QUEEN OF THE PROM NIGHT

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHLOE'S POINT OF VIEW

'You get a 4,' I heard a sultry voice . Everyone gasped. Ann looked at me, 'Your performance was just not it for me. I felt you could have done better. You have potentials. Don't screw it.'

I sighed, she really would not make this easy for me. The other judges looked a bit surprised but Bryan concealed his within the blink of an eye.

The results were determined. Ten girls were selected. I ranked third with Mindy at second place and another girl, Trixie, at first place.

There was something about her that I couldn't figure out. She glanced at me a few times. I didn't know if she was an ally or a foe. I had to be super careful, especially after the door-trapped incident.

That was a success kinda. We were told that the real tough competition would start in about a month and apparently, our lives would no longer remain the same.

And that was true, we'd be put in the spotlight, our lives would not really be ours anymore. We'd become some sort of mini celebrities.

I was happy that I survived that round, however drama seemed to always find me. Trixie walked towards me, 'Congratulations on your placement. You would have won the first place if not for your lateness. You are so pretty and your elegance. You get it all from your mother. Gosh! Imagine having the pageantry goddess as your mother.'

The other girls began to repeat what she said. They were all super stunned. Everyone began to murmur, 'So she's the daughter of Ann.... OMG!!! The princess of pageantry, Mara Dawson... She must be using her connections...Where has she ben all this while?... She's going to be tough competition.'

So many range of emotions; envy, anger, hatred, admiration, frustration. The hall was charged. One of the more outspoken girls, Micah, asked, 'Ms Ann, is contestant 5 really your daughter?'

Ann smiled, 'Yes, she is. Don't worry. She doesn't exactly call me mom so you have no fears. She doesn't fly on my tailcoat.' She turned to me, 'I hope you have what it takes to be a pageant goddess.'

Ann had this signature smile that showed that she was invincible and in control. She had that creepy smile on her face. She turned to the girl who had asked the question, Bianca, ‘Since you are curious about my life so much, I’ll tell you, I have an older son.’

Everyone gasped. As usual, she was basking in the attention. She was such a a drama queen who lived off attention. She even made money from it.

It was so awkward and dramatic like a telenovela was unfolding.

Bryan, in a bid to defuse the tension, cut in, ‘Wow, Ann. I can’t believe you have two grown kids and you look so amazing. You look no more than thirty, Queen. You age gracefully and then you have a very beautiful daughter who is towing the same path’

That placated the vain Ann, who smiled, ‘Thank you Bryan. Don’t make me blush. She is gorgeous, right? And she is following my footsteps. An apple does not fall far from its tree. I just hope she has what it takes to be a pageant goddess. I do not want to be disappointed.'

The way she looked at me made my blood. I really wish I could wipe that smirk off her face. I was relieved when I left that hall. 

My best friends were outside, waiting for me, with their arms stretched. I ran into their embrace and smiled. They were family. They were home. Even the guys congratulated me. I guess in some way, I was developing some sort of friendship with each of the boys.

Nick was the last to congratulate me. He smiled at me, ‘Congratulations. I knew you had it in you.’ He hugged me and gave me a wrapped parcel.He smiled and turned to go but he changed his mind and turned back to me and said, ‘You know…you look better as you, the real you, Mara Dawson.’ He left me stunned.

About a minute later, I felt a tap on my shoulders. I turned to see Trina. She looked a little upset. She glanced at Nick’s retreating back,’

Anything wrong? Is there anything I should know about?’ she queried me. I raised an eyebrow,’Hmm! I’m not sure. Or are you the one who’s supposed to tell me something?’

She was speechless for a while before she aggressively retorted,’No! No! It’s not what you think. I do not have a crush on him!’ ‘Who has a crush on whom?’ Kaffy asked from nowhere.

‘Nobody has a crush on nobody,’ Trina replied. Kaffy laughed and hollered, ‘Wow, girl!’ ‘Someone has a crush on Nick,’ I revealed.

Trina was about to object when Kaffy started to taunt her.Trina looked at me for help but I shrugged. She snorted and walked away angrily with our laughter trailing after her.

Tim came fifteen minutes later to take us home. He seemed so tired which meant I couldn’t vent on him tonight. I did not really mind. I also needed some rest after the whole emotional rollercoaster of this night.

I unwrapped the parcel Nick gave me. It was a portrait of me the first time I dressed as Mara Dawson. It was a sweet gesture that moved me so I hung the picture on the wall.

I was about to retire for the night when I saw a text, ‘Hey, we need to talk, xoxo, Leo.’ I was shocked. Another text popped on my screen, ‘I’m by your window.’ I was more shocked when I heard a gentle knock on the window.

Tentatively, I opened it to see Leo. Flabbergasted, I let him in. He smiled as he entered my room. He remarked, ‘Your room still reflects you, Mara.’

I stared him down and harshly retorted, ‘No, don’t call me that.’ I was ready to fight him if I needed to.

He just hugged me suddenly, I wasn’t expecting it. He pet me , whispering ‘I’m so sorry. How do you feel right now? Especially with getting trapped and seeing her the same day. You must be so tired.’I sagged against him and began to cry. He rocked me, patting my back.