My nerves pick up as everyone began to line up backstage. My hands and knees are trembling.

The opening show of Austin Fashion Week 2014 is about to start. Crowds buzzing, lights flashing, music blasting, and some of Austin’s best fashion designers are about to be featured on the runway.

You have done this plenty of times why are you nervous? I ask myself. Taking deep breaths, I hear the music begin to play. Slowly the line gets shorter and shorter, and then it’s my turn. As I walk out in front of the large crowd of people my nerves begin to fade, I can do this. I walk to the end of runway, and consistently remind myself not to smile as I pass people that I’m familiar with. Fashion isn’t fun! The flashes of lights make it difficult to see the friendly faces behind the several different cameras before me. Pose; 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, 4 Mississippi. Pose; 1 Mississippi, etc.  I count in my head to make sure that my timing is on. As I turn I flash a small smile to the cameras before I make my way back behind the curtain, where I have 30 seconds to change into my next look.

The backstage scene is completely different from the one I just saw. People, and even more people, getting ready to walk as I had previously done. Running, rushing, cramming into small spaces. And just in case you were wondering, backstage is tiny. Thirty seconds flies by, and I’m back at the end of the line again.

When everything is finished, the models are just a few of the last people to leave. I change into my normal clothes, and go find my parents. We walk outside as I explain to them how hungry I am from the long day, and my dad and I race to the pizza cart across the street before they close. Three words: Best. Pizza. Ever.

Before I’m home I finish up two of the largest and most delicious slices of pizza that I’ve ever had in my life, and get ready for bed. With another long day ahead of me, Austin Fashion Week has only just begun. Six more shows to go.