4 Miss Alfheim

We went to school together even though we all have our own cars. Our schoolmates flocked around us as soon as they saw us arrived. Others asked for a picture and we gladly complied.

My gaze caught Ian. He was with his new girlfriend, or should I say, new flavor of the week. They were kissing passionately and they seemed to have their own world. The pain on my cousin’s face didn’t escape my eyes as well. Her sad eyes were sparkling as she continued to watch them kiss. She looked so pretty today, hoping that her crush would finally notice her.

“You guys can go to our house without me. I’ll stop by at the library first.”

Everyone stopped walking and glanced at me.

“Why? You’ll borrow a book?” asked Danielle.

“No, just… I’ll follow you shortly,” I left instantly as I knew they’d insist on coming with me.

My eyes wandered around as I stepped inside the library. It’s still early, but it’s understandable that there aren’t many students in here ‘coz my schoolmates voted for the library as their least favorite place in the academy. Majority of the students prefers to hangout in the garden.

I sat on the corner. I could see from up here the students coming through the main entrance of Alfheim Academy. Some are looking at our house. Some are hesitant to walk on the stone pathway as one of the rules states that no one—aside from 4-A and the members of the Student Council—can go in there. It was strictly implemented, so we can’t really invite anyone to come over even if we wanted to.

I crossed my arms, sighing as I closed my eyes. I couldn’t get off my mind what had happened earlier. I’m really worried for Cai…

“Tania, you came early.”

I tilted my head and saw Johnny in the back. He smiled as he occupied the chair across mine.

I smiled at him. “Good morning. You arrived early as well.”

“Uh, Tania…” He looked like he was about to take a leak on his pants. “Can I… C-Can I, uh…” he scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.

My eyebrows furrowed. “What is it, Johnny?”

“A-Are you available on Sunday?” he avoided my gaze and bent his head down.

Is he asking me to go out for a friendly date?

“Yes, I am—”

“No. she can’t…”

Johnny clenched his fists as he lifted his head. I groaned and exhaled deeply.

“What are you doing here? You didn’t have to follow me,” I told Dwight through gritted teeth when he sat beside me.

“I’m picking you up, obviously. Can we go now, Tania?” he replied without looking at me. His serious gaze was just focused on Johnny.

What the heck is wrong with him?

I cleared my throat. Johnny was clearly pissed at him.

“We can go out on Sunday,” then his face lit up immediately.

“Thank you, Tania! I’ll pick you up—”

Dwight interrupted him. “Have you not heard what I said? She’s not available.”

I groaned and punched his left leg. But he just smirked like it didn’t hurt him at all.

“And why’s that?” Johnny’s voice was on the edge.

I felt the tension between them, so I pulled Dwight’s hand to get him out of here. But he was strong and was really determined to stay. Our schoolmates were looking at us, wondering why there was a bolt of lighting coming out in their eyes.

“She has an important thing to do on Sunday. It’s as simple as that.”

Dwight took my bag. He grabbed my hand and pulled me outside the library. I wasn’t able to look back ‘coz we were walking so fast!

“Why would you do that?”

“You’ll know once we’re back in our house,” he calmly said.

We’re rarely seen walking with just the two of us; and in our schoolmates’ eyes, it’s new. Their conspiracy about us dating isn’t old news either. And now they probably think that it’s true because we looked like a couple wo seemed to be in the middle of an argument.

Goodness gracious!

“Tania, good news!” Ranie was so excited that he blurted it out as soon as we walked across the threshold.

“Have a seat, Tania!” Danielle guided me to the couch.

They’re all excited as if someone won the lottery.

“Why? What happened? Come on, guys? Tell me!” I was smiling from ear-to-ear, but I couldn’t hide the sarcasm in my voice.

Cai smirked. “We just got a letter from the office of the Student Council…”

“And then?” I asked, raising my eyebrow.

Just spill it!

Dwight caught my attention. It seemed like he finally lost it ‘coz he was laughing alone. I nudged him with my elbow.

“Get a grip!” I said as I looked at our friends.

“The letter says…” Cai showed me the small white envelope. “…There will be a pageant next month!”

Everyone was in complete silence. They were waiting for my response.

“I see. But what does it have to do with me? Is it really that important that you asked this guy to pick me up and make a scene in the library?”

They didn’t expect that. Ranie smirked at Dwight, while Matt was casually wolf-whistling.

Dana hit Ranie’s stomach using the back of her hand. “Oh, right! Yes, it’s very important because you will be representing the 4-A!”

What did he just say?!

I pointed myself. “Me? Representative? What?”

“Yes, Tania. It’s none other than you.”

I turned to face Dwight; he was smiling at me.

I rolled my eyes and stood up irritatingly. “But why me?! Do you have any idea as to what you’re getting yourselves into? It’ll be a complete disaster! I have no background in modelling! I hate crowded places! And I am not that nice to pretend that I like smiling in front of those people!”

“We can’t participate that’s why we chose you,” Stacie said after minutes of silence.

“And you thought I wanted to participate? I’m telling you, people, you made the wrong decision! Ask the members of the Student Council to get my name off the list. Dana or Danielle has the highest chance to win that pageant. Don’t make us a laughingstock by choosing me when we clearly have a better option than that.”

Dana sighed. “We can’t, Tania. Danielle and I have a busy schedule, you know that. There’s rehearsals and photoshoots going on for our next project, and we couldn’t give it up. You’re the only option that we have.”

I glanced at Cai and she immediately shook her head. “No, no, no. You know me, Tania. You can’t ask me to replace you. I’m sorry.”

My gaze included Stacie, but I already knew her answer.

“I’ll pass, Tania.”

I groaned. So, we don’t really have a choice?!

Miss Alfheim is an annual beauty pageant organized by the members of the Student Council. If I were the representative, I’ll be competing against the representatives from each class starting from 1st year to 4th year high school. And, this is also our first time to ever join the pageant.

For the past three years, Danielle and Dana had no interest in joining the said pageant, so I was really surprised and doubtful when I heard their reasons why they wouldn’t be able to participate again.

“You have to win if you don’t want lose against me,” said Dwight.

I’m under so much pressure right now. And I just couldn’t believe it, but what Dwight said motivated me. I’ll win; I will never lose against him.

“I’ll win…” I said out loud.

Dwight looked satisfied and was about to leave, but he tripped over my leg and fell on the floor. We all gasped. I immediately stood up to check on him, but Ranie ran to him first.

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Dwight, are you drunk or something?”

Everyone was laughing as they thought he tripped over his own foot! They didn’t know that I was the reason behind his fall! Dwight’s face was literally on the floor. He wouldn’t stand up even though the boys are pulling him up. Now, concern was painted on our faces.

“D-Dwight, I—”

He stood up slowly and didn’t let me come near him. The right side of his face was so red. He looked so defeated as he looked up and ran his fingers through his hair.

I swallowed whatever I was feeling inside and went up to him.

“I-I’m sorry…” I stammered.

They turned to me cluelessly; wondering why I apologized. But with Dwight, his intense facial expression softened as he let out a deep sigh. He nodded at me.

“Apology accepted,” he said before he left.

Dwight ignored me the whole day. We had a surprise quiz in Math and I got a perfect score; but Dwight didn’t seem to care when he often brings his own paper to our teacher to point out that he corrected some mistakes on the test paper and he deserve a credit for that. During lunch, everyone was so pumped for the upcoming Miss Alfheim; but Dwight remained quiet the whole time.

To be honest, I had a hard time in adapting the situation because it was somehow… new to me. I was more comfortable with Dwight being annoying and playful than him acting so cold and treating me like a total stranger.

After the dismissal, we decided to go to Danielle’s house. They told me that my training will start today. And Dwight came along when I thought he didn’t want to see me.

“Let’s have a quick snack, guys,” said Danielle.

Their housemaids came to the living room and served us a lot of food. I thought it was going to be quick. But hey, it was Danielle!

On the second floor, we entered the small room used for Danielle’s rehearsals. There was a ramp stage at the center and it was equipped with lights and sound system.

Dana held my arms and ran her gaze from my head down to my toes. “Tania, carrying yourself with such poise and elegance are two of the most important factors in beauty pageants that we need to put the squeeze on. You can’t just go up there with your beautiful face; you must also apply to yourself the qualities of a beauty queen. And girl, we really need to work on your passarela…”

I nodded and laughed a bit ‘coz Cailah was jotting it down.

“You should wear these…” Danielle put the pair of 6-inch heels on the floor.

My eyes widened when I realized that those were at least the “most comfortable” pair of heels that she wears when walking on the runway.

“Are you sure about this? I might sprain my ankle. Or worst, it could straight up… kill me.”

“Don’t be silly, Tania!” Dana pats my shoulder. “We want to avoid accidents as much as possible. You’re the most important person in 4-A at the moment; and we will make sure that you’re going to be just fine.”

Danielle smiled at me. “You can do it, Tania! We’re here to guide you.”

I wore the killer heels and they helped me walked on the stage. My knees were trembling. I was really nervous! Then I looked at the rest and they immediately cheered for me. Ranie put the popcorn bucket down and clapped his hands. He was really hilarious!

Danielle grabbed my hand. “Are you ready?”

I exhaled heavily. “Yes…”

Dana played Little Mix’s Black Magic and turned the spotlights on. After that, they started walking on the ramp stage professionally. They were truly happy and confident!

“You two are really amazing!” I said when it ended.

It was finally my turn and I did what I saw earlier. But it wasn’t enough, though. I needed to work harder. They asked me to do it over and over again ‘coz I made a lot of mistakes. I was holding myself back; I didn’t want to stumble and fall. I was too afraid to give my best…

Cai stood up. “Go, dear cousin!”

I walked again. I smiled when they gave me a standing ovation. They thought I did great. It actually made me feel better ‘coz they trusted me so much.

My gaze caught the only person who was watching me quietly. He was sitting in the back. And when our eyes met, he looked away.

I couldn’t understand, but I was really disappointed. I didn’t know why he was acting like that. I already apologized. It’s not like I did that on purpose! I would never hurt him even though we’re always bickering. It felt like I was walking on the clouds with a heavy heart…

“Tania, watch out!”

Someone’s scream awakened me. It was too late when I realized that I was on the edge of the ramp.

Oh, my God!

Everything went so fast. I thought I broke my bones as I laid on the floor with my eyes closed. But I didn’t feel any pain at all. In fact, it was so warm as if I was in between the arms of someone.

“Are you okay?” I heard a familiar voice.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. I tilted my head and looked up.

“Dwight?” I whispered his name.

I was lying on his chest and he was looking straight into my eyes. That foreign feeling whenever he was staring at me was giving me chills. I felt so weak as if I hurt my back when it was Dwight who took all the pain by catching me.

“I’m sorry…” my voice cracked as tears fell on my cheeks.

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. He hugged my waist tightly and pulled me closer to him.

“Hush, Tania. You’re okay now.”