#Chapter 18 - Choosing Clothes

As I walked across the stage as my name was being announced, I felt butterflies in my stomach. This was new too me. I never got truly nervous when I performed but this was different. I was showcasing my body as if it was a talent. There were nineteen other beauty pageant contestants besides me and every one of them were not only beautiful, but it was plain as the nose on the announcer’s face that each one of them were determined to win. After the stroll around the stage flashing smiles and waves, we were sent backstage to change into the evening gowns. The one that Elijah and the stylist--who’s names I learned later was Tessa—agreed upon a jaded green floor length gown with a corset bodies. Curse them both for picking this dress, how do women breathe in this thing? The dress used cords instead of strings to cinch my chest and waist tightly into the dress. The gown at my pelvis bunched at the bottom of the corset before cascading down to the floor. I would not mind the dress,