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'My my my, first Miss Rhode Island and now a mystery man.’ Mary Jo leered as a weary Gracie made her way back into the room through the sliding doors. Her attempts at being stealthy were quickly foiled by the overly observant redhead she shared a room with. 'You are having a busy night, aren't you?’
Gracie sighed as she flopped tiredly onto her bed, ignoring the other woman's expectant stare. ‘It’s not….. a thing.’ She attempted to explain. ‘He’s an old friend, nothing more.’
‘Well obviously.’ Mary Jo eyed her knowingly. Watching as the brunette stretched out on the bed beside her own. ‘Miss Rhode Island is clearly more your type than tall, dark and handsome out there.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ Gracie asked. Leaning up against the headboard to get a better view of her roommate. Frowning in confusion as she tried to make sense of what the other woman was hinting at.
‘No need to be coy Gracie Lou. I mean it's statistics, isn't it?’ Mary Jo explained. Continuing as the brunettes confused frown was joined by an even more perplexed look. ‘There are 51 contestants. 10% of the population is gay. So that means that there are at least 5 lesbians in the pageant.’
‘And you think that I’m one of them?’ Gracie yawned, not at all bothered by the redheads assumption. It wasn’t the first time she had heard it and it probably wouldn't be the last.
‘Well the other four are already accounted for.’ Mary Jo admitted.
Gracie snorted as she released a chuckle. ‘Did you do a survey?’
Mary Jo huffed before crossing her arms tightly. ‘No, nothing like that. You missed orientation, when we all got to know each other a bit better. I mean no one outwardly admitted to anything but I’d like to think that I’m observant enough to be able to pick up on the little things.’ She finished with a self-satisfied flick of her hair. Gracie watched as the pretty red curls bounced in the low light.
‘Miss New York?’ Gracie guessed.
‘How did you know?’ Mary Jo gaped at the grinning brunette. ‘Oh please, she mentioned Tina seven separate times just during breakfast. No one talks about their roommate that much.’ Gracie elaborated.
‘Fair enough, but I bet you didn’t know that Florida and Alabama are an item.’ Mary Jo boasted. The scandalous information had only come her way after a very ill timed trip to the bathroom but Gracie didn’t need to know that. Honestly she had expected it of Miss Alabama but damn if Miss Florida wasn’t a surprise. Florida was a wild card as per usual.
‘That’s only three, four if you count me.’ Gracie interjected. ‘Oh, five if you add Cheryl I guess.’
‘Rhode Island isn't gay.’ Mary Jo shook her head. ‘She has a crush on you sure but I don’t think that girl swings any which way at all.’
Gracie squinted thoughtfully. Stretching her arms out above her as she curled comfortably onto her side. She glanced at the clock and saw a blurry 3 am taunting her. It seemed as if the world was conspiring to keep her from getting any sleep at all. ‘Is it you? Because it seems highly unlikely that any straight woman would be so invested in this. Are you scoping out potential dates?’
‘I’m not looking for a date!’ Mary Jo quietly shrieked. Only relenting from her mock indignation when she noticed Gracie’s unimpressed expression. ‘Okay fine, maybe I was looking for a date. But it's not my fault that the women I date don’t seem to understand the amount of hard work that goes into a pageant. I thought that maybe dating a fellow pageant contestant would solve all of those problems. You know, have someone to share things with. Someone who doesn't think that practicing my talent is a waste of time.’
‘It’s not batons is it?’ Gracie asked with a slight flinch.
‘No, its not batons.’ She teased. ‘So what exactly is your talent? You know you can't just stand around on stage looking gorgeous, you have to actually do something.’
‘The only thing I'm planning on doing right now is getting some sleep.’ Gracie grumbled softly. Pulling her duvet over her head, burrowing further into the soft sheets.
‘Fine.’ Mary Jo sighed. Making herself comfortable in her own bed as she lowered her face mask and prepared to put her headphones back on. ‘Night Jersey.’
‘Night Texas.’ Gracie sang. Pausing for a beat before adding. ‘You think I’m gorgeous.’
‘Really Gracie?’
‘You want to kiss me.’ Gracie added with a private smile that the redhead was unable to see but could clearly hear in her brunettes voice.
‘Shut up.’
‘The amount of time you spend checking out Texas’s ass probably says something about you.’ Karen proclaimed as she joined Gracie, leaning against a table overlooking the dance floor below.
‘The amount of time you spend watching me watch her probably says more about you.’ Gracie quipped back playfully. Taking two shots from a passing waiter with a grateful smile before handing one over to Karen. ‘Still missing Tina?’
‘Oh no, I'm not falling for your mind games Jersey. Don’t try and change the subject.’ Karen rebuked, fighting the urge to grimace as she downed her neon shot. ‘So tell me, what's happening with you and Texas?’
‘Nothing's happening.’ Gracie denied. Before she could elaborate any further they were bombarded by the rest of their posse. The loud whooping that followed them drowned out whatever Karen was trying to say but it did nothing to disguise her knowing looks.
As everyone settled back into their seats, bickering over the leftover pizza, Mary Jo perched herself upon Gracie’s lap. Wrapping her arms around the brunettes shoulders to stabilize herself, she pulled herself even further into the shorter woman's lap. The Texan gave Gracie a sweet smile before refocusing her attention back on her conversation with Leslie.
‘Nothing's happening.’ Karen mimicked with a loud chuckle. Ignoring Gracie’s glare, she focused instead on Gracie's arm. The arm that was firmly wrapped around the redheads waist to be precise.
‘What's happening?’ Alana asked.
‘Nothing!’ The two women simultaneously answered, looking guilty as all eyes turned to them. Karen just shrugged before declaring. ‘Shots!’ As another waitress came their way. A distraction that worked a little to well as Cheryl stumbled in excitement before hitting the floor with a loud thud.
‘Timber!’
‘Aloha!’
'Ha!'
‘She likes donuts.’ Cheryl announced as she stood next to Mary Jo. Watching as she fixed her bathing suit in the mirror.
Mary Jo glanced at her through the mirror. ‘Okay?’
‘Gracie I mean. She likes donuts.’ Cheryl hinted with an exaggerated wink and a sincere smile.
‘I have no idea what's happening right now.’ Mary Jo mumbled to herself. She gave an imploring look to Miss Ohio who stood to the left of her but all that yielded was a baffled shrug.
‘If you want to seduce Gracie you need to go through her stomach. And she loves donuts, so you should give her donuts. Duh.’ Cheryl babbled on. Mary Jo just continued to stare at the shorter woman in disbelief. There was no way she had been that obvious about her crush but clearly she must have been if even Cheryl had picked up on it. Even Miss Ohio didn’t seem all that surprised by the revelation.
‘Thanks but I've never needed any help in that department.’ Mary Jo huffed.
Just then Cheryl was flagged down by the stage manager. ‘Oh, I’ve got to go. Wish me luck!’ She said as she bounced happily into position.
Mary Jo looked at herself once more, rolling her eyes at her reflection as she called out after the perky strawberry blonde. ‘What kind of donuts?’ Ignoring the scoff she received from Miss Ohio.
Leslie and Alana stood huddled together outside of the concert hall, watching the chaos unfold. Police littered the parking lot, while photographers fought to get a shot from outside the police tape. However their attention was focused on the two woman passionately kissing in the middle of it all, seemingly oblivious to the gawking stares and flashing cameras.
‘You owe me $50.’ Leslie gloated smugly.
Alana shook her head in disbelief. ‘Texas and Jersey? I’m seeing it and I still don’t believe it.’ She gawped at the two still entangled in a passionate embrace.
‘I cant believe you bet on Alaska and Florida. Everybody knows that Florida and Alabama have a thing.’ Leslie giggled at the oblivious Hawaiian. Taking money from Alana was just too easy, no matter how worldly she pretended to be, the girl was totally oblivious.
‘Everybody does not know that!’ Alana argued.
‘Everybody doesn't know what?’ Karen asked as she and Cheryl joined them. Having just completed their own series of police questioning.
‘About Alabama and Florida.’ Alana clarified.
‘Everybody knows about Alabama and Florida.’ Karen answered with a nod.
‘Everybody?’ Alana asked, turning to Cheryl with a curious expression.
‘Everybody.’ Cheryl agreed.
‘Seriously! No one ever tells me anything.’
‘I just came into some money, any one up for some pizza and beer. I think we’ve earned it.’ Leslie suggested. ‘If we’re lucky we might even be able to pry Jersey and Texas apart long enough to ask them to join us.’
They all collectively looked over to where the two women stood wrapped up in each other. They had taken a break from the kissing and instead were just gazing lovingly at one another. ‘Aww.’ Cheryl cooed.
‘Lets go break that up before they both lose whatever dignity they have left.’ Alana recommended.
‘After you.’ Karen gestured for the Hawaiian to lead. ‘Don Ho.’