Chapter 8

It was just two days remaining to unveil the grand show. Heart's thumped in anticipation as everyone was trying to impress one principality or the other.

Pandora and Ethan were getting closer by the day. They and Coraline would walk together to training every day. He'd always brag that when given the opportunity, he would pick journalism over fashion. Nonetheless, he always provided support to hisother two female friends especially, Pandora.

At the cafeteria, sitting around a table were Pandora, Ethan, Coraline, and Abel–Coraline's best friend, the topic of their discussion being the upcoming event.

" It's me winning that scholarship this year," Coraline said breaking the silence.

" Easy there, boaster! Ten students are competing and you think you can beat the crowd, huh?" Pandora teasingly mocked her.

Taking the joke seriously, Abel retaliated sternly," Don't speak to her that way! You know she's been way better with all your coaching."

The others tried earnestly to stifle down the chuckle that begged to be released. But all to no avail as they rumbled from their sumptuous laughter. Meanwhile, Abel sat perplexed as to why the girl he was trying to defend was also cracking up.

Rubbing his shoulder reassuringly, Coraline explained that Pandora's speech was only a joke and he shouldn't have taken it seriously.

His face flushed in embarrassment. He had let his feeling show once again. He had developed a huge liking for Coraline but he feared that the latter might just see him as nothing more than just a friend. Thankfully, the bell went off rescuing him from that awkward situation.

After being dropped off by the guys, Coraline and Pandora made their way through the aisle of stars of the school auditorium. The fashion show coordinator had summoned the competitors to a meeting where she planned to address them.

A former runway star herself, Miss Jane flanked a blue formal blouse and a skirt that fitted enough to enhance her shape. She grimaced around as if in a hurry, shuttling a writing pad beneath her armpit. Her face was upright and her catwalk was as coordinated as possible.

As she stood in front of the class, her eyes flipped as she ran her gaze from the first contestant to the last, taking note of their outstanding features.

" Okay. Let's see what we're working with. Number One, the stage is yours," she said calmly as she assumed a seat at a high point and observed as all the contestants ran the floor while she scribbled some notes down on her pad.

As they lined up on stage, she exposed their weak points one after the other till she got to Coraline.

" You are quite special. The graceful walk was commendable. To be honest, she did well," Ms. Jane complimented.

She turned to two others and subsequently praised them and finally landed her subtle eyes on Pandora. She was something to feed the eye with. She noticed that she had floated through the stage like pearl, yet with such tenacity as a storm. Winking at her, she proceeded to scribble on her pad.

After scrutinizing all of them, she gave them instructions on how the next day, which was the Young Scouts Fashion Show, would go.