Beauty King [boyxboy]

Chapter 10

Stefon's POV

I didn't know what had caused me to kiss January just like that. But he looked so adorable, in his baby blue tee and checkered shirt underneath combi, standing there whimpering over the tiniest cut and he was looking straight up into my eyes, eyes tinged with tears, so close to me. He was just so gosh darn cute.

I couldn't resist kissing him. But I realised my huge mistake. January probably didn't even like me that way. I had just pulled away, when January gripped my shirt with both his hands and pulled me back, locking his lips to mine. Pleasure swept over me. I sat down with him in my lap, where he belonged, and ran my hands through his hair.

He was mine, and I wasn't going to share.

***

January's POV

I was grinning ear to ear, when it was time for question and answer practice. I skipped to the venue, where Mdm Ferguson issued each of us a sheet of paper, which listed common questions that judges had been known to ask in beauty pageants.

1. Why are you here?

2. What do you want to do in life?

3. Why do you think you would be a good titleholder?

4. Do you consider yourself to be a giver or a taker? Why?

5. If you had one message to the world what would it be?

6. What is your definition of success?

7. Who is your hero/ idol?

8. If you won a million dollars what would you do with it?

9. What is the most important lesson a person should learn in life?

10. What quality do you like most about yourself and why?

11. What bothers you most about what is happening in your country today?

12. What does love mean to you?

13. What is the biggest challenge for young people today?

14. What have you done in your community?

15. What do you expect to gain by participating in beauty pageants? Why?

16. What is your greatest obstacle? Why? How will you overcome that?

17. How important is it to look your best at all times?

18. What would you say is the biggest problem facing our educational system today? Why?

19. Do you think plastic surgery is an option for those less fortunate in the looks department?

20. What do you like about the pageant?

(Author's note: Taken from buzzle.com)

We were given an hour to prep ourselves. I paired up with Karinne, and we took turns asking each other questions. When it was Karinne's turn, she asked, "So Mr Costello, why are you looking so happy today?" I laughed. "Is it so obvious that I'm elated?" Karinne giggled, and nodded. "Uh huh, care to share?" "Hmm...... Ohkay." I beckoned for her to come closer and whispered in her ear.

"What?" Karinne squealed in excitement. "Shhh!" I put a finger to my lips, not really wanting to be called out for unruly behavior. "Sooooo, Stefon really kissed you?" I nodded, not being able to resist breaking into a smile. When we were practising for our duet, I cut my cheek, see?" I pointed to the spot where Stefon had cleansed for me afterwards. "And Stefon was comforting me and all, and then he kissed me!" I giggled, scrunching my eyes close, and holding my fists to my cheeks. Karinne smiled, "Well I'm really glad for you, he seems really really nice. Congrats!" I thanked her, oblivious in my bliss.

So oblivious that I didn't notice that we had chosen to sit in front of Stacy the whole time.

***

Karinne and I had a light dinner, so we could dance afterwards. We headed to the dance studio, and were laughing and joking around when we realized that the lights were still on. I poked my head in. "François!" My eyes widened, shocked that François was still here at this hour. "Oh bonjour Jan darling." François was doing some cool down exercises. I joined him, so I wouldn't feel awkward.

"Listen, about this morning, I can explain." "You don't have to, je sais." François said breezily, continuing the routine. "Wait, you know about Stacy?" "Oui, I'm good at reading people, and she is one vicious fille. Besides, this isn't my first time working for a pageant." "So, why did you get so disappointed?"

François stopped, pursing his lips. "You really don't know?" I nodded earnestly. "Est parce que you let her get to you! Sonny, you don't need to stoop to Stacy's level, and you know it. You have so much more talent than she does! You know what I mean January, tu est dégourdi. Avoir."

And François left me with new things to think about, while Karinne ran through what I had missed when I was late that morning, and helped me with the steps that I just couldn't figure out.

***

The next morning, I made sure to wake up early and report to the dance studio even before François arrived. I was at my best, I had managed to catch up with Karinne's help yesterday, and I was executing every single move with energy and emotion. I had caught François smiling proudly at me a couple of times, and I silently thanked him. He had been right, what he said, I was so much better than Stacy. I just had to work hard to make sure the judges thought so as well.

Oddly enough, Stacy had disappeared halfway through practice. Mrs Martinez had asked to see her and she had been out for quite a while. Finally, Stacy walked through the door with Mrs Martinez, who looked solemn, and a little worried. I carried on with my dancing, not bothering to care what had happened.

But then Mrs Martinez summoned for me. Stacy went back to practising, purposely brushing past me hard, and I could see a smug little smile on her cherry red lips. I walked over to Mrs Martinez, confused. "Morning, Mrs Martinez, is something wrong?" Mrs Martinez opened her mouth halfway, then stopped. Then, she spoke, "January, it has come to my attention that you are planning to perform a duet with one of our photographers, Stefon. You see, we can't allow that. It's stated that contestants are to perform solely, with no other person. I'm so sorry."

And what had seemed like a perfect day just seconds ago came crashing down. Stefon and I had been practising alot over the past few days. How was I supposed to figure out a new performance now without him, and perfect it, in just two days?