Be With You

30

Heart thumping.

Nerves wracking.

Heavy breathing.

The heat from the afternoon starts to touch my exposed skin. Wearing a tube ruffled black top and long black pants while my hair is in a long straight extensions, I tried my best to smile, act cool and calm my nerves.

Yet I can't concentrate because my eyes were glued to the people sitting on the bleachers holding banners, colored balloons and every item that can represent their departments.

Faces of the candidates during the photoshoot were plastered all over the place.

I saw one of mine.

Heartbeat.

It gets louder with the people screaming my name.

I moved my fingers to ease my nerves and shook my shoulders while standing on the open backstage waiting for my turn to come out and walked like what we practiced for weeks before the University Pageant began.

"Look into my eyes when you feel nervous. Focus on me...you can do this."

Quen's word kept on repeating inside my head since the event started. I want to see him right now and do what he just told me.

"Are you ready for the next candidate?!"

One thing about this pageant is no matter how much I think about the reason I join...is that, this is the first time I let myself be included in something that may put myself into literal spotlight.

I know in myself that I can do it no matter what.

But I can't stop my thoughts and insides to be this chaotic right here and right now.

Self, calm down.

"FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ARTS,FASHION AND DESIGN! LET ME HEAR YOU SCREAMING FOR KIRA JILL KIM!"

Inhale...exhale.

I did what we practiced with the other candidates.

From the time I lifted my lips to an alluring smile, placing my hand on my waist and walking like I was the only one on the stage...to be the center of attention.

The loud applause and cheering of my name together with our department name roared once I walked confidently on the runway.

Smiling like I was not nervous, looking at the audience like my heart wasn't beating so fast even if I think it will jump inside my heart yet I still give them the impression like I want them to look at me like I was the most beautiful girl they will ever seen.

Confidence.

I should have that.

Among the crowd and heavy noise from the students, my eyes automatically locked to the person behind the camera in front of the stage filming the event.

My Quen.

With his black cap, black shirt and pants. He looks so charismatic that I would like to walk down the stage and kiss him.