Alyssa’s Pov:
School was really boring for me the next day as Sandy wasn’t around to keep me company as usual.
The rest of the students didn’t want to associate with me, although they couldn’t stop talking about me.
I miss sandy a lot.
Today was the orientation for the young miss beauty contest. So when it was 10:30, I headed for the emergency class being used.
I got to the door and met about four ladies in already. I suddenly felt shy going in.
“And look whom we have here” I heard a voice from behind and turned to see Alexa. – the devil’s daughter – according to Sandy.
She wasn’t with her friends and although she was smiling, I could tell it was an evil smile.
“Are you having second thoughts about going in?” She asked and I just kept stating at floor.
“Well, you should. Don’t you think you’re not fit to be here , Alyssa? I mean, take a look. Because of you, Sandy is on her deathbed. And now, nobody even wants to associate with you again.
“You know, the rich way isn’t meant for everyone to follow. So stop trying to fit in where you don’t match.”
And with that, she walked in with a huff.
I looked at her as she walked by and decided not to let her words affect me.
But I was human. I still got hurt.
I finally walked in and as I did, the other ladies turned and looked at me.
I avoided eye contact with them and just took a seat at the back.
More ladies kept coming in and soon we were nine in number – two more to go.
None of the ladies were talking to each other as each just minded their businesses. It seems they were all at loggerheads.
Then another lady cat walked in and sat two seats ahead of mine.
Alexa who was in the front row suddenly turned around and looked at her and chuckled.
‘Is there something funny Alexa?” The Lady asked and Alexa chuckled again before replying.
“Oh, yes. Well to me; I don’t know of you.
I’m just… amused at how confident you were walking in as if you were achieving something important” Alexa replied and the lady got on her feet.
“And what is that supposed to mean?” She asked, drawing closer to Alexa.
“You know, Celine, they can’t be more there one winner in the contest. So in essence, the contest isn’t meant for everyone” Alexa replied, also standing on her feet.
Hm. It seems she was always ready for a fight. No wonder Sandy called her the devil’s daughter.
Then I wonder how Samantha would be like – the devil’s queen.
“So are you trying to say the competition is meant for just you, Alexa?” Another lady in the class asked.
“You’re such a good guesser, Tessy” Alexa replied her with a cunning smile.
“Then you must be dumb. I can’t wait to watch the disappointment that’d creep into your face on the day you lose out in the contest” another lady also said and Alexa fumed.
“Did you just call me dumb?” She asked, pointing to herself
“Well, I guess it should have been something like that”.
“Really?” Alexa asked and scoffed.
“Then maybe I should show you how a dumb person really behaves.
She walked angrily to the lady who had also gotten on her feet and just then, a teacher walked in, saving the moment
“What’s going on here?” The pretty average woman asked as she stood by the door.
Alexa withdrew her hands, seething with anger.
“Have your seats, please. We don’t have much time to spare” the woman said as she walked in and everyone settled on their seats.
Oh, God! How on earth am I going to contest with all these crazy ladies?
I think I’m no match for them.
The woman walked to the front of the class and kept her books on the big table over there.
“So,” she said. “Shall we begin?”
Just then, a lady came scuttling in. It was Daisy.
Hm. It seems she’s always late for everything
“Sorry, I’m late” she said as she walked in and sat next to me.
“Apology pending” woman said and she chuckled.
Then she tuned to me and smiled.
“Hi” she sack with a wave and my eyes beamed.
“H… hi” I replied and she smiled and took her eyes back to the woman in front of the class.
“So the woman resumed, welcome everyone to the inter-school young miss Beauty contest As you all know, you’re the 10 lucky contestants oh, sorry, 11”
Yup All eyes turned on me.
“So, she continued. “Today’s the Orientation and it’s my duty to inform you of what the competition’s all about; although I know most of you probably have an idea already.
“Well as you all know the young miss beauty contest is a contest that takes place after every four years. It’s an educational program that designed to spot out the best out of the best of all students.
“Now the competition has three stages.
The first stage is the inter school competition where each student from each participating school competes with each other and then the winner faces the other representatives from the other schools in the cities. But as you all know, Mico High is the only school that has been qualified here in Manilla so we won’t be going through the second stage of the competition.
“So the winner from here in Mico High would go to the finals where she would be facing the other representatives from other cities. And as a matter of fact, this year, we’ll be having 30 contestants from 30 cities in the finals.
“Now Mico High is a little behind in the competition because the other cities already have their representatives. So as a result, we’ll be speeding up the competition here so we can meet up with them.
And the competition will be based on academical questions. If you fail a single question, you’re out of the way. But when it gets to the finals, it’s going to be super hot because the finals wouldn’t be based on just academic questions, but other interesting stuffs as well.
And just so you know, the finals will be taking place in a few weeks time and…”
She went on explaining and explaining for a very long while and I felt I was already out of the contest. I don’t think I’m even going to get pass the first stage.
***
I returned home later in the evening, very exhausted.
I was really hoping mother wouldn’t be at home so I can grab some rest.
“Kapatid!” Maja called as she ran out of the house and embraced me.
“Hello darling. How was school today?” I asked.
“School was fine. Guess what, Kapatid; someone brought a very big machine to the house today.”
I puzzled and looked at her.
“A machine? What machine?” I asked, confused.
“Come on”.
She held my hand and we fastened our footsteps in to the house and there I saw a big machine by the side of the sitting room.
What the…
I turned and looked at Maja.
“Maja, who owns this?” I asked.
“it’s yours Kapatid. The man who delivered it said it was for you” she replied and my confusion increased.
“For… For me? But how? I didn’t… where’s mum?”
“She’s gone out. And Jake too”
Okay. This is really confusing. How on earth did I get a washing machine?
I opened it and saw a receipt inside. It was really for me.
But how come?
What’s happening?
Somebody hold me…
Mico’s Pov:
I sat on the bed in my room with my sisters and cousins staring at me like I was some sort of a movie.
Angelo and Michael sat on the bed with me while Karen, Olivia and Octavia remained standing, folding their hands like I had any business with them.
“Oh, God! Do I need to call the guards to push you out of my room?” I asked and Olivia scoffed.
“Not until you give us an answer, Mico. Who’s going to be your date to prom?” She asked.
“Yes. Prom is right around the corner and you don’t even have date” Karen also said.
“And you don’t even have a girlfriend. Your love life is so boring and you’re not getting any younger” Octavia added and I scoffed.
“Octavia, I’m just 21” I said.
“Yes. And so? That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a girlfriend…”
“As if you have a boyfriend” Angelo cut her off.
“And what’s that supposed to mean, Angelo? FYI, there re so many guys crawling on their knees, begging for my attention” she replied him.
“Really? They’re begging for your attention? Well, maybe you should listen to what they have to say first. Maybe they’re trying to tell you to go for a face surgery” Michael said and I couldn’t help but laugh.
Even Karen chuckled but Olivia went to him and pulled his ear.
“Do you realise by insulting her, you’re also insulting me?” She asked as Michael grouched.
“I’m sorry but you guys aren’t identical, right?” he asked and Olivia let go of his ear and hit him on the head.
Octavia smiled bad stepped out, standing very close to Michael.
“If I’m ugly, Michael” she said. “Then you don’t even exist because I can’t imagine what your face would look like”
“Yes. You’d be so ugly that when you cry, the tears are going to run down the back of your head just to avoid your face” Karen also said and Angelo and Michael busted into laughter
Frustration was clearly written on Michael’s face.
This sisters of mine are just undefeated.
“This is all your fault Mico. Just chose a girlfriend already” Octavia said impatiently, hitting me on the shoulders.
Oh, God!
‘Yes , Mico!”
“Come on”.
“Fine! Fine!” I cut them off and they all kept quiet.
I took in a deep breath.
“Fine. I already have someone in mind, okay? And ill be proposing to her tomorrow”
They all gasped and widened their eyes in shock.
“Oh, my God, Mico! Who’s she?”
“Yes tell us”
“Come on”
I sighed and touched my forehead.
“Enough ladies, please. You’ll get to know her by tomorrow, okay? So be patient”
“Awwn Mico! You’re such a darling”
“Alright dearie”.
“Catch you”
They all said at the same time and walked out of the room.
“Who is it Mico?” Angelo and Michael asked immediately they left.
“It’s a surprise” I told them and laid on the bed, covering myself up.
Well, she’s someone I must say I really like. We’ve been friends for some time now and each time we were together, I always get to enjoy her company.
She’s rich, beautiful, kind and friendly and I think I’ve been crushing on her for some time now but just wanted to be sure I wouldn’t be making a mistake. And now, I think she might be the right one for me.
Besides, I think I really need a girlfriend – someone to be committed to and that’d also be commuted to me. Someone to hang around with and spoil with love.
Yes, I need someone like that and I think so far, she’s the right person for that someone.
So, tomorrow, I’ll propose to her. Yes! I’ll tell her to be my girlfriend.
Oh! And just in case you’re wondering whom I’m referring to, it’s Alexa.