Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

     - William  James -

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"What took you so long, Kate?" Allie came rushing towards us with an agitated face.

"Unfortunately, we were struck in traffic."

"Forget it. Let's start, time is running out." She dragged me to a room which was filled with way too many people for me to breath.

Everyone was so on edge that you could feel it in the air. Two men dressed in black suits approached us with tickets.

"Okay, everyone hear me out. I know you're busy but you have to come here and select your numbers, and you will follow them during the presentation."

When he finished talking a hoard of people went running towards him to grab the little pieces of paper. When everyone was done, I approached the man and took the last paper.

"I like your calm." He said, handing me the last paper and found out it was 200.

"That's actually the last." He said, I looked at him nervously, "But don't worry the last collections are always the most mind-blowing."

I did not know if that was meant to cheer me up, but it did not.

"So, what number did you choose?" Allie asked.

"The last one."

"That will give us enough time to prepare." She said, then went to talk to Adam.

"Young man, go in that crowd and find fans for us." She ordered Adam.

"How am I-" He started to protest but the look Allie gave him shut him up and made him comply.

Allie proceeded to fix my hair into a tight bun, dabbing make up onto my face next. I returned the favor when she finished. We put on the dresses she had bought for us yesterday, suddenly a thought came in my mind.

"Allie, how are we going to put on all those collections since we are just two?"

"Uh! Good point. But we will figure it out."

Damn, she had confidence, unlike me.

We were strapping on our heels when we heard loud cheering from the crowd. We had been so engrossed in preparing ourselves that we forget the others participants who had already started showcasing their collections.

Out of pure instinct, we peeped through a small crack separating where we were and where the spectators were. My eyes could not register what I was seeing. There were five models - two in front and three behind - each wearing the most beautiful silver jewelry I had ever seen, standing at the podium elegantly. The women whom I presumed as the owner stepped onto the stage, instantly the crowd started chanting, "Ciara, Ciara..."

"Do you think we're going to make it?" I whispered to Allie as we went to sit on a nearby bench.

"Don't start doubting yourself now! Take a deep breath and relax your mind." She reassured me as we continued to hear the crowd cheer even more loudly for every collection that passed by in their eyes.

Then Adam came a moment later, breathless, "Girls, get ready you are the next!"

"That fast! How did-" I did not get to finish my sentence as Allie pulled me and started throwing me the necklaces.

"What am I going to do with these?" I was confused but she ignored me. She then turned to Adam, "Have you done what I asked you?"

"Yes ma'am!" He replied saluting.

"Then go and get them ready cause shit is about to get serious!"

When he was out of sight, Allie looked at me and told me, "Now, young girl, you will wear half of the collection and I'll wear the rest."

"But we will look like idiots with way too many necklaces!"

"Trust me, will you?"

"The last time I trusted you I found myself sharing a room with Adam." I rolled my eyes.

"We have no time to argue, just do what I say." Reluctantly, I covered my poor neck and ears with jewelry as Allie did the same.

Then we heard a laugh from behind us. I turned and saw the famous Ciara and her friends clutching their stomach because of how much they were laughing.

Were we that hilarious?

"Ignore them." Allie instructed as we heard the MC calling number 200 in the microphone. We stood behind the curtains, my heart pounding in my ears as the MC continued, "Ladies and gentlemen, please give a round of applause to our final collection by Katherine Wilson!"

Then time stopped.

The moment we stepped on stage, the whole crowd went silent. I wanted to go back but Allie was already walking ahead of me and I followed behind putting in action what I learnt yesterday, smiling at my haters as Allie had put it. I wanted to leave the stage so bad that I almost missed one clap. I searched the crowd to find Adam. My stomach suddenly felt funny as I saw how Adam was looking at me and supporting me alone.

One person, two, three...then my ears could not take it anymore as the crowd cheered for us. I went back to the changing room and Allie gave me a big hug as soon as we were out of sight.

"We did it!" She said doing that little dance Dora The Explorer used to do and I found myself laughing heartily.

"Now we are going to give time to the judges and wait for the results." The MC said loudly in the microphone for us to hear.

It was one hell of an hour as we waited impatiently, palms sweating for the results. When we heard the noise some time later, we knew that it was time.

"So, now I have the five people who are going to the final round..."

I looked at Allie, "Only five?"

"...Ciara Madison, Diana Kales, Paul Sparks."

The last one, Oh my God. Please help me.

"...and Katherine Wilson!"

"Oh my God, Kate you are in!!" Allie shouted as we tumbled down because she jumped at me, the weight of the jewelry we were wearing made it easier to fall down.

I nervously followed the others onto the stage. When I looked into the crowd I caught Allie smiling at me and giving me a thumbs up.

"Now, this is the time everyone was waiting for. We are going to give your fans the right to vote."

Right then, I knew I was screwed. How could I outshine Ciara's fans?

The voting process took another long hour before the MC finally took the microphone again, "According to the votes of both the judges and the audience, the winner of this show is..."

God give me strength. God give me strength. God give me...

"... Katherine Wilson!"

Was it really me?

My inside voice teased me, 'Is there another Katherine Wilson you know?'

"Go girl!" I heard Allie's voice calling me as Diana and Paul came to congratulate me. From the corner of my eyes I saw Ciara leaving the stage in fury.

Everything else happened so fast. I received an award, gave thanks to the audience and my fan, and got a short interview with the media.

"This calls for a big celebration." Allie said pulling me from the crowd as we went towards the car where Adam was waiting for us.

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I enjoyed writing this chapter so much.
Let me hear your thoughts on this. Is it bad or I did great!

To everyone who reads this 'never doubt yourself and always have courage. You will surely be successful'

Happy reads to all and stay tuned. The next chapter is going to be ....well steamy. If you know what I mean 😁

ILYSM so much. Stay safe 🧡

Marty.