Faithlessly Rewarded

I never imagined I would beat my sister and win first runner-up. I didn’t have the slightest thought that I would win. As I stare into the crowd waving I see my parent’s disappointed faces. I turn around looking at my sister to see her tear-filled eyes and angry face staring at me. I would normally feel heartbroken when my parents still aren’t proud, but at that moment I felt proud. As I am brought a crown, sash, bouquet, and the $20,000 I can’t help but smile.

My name is Faithlynn Fleming. I have red hair and green eyes. I live with my sister Diamond, my mother, and my father. My sister is a blonde like my mother with light blue eyes. My father is a brunette with blue eyes as well. Both my sister and I have competed in pageants since the age of one and we are now eighteen. My sister has won every pageant we have done and I have always been her runner-up. She is also the favorite child. My sister is perfect while I am flawed; at least that’s what my parents always say.

As I walk down the stairs of my home I hear my mother and sister screaming in excitement. When I reach the bottom of the stairs I head to the living area where I heard the screams coming from. As I finally walk into the area I see my sister jumping up and down excitedly, my mother reading a paper with a cheerful expression on her face, and my father sitting on one of the couches with a coffee in his left hand, a newspaper in the right, and a smile on his face. “What’s going on?” I ask. Everyone turns their head to face me. My sister, still having a giant smile on her face says “We got invited to compete in the Cosmic Space Pageant!” My dad looks up from his newspaper with a smile saying “Your sister is very excited.” “Congrats,” I say with a bland expression. “Oh, Faith, don't be such a downer. You’re going to compete too.’ My mother says in a cheerful tone. “Why?” I say. “So we can get the second and first-place prizes.” My mother answers. “Yup because we all know I always get first.” My sister adds.

The pageant my sister and I will be competing in is called the Cosmic Space Pageant. The pageant is very popular mostly because of the prizes. The 3rd runner-up receives $1,000, the second runner-up receives $5,000, and the first runner-up gets $20,000 plus a crown and sash. This is going to be the first time my sister and I will be competing in this pageant.

As my mother and sister continue to jump around and talk about make-up and clothes to wear for the pageant I decide to go on a walk which has always been a safe place for me. I make my way out of the house and onto the sidewalk. As I walk towards the park I see Lyric. Lyric is my best friend. They’re genderfluid but I don’t think of them any differently. Lyric spots me and a huge smile lights upon their face. Running towards me Lyric shouts “BESTFRIEND!” They hug me tightly while saying “I missed you, Lynn.” “We just saw each other yesterday,” I say in response “I know but it felt so much longer.” They say hugging me tighter. “I missed you too,” I say. “Anyway, I heard that you and Diamond were doing another pageant. Is it true?” Lyric asks. “Yeah,” I answer with a sour expression. “Aw, c'mon it’s not that bad. How about I go with you for good luck?” Lyric says with his eyes lighting up. “Sure,” I say while a smile forms on both Lyric’s and my face. “Yay! Oh, I almost forgot this is for you.” Lyric says as they reach into their backpack and pull out a small black book. Lyric hands me the black book and says “This is a book for you. It’s not much but I think you’ll like it and it could help you.” “Thank you,” I say, taking the book with a smile on my face. “Oh, I have to get home,” Lyric says. We hug once more before Lyric goes home. I make my way home.

As I walk into the house and close the door my mom calls me. I walk into the living area where my mom and sister are. “Yes, mother?” “Come look,” Mom says smiling wide with a tablet in her hand. I walk over to my mother and sister and sit on the couch beside them. My mother hands me the tablet to show me a beautiful dark green pageant dress. “Do you want that dress?” my mom says. “Yes, it’s gorgeous,” I say, still mesmerized. “Great,” Mom says in response. My mom takes the tablet, switches to a different dress then hands the tablet back to me. I see a beautiful light blue dress. Excitedly my sister announces “That one is my dress. Isn’t it beautiful?” “It’s beautiful,” I say in response to my sister. “Both you girls have beautiful dresses. They’ll be delivered on Friday.

That night while I lay in bed I remember the book Lyric gave me. I sit on my bed and reach for the book on my nightstand. I open the book and start reading. Reading the book I started to smile. In the book, Lyric writes to me telling me that I am amazing and I should never give up. I continue to read and my smile never fades. I know that Lyric wrote this for me because they are the only one who calls me Lynn. As I keep reading I remember when we first met in middle school. Ever since then we have never left each other’s side.

The next morning which was Wednesday our mom woke Diamond and me up at 5 o’clock so we could practice for the private interview and on-stage question. When practicing my sister always gets to go first. So I just have to sit and wait for my turn. “Okay Diamond,” Our dad says, acting as if he is the pageant judge. “Why should you win this pageant?” In response, my sister says “I think I should win this pageant because I have worked hard and if I win this pageant I plan on donating some of the money to those in need.” “Great job honey!” Our Mom says running and hugging Diamond. “That is definitely going to get you a win.” Mom adds. “That was beautiful, darling.” Says our dad with a wide smile on his face. After hugging and complimenting Diamond my dad said “Okay, Faith it’s your turn."

As I stand up in front of my mom and dad my dad asks my “So Faithlynn,” My dad says as he looks me in the eyes and then looks back at the paper in his hands. “Why do you think that people have a negative image of pageantry?” He asks. “I think that people have a negative image of pageantry because they feel as if it could lower people’s self-confidence.” I say “I disagree with that statement.” My sister replies. “Diamond you weren’t asked the question.” My mom says. “Still!” My sister says with an annoyed expression. “Well, girls I think that’s enough for the day.” My dad says trying to stop in conflict. “How about we go out for lunch!” My mom says in a cheerful tone of voice. “Yes!” My sister says. “There is this new place I wanted to try.” “Well let’s go,” My dad says walking towards the door.

The next day everyone is awake and in the living area waiting for the pageant dresses to arrive. “Mom, what time are they supposed to get here?” My sister says. “I don’t know but you have to be patient,” Mom says in response. “That’s impossible,” Diamond says in an agitated tone. While Diamond is being impatient and complaining I am texting Lyric who really wants to see my dress. After a few minutes of waiting the doorbell rings and my mom and Diamond run over to the door. As soon as Diamond opens the door she screams in excitement. I get up and walk over to the door with my dad. When we get to the door we see two boxes with the dresses in them. My mom and dad quickly pull the boxes in and tell us to go try on the dresses. After I finish putting my dress on I head downstairs to see Diamond in her blue dress and my parents complimenting her. I stand behind Diamond waiting for my parents to acknowledge me. “Oh my goodness Faithlynn you look beautiful.” My mother says walking towards me and holding both my hands in hers. I start to smile. “You’ll definitely come in second place.” She says. Next thing I know that smile fades.

The next morning everyone is up and getting ready. After everyone is ready to go to the pageant we all get into the car. While driving to the venue I get a text from Lyric letting me know that they are almost at the venue as well. When we get to the venue we head to the dressing room so we could get our evening gowns on and our makeup done. After we finish everything we head down to the pageant stage and wait to be called on to introduce ourselves. After a while Diamond is called. Diamond walks onto the stage smiling wide and gives a brief interview about herself. After Diamond finishes and walks off the stage I am called next. I walk onto the stage. I give a quick interview about myself related to Diamond's. I tell the judges my name, age, and a hobby of mine then I walk off the stage.

After the interview, we do the talent portion of the pageant then the swimsuit portion. After finishing those sections it’s time to get ready for the opening number outfit and on-stage question. All the pageant contestants start to line up on stage in their opening number outfit and all the judges are watching. After all of the contestants are on the stage the judges start calling contestants and asking them questions. After a while, it was finally Diamond’s turn. After Diamond finishes the judges call me. I walk in front of the judges and they ask. “Where do you see yourself in 10 years?” The judge asks. “In 10 years I see myself helping people. I see myself being a role model to those without one.” I say in response. “Thank you, you may go back in line.” The judges say.

After all the contestants finish it’s time for the judges to announce the runner-ups and winner. The announcer begins to announce the runner-ups “3rd runner-up is Millie Rose” Millie Rose walks to the front of the stage and is handed her rewards. “2nd runner-up is,” As the announcer is about to announce 2nd runner up I get ready to walk. The announcer then says “Diamond Fleming.” I looked at my sister, surprised she came in second but scared that I may not place. Diamond walks to the front of the stage and gets her rewards. The next thing they announce is first place. The announcer says “First place goes to... Faithlynn Fleming!” I was shocked that I got announced as first. I walk up to the front of the stage. I never imagined I would beat my sister and win first runner-up. I am brought a crown, sash, bouquet, and the $20,000. I can’t help but smile. I look out into the crowd and see an even bigger smile on Lyric’s face. Nothing can bring me down at this moment. Not even my parent’s disappointed faces and my sister’s tear-filled eyes.