Summary: Another day in the life of a teenager. Joan tries to juggle a "suggestion" from God, her friends, and attempts at accepting Iris in Adam's life.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything or anyone from Joan of Arcadia or any songs that appear in this fic. I wouldn't mind having Christopher Marquette, though. .
Ratings: PG – just in case of swearing
AN: Okay, sorry for the long delay in posting. I've been on vacation and have just now returned! This is the third to last chapter. Yes, unfortunately must admit, that my story is nearing it's end. Thanks for all the reviews… Keep them coming.
Alexandri: Yeah, when I first devised the chapter, I wasn't sure that I could picture Grace joining the pageant either. But then, I got to thinking, and it could be possible. At the time that she entered, Adam had just lost his mother and was off in his own little tormented world. Grace at the time was looking for her own friends to hang out with until Adam came around, and because she was looking for friends, she allowed them to convince her to join the pageant. Otherwise she probably wouldn't have joined. I'm glad that you liked it and could see the tie in! Thanks! .
Jessica: The Grace of the pageant is completely different from the Grace of the show. She changed to as we know her because of the humiliation of the pageant, so it was kind of my reasoning for her abrupt change. Thanks for your comment, by the way. I appreciate it! .
"Well dear, it's Pageant day. Are you ready?" Helen Girardi stood behind her daughter in the kitchen watching her newly transformed child dig through her purse for her car keys. She reached up to smooth her hand over Joan's shoulder, her eyes tearing up at how beautiful and grown up she was.
"Ugh! I don't think I'll ever be ready. Do you think my makeup looks okay? I thought they put too much eyeshadow on, and what's with the blush? Oh, and my hair… I'll be laughed off the stage even before I get a chance to perform-"
"Breathe, Joan. You look fine. Better than fine, you look fantastic. Just relax and everything will be okay. Now, gather your things. You don't want to be late."
"Thanks, mom." Joan turned and gave Helen an unsuspecting hug before grabbing her purse and keys in one hand, and her gown and shoes in the other. She was only glad that they didn't have to show off their stuff in a bathing suit. That's where she'd draw the line. With a mumbled goodbye, she ran from the house and got into the car, hurrying to get to the school at the time appointed. Her parents and siblings would be heading over in an hour, when the event was to begin.
"I can't believe you talked me into this… I'll have you know I detest, abhor, despise-"
"I know, I know. But Grace, yo… We gotta support Jane. We're her friends. Friends do that."
"If this is a requirement, then I'm considering rethinking this whole friend thing."
"Just get in the truck."
Grace arched a brow at his order, stopping her lips from curling up into a smile. She never thought Rove had it in him to be bossy, but here he was giving her, Grace Polk, orders. Respect filled her eyes, before dimming with annoyance as she climbed into the passenger seat of his truck. Joan and Rove would owe her big time for forcing her to attend this charade. Just thinking about it made her almost break out in cold sweats. She stared out the passenger window, watching the quaint neighborhood of Arcadia whiz by as they made their way over to the Girardi house. They had all decided on going together as one big Joan Girardi support group. All that was missing were banners, Grace thought acidly.
They pulled up next to the curb and got out of the truck, watching the activity of their friend's family coming and going from the house. Helen walked out to the drive way, calling back for Will to grab the camera, Luke to grab the camcorder, and Kevin to grab the tissues. Grace couldn't hold back the twitch of humor at the last one, knowing how sensitive and sentimental Mrs. Girardi was when it came to things like this. Helen was pacing a bit in the driveway, nibbling on her bottom lip as everyone filed out of the house with the requested items. They spotted Grace and Adam standing on the sidewalk and waved them over.
"Hey, guys. I'm glad you made it early. We just might make it on time, unless Mom has an emotional breakdown here in the driveway." Kevin grinned over at his already weepy mother, wheeling his chair over to his vehicle. He arched a brow at the young teens, silently asking them who wanted to hitch a ride in his vehicle or ride with the parental units. They all opted to ride with Kevin, which was no big surprise to the older Girardis, and once everyone was seated and belted in, they were off to the Pageant.
ELSEWHERE
Joan watched the commotion that was taking place behind the curtains and sides of the stage – parents and contestants doing last minute prep work, the pageant crew setting up the props and getting the lighting right, and the Pageant director walking around glaring at each person that had the misfortune to catch his eye. Before he could reach her, Joan slipped out to rush to the bathroom to check her makeup and hair once more, paranoid that it wasn't perfect enough for this. 'Ugh, Grace is right… It's already starting.'
She entered the girl's bathroom and walked over to the sink, silently having an argument with herself. As she was leaning towards the mirror, thinking she saw a streak of mascara on the corner of her eyelid, she heard a noise that made her turn green. Someone obviously had a weak stomache, because they were losing the contents of whatever they ate in one of the bathroom stalls. Joan grimaced at her image, deciding she was going to get out of there before she joined in, when the door opened to show Amber wiping her mouth and walking towards the sink. She stopped abruptly in her tracks, staring at Joan with a wide-eyed stare. She gave her a wobbly smile, hoping the other girl wouldn't comment.
"You nervous, too?"
Amber opened her mouth to leap on the excuse, but the compassion in Joan's gaze was her undoing. She couldn't handle the silence, of bottling all of her emotions and torments inside any longer. Before she knew what she was doing, and completely shocking Joan in the process, she spilled it all.
"Oh, Joan… what am I to do? My parents are counting on me to win this… Just like every year, and every year it gets worse. They don't understand that I don't want to be a part of this any longer, and every day their comments get worse. They don't realize…" She couldn't finish her statement, her whole composure crumbling under the onslaught of tears. She sobbed into Joan's shoulder as the girl embraced her awkwardly.
"Have you tried talking to them? Or to someone who could help you out?"
"I can't talk to them. They won't listen. They never do. I've got no one. I just know… I can't keep doing this. It hurts too much, but I can't stop."
Joan stared at her in confusion, wondering what she was referring to. Her confusion must have been written on her face, because when Amber pulled back and saw it, she gave her a wobbly smile of misery.
"I-I've been making myself throw up. Gosh! I can't believe I'm telling you this, but I have no one else to talk to, and I want… No, I need to tell someone. I don't want to do it anymore, but I can't be fat for the pageant. My mom would never forgive me, and my dad wouldn't either. I tried stopping, but her comments just make me hate myself, and I start all over again."
"Amber, you can't do this to yourself. The pageant isn't worth your health. I can't believe your parents would say or do something to make you turn to this. You have to tell them!"
Amber looked into Joan's furious gaze, and knew she was right. She knew all along, but she needed the support to take the first step into changing her life and those around her. She gave her another small smile, clasping the girl's hand within her own and giving it a squeeze. She felt a burden lift off her shoulders, and although she knew it would take time and a lot of struggle, she was ready to begin the healing process. Without a word, knowing Joan would understand all that she couldn't say, she turned and walked out of the bathroom and went in search of the Mr. Stefan.
Joan stood there watching Amber leave, feeling confused and angry as ever. How could parents do that to their own child. Tightening her jaw, she stormed out of the bathroom and towards the stage, an idea forming in her mind.
"Will this torture ever end?" Grace grumbled, slumping down in her seat so that she could barely see the stage over the bald head in front of her. It was nauseating to see the pampered and prissy girls strutting around on stage. She sat up straighter when she saw that it was Joan's turn. She came walking out in her navy blue, sequined evening gown. It was held up with two thin, spaghetti straps and had a thigh-high slit on one side, exposing her curvy leg. Adam's jaw dropped at the sight of the dress, wondering if this was his Jane. Although she had always been beautiful to him, she had transformed from his Jane to a magnificent creature. Already, his mind was whirling with thoughts of sculptures to capture his new Jane.
Joan walked out to the marker, paused a moment in a sultry pose then pivoted on her heel to walk over to the line of women who had gone before her. She noticed that Amber was missing from the lineup, and her gaze swiveled to scan the crowd for her or her parents. When she saw neither, she grew a bit worried. Finally, the last girl appeared and joined the rest of them, then they all filed off to the other side of the stage in preparation for the talent act. Joan stood off to the side, not even paying attention to what was going on before her, planning on what she was about to do.