Today was Monday. The beginning of the week that had been been chosen for the contest. The school buzzed with excitement at that knowledge—students chattering in the hallways, because teachers were nowhere to be seen. There were no lessons either, except magic classes. All efforts were geared toward the contest, either winning the contest, or campaigning for the contest’s contestants.But my mind was far from the festivities. I watched from the sidelines as Levina, ever the supportive friend, handed out flyers urging students to vote for me. Her enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn't muster the same excitement.Instead, my thoughts wandered back to Adam and his unexpected visit two nights ago. His presence had shaken me to the core, stirring emotions I had long buried beneath layers of fear and uncertainty. I replayed the moment he stood in my room, the moment his eyes searched mine with a tenderness that made my heart race, the moment he ravaged my neck with his lips. I recalled
Today was for the beauty contest. The contest for physical beauty. I was currently in one of the back rooms of the hall that had been chosen for the event, for the runway. Today was Wednesday. And for the past two days, Levina had really gone all out to make me win. I wouldn't know if her efforts had paid off until the results were out. Currently I was being fussed over by both Laura and Levina, while Diana and Peter sat on an L chair watching us, or rather watching them fix my make up. I would soon be called out to walk the runway. "Laura, be calm. You will be done with making me up on time." I tried to quiet the noise in Laura's head. She had never stopped blaming herself because she had arrived late, courtesy of being involved in the Queen's experiment; something I wasn't privy to yet. "But you will be called soon…" She pointed out, however, she was calmer now, she breathed easier now. However, she was right. I would be called soon.Even though I was the last person on the list
It was a crazy deduction to make, not minding that the fact was staring at me from the mirror. I looked like the first Queen, from the color of my eyes to the angular line of my face. Could it be that…? "Dora! Oh my goodness! What did you do? How did you…" Laura spoke finally, finding her voice; her words dragging my attention to her. When I turned from the mirror, she was in front of me. She checked out in awe, the studs on my gown, the effervescence of golden light that surrounded me; I had thought I was the only seeing it, but it was seen by my family. My significant other had really outdone herself. 'You should tell me your name already…' I couldn't keep addressing her as my 'other.' 'Call me El, then.' El? What manner of name was that? It sounded like something that just fell from her mouth at that moment. But El was better than 'other.' 'Okay, El. Thank you.' "Dora, you look otherworldly." Diana spoke next, her eyes shining with amazement. Slowly, she made her way to me,
"Congratulations Dora. You really did well tonight." I shook a hand.“Congratulations Dora. I hope you win.” I shook another hand.“Congratulations Pretty Dora.” I maintained the bland smile on my lips, and shook another hand.“Congratulations Dora. Don’t let them push you down! You hear?” I nodded at the more than hundredth person that had met and shook hands with me. My hands were getting sore and sweaty now.Couldn’t they settle for waves? I wondered, gesturing at Diana with my eye, that she extricated me from the seat where I had been asked to stay in, to shake hands with those who were pleased with my success. There were so many unfamiliar faces I had to shelve into a part of my memory for remembrance. No member of the Queen's family had come to congratulate me, however, not even Raul. I wasn't sure how to feel about his choice. I had thought he would have a better understanding. Seemed he was one that kept grudges. He should keep up with that. I might blow his head off should h
Staying close to Adam on the tree, I couldn't help but breathe in his scent. It was intoxicating, making my head swim. I fought against the urge to press my lips to his neck; the desire was strong, but I knew I had to maintain control. I also knew that we couldn't just be friends; not with this much tension between us. I sensed Adam's heart racing, even though he tried to hide it, to still it. His feelings for me were undeniable. He was feeling the same way I was feeling.Then, he made it worse, by swerving to look at me. His words which had been on the tip of his tongue—for he had turned to speak to me—got lost entirely. He just stared at me, stared at my lips intensely. And when he moved tentatively to close the distance between our lips, I gave no indication that I wanted out. Well, because I wanted in… But then the Queen came into the clearing, catching my attention. So, instead of sinking into the goodness that was Adam, I drew myself away from the romantic suspense, and point
As I walked away from Adam, my mind spun with confusion and frustration. However, I hadn't gone far when his strong grip closed around my arm, pulling me back into his embrace. My heart pounded erratically, torn between the comfort of his touch and the turmoil within me."You're doing a stupid thing," I muttered, trying to pull away, but he held me firmly. His eyes searched mine, pleading for understanding.“I know you mentioned that your hatred stemmed from the wicked activities of my brothers and I. And even though I have no recollection of what you were talking about, the past twenty minutes has shown that we can be friends. We can be much more. I’m sure I’m not the only one feeling the tension between us.”I shook my head in denial. “I don’t know what you are talking about, Adam.”Adam piqued an eyebrow, and enclosed me in his arms. There was no distance between our lips. “You promised not to touch, unless I asked…” I grasped for the last straw left, sighing in relief when his ha
I inhaled deeply, as I watched Laura make inquiries about the position of my name on the competition list. Today was Friday; the last day of the contest. And the contest slotted for today was the one of physical strength and magic prowess. The academic quality of the contest had been calculated between Monday and yesterday. The result was shown yesterday too. I had come out sixth. Well, I hadn't expected to come out in the top ten, because I had just started with them a few weeks ago. Luckily for me, it turned out they had checked academic potentials too; and seeing as my class works were all straight As, it had been enough for them. Rachel was first. I would have pushed it to the Queen playing at favoritism, but then Rachel was brilliant. That was one thing she got right at least, and I couldn't fault her in that. She was top of the class, and her brother wasn't far behind. Her knack for answering every question thrown at her also erased the notion that her mother must have shown
As I stood in the midst of the expansive field, chosen for the competition for its grandeur and open skies, doubt crept into my mind like tendrils of mist on a cool morning. My earlier dose of courage had evaporated.The memory of Rachel’s captivating rain dance rather haunted me. The way she effortlessly commanded the elements, enthralling every eye and heart in the audience. Could I match that? Did I have what it takes? I could. And I did. But what do I create? The judges were still talking animatedly about Rachel’s magical display. How do I get their attention?I clenched my fists, trying to dispel the doubts that threatened to paralyze me. "You are capable, Maya," I whispered to myself, my voice almost lost in the rustling of the wind through the tall grass. I needed to win this competition, not just for myself but for my family, and for my pride. A movement caught my eye, and I turned to see her – Rachel with that infuriating smirk playing on her lips. She knew she had the upper
Because the beast’s voice could be heard by all in the field, and maybe even outside of the field, I used magic to amplify my voice, so that everyone could hear me speak too. So, when the crowd erupted in mild shouts and mutterings at the previous words of the Queen, they echoed affirmations after mine; affirmations mixed with amusement at the nonchalancy in my voice and then anger at the Queen for breaking the laws that had been in place for many years. The beast obeyed. He turned his mighty head and stared at the Queen, whose hands were shaking. Out of nerves or shock or anger, I wasn’t sure. But her cool composure was gone. “Well, to be fair to the Queen, she didn’t call you out…” The beast grunted, in confusion I was sure, if the thinning of his eyes were anything to go by. “Who called me then? Only she has the power to call us out…” “Well…” I smirked, and pointed at a Rachel who was shaking with fear beside her mother. Oh well, she was scared of what she had conjured? Inte
Rachel stood still even when the crowd was shouting ‘Fight!’ ‘Fight!’ like a mantra. I knew she wanted me to attack first. “I’ve been watching you fight, and you have never attacked first, well apart from your last match….” She started, placing her hands on her waist.“Well, that’s a stupid deduction to make. I’ve only fought two contestants. Didn’t your mother teach you that, when she taught you how to fight with the subtle magic, when she taught you how to cheat in the competition?” I shot back, a smirk appearing on my lips.Her eyes widened, and her composure disintegrated by a meaningful portion, as she looked around her, to check if the others were hearing. “Tsk, your family is terribly disgusting. You want me to attack you? Then you will have it. Don’t regret it though. There’s a reason I don’t attack first. I thought my last battle would have explained that, but it seems you are slow…” I said, right before I advanced toward her. She jerked back, as I approached, causing me t
Laura’s infamous meat sauce would have been enough reason to win this last battle, even if the Queen’s rewards hadn't been attached to it. Thinking of it now as I sauntered into the battlefield brought out the hunger pangs that had managed to stay hidden for a while, under the layer of fruits and water. I was hungry. “Wait, until I am done with this.” I muttered to myself, flexing my hands. Laura should have better prepared my favorite meal to celebrate my win, because I wouldn’t settle for less. Not when my mind was already clouded with meat sauce. Rachel was already waiting for me in the field, her arms folded across her chest, disdain notable in her eyes. I didn’t bother mirroring the same, I just wanted to be done with this, so that I could go home and eat. ‘That’s a good attitude, keep it up.’ El spoke then, causing me to pout. ‘Is that sarcasm?’ She chuckled. ‘Not at all. It’s good that you’re not nervous, considering the principal’s insight, considering that it lowers you
Rachel won her own fight. But it had been by a sharp luck; the senior had been varsed in combat, very varsed, despite her not so big stature. Probably why the organizers had linked her to Rachel; they had thought it would be an easy defeat. After her match, the Queen had called for a little recess, so that the final contestants could have some rest before the last phase of the competition. It was why I was reclining on the chair in my tent, drinking an energy mix that Laura had given me. “I’m sure that the Queen is giving Rachel some tools on how to fight you, some tricks. You have to be careful out there, Dora…” Diana spoke, with a disgusted expression on her face. “That woman can be so sneaky.” She added, placing her arm around my shoulder. “If you win Rachel, I will give you my meat sauce for a week.” I laughed then, unable to hold it this time around. Diana was a darling. “Deal!” I shouted, jamming fists with her, whilst her parents and Levina watched on with wide smiles on th
My second opponent was the senior that had tried to bully me in the hallway a few days ago; that had tried to instigate me to fight her so that I would be disqualified from the competition. She was prancing around the field like an overzealous proud horse, getting cheers from the crowd. I thought she looked hilarious. I was going to win her. That was a given; not because I was proud, but because I had no choice. I had no choice than to make her eat her words, than to make her regret troubling me that fateful day. My quiet demeanor was mirrored by Rachel and her family. At intervals, I looked at the people in the crowd, at the Queen, at her. It was as if they knew that the senior was making noise. A noise that was uncalled for. Rachel, especially, had a bored look on her face. She knew I would win, never mind that it wouldn’t be pleasing to her. When I had won Courtney, I had seen the dread that had flirted past her face, right before she conditioned her countenance to stoicness. Sh
The battle was over before the senior knew it. With swift movements that I had never learned in any training, I started to free myself from the painful hold of the senior. It was like my hands and feet knew exactly what to do, guided by some unseen force, guided by El.I twisted and turned, using techniques that felt instinctive yet unfamiliar to me. With each move, I could feel my opponent's grip loosening. I managed to break free and turn the tables. Now, I was the one in control.I didn't hesitate. El didn’t hesitate to attack. It was like a dance, each step calculated and precise. I surprised myself with my own agility and strength. El was not just guiding my body, but also my mind, giving me the confidence to face my opponent head-on.I dodged punches and countered with moves that I didn't even know I was capable of. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. But I trusted El; she wouldn’t let me down.Soon enough, I gained the upper hand. The senior was struggling to k
The fight was against ourselves. Since we were just eight contestants, we were paired against each other in a duel. But the announcer had picked out rumpled papers in a bowl to know who we would be contesting against. For my first time, I was selected to duel with the senior that had bothered to speak with me after my victory in the magic prowess session. We were both surprised to be fighting each other, but we had no choice but to advance to the field when our names were called by Professor Zokel. We had been the last in the list too. The others had fought, and now there were only three females moving to the final; three and whoever would win this duel that was about to happen. “I had never imagined to be pitted against you, Dora. But I will make it quick. You have outlasted than we all had gambled for, a feat, but it comes to stop now.” I nodded slowly, not knowing what to say. The seniors had gambled on my position in the contest? Did anyone gamble for my win? “Did anyone gambl
Standing in the middle of the clearing, surrounded by the never ending, echoing applause and cheers of the people, I felt a rush of emotions surge through me. The silence that had enveloped the arena moments ago, as I wielded my magical powers, was now replaced by this overwhelming cacophony of approval. It was surreal, almost like a dream I never dared to dream.I turned towards my family, their voices rising above the rest, shouting my name with unabashed pride. They had been there from the beginning, believing in me even when I doubted myself. Then I saw Adam. He was sitting two bleachers behind his family. And his smile stood out—bright and wide, his eyes shimmering with a mix of admiration and wonder. I couldn't help but touch the scarf he had given me, a talisman of his support and friendship.Friendship? We will see about that. I wondered if he had confided in his brothers about the change of the status quo. I didn’t think so.Bowing graciously to the audience, I savored the m
As I stood in the midst of the expansive field, chosen for the competition for its grandeur and open skies, doubt crept into my mind like tendrils of mist on a cool morning. My earlier dose of courage had evaporated.The memory of Rachel’s captivating rain dance rather haunted me. The way she effortlessly commanded the elements, enthralling every eye and heart in the audience. Could I match that? Did I have what it takes? I could. And I did. But what do I create? The judges were still talking animatedly about Rachel’s magical display. How do I get their attention?I clenched my fists, trying to dispel the doubts that threatened to paralyze me. "You are capable, Maya," I whispered to myself, my voice almost lost in the rustling of the wind through the tall grass. I needed to win this competition, not just for myself but for my family, and for my pride. A movement caught my eye, and I turned to see her – Rachel with that infuriating smirk playing on her lips. She knew she had the upper