13 Friendship Comes First Before Competition! (01)

"What?" Julianna starred at Beth with stunned astonishment. She didn't deny that magic was non-existent, yet she had not yet seen evidence about Beth's magic since the last time she mentioned it. Therefore, what was the reasoning what Beth brought up this topic again this early?

"That bracelet helps me transform," Beth spoke her words very slowly, hoping that Julianna could at least get her message once again. "But it can also make scary imagery come alive. However, I have yet learned to control my magic, and I am afraid that the bracelet will reflect random imageries during the runway show and attack people! I mean, Paige and Jade. They are mean, they always try to outdo us, but they are people as well. I can't just stay and let that stuff attack them if that's what happens. And Simone. Somehow, I feel she might not be bad."

Nonetheless, Julianna still didn't come to her side.

"Beth, I appreciate your consideration, but I still don't know if those magical things that you are experiencing are true. I can't see a logical explanation for this. We have worked hard on the project, but it was a stressful time for both of us. Maybe you started overthinking and mentally overworking. Let's just concentrate on the runway show for now."

It didn't work. Jules can't believe in me.

Beth's heart sank to her stomach immediately. Just like Owen, Julianna dismissed her magic as merely "overthinking" and "mentally overworking," which could be easily gotten over with concentrating on other things, like the runway show.

Now Beth was at a loss of what to do. Tangled thoughts flooded her mind immediately. She knew deep down that it was hard to let people who had never shared her experience believe in her, and Julianna didn't mean to dismiss her words. Yet she couldn't help but feel somewhat lonely as if all her colorful senses and memories and had been trapped in a muted body, disconnected from everyone outside.

There was a small voice inside of her.

Throughout my life, I have been told that I was wrong, that my true feelings were all "just a phase."

Magical thinking. Magical thinking. Magical thinking. Why do you all keep telling me this when none of you had seen what I experienced? I transformed into a white dress with ribbons. Those materials I got come from that magic. The color blob monsters almost swallowed me'. I have felt everything. I only wanted that Paige and Jade to be safe.

It's like I am merely speaking towards a wall when I am pouring my heart out.

"What's wrong? If I see the magic one day, then I will recognize it's existence. Let's just leave together as usual now." Julianna's speech dragged her into reality. Maybe it was better that she take a rest from all those turmoils for now.

✨

Back at home, Beth tried to find something to do, yet could not help but diverge into her thoughts again. She thought about what would happen because of her bracelet. She thought about Simone--her performance on the first day of school, her disappearance from the school when she was sick, and her stopping in the middle of the hallway before she ran away from Paige and Jade.

What is she doing right now? Will she be nervous about entering the runway competition? Is she still in a good relationship with Paige and Jade?

I had always seen her as the primary competitor and ignored that she had never really said anything wrong about me. If I had not been such biased, maybe I would have become friends with her already. Perhaps I would even have asked her how she had got such a great fashion sense.

Suddenly, a piece of thought ran into her mind.

What if the runway show could unravel everything?

✨

The day of the runway show finally arrived.

"Welcome to the annual runway competition hosted by the Laurel High School association! Now let's welcome our beautiful contestants onto the stage." Everyone cheered as the host was announcing the opening of the runway show. Then, contestants started coming up to the stage one by one, exhibiting their interesting creation under the spotlight.

Meanwhile, Beth and Julianna were preparing for their performance offstage.

"Uh, Jules, is this the grand stadium? It doesn't look 'grand.'"

"Well, they are only using an indoor portion of the grand stadium for the show. So here we are."

"Jules, I wonder if my bracelet is still at Paige and Jade's place." Beth still had to bring up the bracelet.

"Beth, I understand you, but now it's not the time to worry about this. It's much more important to concentrate on our upcoming show. Let's get the bracelet back later when the show is over, okay? Worrying too much is not the best thing to do now."

I have to stop Paige and Jade before everything might be too late!

"Look, Jules, I need to go to the bathroom, and I will be coming back in a while. Would you mind if you could stay here and check over the time we are going on the runway?"

"Okay...but don't miss the time."

Great. Jules said yes! Now I just need to take back my bracelet before everything happens!

Just as Beth had expected, Paige and Jade had the bracelet by them. And they were trying to give Simone the bracelet as a decoration before she went on stage.

"Paige, Jade, I think that we really need to be returning this bracelet to Beth." Simone waved the bracelet in her hand to remind Paige and Jade to return it. "It's her thing, and it's not the best course to do if we just keep it to ourselves."

Of course, Paige wouldn't actually listen to her. What's more, she grabbed Simone's wrist and tugged it inside the bracelet.

" I don't agree with you. This bracelet looks so shiny and good on you! Besides, it gives your already stunning attire a plus in aesthetics!"

"Paige is right. We want you to be the shiniest star on the runway!" Jade agreed from the side.

"Okay, well then." Simone took in a deep breath and groaned. "But can we promise that we are going to give it back to her when the runway competition ends?"

What are you even thinking? This beautiful bracelet will definitely make you a better contestant on stage! Paige immediately gave Simone a contemptuous smile, with an "I don't understand you" attitude written across her face.

All of a sudden, Simone's mind became fuzzy. A vibration from her wrist triggered her. It was the bracelet--it emitted a squeaking sound while Paige and Jade were not noticing.

"Oh, no! What's that!" Simone screamed.

"What, Simone?" Paige looked back at her with annoyance. The bracelet squeaked again.

"Paige...it's...it's the bracelet!"

"Simone, honestly, nothing is happening with the bracelet. Just stop overthinking and overreacting! Okay?"

"Sure, Paige, my bad." Simone nodded her head in silence. Jade came up to her and patted her in the back, seemingly encouraging her.

Now, the time for Simone to go onto the stage had come.

"Next up, let's welcome Simone Chandler!" Simone heard the host call her onto the stage.

"Good luck, Simone. All our hopes are on you."

As Simone went on the stage, all the spotlights were focused on her. She was walking in a sea of luminescence. As she moved with swift steps, her pink hair danced in the air. Light silver contoured the tip of her nose as if sparkles were floating around them. All the gems on her dress start reflecting purple, blue, and pink like glass prisms, making her a walking kaleidoscope on stage. As for the bracelet, it casually dangled around Simone's wrist, acting as an excellent supplement to the already pretty outfit. The crowd cheered more loudly.

"She made a perfect start!" Paige was pleased.

"Yea. My dad will probably not be disappointed at me, seeing Simone this beautiful on stage. I am sure that I can win his trust back with Simone's win."

The worst still happened.

Simone's bracelet started jumping up and down her wrist when she was trying to strike a pose in the middle of the stage.

"What is this bracelet doing? Gosh, I told Paige not to put it on my wrist, but she did it anyway..." She tried to swing away from the bracelet to get rid of it. Yet It remained in her wrist and vibrated more and more.

"What's happening here?" some murmurs could be heard from the audience.

Beth finally found Paige and Jade. She looked up at the stage, where Simone was struggling with the bracelet. The three people watched the bracelet drop to the ground squeaking louder and louder. Three distorted giants consisted of 'color blobs' burst out of the bracelet. The tallest one--a fuzzy hollow-eyed figure with pink hair and thin tattooed legs picked the smaller ones--two voodoo dolls with floating blonde and brunette hair and oversized heels up--by the head.

"OH...NO!!!"