A Unique Crossover

Chapter 14: Faking smiles till you make it (Part 2)

"In fourth place is," My hands were behind my back, hiding my crossed fingers as I hope that my name isn't on anyone of the cards in Martin's hands. My heart stopped and my breath froze as I watch Martin read the name, "Jennifer Hawkins!" OH COME ON, WHY?!

I nearly screamed and wanted to shout 'shut up' to the audience for clapping their hands while acting to be surprise before stepping forward with the biggest and fakest smile that I was sure were scaring half of the building.

I just kept staring towards the back of the hall, because if I had to look at anyone in the audience, they would be part of the blood bath that I was imagining in my head for tonight. And yes, Aunt Gabriella would be the first one to die in the most painful and dramatic way.

"And sadly, ladies and gentlemen, Miss Chloe Shayes wont be joining us the next place." If I could, I would trade my spot for Chloe in a heartbeat even if Id forgotten her name earlier.
"So, congrats to the lucky ladies in front, hope to see you all here again along with the rest of the gorgeous audience tonight and those who are watching this from home. May we see you all right here on the next night of Miss LA Beauty Pageant 2019, goodnight everybody!!"

Once the theme song started playing as the audience were clapping and cheering for every one of us as we made our way off stage. I stepped off of the stage, the fake smile dropped into the deepest sneer that ever appeared on my face that most of the teach team of the place nearly turned around to walk in the opposite direction than me.
And just like for my performance, Aunt Elle and Dorothy nearly got me lying on the floor from their hugs and screaming, "You made it to fourth place, Jennifer!!! Im so proud of you."

"Thanks Aunt Elle," I said as I managed to get out of the arms tangle nut, grabbing my bag before closing the bathroom door. Feeling aggravated and frustrated for this entire night that I nearly broke the prom dress off from me.

With the thought that I have to come up with a better plan to get me out of this stupid, pointless Pageant for good. "But I was kinda hoping to come in negative fourth place tonight and not the positive fourth place."

Aunt Elle clicked her tongue while Dorothy rolled her eyes, "I'm sure, Jennifer, your Aunt use to always come in fifth place while your Mother came from being in fifteenth and tenth place before winning in first place on the first night. And tonight you've gotten into fourth place which is one unit up from your Aunt plus eleven and six units from your Mom." 

Stepping out of the bathroom, grabbing the hanger for the prom being fully dressed with my backpack before the dressing room door burst out with a very angry Aunt Gabriella,
"JENNIFER ANELA HAWKINS, how dare you disobey my instructions while shaming me in front of an entire building filled of people?! I'm deeply humiliated that I nearly want to peal myself out of my skin."

"It's not my fault that you played my Dad into signing that stupid paper that you made him think was for something else." The last thing I want tonight is to have a back and forth conversation with Aunt Gabriella, tonight there was zero energy in me to have it.

Unfortunately the Dragon Lady as Aunt Elle had put in words earlier had a lot of fire inside of her, "I have told you not to embarrass me tonight and yet you went ahead and have done exactly that."

"How is choosing not to wear the dresses that you wanted me to wear is a embarrassment to you?!" I challenged my Aunt which brought this unexpected burst of anger bursting out of me. How can she think that I've embarrass her if the half of the audience doesnt even know who she is and what kind of great value she brings to the Pageant?
"You wanted me to wear a dress that was too revealing and then another dress that we along with Gabriel had never agreed on wearing for the dance!"