Chapter 3
She didn’t even try and she knew that.
She only came to this contest because her mother was a special guest and Chloe wanted to watch it. If not for that, she would probably have ignored it. Like she had been ignoring all contests lately.
“Without further ado, here are the appeal results!” After a small intermission, Marian finally announces.
Dawn doesn’t even need to look at the screen to know she didn’t make it so she focuses on getting off her accessories and undressing out of the clothes her mother brought to try and cheer her up. Such a pretty outfit gone to waste.
Once she is back in her normal clothes, she takes a glimpse at the screen to make sure her hunch was right and is no surprise that her picture doesn’t show up. She knew it. Then why she keeps doing this? Knowing she will get the same result every time?
She turns away from the screen, from the cheering coordinators that passed and the ones that still show emotion at failing and leaves the backstage.
On the way back to the stadium, she meets with Chloe, the kind girl she met a few days before that was one of the reasons she even as much as tried participating in this contest. Her face seems hurt, worried, apologetic; and her words match her expression.
“Dawn.. I’m so sor-”
“It’s fine! No need to worry.” She lies through her teeth, not letting the girl finish her condolences —she is tired of hearing it— and gives a dull smile towards Chloe.
The smile is fake, but it’s good enough to convince Chloe of Dawn’s words. She smiles and assures her friend there’s always next time and Dawn nods in agreement.
She became so good at faking it. But wonders if her closest friends would be able to tell it.
She is glad Ash didn’t come with them.