The Beauty Queen

The Beauty Queen - Chapter 8

You know what I wrote as the introduction for the last chappie? About the epilogue for All the Way to Hollywood?

Okay, for those of you who read that story, this is gonna be repetitive, since I already talked about this in the epilogue of Hollywood. So you know what? I'm not gonna say what happened here, so you can go check out the epilogue by yourself ;D

Haha, enjoy! <3

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Chapter 8

"That was real mature," Nate commented, the auditorium door nearly knocking me over. I wobbled backwards and steadied myself. I pushed my bangs back and held them there. I raised my eyebrows at Nate.

"You were the one being immature," I responded, walking past him. I wasn't sure if he was following me, and just because I had just gotten a dignity lesson, I shouldn't be too proud. But for some reason, I felt good about myself for once in my life. Actually, I was barely embarassed about what had happened onstage. "Haven't you ever seen anyone fall before?" I added, rounding a corner. Okay, I'll admit, it might be a little embarassing if Nate wasn't following me, and I was talking to myself.

"Do you think I'm that sarcastic?"

I sighed in relief, knowing that I hadn't been talking to myself. But realization washed over me, and I turned around to face Nate. "Huh?"

Nate rolled his eyes. "I can be serious sometimes, Danielle."

Wait, how'd he know my name? "Huh?" I repeated dumbly. Nate had his face in his hand.

"Maybe I should say everything twice when I'm around you. You seem like you'd need it," he said after removing his hand from his face. I frowned.

"I don't need that, stupid," I said, resorting to childish insults. Nate chuckled, raising an eyebrow at me. "It's just that it's so incredibly weird that you actually complimented me on something," I said. "Oh, and it's also a little strange how you know my name. I never even told you," I pointed out. Nate shrugged.

"Penelope kept talking about you after we left that day," he said, suddenly interested in the ceiling. I noticed how his Adam's apple moved while he talked. Well okay, all guys' Adam's apples do that, but it's a little interesting since I've never really seen one in person. Sounds weird, but honest to goodness, I'm not weird.

"Really," I said, suddenly curious. What would Penelope have to say about me after watching me cry? Obviously nothing positive. "What did she say?"

"I'd rather not say. Penelope's pretty... harsh," Nate said, returning his attention to me. His eyes had hardened a little. I felt a pang of pity for him; it must be horrible having Penelope as a mother. "But I can tell you the less harsh things. She says you should wear make-up. Penelope said you'd look ten times better... Maybe she's right," he said. I scoffed, slapping Nate's shoulder. He smirked, moving away. I grimaced at his remark, raising my hand to smack him again.

"Hey, I wouldn't know anything about that. Penelope said it," Nate said, putting his hands up in defense. He was laughing a little. I narrowed my eyes at him. Then I realized something I hadn't before.

"Why are you calling her Penelope? Why not mom?" I inquired, frowning a little. Didn't he call her mom that day I met him? Nate sighed, running a hand through his hair.

"She's not my mom. Don't even say that," he said, his hazel gaze a little too intense. I glanced away.

Was it a joke when he called her mom? Because if Penelope wasn't Nate's mom, then of course he wouldn't call her mom. Maybe he just said it in that tone. You know, when you call someone mom because they're telling you what to do. Like, "No, don't eat that worm! That's nasty!" "Okay, mom." That kind of connotation.