The Beauty Queen

The Beauty Queen - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

I was awestruck. I couldn't believe that Penelope was actually standing over me, the briefcase full of money resting on my stomach. Nate was still holding my hand tightly, and he was frowning down at the metal briefcase.

"She can barely breathe," he protested, reaching for the briefcase with his free hand. Penelope scowled and pulled the thing off my stomach. I immediately gasped for air. Nate sent Penelope a smug look.

"I knew that," Penelope mumbled. She glared at Nate for a few seconds, and then turned her attention to me. Her gaze was still hardened when she looked at me. It didn't help when I was trying to regain my breath. The way she always glared at me made me want to hyperventilate until I passed out. I mean, ten seconds of unconsciousness totally beats Penelope's glare.

"What are you doing here?" I asked breathlessly. Penelope still had the same look on her face when she answered. I felt Nate squeeze my hand. I sent him a grateful look. Penelope grimaced. If she was prepared to do what I think she's doing, it must be the most painful thing she's ever done in her life.

"I've got the money," she told me. I guess I thought wrong about what she was going to do with it, which was give it to me. She shoved the briefcase into my face, and for a second I was scared she might hit me with it. I scowled. Penelope was literally rubbing her daughter's victory in my face.

So why did she look so upset?

I put on my best poker face. I didn't want to give any of my emotions away. "I'm aware," I said bluntly. I wanted to seem as uncaring as possible. But the way I said, I obviously cared a lot.

"And do you know why I came to you with it?" Penelope asked, watching me curiously. I'm glad her expression changed from menacing to imploring. It was a refreshing change, and I was happy about it. I sighed, shutting my eyes.

"To rub it in my face?" I said, sounding exasperated. I shifted around, realizing the paramedics had left. They probably went to go get me some meds, or they just thought that Penelope was enough adult supervision for me. Ha.

Penelope scowled. There’s that viciousness again. She directed her glare at me, clutching the handle of the briefcase so tightly that her knuckles turned pale. It was a little disturbing how small comments could piss her off so easily.

“No,” she said through clenched teeth. I had to admit, I was shocked. Why was she here, then? Did she come here to… Nooo, it can’t be. “I came here…” She trailed off angrily, apparently frustrated. She squeezed her eyes shut and sighed. There was a prolonged silence amongst everyone.

“I came here,” she continued finally, seeming calmer than before, “to give you the money.”

My jaw dropped.

~~~

“I can’t believe she gave you the money!” one girl said. She was grinning sweetly, but if I’m not mistaken, she sounded kind of appalled. Her tone made me grimace. And the other contestants crowding around me didn’t help. They were killing my vibe. Didn’t they know not to crowd around an injured person?

“I can’t believe it either,” another girl mumbled under her breath. I caught sight of her shaking her head. I shook my head back.

These girls are insane.

They were all commenting on Penelope’s decision to give me the prize money, which obviously, none of them were happy about. Especially since I’m the odd one out of the bunch. And I swear, every five seconds, one of the contestants would try to swipe the briefcase away from me.

To top it all off, Nate had to pee. After he left, that’s when the girls sprang on me.

I sighed. This is so exasperating.

“Back off,” I hissed, tugging the briefcase away from a pair of clawed hands. Well, they looked clawed. It was probably the fake nails that caused the illusion.

“We’re just congratulating you,” someone said bitterly.

“Yeah,” another one agreed.

“That’s why you’re trying to steal my money,” I said sarcastically, rolling my eyes. “And the paramedics will scare you away if you don’t leave,” I added emphatically. The girls’ eyes suddenly widened.

“I heard they’re creepers,” one said.

“What if they’re hot?” another said.

“Good point.”

And with that, they all stayed, suddenly excited about the arrival of the paramedics.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, closing my eyes. I shook my head.

I really hope the paramedics creep them out. But it’ll probably be hard, since conveniently, they’re all about twenty or so. Note the heavy sarcasm.

On top of that, my ankle’s starting to hurt even more. Badly.

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I was watching Glee when I wrote half of this, so I was kind of distracted. I didn't even finish that night, so I finished the rest of it now.

This is more of a filler chapter. I think the next chapter will be the last. :D