According to the original plan, Michaelâs speech would be 30 minutes long while the contestants prepared for their first round of the competition backstage. They did their make-up and hair as they all wanted a chance to win the highest point in the first round and to show themselves off in front of their idol.
Even with Natasha as the strongest opponent and no one bore any hopes for the winning title, there was still a spot for runner-up and third place!
As Sophiaâs entry number was number 12, it meant that she still had some time to spare. So, after she did her makeup, she took out the outfit that she prepared for the competition and went to the changing room to wear it.
With a mysteriously smug smile on his face, Richard watched her walk into the changing room with her clothes.
As expected, she exited the room in less than a minute with a scowl.
âWhy are you not dressed?â Stanley asked when he realized that she hadnât changed her clothes.
She scowled again and kept silent. For the competition, she had prepared two sets of outfitâone was for the runway and speech while the other one was for the performance later.
When she shook the other outfit that she took from the case, she realized that both of the outfits had been messed with and there was no way to wear it, especially with holes all over the chest and rear end.
It was still fine when Sophia brought it in earlier, so someone must have messed with it while everyone looked at the idols.
Stanley was enraged when he looked at the now useless outfit. âWho did this? Show yourself now or Iâll shoot you in a minute!â
As his roar boomed across the backstage, everyone shot weird glances at them and noticed the two torn outfits; surprised glances were shared but it wasnât long before those people quickly resumed with their own errands.
With clothes that were badly torn up, there was no way that she could go onstage in it, let alone burrow from anyone.
It looks like I can only wear my casual clothes for the runway! Itâll be a miracle for me to obtain a high score! Sophia knew the people behind it and glared accusingly at Xyla and Faye as they walked happily towards her.
âOh dear, Sophia! What happened to your clothes? Why are they ruined? Would you like us to lend you a few outfits?â Faye questioned sarcastically.
As Sophia stopped Stanley from making a scene, she gazed coldly at them and replied in a cool tone, âItâs nothing; itâs just a small problem.â
Suddenly, there was a mighty roar of cheers from the front of the stage as the host announced, âMany thanks to our idol for the heartfelt speech and now let me announce that the âMiss Misty Pageantâ for 201X officially begins now!â
The pageant has begun!
The well dressed Xyla and Faye walked off smugly to wait for their turns.
Xyla was dressed in a light pink gown that accentuated her petite, adorable character while Faye was to perform a classical dance for the talent show later, so she had prepared a glamorous traditional gown for the runway.
According to tradition, contestants for the Miss Misty Pageant needed to have a male companion while they walked the runway.
Fayeâs male companion wore a matching traditional outfit like hers, making them look good together;
Xylaâs runway partner would definitely be Richard and they were the definition of a golden couple.
Sophiaâs runway partner was supposed to have been Stanley, who had already changed into his outfit, but it seemed like she would no longer be able to strode the runway together with him.
Everyone gloated at her for her misery and only Molly, the class representative, seemed to be concerned for her as she walked over. âWhat are you going to do? Would you like me to lend you some clothes?â
Mollyâs outfit for the show was valiant as her runway partner was her brother, a national basketball player, and they were catching peopleâs attention.
Sophia was in deep thought and replied, âClass representative, I have already thought of a way to resolve this, but could you please do me a favor and tell the host to push my turn to the last?â
Molly left hurriedly to inform the host of the change in plans.
While everybody waited backstage for their turn, the odds of Sophia making it on time seemed rather slim as she had not even changed her clothes.
As everyone whispered amongst themselves while waiting to go onstage, a sudden bright light brightened the entire backstage as the dashing Harry Winston walked in.
All the girls screamed uncontrollably, âOh my goodness, itâs Harry!â
âWhy is our idol backstage?â
He seemed like he hadnât noticed everyoneâs astonished stare as well as Sophia in the corner, choosing to walk straight toward Natasha and offering his hand out like a gentleman. She acknowledged him with a small smile while still maintaining her posture as a well-known aristocrat before gently placing her hand in his.
So, Harry was Natashaâs runway partner!
Suddenly, it was as if everyone elseâs male companion paled in comparison.
She had already beaten everyone else in the first round!
Even though she had the idol as her runway partner, she still felt a pang of disappointment. Harry was great as a runway partner, but she would have preferred to have Taylor Murray as her first choice, but she understood that when he rejected her request for a duet, he wouldnât accompany her for the runway.
Even with the rumors about Taylor being married couldnât stop her passionate feelings for him. She will ensure that his attention would solely be on her today.
Shortly after the runway session had begun, Natasha was the first to go onstage and never cared about being the finale. Her only wish was to be the first one so that she could crush any hopes that other contestants had!
When the music for the runway started, Harry and Natasha walked up the stage together. He glanced at a corner and felt a little anxious.
The host started to announce the contestants. âNow, letâs begin the runway session of Miss Misty Pageant⦠Letâs give a warm welcome to all of our contestants!â
âOur number 1 contestant is Natasha from the School of Foreign Languages. Natasha was last yearâs Miss Misty and her companion for the runway is⦠Oh my, itâs Harry Winston!â
Then, a commotion started when Natasha walked with her hand in Harryâs arm.
She wore a pearl coloured fish scale-like long gown, looking regal and elegant like a princess, and could even hold her own while standing next to him.
Harry dazzled everyone with his tall lean body that was wrapped in a tight fitting suit; it was as if he was a walking aphrodisiac and sighs of pleasure could be heard everywhere he walked.
When they both stood onstage, they looked stunning and seemed like the perfect match made in heaven!
Natasha looked over the crowd and glanced at Michael, who was sitting at the panel of judges. She saw that he nodded at her direction with his eyes filled with praise and admiration.
Her heart was filled with glee; it was then that she knew she had caught his eye and having his heart would be an easy task.
The truth was that Michael had looked at Natasha with his eyes filled with admiration and praise and even clapped his hands for her, but as soon as she had finished her round with Harry, he lowered his head and wrote a 0 on her scoresheet.
He was even considerate enough to write a 0 next to Harryâs name while glancing at the vice-chancellor, urging him to pen a 0 as well.
Then, it was Xyla and Richardâs turn next and although they were the known golden couple, she was nervous due to Natashaâs earlier performance, but still performed well.
Michael had clapped with the crowd and looked at the participants with the same praise and admiration look before giving them zeros.
Faye was beautiful, zero.
Molly wasnât bad, zero.
Zero, all damn zeros!