Friendship Comes First Before Competition! (03)

"This outfit looks cool! Why does it look like this for me?" Simone's eyes widened with wonders. She stopped for a second to appreciate her outfit.

"Simone, maybe we can talk about this later." Beth shook her head, grabbed Simone by the wrist, and pulled her towards, shielding her from the approaching color blobs. It was not the best time to ask any more questions. "Now, let's concentrate on getting rid of all those color blob monsters."

"Sure thing, Beth, let me just try my weapon first."

Simone took her microphone out and lay it on her palm. The handle of the microphone was painted with vibrant patterns. A golden lining made it even fancier. At the end of the handle, there was a rectangular button. Curious about what that was for, Simone took in a deep breath and pressed it.

The moment that the button was activated, the tip at the end of the microphone popped out, and a string of mist shot out from the tip, blurring Simone's view with dispersed shades in the air. As the mist touched the color blob monsters, some of the blobs changed into darker colors and died down in the air.

"Ah, I know. It changes the properties of those monsters..." Simone muttered to herself.

"Simone, I will be mainly attacking the monsters drawing things with my pen, and you will be weakening them with your microphone. Is that okay?" Beth gave Simone a shoutout of what she could do.

"Yee!"

"Jules! Be careful with yourself, as well."

Julianna nodded, but she didn't run away. Some of the blobs slipped away under her sight and went after audiences. Noticing that the crowds started descending into a muddle, she quickly went offstage to direct people to leave the runway.

With Simone gaining her magic, the runway show was now Beth and Simone's stage. Now, their utmost emergency became getting rid of the two voodoo dolls with floating blonde and brunette hair. Simone waved and made faces to the blonde doll, grabbing its attention to her, and provoking its anger. Seeing Simone's face, the doll went chasing her, which gave Beth the perfect opportunity to strike it from the back. She quickly doodled some lines that shot out like meteors to the doll. As soon as the lines fell down at the doll, some holes appeared on its body, slowing down its movement in front of Simone.

Now I just need to aim for its heart! Beth changed the pen into her arrow again, and shoot her last shot to the doll. Just as she wished for, the arrow pierced through the doll's heart. It stopped in front of Simone and burst into a pile of golden liquid. However, the brunette doll was there. To get rid of the brunette doll, Simone pressed down her button and dashed stripes of mists into it. Within several minutes, it died down on the stage as well. With the two dolls disappearing, many of the other color blobs faded away as well.

Some of the remaining audiences raised their head and returned to their seats. They knew that the situation was going to be contained soon.

"And now, the GRAND FINALE!"

Both girls gave the remaining the last kick with will all their might and courage. With their joined forces, The last monster squeaks and disappears.

"Phew...I did it." Simone chuckled with a tired expression on her face.

"Simone, you did it! Also, you look great in your dress."

"Thank you, Beth!"

"Beth, is that what you meant by magic? Now I believe in what you said." Julianna walked towards the two girls.

"Yes, Jules, and now, Simone has it as well!"

"I am very sorry about the disturbance today halfway through the show and what it has caused to all of you. Therefore, since the runway show is not resumed, there will be no winners for the show this year." The host walked towards the stage and spread an announcement. "Instead, every participant of the show will get a special opportunity, which I will send it to all of you via email this week! I am glad that no one got hurt from the incident and special thanks to Beth, Simone, and Julianna for getting rid of it!"

"Yeah, we did it!"

Happiness burst in the air as Beth, Simone, and Julianna high five each other, sharing an earnest smile.

✨

Walking out of the stadium, the three girls saw Paige and Jade. They were standing by the crossroads, looking emotionless.

"Beth Clementine, thank you for rescuing us today. But we still don't like you. We are happy that both of us didn't win--you have rigged magic which helped you get a place. Also, what were those monster things?"

"I think they are monsters that represent your deep emotions..."

Oh my gosh, I shouldn't have said this.

"Simone, if those monsters reflect what you are thinking, then it's better that we don't hang out with you again." Paige and Jade walked away from Simone. "There's no need for a friend like you. We admired you so much only to find out that you secretly disliked us."

Upon hearing what Paige and Jade said, Simone awkwardly frowned and blinked.

"Simone, maybe it's better not to care about them anymore," Beth said.

"Maybe you are right, Beth. And thanks for helping me with my magic and protecting me."

"Hey, Simone, if you don't mind, would you like to hang out with Jules and me from now on? Jules can come off as tough sometimes, but she is a great friend and an interesting person."

"Thank you, Beth," Julianna said.

"That's great! Beth, you can call me Sims."

"Cool! Sims..."

"On the other hand, can I call you Bee?"

"It sounds cutesy. I guess maybe...?"

"Right! Bee, Sims, and Jules make the best group!" Simone was very excited. "Also, you guys literally look like soulmates, and your outfits match each other so well! you guys are such the embodiment of this theme 'A romantic night out.'"

"You know that I am right, Jules! You are my partner in crime!"

The three girls immersed themselves in happy chatters under this bright Laurel night. Beth looked up at the sky--it was serene and bright. A dozen of stars were visible in the sky despite that the countless city lights in Laurel had already illuminated it. Her heart resonated with the stars, as though they were communicating with her through their lively blinking. A mixed feeling of happiness, relief, anger, frustration, and passion arose in her. She thought about her first experiences at Laurel Prep and all her ups and downs during the process of the runway show. Her first encounter with Julianna. Her first taste of magic. Her changing attitude towards Simone. Those memories were still vivid in her mind and became part of her own Laurel journey.

With her eyes closed, she could still hear the lingering heartfelt touches of laughter from Julianna and Simone.

She recited a letter to her parents from her heart, hoping that they could know that she had been well.

She was ready for new adventures.

Dear mom and dad, Things were not easy at Laurel Prep. But in the end, I got to see a larger world as a small-town girl.

Laurel prep taught me a lot to work hard and learn from my peers.

Besides that, I met Jules and Simone, which are my two best friends now. One day, I hope I will introduce you guys to them. I know that you didn't encourage me to be a fashion designer, but I believe I will prove my ability and dream to you in the future.

When you are reading this, I hope you also take some time looking at the stars and the bright moon. It's interesting to think that though we are far apart, we all came from the faraway stars and share the same starlight.

Aren't those dazzling stars beautiful?

Ah, today is such a 'romantic night out.'