Disclaimer: I do not own Kaleido Star.

Note: Sora's POV

A/N: Sorry, I've been really busy lately, and I had to write this chapter in sections. But I really want to thank everyone for being so supportive. My confidence has been boosted. I'll try to get the next chapter out sooner, but school's about to start for me, and I have no idea what my obstacles will be.

2

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Looking at myself, I saw pink, shoulder length hair. Just maybe...

I took another glimpse at the mirror, trying to envision myself with short hair. Holding the scissors up to my head, I took a little snippet off. I knew I had to do this; it's the only way. Mechanically, my hand started to move throughout my hair, snipping off chunks. Fifteen minutes later, I looked in the mirror again.

"Hello, my name is Sam." I said in the lowest voice I could get myself to muster up.

I stepped out of the bathroom and looked around my room for something to where. I found a baggy shirt and some sweatpants. Picking them up, I through them on quickly only to return to the bathroom once more. They fit fine with my character and all, but something was a little odd. Looking down, I found that my breasts had grown out since I was ten.

I sweatdropped and sighed as I looked around for something to cover myself up. When I found nothing, I figured it was time to get some shopping done.

Lazily, I reached for the door and walked into the hotel hallway. The baggy shirt and sweatpants still covered me up as I walked out onto the main street of Cape Mary. I looked around for a bit, searching the stores and the clothing within them. Finally, I found a store that met my necessities.

I crossed the street rapidly when the light turned red and made my way down to the corner of the block. Opening the door, I felt an abrupt amount of air sweep across my face. A lady greeted me inside. She had curly brunette locks, and the biggest smile on her face.

"Good afternoon missie!" She glowed.

I smiled back. "Good afternoon! I'm just looking for something that could hide, um..." I looked downwards, too embarrassed with the situation that has become of this.

"Oh! Here are some." She pointed at a rack of tops that had a thick padding in the front while the back was just like a bra. The lady dared not to ask me what it was for, and I'm glad that she decided not too. How am I supposed to explain my situation?

I reached out and grabbed a couple as she led me toward the changing rooms near the back. They were a light pink with only a floral curtain concealing my nudity from the rest of the store. I quickly threw one on, and found that it fit perfectly. When I put my shirt back on, my breasts were completely hidden, and I almost confused myself as "Sam."

I almost giggled at the thought; I looked surprisingly good!

As I walked out of the changing area, I was met by the sales clerk. "Did you find one?"

I simply nodded and handed her the one that I had chosen. It was skin tone, so nobody could tell that I was wearing one unless I take off my shirt. She rang it up swiftly and put it in a bag.

"It's 39.99." She said.

Reaching into my pocket, I took out my wallet. I found my last two twenty dollar bills and handed it to her. In return, she gave me a penny. I sweatdropped. What can I do with this?

I held the penny above the light and sighed. Before walking out, I thanked her for her assistance. When I got on the street, I found myself stooping down in disappointment. How am I supposed to live without any money? I thought that the world was turning the complete opposite of my usual self...it was turning gloomy.

I was about to walk into the hotel that I was staying at, when I heard a loud voice yelling, "The winner of the contest wins 5000 dollars!"

I pondered for...well, a second, then burst into a full out sprint to the source of the voice. It was a little girl giving out fliers. She looked about ten years old, yet she had the strongest voice I've ever heard. I took one of the fliers and started to read it.

"So there's going to be an eating contest?" I said to myself as I slowly walked back to my place.

Looking at my stomach, I found that it was round, but only because of the cover. When I look beneath it, I see a flat stomach that can't hold much food. Maybe my luck has run out!

My last hope was to turn that around. I decided to head to the supermarket before going back to the hotel. There, I bought multiple packs of cookies and a 5 gallon tub of chocolate ice cream. As I headed to the cashier, I noticed a familiar bright orange head. It was Mia from the auditions. That bright orange hair was easily recognizable. She seemed pretty normal about the outcome of the auditions; she wasn't morbid at all. Instead, she moved on with her life as if nothing had ever happened. Now that I think about it, most of the people there had gotten rejected, yet I never saw one tear fall from a face. It's times like these when I feel as if I should give up everything, but that's just not my character.

Right now, I have two choices. I could either go home to my parents and tell them that I failed, or I could audition again, but this time as a guy, and possibly make my dreams come true. Most would choose to go home and try again next time, but for me, this is my only chance. I can't just give up. After all, I already cut my hair; there's no turning back now.

I looked down at the food in my basket, and proudly strutted to the cashier. People stared at me in confusion, probably trying to decipher what sex I was, but I didn't mind them. I placed my cookies and ice cream on the counter and got out my wallet, only to find one penny inside. Sweatdropping, I turned to my last hope, the credit card my mom and dad gave me before the trip. Quickly giving it a kiss for luck, I handed it to the clerk. As she slid it, I found myself crossing my fingers. It worked! With that done, I made my way back to the hotel.

When I reached my room, I threw the bags on the bed and started to unravel the contents within them. I quickly placed the ice cream in the refrigerator the hotel had been accommodated with. Then, I opened up one of the packages of cookies and started to eat..and eat..and eat. Within a few seconds, I became full, only a habit I had trained myself to do when I decided to audition for Kaleido Stage. But now, I have to go back to my normal ways.

Taking a deep breath, I puffed up my stomach as wide as it could go, and ate some more.

I had trained for two days and I finally thought I was ready. With the eating contest today, my last hope was to skip breakfast this morning. Therefore, I was starving when the contest began. To my surprise, most of the contestants were small kids not much older than ten at the most. They may be kids, but their expressions were vicious! Most of them stared at me; some even made sounds like 'grr.'

They were like dogs! However, I wasn't the only one my age. There was one guy that looked a little bit older than me; maybe in his early twenties? He was bulky, thick boned, and most likely my greatest competition. As I looked down at the food that had been placed in front of me, I found that the bowl was filled with cookies and ice cream!

I took a sigh of relief, seeing that they had been my expertise. I knew exactly how to chug down a 5 gallon tub of ice cream in less than thirty minutes, and the cookies were simple. The contest was coming to a close, and it was between me and the older guy. He had the advantage however. After all, my stomach is flat compared to his, and his eating habits seemed to be the same each day. He must have eaten 10 gallons of ice cream each day!

I found myself starting to cave in as his motions moved faster and the food was quickly intracted into his mouth. Though I didn't pay much attention to him, I knew that it would be neck and neck. I looked down at my tub and found that I only had a bit left; I finished the cookies first seeing that it would be helpful to me.

I was about to take my last bite when the guy raised his hand, and pointed the empty tub in my face. The referee came over and examined his tub, and gave it a nod, meaning that he won, and my chance was officially over. I decided to stay for the prizes anyways even though I didn't win the money that I desperately needed. The young guy was called up to the stage as they handed him a large trophy and a small brown briefcase. Before I left, he caught up with me and told me I did a good job.

At that point, I really didn't feel in the mood to talk to anyone, when he asked me why I joined the competition. Seeing that it didn't really matter anyways, I told the complete stranger about the auditions and cutting my hair, and how I turned up broke. In return, he gave me an odd facial expression, and put his hand out toward me.

I looked down seeing dollar bills, and quickly looked back up at him mentally asking him if it was okay. He nodded and dropped the sum of money into my hands. It was only a hundred dollars, but I figured that I could make do and also try to find a job.

My english hadn't been very good, and most people might not understand a few words I say, but I figure that I have a pretty good chance. Jobs around here are easy to find.

As I walked back, I noticed a few job offerings posted on billboards. I took them to consideration for now. When I reached my room, I plopped on the bed and rubbed my stomach. I had given it my best shot, but I guess guys really do eat faster.

All of my worries weren't over however. I still had the auditions, which I noticed that they would be held in a couple of days. After all of this, I forgot the most important thing! I guess I was too consumed with my eating habits, that I hadn't realized that they were so close.

My mind drifted off, thinking about what would happen my second time around. Would I fail once more? My confidence had gone down once more, and I felt my eyes beginning to close. Eating really wared me down.

As I was asleep, I dreamed about the auditions. This time I had done very well, giving it all that I had. People were impressed, including Kalos. Everyone clapped as I absorbed energy from them. A bright smile lit my face as I said 'Thank you' in my lowest voice. When they were done clapping, Kalos announced that it was an obvious decision and that I had gotten in!

When I woke up the next morning, I realized that it was only a dream however and that real life didn't just happen like that. My hair was jacked up from my constant moving in my sleep.

Today, I'm going to practice with everything I've got. I thought to myself, determined to make that dream a reality.

I stood up and stretched my legs before heading to the gym, with a bright smile on my face. I may not have any money, or a guy to hold onto at times like this, but I sure do have on thing. Persistence.

To Be Continued...

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A/N: So that was the second chapter. I don't know, I feel as if I rushed a few parts, and the sentences didn't flow as much, but hey, I guess that's up to you now isn't it? Well, just review for me and tell me what you think.