"Are you contestant number 45?" she asks.
I sit up straight. I look at her forehead. I learned a long time ago that's a power move. I'm the best gay here dammit.
"Yes, I am," I say with an airy, poised tone.
Britney slaps on a shit-eating grin.
"Well, they put me as contestant 44. It's so kind of them to put me next to you, considering you are such of fan of mine."
"I don't know who you are."
Dropping her bag, Britney laughs and takes her seat next to me. She leans in close with a predatory glint in her eye.
"Bullshit. You copied my tweet almost word for word and then followed me. That's fan behavior sweetheart."
Maggie, who was seemingly uninterested before, snorts at her phone.
Motherfucker. She can't do this to my reputation.
"That was a coincidence. Surprisingly, you aren't the only lesbian in the world."
Britney leans back in her chair with a laugh. "Thank God. I need someone to fuck."
This fucking smug ass bitch. I stare at her, gritting my teeth.
"Well, Gia, you are gonna be an entertaining neighbor in this competition. I just want to make one thing clear. I'm not going to be your friend during this just because you're gay. We are in a competition for a lot of fucking money. If you still hate me after this, that's your problem. It is what it is."
Oh, you are not supposed to voice that. That's not how things are done. Sure everyone is thinking that, but you aren't supposed to say it out loud.
I need to say this where several people can hear. It's a cheap, old-school mean girl trick. I don't give a fuck. I'm not above it.
"Britney coming to the pageant with such a sour attitude towards your fellow contestants isn't kind at all. We are all a family here. This is about celebrating feminine beauty. Just because you have a different type of beauty doesn't mean you can't be a good sport."
A few of the girls in hearing range turn to look over at Britney. The hissing of the snakes starts as they whisper about her.
Britney sees the girls too. Her mouth hangs open as she registers the type of bitch that I am.
Making enemies with me is dumb as fuck.
The light music that has been playing comes to an abrupt halt as the speaker takes the podium.
Britney slinks back in her chair, side-eyeing me with a glare.
The Beauty Beneath - Kindle edition by Holmes, Amelia. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use featur
