What Happens In Vegas Doesn't Stay In Vegas

Center Of Attention

It was an uneventful day at school. I went on the bulletin board to see what is the latest happening on the College of Engineering this week.

Mr. and Ms. Engineering is coming up. There will be an acoustic session next week. Schedules for the seminars for all kinds of Engineering students were posted. Some names of some students were posted for making the university proud. Some orgs were finding members.

Nothing new there but the Mr. and Ms. Engineering. I heard that last week and some girl named Samantha Hudson was our representative for the Ms. Civil Engineering.

Well I didn't knew her. Why aren't there any pictures of posters or banners up yet? Well I don't really care.

I was walking when a girl poke me.

"Hey, you are Eyre Torres right?" she asked.

"Yes I am."

"Mr. Crane wants to talk to you."

"Have I done something wrong?" I asked her. Well for you who doesn't know who Mr. Crane is, he is only the Chairperson for Civil Engineering.

"No. It's about what you will do. I'm Gabriella Byrne. President of the Student Body." We shook hands. "Follow me."

I followed her towards Mr. Crane's office. It was the first time I went in there. I knew Mr. Crane but I haven't been in his office. If you went to his office, you are either graduating or have done something very wrong.

Gabriella and I went inside the office of Mr. Crane. Her secretary said to sit and wait for him.

"So Gabriella, have you have any idea why I was called for?"

"Yes, but Mr. Crane should say it to you. Just in case."

"In case of what?" my heart faltered. I did do something wrong. but what is it?

"Ms. Byrne and Ms. Torres." A ginger haired man appeared on the door just on the right of the table of the secretary.

We went inside Mr. Crane's office. It was big and had a wall with shelves of books and another wall had shelves of miniature buildings medals and trophies for civil engineering. They were facing each other.

The wall behind him had pictures of buildings and bridges all around the world. It was stunningly beautiful. I was adoring them.

"Ah yes, those collection of pictures is where I had gone. I like to take pictures of very beautiful structures.

"It's very beautiful." I commented.

"So, let's get down to business Ms. Torres."

"Yes sir. What can I do for you? Why have you called me in?" I was being casual as ever but my heart was racing.

"Ms. Byrne hadn't told you yet?" he looked at Gabriella.

"I thought it would be much more acceptable if it came from you?" Gabriella declared.

"What is this all about?" I asked them. Gabriella just looked at me and Mr. Crane finds a paper and hand it to me.

I took it and read it. Ms. Engineering entry form. My stomach did a back flip. I wasn't sure if they were asking me to join by giving this paper to me or they just want me to give this to the girl whom I thought was the contestant.

"I don't understand." I lied. I understand perfectly what they were doing.

"Well, I picked you to join and be the representative for the pageant." Mr. Crane said.

"I.. I thought Samantha was the one who..."

"Samantha got the pox." Mr. Crane said. Curse Samantha and her pox. "I personally picked you."

"If I decline..."

"I don't take no as an answer."

"But..."

"No buts. I know you can do it. I believe in you Eyre and your talents and your confidence."

Do this ginger know what he was saying?

His phone rang. It made me jump. He picked it up.

"Oh yes. Meeting in 2 minutes. I'm coming." He said to the person on the other line and hang up.

"So Ms. Torres, I'm gonna leave you to fill that up. Just give the paper to Ms. Byrne and she will tell the details to you.

Mr. Crane was out the door before I could say something.

"Here is a pen." Gabriella handed me.

"Is this some kind of a joke?" I asked her.

"Sorry to tell you it is not a joke."

"Have you seen me walk or dress up?"

"Actually no. I actually don't know you until Mr. Crane said your name and then I googled you."

"Why me?"

"I really don't know but our Program really need a representative."

"Our program? You are a Civil Engineering student too?"

"Yes and I am graduating too and to tell you the truth Mr. Crane doesn't really take no for an answer. He will haunt you if you did say no. If you know what I mean."

"Are there other selection besides me?"

"There is. She was really beautiful but she don't have the brains for it. You see Mr. Crane is really a competitive man."

"Do I even have a choice in here?"

"No."

I felt numb. Pageant aren't really my thing. I did write my name on the form and gave it to her.

"What are the details?" I asked.

"Well first of, you will walk all over the stage with the other contestants wearing all black like a black dress. Then a themed costume of Greek Gods and Goddesses which will be made by the selected students per program. They must make the costumes from recycled materials that you can see on the field of engineering the contestants are in. Then a swimwear. Then evening gown, which again, must be themed with Greek Gods and Goddesses."

"Swim wear?" I don't do that."

"Well you should. No turning back."

"If I had the chance of turning back earlier I was way back and not stressing in this pageant."

"Haha. I'm sorry to drag you into this. Next is the question and answer."

"Is that all?"

"No, it's just a part. Pictorial on Thursday. You must beautify yourself and the pictures will be on your field. I mean like us you can have your pictorial on a building site or like building something. "

"I get it."

"Talents on Friday. You should be ready."

"Uuhhhg. I really don't have a talent."

"I believe in you Eyre. Pageant is on Saturday."

We head outside.

"I'll text you if something came up. This is gonna be a busy week for you."

"Say that again. I'll contact every possible dudes that can help me with this thing."

"I'll give your number to the ones who will do your costume."

"Okay. I still can't believe that I'm in this shenanigan you made." She laughed at me.

"I just believe in you like Mr. Crane do." We part ways and I had gone home and making all the things sink into me.