Funny Little Love

Promise Me, You'll Call Me

12

"The third place goes to Lizzie Hoffmann." the middle aged stage host announced with a wide smile on his face.

"You deserve this." the host whispered to sixteen year old Lizzie while pinning a white colored sash on her shoulder with the words 'SECOND RUNNER UP' written in huge letters on it.

It may have seemed to the rest world that any sash awarded by a joint board consisting of representatives from Maybelline New York, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada was super legendary, no matter if it had the words 'WINNER' or 'SECOND RUNNER UP' printed on it, but for Lizzie, she always knew for a fact that the joint board was no big deal. She deserves far more. So when she was awarded the position of Second Runner Up, she couldn't control the few tears that trickled out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Apparently the audience noticed it too. Some people kept clapping thinking they were tears of joy, while people with a little bit more brain deciphered her hurt expression and let out a distinct "aww".

That didn't help Lizzie. She was not the kind of person who would accept pity from anyone in any situation and all the pity that the audience was radiating to her made her want to cry even more.

"ENOUGH!" Lizzie scolded herself mentally and let out a dazzling smile which made the audience feel better.

What would they know about the effort she put in to win this competition? What would they know about how at this moment, she wore her smile as nothing but an ornament hiding the disappointment she felt in herself?

She was barely holding herself back from dropping down on the stage and crying inconsolably.

The moment the award distribution ceremony ended, Lizzie ran to her dressing room backstage, slumped down on her chair in front of the mirror, rested her head on the makeup disk and broke down crying.

Lizzie's mom came in running to the dressing room and hugged her from the back trying to comfort her. Shawn and Alex came in following Kayla. Shawn kissed Lizzie's head while Alex held Lizzie's hand.

"I trained so hard." Lizzie sobbed her head still on the makeup desk.

"I know honey, I know. Well, you did do pretty good considering the fact that you were the only minor in there." Kayla said.

"My age doesn't make me any less deserving. Just because we're young doesn't me we know nothing." Lizzie glared at Kayla with her eyes red because of all the crying.

Kayla just closed her eyes and nodded.

"Hey, don't worry. It's not your fault. The judges are assholes." Alex said, holding Lizzie's cheeks.

Lizzie smiled.

Lizzie was about to tell something to Alex when her then-boyfriend Michael came in with a girl, holding hands.

"Congratulations! Meet my friend Angela here." Michael announced.

Lizzie smiled at Angela, her eyes still red.

"She's tonight's big winner. You should be friends with her. She could give you some useful tips. " Michael said.

Lizzie noticed the sash labeled "WINNER" pinned on her.

Shawn glared at Michael.

Lizzie would have started crying again but she didn't. After all, Michael was the one who brought her into fashion pageants.

Michael was two years older than Lizzie and was a strikingly gorgeous male model in a prestigious modeling agency.

He saw "real potential" in Lizzie and brought her into pageantry. He always had amazing fashion suggestions and helped her train.