"Supermodels 3 - Having It All - Calhoun, B.B." - читать интересную книгу автора (Calhoun B.B)

Eileen's office has great atmosphere. It's in a country style, with the furniture in pale wood with flowered calico cushions and accents. It makes you feel at home right away, even if it's not like your own home at all.
Eileen stood up from her seat behind her desk.
"Welcome, everyone, welcome," she said, her face lighting up. "Please, come in and have a seat."
Pia, Cassandra, and Paige made their way to the flowered couch at the opposite end of
the office. Katerina perched on the edge of a wooden chair nearby. There weren't enough chairs, so Kerri and I ended up sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the couch. Eileen moved away from her desk and sat down on her favorite flowered armchair opposite the couch.
"Why don't we start out with a little tea?" she said. She reached for the pink flowered teapot on the low table in front of her as we all nodded.
I smiled. Eileen always has tea in her office. She must have about a million flavors. When I first came to New York and met with her, she served me some delicious hibiscus tea. She said it was a good flavor for changes, like the ones I was having to adjust to by moving to New York.
"Well, tell me, girls, how is everything going?" Eileen asked as she poured tea into a pink and white china cup. "You all started school today, isn't that right?"
"We sure did," said Kerri.
"And how was the first day at the High School for Performing Students?" Eileen asked.
"Well, I love it so far," Kerri said. "My ad-
viser and my teachers seem pretty nice. And I like a lot of the kids in my classes."
I had to agree. Ms. Mastronardi had been great. I'd only been to history, math, and English so far, but the teachers had all seemed interesting and excited about what they were teaching. That's the kind of teacher I love. I mean, I know that I can do well even with a boring teacher, but it's a lot less fun. I wasn't quite sure about the other students yet. I'd really been focusing on getting used to new classes and figuring out my schedule.
"Yes," Cassandra was saying. "It's so great to go to a school where everyone understands that you have a professional career to think about too."
"That's for sure," said Kerri. "The extended plan is the best. Did you know that I have to take only three courses a semester? I'll end up graduating a little late, but as far as I'm concerned, it's way worth it."
I looked at Kerri. We hadn't really talked since registration that morning, and I was surprised. I knew Kerri had done okay in school before, so I couldn't understand why she'd decided to do HSPS's extended plan.
"That seems like very sound thinking to
/i a
me, Kerri," said Eileen. "And what about the rest of you? Any concerns about balancing school and work?"
"The teachers at the institute are very, how you say, simpatichi, understanding," said Pia. "They agree to give to Katerina and to me any extra too...toot..."
"Tutoring," Katerina put in quietly.
"Ah, yes, tutoring, that is it," said Pia. "Any extra tutoring that we need if we must miss classes to work."
"Wonderful," said Eileen.
"I don't think I'll have too many problems either," said Cassandra. "I'm not on the extended plan, but HSPS is going to let me skip the language requirement since I'm already fluent in Portuguese. So that means I'll be taking only four courses."
"Very good. And you, Paige?" asked Eileen. "What's your course load like?"
"I took French back at my high school in Nebraska," said Paige. "So I don't have to worry about a fifth course, either."
Eileen looked at me. "How about you, Naira? How's your schedule?"
"Actually, I'm taking five academics," I told her.
Her eyebrows went up. "Weren't they able to work out anything else for you at the school, dear?"
"It's not the school," I told her. "I want to take all those classes. Don't worry, I know I can handle it. I had a heavy schedule back in Chicago, too." I added quickly. "I really work better if I have a lot of things to do. I like being busy."
I didn't tell her that one of the academics I was taking was advanced biology, or that I'd also be taking a dance class. From the expression on Eileen's face, I got the feeling she wouldn't think it was such a good idea. And she would probably be right if she was talking about most people. But I knew myself pretty well, and I knew that as long as I kept organized I'd have no problems at all.
"Mmmmm," said Kerri, taking a sip of her tea. "This is delicious. What kind is it?"
"You like it?" asked Eileen. "It's raspberry." Her eyes twinkled. "The perfect flavor for hearing good news."
"Good news?" said Cassandra, leaning forward on the couch.
"That's right," said Eileen, passing out the last of the teacups. "Which is why I called you
SI
all here today." She looked around the room and smiled. "A couple of days ago I had a call from a reporter from Sauce magazine who was interested in doing a story on teenage models. So I told her I knew of six girls who I thought would be just perfect for her story."
"Oh, wow," said Kerri. "You mean us?"
"That's right," said Eileen. "I explained to the reporterЧher name is Carolyn WintersЧ that you were all sharing an apartment and attending schools in New York. She thought it would make a great story. And so did her editor at Sauce. In fact, they liked it so much that they've decided to do a big photo spread as well."
"Chefantastico, that's great!" said Pia.
I thought so too. Sauce is one of my favorite magazines. It always has unusual fashion spreads and great music reviews, and there are interesting stories about teenagers.
"What will we have to do for the story?" asked Paige.
"Well, they've decided to shoot the photo spread at well-known locations around New York. Carolyn Winters will be coming to the apartment to observe you all in your daily lives," said Eileen. "And, of course, she'll
want to interview all of you."
"Interview?" Katerina repeated quietly. "But what will we be saying to her?"
Eileen smiled. "Just be yourselves, and give Ms. Winters your complete cooperation. I'm sure it will be a great story."
"Wow," said Kerri. "It's a good thing Naira's organized our room."
"Oh, no," exclaimed Cassandra. "It'll take me hours to clean up, maybe even days."
"No kidding," I said. Then Cassandra looked so upset that I added, "I'll help you, if you like."
"Oh, thank you, Naira," Cassandra said. "That would be great."