Bewildered 🌸 (kja)

The Big Event

Liza tried everything she could to forget what had happened. She didn't tell anyone, not even her close friends. After that, Gerald and Liza avoided one other. Every time magkasalubong sila sa corridor ng paaralan ay napapayuko si Gerald. He looked so embarrassed and guilty.

Dapat lang!

Liza keeps herself busy with rehearsals and practices. She brushed aside every idea that reminded her of Gerald and the party. And, yes! Finally! Harry will arrive tomorrow! Bukas mismu sa araw ng pageant. She can't wait! He promised to take her to a dinner date after the event. Win or lose.

She was in the middle of her practice when Ellen's group approached her. Nagulat pa siya when she saw Jessy with them. She thought nagbago na ito. She guessed she was wrong.

"What are you doing here?" she asked them with her two arms crossed on her chest. Nagtapang-tapangan siya.

"Oh, we just came here to say good luck for tomorrow," Ellen said with a smirk.

"May the odds be in your favor," Jessy said and winked at her. Then they laughed.

She succumbed to a burst of panic and anxiousness. Bigla siyang kinabahan.

"Anyway, we have to go now. Bye, Liza." nakangisi na wika ni Ellen and leave her.

She attempted to relax. She braced her trembling legs.

Everything will go just fine, Liza.

"Come on, Liza; it's our final rehearsal today." Teacher Bea called her.

Nilingon niya ang mga taong nasa entablado.

"Y-Yes M-Maam." She blew some air from her lungs to calm herself.

This needs to be done.

********

The Juletos gymnasium was full of cheering people. Each department wore a colored t-shirt that represented them. Liza's department was wearing red t-shirts. She saw her friends holding four banners with her name on them. She also saw her parents in the front seat.

Oh My!

Her heart was flooded with joy when she saw Harry move through the crowd to the front seat and take his seat next to her parents.

The pageant began with a dance number performed by the contestants. The crowd erupted in applause and cheers.

Hindi alam ni Harry kung masisiyahan o maiirita. The girl of his fantasies was exposed in front of hundreds of hungry men, and there she was, smiling seductively at the judges while dancing. She's so graceful, fascinating, and enticing. She's everything he's ever wanted in a woman. Kahit saan niya pa ito tignan, sa entablado man or sa malapad na monitor ay napakaganda pa rin nito tignan. She's so perfect!

There are fifteen lovely candidates, but just one stands out.

Liza, of course.

Kaya hindi na nakapagtataka na isa siya sa naiwang kandidata na naglalaban para sa titulong Miss Juleto's 2012.

"The name I'm going to call will be the next Miss Juleto's 2012, and the other will be the first runner-up." said the male emcee. Then turned his gestures to the anticipating crowd. "Are you guys ready?!"

The crowd roared.

"Who's your bet? Is it contestant number seven, Miss Savannah Wilson, or contestant number eight, Miss Elizabeth Mortoni?"

The crowd roared their bet.

The emcee chuckled.

"Alright, so here it is." The emcee opened the envelope that held the winner's name. "Whoah!" he gasped. "I knew it! I knew it was her!" He smiled after he read what was inside the envelope. "I can't wait to tell you guys—" He laughed when the impatient crowd roared again. "Yes. Yes. Yes. Here it is." He paused for a moment.