yourself and celebrate what makes you unique and special.â She glanced at Lexi in the wings and winked.
The judges applauded and Harleigh walked gracefully offstage. She found Lexi waiting for her. âYou rocked it!â she said.
âI was going to say I wanted to be an Olympic gold medalist,â Harleigh admitted. âThen I heard what you said, and it inspired me.â
âMe? I inspired you ?â Lexi asked. âBut youâre the one whoâs won so many pageants.â
âAnd youâre the one who has great friends who care about you and the coolest club Iâve ever heard of,â Harleigh replied.
âAnd now I have another great friend,â Lexi said, hugging her. âAnd you have an open invitation to come bake with us anytime.â
⢠⢠â¢
The judges deliberated for more than an hour. They handed out the awards for the youngest contestants firstâthe babies, toddlers, and five- to seven-year-olds. Lexi could barely stand still as Mr. Jim next went through the list of eight-, nine-, ten-, and eleven-year-old divisional titles.
Harleigh looked just as nervous. âI always think this is the hardest part of the whole pageant,â she said. âThe waiting.â
Finally, it was time to announce the preteen queens. Lexi, Meredith, and Harleigh all took the stage with seven other girls as Mr. Jim held up a list from the judges. There were so many categories: Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Best Smile, Best Hair, Best Eyes. Lexi watched as one by one, girls went up to receive a trophy and a tiara. She, Harleigh, and Meredith were still standing there, crownless.
âFor Best Costume, number fourteen, Meredith Mitchell,â Mr. Jim read.
Meredith raced forward and snatched the trophy out of his hand.
âIâm not surprised,â Harleigh whispered to Lexi. âHers was very flashyâliterally.â
âNext, we have the award for Preteen Ultimate Talent,â Mr. Jim read. Lexi squeezed Harleighâs hand. âYou got this one,â she whispered.
âThe winner is number fifteen, Lexi Poole!â Lexi was stunnedâthere had to be some mistake! She had won for singing ? It was crazy! She saw her parents, sister, friends, and Jeremy in the audience, jumping up and down and cheering.
Harleigh gave her a little push forward. âGo on!â she whispered. âIâm so proud of you!â
âCongratulations!â Fitzy said, pinning a huge, sparkling rhinestone crown on her head. As the cameras flashed, Lexi felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. Could this really be happening to her?
The rest of the crowning ceremony felt like a dream. Harleigh won Best Interview and Best Fitness, while Meredith took Best Gown.
âDo you think Lexi has a chance of winning the whole enchilada?â Jenna asked Delaney.
âCrazier things have happened,â Delaney replied.
Jeremy moved up to the front row and sat there with his fingers and toes crossed.
Mr. Jim opened the envelope from the judges and prepared to the read the name on itâthe Ultimate Grand Supreme for the entire pageant.
âLadies and gentleman, please welcome your new Miss New England Shooting Starz, Harleigh Park!â
Harleigh opened her mouth to scream, but Meredith beat her to it.
â Nooooo ! â she howled.
âYes!â Lexi cried. âHarleigh, you did it! You won! You won!â
She watched as her friend received her banner and huge crown from Fitzy and Laura. As Mr. Jim serenaded her, she walked the runway, waving to the crowd.
âItâs not fair,â Meredith complained. She tossed her tiara on the floor. âI should have won.â Lexi was enjoying seeing Meredith utterly miserable, until she noticed the tears in Meredithâs eyes.
âHey,â she said softly. âItâs no big deal.â
Meredith sniffled. âMy coach and my parents are going to be