Beauty King [boyxboy]

Chapter 9

All through dance practice, I couldn't focus and kept fumbling. Karinne noticed and being a gem, offered to run through everything that we had learnt today later that night.

"You know, Jan." Karinne was biting her lip. "I'm not trying to scare you, but you really got to be more cautious of Stacy. I know what she's planning to do. Today, this morning, she and her friends, they were talking in hushed whispers. I couldn't help but eavesdrop, and... She's planning to disqualify you." "What?" I stopped in my tracks. "Oh my puff, I should have never incurred the wrath of Stacy!" I groaned, dropping to a squat and holding my head in my hands.

"You couldn't help it." Karinne shrugged apologetically. "You're great at dancing and François picked you for the solo. And you told me you're singing for the talent segment, and you're going to put on an awesome show. You have a real shot at winning, and Stacy's jealous. If she disqualifies you, she'll be sure to win. But hey, don't worry, I'm here for you alright, if you get into any trouble, call my number."

I was thankful for Karinne's effort at comforting me, but I still didn't feel assured. "Hey Karinne, I'm gonna skip lunch alright? Gotta get some practice." Karinne nodded. "I'll save you a ham and cheese sandwich in case you get hungry!"

***

"January Costello," I said in a deep voice, mimicking the emcee. I strutted out onto the stage in the ballroom, striking a pose that I had been perfecting. Then I spoke my line, ensuring that I was enunciating the words clearly and properly. I redid and redid this for the next thirty minutes, checking each time I was giving off the kind of vibe that I wanted to. Friendly, cheerful, yet sophisticated.

From the curtains, a shadow emerged. Mrs Martinez stepped forward, clapping. "Bravo, January, great work." I was taken aback. "Mrs Martinez? What are you doing here?" "I was here, clearing and sorting some things out. This ballroom's a special place to me, I've been hosting the Big Apple Beauty Pageant here for who knows how many years." She smiled faintly, then took a seat next to me.

I didn't know what to say. I always thought Mrs Martinez didn't like me, because of how I had infiltrated her pageant world with my male presence. "I heard about what happened today, January." Mrs Martinez spoke, still looking straight ahead. "I... It wasn't my fault--" I stopped halfway, not really knowing how to explain.

"I'm sure it wasn't January, the pageant world has always been dark and scheming. But I'm impressed by you, young man." And then she turned and looked at me, and I could tell that she was being genuine. "At first, when you entered the pageant, I was not pleased at all, because all my years in the realm, only girls had contested. But when you showed up, I was scared you were going to screw things up, that I wouldn't be able to carry off another perfect pageant. Because you were different, and not everyone can accept different. But I heard things from François and Marco about you, all wonderful things, and I studied you, and I can tell how much effort and how serious you are about this, and I thought that maybe this was right after all. Maybe being different isn't so bad, maybe having a perfect pageant isn't as important as having honest, hardworking, sincere contestants. And I apologize to you, January, I was wrong, boys can be in beauty pageants, and they can win as well. Look at me dear, don't give up even when it's tough and you're going to go a long way in life. I'm proud of you."

"Last one out switches off the lights!" Mrs Martinez left, leaving me deep in my thoughts. I was speechless. And touched. Mrs Martinez had inspired me that maybe I could really win after all, if I continued to work hard. She was right, I couldn't give in to Stacy McMillan. I was going to prove that boys could be as good as girls in beauty pageants, and win the thing.

***

I was totally pumped up for singing practice. Stefon had managed to swop duties with another of the photographers and had promised he would come to practice with me. I was doing some lip rolls, when Stefon walked in with his guitar slung over his back.

"Hey, what you doing?" Stefon asked, amused. My face flushed and I scrunched my nose in embarrassment. "Just some vocal warm-ups, that's what." "Ohkay I brought some honey for you, soothes your throat." I smiled inwardly at Stefon's thoughtfulness, he was so sweet. "Thanks." I sipped from the cup and studied Stefon as he got ready. He really was so handsome. Dark hair that swept over the side of his face, cobalt blue eyes, long lashes...

"Jan, you alright?" Stefon was looking at me strangely. Oopsies! I nodded awkwardly and we got to work. We practised hard, rerunning the song a dozen times before Stefon called for a break. We settled into comfortable silence, both of us leaning against the wall, not saying a thing. I got up to go to the bathroom, but accidentally tripped over my shoelaces.

"Owwy!" I cried, having landed with my face squashed to the floor. Stefon hurried to my side, helping me up carefully. "Are you ohkay?" He inspected my face. "You got a slight cut on your cheek." He brushed over it gently, causing me to cringe. I whimpered, biting my lip sadly. Ohkay, ohkay I was a pretty big baby sometimes. "Shhhh," Stefon lightly caressed my cheek, making sure not to hurt me.

Then he lowered his head and kissed me.