The crowd screamed noisily as they watched the colossal Lady of Pain pursue Jessica’s every movement on stage. The music had been queued perfectly, and there were no malfunctions with either of their costumes. When Holly and Jessica finished their skit and walked offstage, the crowd was still yelling and shouting excitedly. Holly stepped out of her costume, and she and Jessica beamed at each other ecstatically. They were exhilarated. The performance went flawlessly.
Using the ladder they had brought backstage, Holly and Jessica began to disassemble the Lady of Pain. As they separated her into her three pieces, Holly realized the pieces were also like the Lady’s multiple names. Besides being known as the Lady of Pain, she was also known as Her Serenity, and the Bladed Queen—three names and three pieces. Fitting, she thought, as she and Jessica carried the costume to the Normandy.
Placing the ladder and costume in the Normandy and locking the doors, the two girls eagerly returned to the arena. There were still a few more costumes to be judged, and shortly afterwards the winners would be announced.
Since there were a few minutes to kill, Holly decided to covertly search for Jack. She hoped to speak to him again before everyone started leaving.
Weaving her way through the crowd, she eventually saw the back of Jack’s green Spartan armor. Moving closer, she noticed he was in mid-conversation with an attractive blond girl dressed as a sexy Pikachu.
Her curiosity craving satisfaction, she inched closer to get a better look. It was too loud to hear what they were saying, but she didn’t need to hear. It was obvious by the way she smiled and touched her hair that Jack was telling the girl sweet somethings. She continued to giggle and blissfully absorbed whatever comments he made. Then, they kissed. W. T. F?
A hot rage flushed Holly’s face. Whether her face changed red from embarrassment or fury, she wasn’t sure. But she was sure of one thing—she wanted to get the hell out of there.
Hurt and upset, she slipped back into the crowd before she could be noticed.
“There you are,” Jessica exclaimed as Holly returned. “I was wondering where you ran off. They’re about to announce the results!” Jessica turned toward the stage, the anticipation preventing her from noticing the pain still lingering on Holly’s face.
“Attention everyone!” said a loud voice crackling through large speakers. A man looking very official stood behind a podium on stage, speaking into the microphone. “We had a great competition tonight, and you all deserve a big hand.” He clapped his hands and the room joined him, filling the air with a booming round of applause.
“Let’s get right to it. There are four awards tonight. We’re giving out first, second, and third place for Best Workmanship, along with a special award judged by the Costume Designers Guild for their official pick.”
The announcer cleared his throat. “Is everybody ready?” Shouts and clapping thundered throughout the arena. The official proceeded to open a sealed envelope. “Our Third Place winner is…Jack Pettycock with his striking Halo Spartan costume!”
Holly’s eyes flared with anger. Jack. She pushed her personal feelings aside and clapped with the rest of the audience. The applause then died as quickly as it started. Everyone was eager to hear the second place winner.
The audience clapped louder this time, but it too quickly faded away. Many people crossed their fingers and held their breath. Who would win first place?
“And our First Place winner of Best Workmanship, and also the winner of the prestigious Costume Designers Guild Award goes to…the exquisite our Lady of Pain creators, Holly Radcon and Jessica Zanmeri!”
The crowd erupted into deafening shouts and screams. The Lady of Pain was no doubt the audience’s favorite, despite a few disappointed looks from some of the other contestants.
“If our winners would please join me on stage and receive their awards,” the announcer said loudly into the microphone.
The thunderous clapping continued as Holly and Jessica happily received their trophies, one for first place in workmanship, and the other for winning the esteemed Costume Designer’s Guild Award.
Proudly wielding their gleaming trophies, the two friends walked elated off stage.
“Congratulations!” said a familiar voice behind Holly. She turned and saw Jack grinning at her. She suppressed the urge to snarl.
“You won first place!” he congratulated her. “I knew your costume was great. And apparently everyone else thinks so!”
“Thanks,” Holly said flatly.
“You even got the Costume Designers Guild Award—no small feat! You know, Holly, you’re really something.”
Holly stared at him, her expressionless face matching that of the Bladed Queen’s.
Undismayed, Jack continued. “Who could have guessed your stunning beauty would be outmatched only by your amazing cosplay talents?”
Holly’s eyes narrowed. Normally such a remark would be high praise. She wanted to believe him, but she knew better. Jack thought he was so smooth. But he was unaware he was actually digging his own grave.
“You are rare,” he continued, moving closer. “I haven’t been interested in someone for a long time. Well, until I met you, that is.” He slid even closer, close enough that if he chose to, he could kiss her. “I don’t know about the whole ‘pain’ part, but you are definitely an enchanting lady.”
Holly snapped. “I’ve had enough of your disingenuous assertions!”
“W-What are you talking about?” Jack stammered, attempting to remain cool.
She would have punched him, but Tank was instantly at her side. He folded his arms and glared irritably at Jack. Tank was not a small man; he was named appropriately. While it is true girls named Chastity are anything but chaste, such was not the scenario for Tank. Tank lived up to his name.
“Leave,” Tank ordered, his voice deadly firm.
Jack opened his mouth as if to say more, but Tank’s fierce stare caused him to think better of it. Turning around suddenly, he bolted.
“Thanks, Tank,” Holly muttered quietly, hoping he could not see the disappointment in her eyes.
Tank nodded silently.
“I guess we should go,” she commented sighing. “No reason to stick around.”
In an uncharacteristic display of fondness, Tank patted one of Holly’s shoulders in reassurance. He said nothing, but stepped forward and led the way through the crowd.
They soon met up with Stephenie and Jessica, and Holly was shocked to see Graham with them. He had come to surprise Jessica. He congratulated his girlfriend on the win, and the two talked together excitedly. Holly had never seen Jessica happier.
Hilary had made it too. She was absolutely thrilled by their victory. She informed them her husband let her sneak away from handing out candy so she could catch their show. But, she couldn’t stick around because she was returning home to spend the rest of her night sipping hot chocolate and watching movies with Dave.
Holly was delighted to see Hilary and Graham and feel their support. But as they all walked toward the exit, she gazed at her friends and realized something. Hilary would soon be home snuggled next to her husband. Jessica was spending the night at Graham’s. And Stephenie and Tank had linked fingers and were now holding hands as they walked.
They all had someone. Who did she have? Suddenly, she felt very alone.
Her heart heavy, Holly pushed the arena door open and walked outside. Why was it so difficult to meet decent, exciting boys? Jack had seemed so great at first. He was handsome, charismatic, and best of all, he was a fellow cosplayer. But, being a cosplayer doesn’t make up for being a complete douche.
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