Within Their World

Tiaras and Losses

James' POV

I groan in frustration as I pace in he bathroom, the contest only ten minutes from starting and Sloan was freaking out.

'What if my hair is ugly? What if I butchered my make up? Oh Goddess, James what if dad actually shows up?!'

     'Well if you refuse to come out, then you'll never win Sloan! I let you put make up on our face and put on heels for this! You better not flake on me!' I tell him angrily looking at myself in the mirror to glare knowing he could see it.

     'Do you think I could win?' He asks, and my heart melt a little bit because Sloan has always been the more confident of us throughout my life, this ninth  grade year being no different. So to see him so nervous was a bit nerve wracking for me but I try to help in any way I can.

     'There's no one in this school that could ever beat you in a pageant not even Suzi Marcus. You wouldn't let her win because your too scared would you?' I ask, playing dirty as I bring up his arch nemesis and he immediately growls.

      'That girl wouldn't beat me in her best day. And I won't let her beat me today so she can brag to the whole school.' He snarls and I smile in pride as he finally starts to regain the confidence I love and sometimes hate him for.

     'So you're ready?' I ask him, giving him an encouraging smile in the mirror. I feel him take in a deep breath before he judges forward lightly letting me know he's ready to take over.

     'I'm ready.' He assures me and I let myself fall back and let Sloan take over.

✨✨✨

Sloan's POV

     I take a deep breath as my shoes click down the hallway, letting my walk change from the lazed on of James into the smooth glide that is mine. I set my shoulders back and my head high, remembering all the tips I've gotten from magazines and youtube about how a model should walk.

     I stop outside the back door of the auditorium to steady myself before my manicured nails wrap around the door before I'm pulling it open. There's a line of girls and a handful of boys as they all line up for a chance to win the Misses Pageant. I weave my way through them until I reach my spot in line.

     I pull out a pocket mirror and double check that my makeup and hair are perfect before I put it away, tucking it back into my back pocket. I wait nervously as we wait and begin to prepare myself for potential questions they may ask.

     There's three tiers to the Misses Pageant, Little Miss, Princess Miss and Queen Miss, one for each level of school. The Little Miss competition just ended about thirty minutes ago and any second now they're going to be starting our show. I had to beg James for two months to let us sign up, though his reasoning was a fair one in why he was reluctant. He's trying to protect ourselves from our dad, and I know I should listen, but I won't let this man control every inch of my life even if I have to suffer for it. Thankfully James understood enough to let me partake in the competition.

     "Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, to the tenth anual Princess Miss Pageant where lovely ladies and gents from the seventh through ninth grade compete for the title of Princess Miss. Please welcome our twenty contestants for this years."

     Following our cue from the announcer, the line starts moving towards the stage, staring from the back to circle in front of the fake tanned woman to disappear back behind the curtains as they call out names.

     As the small line starts entering the stage I let a small simple smile paint my lips and make sure my shoulders are straight and perfect before I'm waking out onto the stage. The lights are bright and hot as I begin to walk behind the girl in front of me with long straight hair. Boring.