#Chapter 112: The Pageant

Hannah The lights were blinding as Noah and I took our seats behind the long judges’ table, our names proudly displayed on plaques in front of us. I squinted against the harsh glare, trying to make out the rows of empty seats that would soon be filled with attendees for tonight’s pageant. My heart was pounding already—not out of nerves, but out of that horrible, simmering tension between Noah and me. I wanted to kiss him and wring his neck at the same time, maybe even worse. And that little situation in the makeup room only made it all the more prominent, even more so with the throbbing ache in my forehead. Zoe and Drake soon joined us, sliding into the remaining two chairs with practiced smiles and little waves to the crew backstage. I couldn’t help but notice how close Zoe’s chair was scooted to Noah’s, their arms nearly brushing. Swallowing hard, I tore my gaze away and smoothed my hands over my sleek black dress. I needed to focus—to be professional. That wa