Junior Miss Pageant Contest 2001 Access

Lily stood in the line of runners-up, clapping. She meant it.

“You look like you’re going to a funeral,” Chloe said, catching Lily’s eye in the mirror. junior miss pageant contest 2001

Chloe walked over, tiara in hand. “Hey. You were really good.” Lily stood in the line of runners-up, clapping

Across the dressing station, Chloe DeLuca was pinning a fake orchid into her ponytail. Chloe was the new girl—moved from Phoenix two months ago, after her mom got a job at the textile plant. She had no pageant coach, no routine passed down through generations. Just a second-hand leotard, a jazz CD she’d burned from the library, and a laugh that sounded like wind chimes. ” Chloe said

Lily forced a smile. “It’s called focus.”