Beauty Contest

Chapter One

My feet slam against the side walk as I run to The Building. I ignore the whistle of The Watches knowing I have an excuse. You can't be late for The Entering. It's extremely important. I almost slam into the glass doors before they slide open with the familiar 'whoosh' and then almost run into the person. "Sorry!" I call holding my freshly printed form.
"Don't worry." The person calls "Run faster The Office is almost closing."
I run faster and open the door quickly fixing my hair. There are hundreds of other girls and guys. All equally as pretty as the next. I smile as I see Becky. She waves me over. She has been saving our spot in line.
"Are you excited Cara we might get to be in The Contest." She squeals a little. Her blonde curls bouncing up and down. I smile.
"I can't wait. But I don't think I'll get in. No one likes brunettes." I say
"Of course they do." She smiles
I laugh a little and looks down at my simple jeans and yellow shirt. "Oh shit..." I mumble.
Becky laughs and pulls out a simple black dress. "I know you would forget Cara."
I smile and take it. "Thank you." I say and hand her my form and run to the bathroom. I run into one of the changing stalls and then wait patiently as it does make up. I slip on the heels it provides and then step out and look at myself in the full length mirror. I smirk. I might actually have a chance at getting into The Contest. I smiles and hope last years winner, James Nockavich, will be there. He was by far the best looking man, which is why he won. I run out of the bathroom and stand in line with Becky. We stand patiently and quite for two hours watching boys and girls alike come and leave. Finally it's Becky's turn.
"Good luck." I say and smile. She smiles back and walks in. Five minutes later my name is called. I walk in and start to find it hard to breath. I'm nervous. There are ten people at a huge wooden table. They all look familiar, past winners and some tv stars. But there is an old man I've never seen. He's at the center of the table.
"Hello Cara Black." He purrs. He has a thick accent and his voice sends shivers down my spine but I stay still.
I nod politely and walk down the catwalk. My posture perfect my gaze set just above their heads. I start to do a twirl when I see him in the back. James. I'm almost breathless but keep going. When I finish I stand. They make notes.
"Congrats." Smirks the old man and a glass case is dropped on me. My eyes widen and I'm taken a back. I pound on it. James eyes widen a little but his expression remains the same as if he's seen it before. "You have won a spot in The Contest." The old man says and everything goes black.