The Beauty Queen

The Beauty Queen - Chapter 25

So today is 'Take your child to work day'. LOL. I'm at my parent’s work. Totally.

Jk, I'm at home. :)

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Chapter 25

For the entire duration of the night wear portion, I had been able to stand correctly, in spite of my twisted ankle.

But now, when the winner was just announced, I collapsed. There was a huge gasp from the audience. I winced, my hands flying to my ankle. I wrapped my fingers around it and bit my lip, trying to hold in the tears.

Tears. They weren't only caused by the physical pain of my ankle. But yeah, that was definitely a part of it. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself not to cry. I pursed my lips.

No, I'm not only crying over my twisted, sprained, broken--whatever happened to it--ankle. The second I heard Krista's name echo around the auditorium, I couldn't help it. I suddenly felt horrible. I had failed. I had completely failed. Everything I went through, I didn't even get what I wanted. No, what I needed. This isn't fair. This is so unfair.

I actually need the money. Krista probably has five hundred thousand dollars in her piggy bank alone. Who knows how much more money her entire family has, with the way she dresses and the amount of product she can afford to put in her hair? It's not fair.

I shuddered all of a sudden, hunching forwards. No, I can't cry. I have to remember my dignity.

I heard the loud, fast clicking of heels across the stage. It seemed like that was the only thing I could hear right now. For some reason, all my senses had just blacked out and shut down. I couldn't hear the audience, or the judges, or anyone right now. The only thing I heard was the pounding of my heart in my ears, and footsteps. And now, it wasn't only a pair of six-inch heels. It was paired with the heavy steps of what sounded like sneakers.

I was practically lying on the stage now, the tears flowing out. You know what? Screw dignity. Screw everything I've been taught in this stupid place. Screw Krista, and screw Penelope. I don't care what people think of me anymore. My life is about over, anyways. I can't even afford a life. How sad is that? So screw this, and screw that. I have nothing wrong with crying in front of thousands of people right now. And if this is a televised event, I'll have to rephrase. I have nothing wrong with crying in front of millions of people right now.

"Danielle!" someone called. Probably wanting me to look up for a picture. Wouldn't I look like a beauty, with smeared make-up and messed-up hair, plastered across the front of the New York Times?

"Leave me alone!" I sobbed dramatically. It wouldn't be so dramatic if there wasn't a reason for it, but I had every right in the world to be as dramatic as I wanted. I have a right.

"Danielle!" the same voice said again. It was a girl. Familiar. Someone shook me. Then I heard shifting. And mumbling.

"Danielle." It was a male voice this time. More than familiar. Intimate. My senses kicked into high gear and I realized who it was.

Nate.

I looked up, trying my best to hide my face from the crowd. Nate's hazel eyes were staring at me, worry flooding through his face. Katy was at his side, sighing in relief. Nate grasped my hand. I forced a shaky smile. But he, however, decided to kiss me. Right there, in front of so many people.

I would be ashamed or embarrassed or humiliated, but the thing is, I still didn't care. Besides, Nate's lips on mine made me feel so much better.

So when he pulled away, I felt disappointed. But he kept his hazel eyes on mine, and then he glanced at Katy. She was crying.