"Gabby, have you seen my shoes?" Caroline yells from her room.
"Have you looked down at your feet?" I laugh as I finish putting on my dangly earrings.
Caroline appears at my bedroom door, wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and the black-open toe heels she was looking for. "How'd you know that?" she asks.
"You've been practicing walking in them for the past three days, Caroline," I continue to laugh. "I can hear the click-clack of those shoes in my sleep."
She giggles, shaking her head. "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit nervous."
"Don't be," I say, grabbing my gold pumps and slipping them on. "We both know you're going to win."
"Most people would think you wouldn't be rooting for me considering Elena is competing too and she's your twin sister."
"Well, although I just met her like three days ago, I love Elena already, so obviously I'm supportive of her. But at the same time I know how much winning means to you and I know how much effort you put into this, so I kind of want you to win more," I confess.
"Aww, Gabby," she smiles at me and embraces me into a hug. "You're so sweet."
"I know, but don't tell Elena I said that. She'd kill me."
"Don't worry. I won't," she laughs as we separate.
"Girls, are you ready to-" Liz stops when she looks at me. "Wow, Gabby. You look beautiful."
"Thanks to moi," Caroline beams. "I did her hair and makeup."
I nod. "This girl knows her way around a curling iron. You should be very proud of her."
Liz laughs. "I am very proud of her and you too, Gabby. You've put up with her craziness for the past three days, while I've been busy and I'm very grateful."
I wave her off. "No problem. I actually enjoy being around her sometimes."
"Okay, forget what you said yesterday. That is the nicest thing you've ever said to me," Caroline says with a laugh.
Liz smiles at us as she shakes her head. "I love the fact that you two are already bonding, but we have to get going if we're going to get there on time."
We nod as I grab my gold clutch and follow the two of them out of the room.
It's finally Saturday otherwise known as pageant day. The three of us have been running around the house since 6 a.m. thanks to Caroline. She may look sweet as pie, but she's one of the most demanding people you'll ever meet. I actually kind of admire that about her. I've never met someone who's more assertive than me, but in a non-bitchy way.
"Wait, first let me take a picture of the two of you," Liz insists, picking up the camera.
"Really, Mom?" Caroline groans. "I'm not even ready yet."
"You look fine, Caroline," I assure her. "Plus my mom wants me to send her pictures from today, so this would be a good start."
"Fine," she huffs as she reluctantly wraps an arm around my waist and puts her hand on her own waist.
"I'm sorry I have to torture you this way," I chuckle, following her actions.
"Smile on three," Liz says, looking into the camera. "One, two, three."
The two of us smile as the flash goes off and then we drop our arms from each other.
"That wasn't so bad, was it, Caroline?" Liz asks with a knowing smile.
