1 -Prom Queen

Eliza's POV;

I walk down the stairs with my hands clutching the books I'm hugging to my chest tightly.

From the chatters going on downstairs, it's clear that the shooting crew is here. Today is not my day, so obviously they're here for my brother.

I get down and find our massive living room, full of people. On the couch is my brother getting his make-up done, and my parents are in a corner discussing.

My parents run a modeling school and a fashion industry, and I and my brother are the faces of the companies.

My parents' names are not strangers to conversations held in high places about fashion, and being their kid, one would think I have it all.

Well,  just as much as I have everything, I have nothing.

Workers greet me as I walk past them, and my brother smiles lightly at me as I pass,  while I nod back.

"Eliza, honey. Good morning. I almost forgot you're still in the house. Off to school? "My mom says to me as she makes her way towards me,  and I stare blankly at her.

"Yes, mom. I... "I begin, but she cuts me off.

"Honey, you've added weight! What's going on? And... Is that a pimple I'm seeing?? "She abruptly exclaims, and the room falls a bit silent.

Athena has been helping me sneak pizzas in over the last week. It's been ages since I eat pizza, and I was craving it so badly. So,  Athena offered to be my pizza plug.

And let's just say, I dug a hole too deep to get out of. My parents have strict diets for my brother and me. The whole family does.

We're not vegetarians, but my parents are slowly trying to take us down that route. The whole family is on a diet that seems to have no end.

Daniel and I often find ways to cut some corners and have some ' forbidden ' food, but now, I think I went a bit too far.

So far my mom noticed the changes in my body. How much pizza did I consume!?

"Oh, it's... It's nothing, mom. Just... Puberty I guess. "I lie, and she raises a brow.

"Puberty has no such power over us in this house. Everything works for our good and helps us look our best.  "My mom says. Reciting one of her annoying quotes,  and I smile.

"Come with me... "She begins, but I cut her off.

"Mom, please. I really need to go to school today. I have something very important to do. "I beg, and she stares sternly at me.

"Hmmm. Okay, if it means that much to you. But when you're back home, we're shedding off that awful weight and getting rid of that ugly thing on your face. "She replies, and I swallow the hurt crawling up my throat.

I'm not fat, I just added very little weight and I'm amazed she noticed. Why can't I live like a normal kid? Even when I'm off the camera, I have to act like I'm in front of it!

"Here... "She says, grabbing a brush off one of the sofas, and brushing a lock of my black hair over my forehead to hide the pimple.

"There. We can't have anyone seeing that nasty thing. "She says, and I smile dryly before hugging my dad good morning, and heading out of the house.

I don't have anything important to do in school, to be honest. Today is the day the prom queen will be chosen.

Damien has been chosen as the prom king, and I entered my name for the slot of the prom queen when I got to know this.

He's the male gem of the school. He's the captain of the football club, his dad is filthy rich as he owns the biggest car production company in the state, and he is handsome beyond words.

I've had a massive crush on him since sixth grade, and if I get chosen as prom queen today, it will be a massive dream come true.

Besides, my biggest competition is Amber. Amber Devil! Her name is pronounced Devil, like from the Cruella movie, but I chose to call her Devil cause she is one.

One hideous devil dressed up like a princess and one who has enough money to shield her ugly, true colors.

I doubt anyone would leave their votes for her. She's a bully, she's mean, and she's a pest and a spoiled brat.

I get to school and wave my driver goodbye as I alight my car. The car is mine, I'm 18 years old, but I've never really had the balls to take a driving test or to go to a driving school.

"Eliza!! " I hear a familiar voice call, and I turn around to Find Athena rushing up to me.

"Excited for your big day? "Athena questions and I look up at her.

"You're so sure I'd win, huh? "I question, and she smiles.

"One hundred percent affirmative, ma'am. "She replies, and I smile.

"The only two girls that I see in this competition, are you and Amber. The other girls? No offense, I see them as jokes beside the both of you.

And, as we well know, Amber is the school's bully. There's no way she's winning this thing. So relax, and act like a winner.

You'd finally get to rule prom with your dream king! "She exclaims, and I throw a punch at her arm.

"Quiet, Athena! "I scold, and she giggles.

"Sorry. "She apologizes and I blush. One of the plus sides of having Athena as your best friend is the fact that she knows just the words to use to calm you, encourage you, soothe you, rile you, the list is endless.

She is just as annoying, as she's excellent.

*****

The day had gone by normally, till lunchtime, and the whole school gathered at the school's basketball court.

I stood beside Athena, holding her hand tightly.

"May all the contestants for the slot of promo queen please come forward. "The student president says, and I gulp as a total of about twenty-two girls step out.

I shut my eyes as the president starts announcing the votes.

I open my eyes and find we're down to three girls.

Me, Amber, and the head of the cheerleading squad.

"Riele Shaman, 248 votes... "The president announces, and I gulp as I know we're about five hundred and something in school.

"Eliza Rollins, five hundred and sixty-seven votes. "She says, and my heart snaps. I hear Athena cheer from the crowd, and a massive round of applause follows.

Five hundred and something, is that the whole school vote?

"Amber Devil, five hundred and seventy-one votes. "She announces, and silence takes up the hall. Except for the high-pitched cheers from her three minions.

I open my eyes in horror.

Amber won!? People chose Amber over me!?

"Congratulations, Amber. You're the 2021/2022 Prom queen. " The president announces as she hugs Amber, and I watch Amber beam with hideous smiles as she accepts the crown and flowers.

I watch as she walks over to Damien, and locks hands with him.

"Thank you both for contesting. We arranged something for you though. "The president says as she hands Riele and me big baskets filled with heaven knows what.

Riele and I turn to climb down the podium, and I hear Riele mumble,

"Amber won!? I'd rather get run over by a bus than believe that she didn't cheat! "

I walk over to Athena, and she takes my hand in hers and squeezes lightly without saying a word.

****

After school, Athena and I are making our way towards my car as my driver is waiting in the parking lot when suddenly I'm blocked by Amber.

"Hey, Eliza! "