at's So Speci

. Lara sat in the waiting area, keeping an eye on the last few students

ar

li striding toward her, her desi

li announced dramatically, flipping her hair as if t

the years, Lara had learned to handle her quirks with patience. She was high-maintenance, outspoken, occasionally dramatic, and a li

era, can you stay with the kids w

turned back to Ali, p

n't you have a shoot today?"

thank God! As much as I love modeling, it can be really exhausting. Remind me

witch jobs. Your parents would love i

ed. "Ew. No way. Just looking a

ic," Lara teased,

ot a desk job." Then, she huffed. "Anyway, how much

waiting for their guardians," Lara explai

nly gave Lara a once-over. "You know, Lara, you could totally be a model

love my job, okay? I enjoy teaching. Besides

born for the runway like me." She dramatically flipped her hair

ogance. "Oh, of course.

hould. The world needs so

kled. "Oh

ow I'm

hearted moment was short-lived when Ali's

r husband? How's eve

She had never told her the full story, never admitted just how bad things really

me he's still treating you like crap?" She groaned in frustration

i, stop it. You know there's

ent, then. Whatever. The point is,

re fine, really. He's just busy with w

you're kind, and you're literally the perfect wife. Meanwhile, he's out there being an emotionally constipated je

That's never going to happen. Y

, you're hopeless. You're so i

und more bitter than I do. Yo

's like they have collectively decided to be te

r, her phone rang. She glanc

. "I swear, if this is about resche

ter a few minutes, she ended the call with an annoyed sigh. "Damn it! I have

ikes. He's in f

still fuming. "We'll reschedule our mi

"Try not to

re rushing off, her heels clic

be a handful, but she appreciated her concern even

ensure all the children had been picked up. But to her surpris

ara call

d her head, revealing

, gently taking her tiny hands. "

re yet? She promised to pick me up." Her voice wobbled,

stressed face. She reached out, wiping away

. "Has anyone conta

ling, but no one is ans

eetheart. Maybe your sister had an emergency at work,

s lit up.

d warmly. "Would tha

y. "Yes! Thank yo

her smile. "Of course, sweetheart. Just wait here

ffice, Lara returned to the

weetie?" Lara h

ogether, they walked toward her car, the little girl's