The Beauty Queen

The Beauty Queen - Chapter 13

A new fact I discovered about myself: I do not have the coordination to samba. It's not like I'm actually gonna pursue anything having to do with dancing at all, it's just a little fun fact. :P

I survived two whole hours of zumba!! :D I'm actually quite proud of myself.

And I saw Paul today :3 It was actually way funnier than I expected... because truth is, I thought it'd be kinda stupid. But it was really cool. :D

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Chapter 13

After the interesting day off yesterday, I'm so disappointed about having to go back to practice today.

I slipped out of bed and immediately put on my high heels. It's a habit I've developed, since I've got to learn how to walk in them sooner or later. I stumbled towards the bathroom, noticing on the way that the dorm was empty... again. I sighed.

Even Katy had left early, although I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with my social status. Katy's a nice girl, and I don't even think she's got the heart to ditch anyone. She most definitely has a reason to be gone so early in the morning.

I looked in the bathroom mirror, pursing my lips at my height. Of course, I was about a whole half of a foot taller than usual in these heels. That's what I'm a little worried about. We'll all look like giant freaks onstage with these platform heels on.

I noticed there were the usual dark circles under my eyes, showing how tired I was. Normally, the darker my eyes, the more tired I am. Today, they seemed extra dark. I groaned.

Time to head over to the make-up room again.

I obviously didn't put on any make-up yesterday, considering the fact that it was a day off. But I didn't even expect to run into Nate, because if I had anticipated going to lunch with him, I would have worn some...

Wait, am I going crazy?

Why would I put on make-up if I would have known I would run into Nate? Ugh, after all those thoughts after lunch yesterday, I really didn't want to think about it. I can't possibly like Nate. There are so many reasons for me not to like him.

But there are more good reasons than bad.

...Sheesh! There I go again. I might seem a little insane, but I promise I'm not crazy. I'm just... helplessly confused. You know, for lack of better words.

I shook my head, smothering my thoughts. If thinking about... whatever I felt for Nate would make my brain hurt, I would try not to think of it forever. And ever.

I strolled into the dressing rooms, expecting Katy to be there, putting on her own make-up. If Katy's got one thing that isn't stage fright, it's her looks. Sure, she's on the smaller side, but her mature facial features make up for it. She has these really pretty blue eyes that I'd die for, and silky hair that I'd kill for. Not to mention her make-up skills.

Sure enough, Katy was puckering her lips in front of a mirror, smearing some lip gloss on. She had gone for a more natural look today, in contrast to the smokier look she had done on the day of the talent practice. I honestly think that, instead of a professional make-up artist, I want Katy to do my make-up for the real pageant.

"Hey Danielle," she said, giving me one of her small, timid smiles. I smiled back at her, sliding into one of the chairs. I looked in the mirror and pulled down on my lower eyelids, making a funny face in the mirror. Katy giggled.

"You think you could work your magic today?" I said, squeezing my cheeks to make another silly expression. Katy put down her lip gloss and walked over to where I was sitting. She was frowning slightly.

"Sure," Katy replied. She put her hands on the back of my chair and leaned forwards a little. She looked a little concerned. "Are you getting enough sleep?"

Oh. So it's really that noticeable? I grimaced.

"No," I answered honestly, looking down at my hands in my lap. I played with my fingers.

"You really need to get enough rest, Danielle. If only you didn't have those dark circles, you wouldn't even need make-up," Katy said sternly. I snorted.

"If I had it my way, I would wear make-up every single day. I'm so plain-looking, it's not even funny," I said, laughing humorlessly. It was the cold, hard truth. Brown hair, brown eyes... Why couldn't I have Katy's blue eyes? Or maybe even Nate's pretty hazel ones?

Oh, shoot. Thinking about Nate again. That's a no-no.

"Danielle, stop it. I'm jealous of how pretty you are. It's unfair," Katy scolded. I looked up, knowing she was only saying that. She couldn't possibly envy my boring looks.

"Now if you're done being so hard on yourself, let's get your make-up done."

~~~

My now glossed jaw had dropped to the floor. My now shadowed eyes were wide. The other girls around me were whistling and cheering, all except for Katy. She was just swinging back and forth on the balls of her feet. She didn't seem to have a huge problem with this, but she did seem a little uncomfortable.

I, on the other hand, was freaking out.

"You'll find your own swimsuits the same place you first met your heels," Penelope informed us, gesturing to the shelf backstage. Everyone glanced excitedly at the shelf. Even Katy stole a quick glance out of slight anxiety. I was still frozen, staring straight ahead.

I wasn't looking a Penelope, like I usually was when I was shocked. No, I was staring straight past her, at Nate.

We have to practice for the swimsuit competition today. And Nate's gonna see it all.

"So go find your size and be back onstage right away!" Penelope snapped.

Nate was smirking at me, his eyes dancing in amusement. I stared back at him, shock flaring in my eyes.

Okay, so swimsuits... not my thing. I've never worn one before, considering that nobody has a pool in Kansas. There are only lakes, but I always felt that they were too cold to jump into in only a swimsuit. Everytime I've gone swimming back in Kansas, Linda and I always jump into the lakes fully dressed.

That means I've actually never worn anything less than a pair of shorts and a t-shirt in public. Including a bikini.

What's worse, I have to wear it in front of some arrogant, smirky jerk with annoyingly amazing eyes.

Again, I'm complimenting Nate without even meaning to. What the heck is wrong with me?

It took me a while to realize Nate was gesturing for me to go find a swimsuit. He was mouthing something to me, but I couldn't tell what he was saying. I have to tell him later that he has to work on that.

I flushed and ran backstage, grabbing the last swimsuit on the shelf. I held it up and examined it.

Go figure. Penelope seemed to have saved the tiniest one for me.

I don't mean tiny as in the actual size. I mean tiny as in the one that leaves the least to the imagination. More importantly, Nate's imagination.

Uhh, I'm not so sure that I can say "not that I care" anymore. Because it's obviously I can't deny that I sorta, kinda, just a little...

I looked at the bikini again. It was hot pink, low-cut, and tie-on.

My three least favorite things to wear.