "Let's get started."

I stood up and followed him over to the area containing the backdrops.

"Now," he said after he had placed me where he wanted me. "Just follow my lead."

*  *  *

"No, no, no!" Greg screamed. "My gosh, girl, haven't you ever done this before?"

"No!" I screamed back at him. I was on the verge of tears. "I haven't!"

He sighed, and sat down in a chair. I was left standing there, not sure what to do.

My dad came over and gave me a hug. "It'll be okay, honey," he whispered, before letting me go. I wanted to continue the hug, but I knew that would lead to questions we didn't want to answer.

"I'm sorry, Sarah," Greg said softly. "I usually get the best reaction from people in this industry when I yell at them. But you're, uh, different."

"Different?" I questioned.

"It's a good thing!" he said quickly. "I'd rather not yell at people. I wish there were more people in this industry like you. Now, let's try this again."

*  *  *

The photo shoot was much better after that. Greg really was a good photographer. With his gentler and soothing attitude we were able to get through the six outfits and multiple shots that Max wanted.

"Much better, huh?" Greg asked after the last shot. I nodded. I found it amazing that I actually liked Greg, once he stopped yelling.

"It's been an honor to shoot you this afternoon," he continued with a smile. Then he turned to Max. "Max, anytime you need a photographer for her, let me know. She's a pleasure to work with."

I was blushing when he turned back to me, but I returned his smile when we shook hands.

It had turned out to be a good day after all.

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