𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐋𝚰𝐎𝐍𝐒 - josie saltzman

9. Prom Queen

"I have some news. Many of you, like me, have forgotten that we are hosting this year's Miss Mystic Falls Pageant." Alaric announced, making most of the students groan. "Trust me, I know. But the rotation is set in stone. So, let's take the opportunity to maintain our image as a normal school for the rich and awful. As usual, anything remotely magical, enchanted, vampire, wolf or witch-related must be kept tucked away, hidden, and under lock and key. Now... with your chore assignments." Alaric passed it onto Lizzie.

"Okay, so we'll split into teams."

"Hey Josie." Sky jumped into where Josie was talking to Penelope. "You need some help?"

Penelope smiled. "That's my cue to leave." She assumed.

"Yeah, could you help me put these up?" Josie asked, smiling as as Sky muttered a spell to make Josie levitate a bit, letting her put up a banner.

"I am withdrawing from Miss Mystic Falls. Effective immediately." Lizzie informed Sky, Josie, Penelope, and Hope.

"I thought you had something important to tell us." Hope turned to leave.

"Come for the underwhelming announcement, stay for the epic meltdown." Penelope assumed.

"Shut up." Sky shot her a dirty look.

"Okay, wait, why are you quitting?"

"A personal issue with one of the judges. A direct result of that bitch Dana's sabotage."

"She's dead, Lizzie."

"Correction: that dead bitch Dana's sabotage. Costing me the crown from beyond the grave. The head judge is her mother. The town pharmacist. There is always next year for me. But that does not mean that we here at the Salvatore School shouldn't bring home the title and stick it to those townies. So, I have studied all of the stats and advanced metrics, and I have chosen a replacement. Hope Mikaelson." Lizzie explained as Hope looked up with a surprised face.

Sky glanced to Josie, who's face fell completely.

"I'm gonna regret this, aren't I?" Hope groaned.

"Regret it? You are the perfect candidate. You are pageant-pretty, reasonably well-spoken, and not to mention you have the added bonus of being an orphan. Classic charity case. Plus, you wanted strenuous. This is the fiercest competition in the land." Lizzie assured.

"Okay..." Hope agreed.

"So why am I here?" Sky asked.

"You, are her makeup artist."

Skylar stiffed a laugh. "For real?"

"Yes, for real. I've seen what you can do."

"Ok, fine." Skylar rolled her eyes.

"My mother's research. She used it to prepare for Miss Mystic Falls the year that she won. It's effective, but her methods? Quaint at best." Lizzie set down a big box that made a thud. "This is my research. I have studied every answer given, why every winner has won, and why every loser has lost. No one from the Salvatore School has ever come close. Until today." Lizzie offered her one of the many binders.

"Hey, Josie, you ready?" Skylar walked up to her during rehearsals.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting all that make-up ready for Hope?" Josie questioned.

"According to Penelope, I'm your escort."

"No, MG is my escort."

"Penelope said that she convinced him to sit out, so I'm here upon request."