All This Time by Julie Nang Gavin EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Author: Julie Nang Gavin
- Language: English
- Genre: Multicultural & Interracial Romance
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2.6 MB
- Price: Free
I try not to squint my eyes while the spotlight shines down on both me
and the other contestant that is left on stage. The audience is so dark
that I can’t see anyone. My family and friends are seated out there, but I
can’t see their faces. It would be nice to see their comforting faces while my
stress level is rising. The Spanx I’m wearing is cutting into my blood
circulation, and I am starting to feel a little woozy. I am standing next to my
last competitor, but I can’t look over at her. I can feel her nervous energy.
She reaches for my hand and I take it. I squeeze it to give her and myself
some comfort. She is shaking. Or maybe that is me.
The host is speaking, but I am too nervous to even hear most of what he is
saying. Flashes from the cameras are the only song I hear. Everyone is in
complete silence, waiting for the winner to be announced. Next to me is the
current Miss Southern California All American. She smiles while waiting
patiently for the host to announce the winner. In her hands is a purple pillow
with the winning crown on top. I am so close to winning that crown. That
stupid crown that I don’t even care for, but it comes with scholarship money
and a cash reward. The last year was filled with blood, sweat, and tears to
get to this moment in my life. I can taste the victory. Then the next step is
Miss California All American. Then the biggest prize, which is Miss USA
All American. I don’t know if I’ll get that far, but with every win is a cash
prize that will help my family. It will help pay for my college tuition and a
remodel of my family’s outdated Lao restaurant.
I take a deep breath without showing it, and keep the pageant smile on my
face. Every paycheck from my tutoring job, and all the tips that I made at
the restaurant to win this pageant, was for this moment. The calories that
were counted and hours spent at the gym to tone my body to fit into the
gown that I am wearing at this moment. My parents closed their restaurant
in San Diego for the day to drive up to Los Angeles to be at the pageant. I
need this win. They need this win.
“We have come down to our final two contestants. Courtney Torres of San
Clemente and Sarah Manivong of San Diego. Give a round of applause to
all twenty-five contestants today. They all did a wonderful job.” He pauses
for the audience to clap and cheer on the contestants. The other twentythree contestants come out on stage and stand behind us.
“The winner of
Miss Southern California All American will win a prize package of $25,000
in scholarship money and $50,000 in cash. She will get
For More Read Download This Book
EPUB