I was just planning to watch the procession and the parade of queens. I used to read and watch events like this before, but I didn't even know that they still do these parade with beautiful women in their finest dress. We were just waiting in a shed near Kyla's house when her older sister approached her.
"Oh no! It happened again, Kyla."
"Can you believe it? That show-off Maribeth was so into her queen role, as if she's the center of attention! Because of her pretentiousness, she had an accident, fell down the stairs, and got injured."
Kyla suddenly stood up, looking like she won the lottery. She didn't seem to hide her joy very well, right? It looks like she has a deep hatred towards that girl.
"Good for her! She was too obsessed with being arrogant and boastful. She thought she was so beautiful! Karma is real, I tell you!"
Her older sister lightly punched her. "You're enjoying this too much! What about us? We're looking for a replacement for our representative, but we can't find anyone suitable to partner with Master Logan. We don't want to embarrass ourselves. It's the first time someone agreed, and now we can't find a beautiful partner for him!”
Suddenly, Kyla approached me while taking the hand of Arianne.
“This is Krystal, Arianne. Please meet my new friend. As you can see, she can be the next reining beauty of Clayland. Just look at her face! It screams beauty all over!”
When I heard Kyla’s declaration, I felt embarrassed. Even though, I was used in receiving compliments, it still felt weird to be called beautiful when several people were listening. Thanks to my Mom who has always been gorgeous. Well, my dad was pretty handsome as well. Including my brother, we all looked good.
"Oh, yeah, right! She's already beautiful. It's a good thing she befriended these dirty kids!" Arianne said.
"You're annoying, sis! Who are you calling dirty kids? Maybe you're talking about your ex!"
"No exes allowed here! But, dear, what's your name?" Arianne asked.
Then, I had a bad feeling when she asked me for my name.
Initially, the idea to join the festivities sounded great but when I recalled that Logan would also be part of it, I didn’t think it was a good idea. Hell would break loose before I would allow myself to get close to him again.
"I'm Krystal Miranda. We just moved here recently. Alice is one of my tour guides and also an acquaintance. She lived with us,” I told Arianne.
“Well, since you will live in Clayland for a while, why not join in the parade?” she asked.
So I wasn't wrong about my intuition.
"I might refuse. I don't have the confidence, clothes, and I don't know anything about it."
"Oh, don't worry about that. We'll take care of it,” Kyla assured me.
They all went united and pushed me until I finally agreed. I had no choice when they insisted on their desires. They were so supportive, in a way that I didn't like. I hoped their food wouldn’t taste good after this fiesta. The plan was just to watch, but suddenly I got involved.
Using Christian's motorbike, we arrived at the town plaza. They had already set up my gown and makeup. I objected when they applied too much makeup on me. I didn’t like it heavy. My face, my rules.
"You look so beautiful, dear! The boys in this area will surely go crazy for you," Arianne said to me while she was doing my hair.
"Oh, that's not on my mind,” I replied.
To be honest, even when I had a higher status in life, I already had high standards for men. I just know my worth.
"You should think about it, especially since there are many boys here who sons of businessmen are. You should aim for class A! Choose between Andrew Lopez or Logan! They are handsome and wealthy!"
I hated her suggestion, to be honest. Finally, they finished getting me ready. After that, we had to prepare for the procession.
However, when I saw Logan wearing a tuxedo, I couldn’t stop myself from admiring the man. He looked too handsome in his outfit!
I would say he was physically perfect!
Since we would be a pair, I approached Logan even though I was a bit nervous for a few obvious reasons. First, he just threatened me. If that's not a reason to have a troubled heart, I don't know what is.
And second, his presence is quite intimidating. I do not know why some girls prefer much older and more mature guys. Aren't they boring or something? Like strict and killjoys? Who wants to have a strict relationship where you could hardly breathe?
"So? You are now my partner?" he said with a smirk on his lips.
It darkened, but his annoying smile was still visible. He intentionally made me hate him even more.
"Stop smiling, it is so annoying," I told him.
"Yeah? And you are stalking me. That's why I always see you around. Perhaps, do you like me?"
I was literally dumbfounded by what he said. He is some sort of annoying psychopath with overconfidence?
"Excuse me? Are you crazy or just boosted with so much confidence? I don't even like guys who are older than me," I said to him.
He frowned at my comment. I didn't say anything wrong.
"Yeah, and I don't go for younger girls either. I'd rather find a woman. Brat."
If I could hurt this person, even with many people around, I would have done it already. He is too arrogant for his own good.
The procession began, and we started walking. I was nervous because we were so close, and I was forced to hold his arm.
Maybe other girls and gays would love to be in my place right now. A wealthy and handsome man? They are rare. This man is definitely loaded with money. He was a natural magnet for gold diggers.
That's probably why he thinks I'm one of those people who are interested in him. Well, he's mistaken. I'd rather be damned. Time seemed to slow down. No matter how much I wished for this night to end, it only seemed to stretch out longer in my eyes.
The whole ceremony ended, and it was my time to fix myself. I went back to the hall and changed my clothes. My friends were waiting for me. The captain even gave me a token of gratitude.
The group was still there, and they waited for me to finish. They escorted me home. When I changed, I left that Logan guy behind. I hate every single thing that involves him. No joke, and no chemicals involved either.
I hate his presence, his smile, and the way he talks and treats me.
I know I made a mistake with him. It happened only once, and he was also involved in it.
But I'm the one who looks like the bad person and gets revenge. He even accused me of being his stalker! Like how? I didn't even think he would be my type.
When I arrived home, Mom welcomed me. I'm a very vocal type of daughter, so I told her about my journey, and she was delighted.
She asked if I had a picture. I showed it to her. Kyla took some pictures of me earlier. And my eyes widened when I saw the picture of me with Logan.
"You have a picture with this young Master? And he is looking at you with something in his eyes," she teased me with her words and smile.
"Mom, it's nothing. I didn't even want to join in the first place. I was just forced by Alice and my friends."
"I'm so proud to hear that you're making friends here. You're trying to open your heart to people you never expected to befriend."
Because I realized that it's not about social status, whether they will be good or bad friends. I remembered having a circle of friends. I thought they were my girls. But it only went so far. The worst thing I could imagine was them backstabbing me now and then.
After that little talk, I went upstairs. It had been a long, tiring day. I was exhausted, but it was fun. I was entertained, and what matters most is that I loved meeting different people with different perspectives.
I slept that night feeling more peaceful than the previous nights. In the past, I had ill feelings toward my new life.
I'm still trying to grasp it, set it straight, and accept the fact that this will be my life for an unknown period of time. It wasn't an easy pill to swallow.
When I woke up the next day, I went jogging early as usual. I wasn't expecting to have company for my early exercise.
"Andrew?"