You want me to do what?
"You must be out of your mind," Cindy said.
Libby's face fell. "Please! I don't know who else to ask. It won't be that bad, I promise."
"A beauty pageant? You would really ask me to enter a stupid beauty pageant? You've known me how long?" Cindy blew her bangs out of her eyes. They were the only part of her light blond hair not secured back with her green headband.
"But it's the 'Miss Retroville High' pageant!" Cindy raised one eyebrow incredulously. "They need at least five girls to represent each grade and since Nissa's going to be out of town the night of the show she had to drop out." Cindy sighed unhappily. She knew how this was going to end. Over the years she had learned that when Liberty Danielle Folfax wanted something, she usually got it. "Why can't you just do it? You don't exactly require an excuse to slip on a pair of heels and strut across a stage."
"I would, but as junior class president I'm on the planning committee." Libby said professionally. "It would be a conflict of interest."
"They wouldn't let you, would they?"
"Shut up." She said basely. "Will you do it? Pleeeeeeeeeease?"
"Libs…I'm just really not the pageant type. You seriously cannot think this is a good idea, you know me."
"Yes," Libby took a more serious tone, "I know you are smart and pretty and very eloquent. A perfect choice for the next 'Miss Junior Retroville High.'"
"Libby…"
"Don't even try to deny it. You'd have guys fallin' out of trees for you if you weren't so abrasive or even if you stopped dressing like a librarian."
Cindy looked down at her light pink polo shirt, knee-length khaki skirt, and ballet flats. "There's nothing wrong with maintaining an air of professionalism."
"Mmm hmm, all you're missing is the blazer." She gave her friend a wry smile. "Or a lab coat."
Cindy felt her face reddening. "It is not wise to aggravate the person from whom you are asking a favor."
Libby sighed. "Geez, you are not fun. At least just think about it. Please. For me."
Cindy rolled her eyes. "Alright, I'll give it some thought. But right now I've got to get to A.P. U.S. History." She closed her locker door and walked up the hallway.
I'm not going to cave, she thought. She won't talk me into it. Not this time. I will stand firm.
Crap. No I'm not. We both know by the end of the day I'm going to be entered in a stupid beauty pageant.
So exciting, I know, but alas every story needs an introduction.
