I'm so sorry for keeping all my loyal readers waiting. But I was kicked off of FanFictionDotNet for writing a song fic. (Note to self—don't write a Yu-gi-oh version of "Trapped in the Closet") So for a week I couldn't update. Well now that I'm back I can thank you all for the reviews. I feel so happy to have so many. Thank you so much readers! I mean that. This Chapter is a little short, but I will update in a week. I promise. I think you will like this Chapter anyway. Enjoy!
The First Elimination
"Thank you Anzu," Mai said nodding her head with a smile. "Now then, where were we?" She ran her index finger down her list until she found her place. "Ky-lee," she looked up. "Please step forward."
Ky-lee made her way through the crowd and stood before all the judges. "Hello."
"Please tell us of your experience and why you entered the contest," Charlene requested.
"Yes. Well…" she glanced at the floor nervously. "I entered the contest because I really enjoyed the show last year, and my friends told me I should enter, so I did." She giggled a little, "I'm sorry… it's just, I'm so happy to meet you…" She took a quick breath. "Ok. About the photo shoot, I enjoyed it! And I also liked the make-over I got!" she smiled.
"We're happy to meet you too Ky-lee," Charlene said returning her smile. "Let's check out your best shot." The picture that came onscreen was of Ky-lee standing in between the pillars in her Asian style dress. She held her dress up slightly as she gazed down at the ground. Her bare leg could be seen peeping through the dress, and a slight smile could be seen on her lips. "Well I have to say that I like your choice in clothes. I love your dress, but I'm a little disappointed in your pose."
"How can you say that? It's a great picture," Duke snapped.
"Duke, I'm going to have to agree with Charlene," Mai said calmly as she stared at the picture. "I think she should be looking at the camera, and if she chose not to, she should only do a side profile pose."
"Mai, this shot is wonderful. She looks like she's about to step into water," Pegasus said, backing up Duke.
"But her forehead is in the way, do you not understand?" Charlene countered. "Look, she's beautiful, but this is a bad picture. I wouldn't advise her to put it in her portfolio."
"Come on girls…" Duke rolled his eyes. "What do you think Ki'."
"I've already warned you about that Devlin." Kaiba gave him the evil eye again. "Honestly, I think we've found our first elimination."
The room went silent for a moment. Each one of the contestants didn't dare to move or speak. Ky-lee was the one who was hurt the most. Everyone's picture before her was good, wonderful, or beautiful, but hers was elimination material.
"Let's see the next one," Mai requested. The picture that came on screen was of Ky-lee dressed in the Amazon Archer costume, which consisted of a brown, fur bathing suit-style top, along with a brown, fur skirt that had slits on both sides. In the picture, Ky-lee's face displayed anger as she stared at the camera like she was hunting it. She held her bow in one hand and reached behind her back for the quiver that held the arrows. "Well I'm happy to see your beautiful face in this picture, however, this is a mistake new models make all the time. You see, with your arm up like that, it makes the picture look disproportioned. Most all models don't have their arm that close to their face," she explained.
"I have to agree with Charlene," Pegasus said surprisingly.
"What was that?" She held her ear and leaned towards him. "I'm sorry I didn't hear you?"
"I agree with you Charlene," he repeated. "Beginner models do make that mistake."
Mai nodded, "Yeah, hun."
"Yeah Ky-lee, I can't protect you with this one. I do like your facial expression and everything; it's just the position your arm is in," Duke said as he stared at the picture on the flat-screen monitor.
"I don't think so Ky-lee," Kaiba said as he stared at her. "You have the body shape, but not the poses, and it doesn't even seem like you have the confidence to be the next Top Model."
Ky-lee then stepped back into the crowd of contestants. She made sure to stand in the back so the judges wouldn't see the tears coming from her eyes.
"Next we have Faye. Would you please step forward?" Mai requested.
Faye emerged from the crowd and stood before the judges. She smiled and started to explain why she entered the contest. "Well I'm a fan of the show so I decided to try out. I didn't think I would make it this far, but here I am!" she said excitedly. "I had a lot of fun doing the photo shoot, and I want to thank you Mai and Charlene for helping me."
"Your welcome," Mai nodded. "Let's check out your best shot." In the picture Faye sat on the ground with her back leaning against one of the pillars. Her face was turned towards the camera, however her body was in side profile view. Her arms rested on her raised knees, and the wind made her short hair blow slightly. "I like it. I love that you have done what no one has done so far. You chose to sit on the ground."
"I agree. I think this is a great pose Faye," Pegasus said with his trademark smile.
Charlene nodded, "huh-hun. I agree with Pegasus."
"Yeah, it's great," Duke agreed. "What do you think Ki'?"
Kaiba rolled his eyes, he had given up on correcting Duke about the way he said his name. "She's really thin, and I think this is a good shot of her."
"Alright, let's see the next one," Charlene requested. The picture that came onscreen was of Faye down on one knee. Her bow was plunged into the ground while she held onto it with one hand. An arrow was tightly gripped in her other hand as she stared into the camera. The sunrise made the picture look perfect. "I love it. It makes you look like an archer goddess."
"I love it too," Mai agreed.
"I think you have a great body type, it's perfect," Pegasus said.
"You definably captured the Amazon's true nature in this picture," Duke said happily.
Kaiba glanced at Duke surprised at the fact he didn't call him Ki'. He brushed it off and stared at the picture on the screen. "You look like a model, but I think you are a little too thin."
"Thank you Faye. Next we'll have… Lupe," Mai said as she stared down at her list.
Lupe stepped from the crowd of contestants and stood before the judges. She chewed gum as she waited for the judges to give her instructions.
"Hello Lupe. Please tell us of your experience, and why you entered this contest," Charlene asked.
Lupe continued to chew her gum. "Well, I entered because I want to be famous. The photo shoot was all right… I guess. The costume was uncomfortable."
"Ok, thank you Lupe. Let's look at your best shot." The picture that came on the flat screen was of Lupe with an open mouth smile. She leaned forward slightly. Her hands were placed on her hips, and the wind blew her hair behind her. "You are very pretty Lupe, and you have an excellent smile, but you show too much teeth. It's too common," Charlene said as she stared at the photo.
"I have to agree partly with Charlene. I think you have a great body and beautiful smile; however, it is too common. To be the Next Top Model, you have to be different," Mai said firmly.
"And your etiquette is not impressive," Pegasus said like he was offended by what she was doing.
"What's wrong with my etiquette?" she asked.
"The gum, Miss. Lupe. That's very irritating," He answered.
She stopped smacking her gum. "Oh… sorry."
"Before Ki' chews her out, how 'bout we look at the next shot." Duke glanced around quickly, "excuse the pun." The next picture that came on the screen was of Lupe dressed in the Amazon outfit. She had the same open mouth smile on her face. Her hand softly touched her face and she held an arrow in her other hand. "I'm sorry, but I don't like it. Too much teeth."
"It's the exact same pose as her other picture." Kaiba shook his head, "I don't think she is…" He turned to the rest of the judges, "How did she make it pass the audition?"
Mai shot him a look, "Kaiba!" She turned back to Lupe who was on the verge of tears. "Thank you Lupe," she said with a smile. She checked off another girl on her list and continued down the list. "Noel. Please step forward."
Noel stepped through the crowd and held her head up high. "Hello everyone. Let's see… part of me wants to be famous, the other part of me wanted to do this for fun. I didn't mind the photo shoot because I know fame has a price."
"Ok, thanks for that Noel. Let's look at your best shot." The picture that came on-screen was a close-up of Noel as she stood in front of one of the pillars. Her fingers were interlaced as her head rested on top of them. She didn't smile but she looked seductive in the picture. "I love it, one of my favorites," Mai smiled.
"Yes, lovely. You look like you're trying to seduce the camera guy," Charlene agreed.
"Yes, I agree with Charlene, lovely," Pegasus stated.
"You can seduce me anytime Noel," Duke teased. "Yeah, I love it."
"It's great. I see a lot of expression in your face," Kaiba added.
"Let's see the next one," Charlene requested. The next picture that came on the screen was of Noel with her arm high in the air. She held her bow in the air in triumph, as if she just defeated a long time enemy. Her eyes were open and full of fire and her facial expression was full of power and anger. The orangeish-red glow of the sunrise in the background only fueled the anger in the picture. "Oh! I love this one, the passion in your eyes are just… indescribable. It's perfect."
"I see the fire in your eyes… the feeling of power," Mai smiled. "I feel like you really captured the image of an Amazon."
"Agreed," Pegasus nodded.
"You definitely photo well," Duke smiled. "What do you think Ki'?"
Kaiba leered at Duke; he hated that nickname 'Ki' and the way he acted. He acted like they were supposed to be old friends or something; it was irritating. "You are very photogenic," he said to Noel.
"Very good, we're moving along. Thank you Noel," Mai smiled. "Let's have Rei. Step forward please."
Rei stepped through the crowd quickly, obviously excited for it to finally be her turn. "Hello," she said in a cheery high-pitched tone. "I'm so happy to be here and meet all of you. I watch the show all the time, so I'm a really big fan. I had a fun time posing for the camera. I…um…had a little trouble with the first couple shots, but then I became comfortable."
"We are happy to meet you also Rei." Pegasus smiled, "I had a really nice time getting to know you, you are a very interesting girl Rei." He stared over at the screen. "Let's see your best shot." Rei stood in between the pillars holding a single rose in her hands with a look of sorrow on her face. "Tell me why you look as if you are about to cry."
Rei stared at the photo for a minute before she answered. "When I was younger my grandmother gave me a rose before she died…" She continued to stare at the photo. "I was trying not to cry when the photographer asked me to hold the rose." She glanced at the judges. "I didn't think this would be the picture they would keep."
"I see," Pegasus said softly. "I do like this picture of you. And I would like you to thank you for sharing something personal with us."
"I like it too. It shows true emotion," Charlene said as she stared at the picture.
"I love that you let your true emotions show," Mai said with a smile.
"I didn't think someone as strong as you could show such emotion," stated Duke. "The way you talked about your life last night, you seemed like a strong girl who couldn't ever cry."
"I agree with Devlin," Kaiba said surprisingly. "You don't seem like the type that would cry."
"Let's take a look at the Amazon one," Mai requested. The picture that came on screen was of Rei in side profile view. She was down on one knee and held the bow in her hand perfectly. Her arm was perfectly strait, just like the arrow she held in the opposite hand. "I do enjoy this picture very much. I love your body shape, and your long hair. It's wonderful."
"I agree with Mai," Pegasus nodded. "Your pose is perfect, your body, everything, wonderful."
"Yes, I love it," Charlene smiled. "Very photogenic."
"Yes very s—"
"Let's have our last model Kagome. Please come forward," Mai requested cutting Duke off. "Thank you Rei," she added.
Kagome emerged from the crowd slowly. She smiled at the panel of judges before her. "Hello everyone," she said with full confidence in her voice. "I'm so happy to be here. I entered this contest with my sister Kikyo because of our family's financial situation, but also because I want to become a model. Oh! And I enjoyed the photo shoot, of course."
"Thank you Kagome," Mai smiled. "Now then here's your best shot." The picture that came on the screen was of Kagome standing in front of one of the pillars with a slight smile across the face. She had a small strand of her long hair wrapped around her index finger. "I like it. It's very different from every other picture."
"No, I think she shouldn't have used her hair in this picture. I think it takes away from the model," Charlene shook her head.
"I think the hair isn't the problem, I think it's the fact that she smiled. I think that's what throwing you off," Pegasus responded.
"I like it," Duke spoke up. "Only, I'd say she should have an open mouth smile so the picture looks more fun."
"I think you have a nice body Kagome," Kaiba said studying the picture. "Although, this picture is terrible."
"Let's see the next one," Mai requested. The picture that came on screen was of Kagome with an enraged look on her face. Her back faced the camera, but her body was turned in a way that you could see part of her front profile. "Hmmm… I like this one a lot better."
"Yes, I think this one is the best out of the two," Charlene said with a flip of her hair.
"I agree." Pegasus folded his hands politely on the desk. "Now then ladies, if you would please excuse us while we deliberate."
The group of contestants left the ballroom. Everyone unconsciously followed Mia out to the courtyard. Some of the girls worried about the elimination, while others didn't worry at all, so they weren't really paying attention to where they were going; they just followed the crowd.
Anzu didn't care too much; all she cared about was Kaiba. Why did he look at her picture and say it was beautiful? She wasn't sure, but she figured she would find out soon enough...
The judges sat at the table with pictures of all twelve girls spread out before them. Each of them knew the first elimination was just as hard as the last. Mai held up the first photo. "Lara?"
"Definitely in," Pegasus nodded.
"Yes definitely," Charlene agreed.
"Hmmm… yes, she'll get my vote tonight." Duke turned to Kaiba. "What about you Ki'?"
"Yeah, she's still in," he responded. Kaiba stared down at the picture that held his full attention. It was Anzu. Why his eyes were glued to her picture specially? He wasn't sure, but he couldn't help it. He shook his head, trying to get him out of the little trance he was in. Why did he have to say she was beautiful? Where did that thought even come from? Was it last night at the party? 'She was wearing that dress, and it was beautiful on her…' Kaiba thought to himself. 'Shit what am I saying? I hate that girl, she's too perky, and stubborn, and always talking about friendships, and thinking she could talk down to me.' Kaiba glanced at Mia's picture that laid on the edge of the table. He had danced with her last night, only because Anzu…
Flashback
"Anzu would you like to—" Kaiba watched her step back as if she was afraid of what he might do to her.
"Seto Kaiba! So this is where you have been hiding yourself. Oh please dance with me," Mia pleaded.
He gave her a slight glare. "I was just…" 'Why does she keep—' Kaiba's thoughts were cut off by Anzu's voice.
"Go ahead, I'll see you later."
What she said confused him, regardless, Kaiba reluctantly walked away with Mia hanging on his arm. He glanced back at Anzu; she was just standing there watching him walk away. Why did she let him go so quickly? 'I guess she's not the type to argue, only when it comes to me,' he thought to himself with a slight smile on his face.
"I'm enjoying this too Seto." Mia said, mistaking his smile for her. "Oh, looks like Anna's leaving. I wonder why?"
Kaiba glanced at the door. All he saw was train of Anzu's white dress as she left the ballroom. He stared back at the girl he was dancing with. She had become even closer than she had before, by stroking his chest softly. "Mia? Do you think we could put business before pleasure?"
Mia snatched her hand back quickly, as if she didn't realize what she was doing. "I'm sorry Seto. Of course we can." She placed her hand back on his shoulder. "She probably went to go call her boyfriend," she suddenly blurted out.
Kaiba snapped his head back around. "What?"
"Anna, she probably went to call her boyfriend," she repeated. "I'm one of her roommates and today all she kept talking about was her boyfriend. I kinda feel sorry for her." She sighed, "She kept saying how she missed him so much… What was his name? It started with a J…or um…?"
"J?" Kaiba whispered. He thought back to the last day of school, he had seen her with… "The mutt." He let go of Mia. "Jonouchi?" he asked.
"That's it! Katsuya Jonouchi! She told Ami and I that her boyfriend didn't want her to leave, and that they have been secretly going out so her parents wouldn't find out," Mia smiled. "I guess she's taken."
"I see," Kaiba responded. He didn't think Anzu would ever stoop so low as go out with a mutt, but what did he care? She belongs with one of her loser friends.
"She told us that she's so deeply in love with him and that after the competition that she would marry him." Mia laughed a little, "she even told us that she has had sex with him. I guess they really must be in love?" She covered her mouth. "Oh! I'm sorry Seto. I just broke the girls-code-of-silence. You can't let her know that I told you. It's just that you're so easy to talk to Seto and—"
Kaiba cut her off there, "I won't. Excuse me, I need a drink," he said as he walked away.
"Ki'? Ki'? SETO KAIBA!"
Kaiba returned his thoughts to where they were supposed to be; focusing on the competition. Duke calling him Ki' was really irritating. "What?" he snapped.
The panel of judges leaned in the opposite direction. "What's your problem?" Duke asked first.
"We need to know who you feel should get eliminated," Mai said quickly, not feeding into Kaiba's bad mood.
Kaiba shook his head. He made a mental note not to ever daydream about some girl he had no interest in at all.
"Anzu?" Duke laughed. "Oh that's why you weren't paying attention, you were thinking about Anzu."
"Shut it Devlin!" Kaiba grumbled.
"It's true!" He crossed his arms. "Well if you want to ask her out—"
"Boys?" Charlene asked taking charge. "Could we discuss our teenage hormones later? We need to keep focused on with the competition. Now then, we are trying to decide whether if we should keep it Next Top Model or Models, like last year's contest."
Duke shifted in his seat. "Do we have to decide now?"
"Yes, it would only be fair," Mai responded. "I say yes. I think it would be easier to pick two, rather than one."
"I thought we agreed that we would change the rules from last year?" Kaiba inquired.
"Yes, that is true Kaiba, but to pick from these twelve girls?" Charlene asked. "I say we have two winners."
"I think we should just pick one, the competition will be more fierce," Duke stated.
"I agree with Devlin. In the end, there should only be one person on top," Kaiba said.
The panel of judges turned to Pegasus. "Well, I choose to have two winners. I'll even put up the extra five hundred grand for the winner." Pegasus sat back and waited for a response.
"So who do you think is going to get eliminated first?" Noel asked as she gazed up at the moonless sky.
"Let's not worry about that," Genie said as she stepped to the center of their circle.
"But one of us is going to be leaving Genie," Ky-lee whined. "I would hate it if it were me."
Anzu rested her head on Rei's shoulder. She was exhausted from the photo shoot and the lack of sleep she received the night before. She wondered about her feelings for Kaiba. Where they real? Was it the way he said beautiful or was it a combination of both? She wasn't sure and she didn't like being confused by her own feelings. "Rei?"
"Hmmm?"
"Could you do a fire reading for me?"
"Sure. What are you uncertain about?" Rei glanced at her. "I'm not going to do a reading about who's winning the contest."
Anzu shook her head. "I don't care about that." She sat up and stared at her friend. "I want to know about… about… just a general reading…"
"Then that means it's about love," Rei laughed a little. "You can't hide anything from me Anzu. So who's the guy?"
"I didn't say anything about it being a question about love."
"You don't have to." Rei placed her arm around her. "I can sense these things." She narrowed her eyes. "So who's the guy? You can tell me."
Anzu hesitated. She wasn't sure if she should confess the truth about Kaiba or just keep up her lie. She sighed; it was only a matter of time before she found out anyway. "Well… don't laugh. But it's—"
"Hello Anna!" Mia said cheerfully hanging on her shoulder. "How are you holding up?" she asked referring to Rei.
"Just fine Mia."
"So Anna, tell me. Who do you think is going to get cut first?" Before Anzu could answer, Mia continued, "Honestly, I think Ami will be the first one eliminated. Only because she's shorter than everyone else, and everyone knows models have to at least be five-nine to six feet."
"But the judges liked her photos, both of them," Rei answered in Ami's defense.
"Hmm… well if you think so." Mia glanced at the entrance to the hotel. "I guess it's time for us to find out." Mia flaunted away with the crowd of contestants. "Come on Anna!" she called.
Anzu shook her head. "Why is she acting like she's my friend?"
"Not sure," Rei replied. "Come on." She stood up and Anzu followed her back into the hotel.
When the contestants walked into the ballroom they saw Mai and Charlene standing in front of the table with portfolio folders in their arms. "Welcome back ladies," Mai greeted them.
"We have some exciting news for all of you. We have changed the rules slightly." Charlene cleared her throat. "We have decided to have two Top Models instead of just one. We just decided that it will be easier to narrow it down to two girls instead of one."
"The competition is still fierce, except now all of you are fighting for two spots instead of one," Mai stated. "Now then, it's time for the moment of truth. I have twelve beautiful girls in front of me, however Charlene and I only hold eleven photos."
"The two winners will each receive a two year, five hundred thousand dollar contract with Industrial Illusions, Kaiba Corporation, and with Duke Devlin's company: The Black Crown." Charlene paused. "Lara." She walked up and received her photo from Charlene. "Congratulations, you are still in running to become the Next Top Model."
"Kikyo." Mai smiled. "Congratulations, you are still in the running to become the Next Top Model. Kikyo stepped up and took her photo.
"Genie." Charlene smiled. "Congratulations." Genie received her photo and smiled.
"Ami." Mai smiled and handed her the photo. "Congratulations, you are still in the running to become the Next Top Model."
"Anzu." Charlene smiled. "Congratulations."
Anzu took her picture and glanced at Kaiba, he didn't look at her. 'Why isn't he looking at me?' she thought to herself.
"Rei." Mai smiled as she handed her the portfolio. "Congratulations, you are still in the running to become the Next Top Model."
"Mia." Charlene said with a smile. "Congratulations." Mia took her portfolio proudly.
"Faye." Mai said with a smile. "Congratulations, you are still in the running to be in the Next Top Model."
"Noel." Charlene smiled. "Congratulations."
"Kagome." Mai smiled. "Congratulations, you are still in the running to become the Next Top Model.
"Will Ky-lee and Lupe step forward please," Charlene inquired. "I have only one picture in my hand." She addressed Ky-lee first. "Ky-lee. Although you have the body to be the Next Top Model, your first photo shoot wasn't good. And in this business, you are either in, or you are out." She turned to Lupe. "You definitely have the body, but not the height to become the Next Top Model. Your smile is too common and a model must have good etiquette and we didn't see that today." She paused. "Ky-lee… Congratulations, you are still in the running to become the Next Top Model."
"Lupe. You must pack your things, and return to your home town," Mai said softly.
Lupe nodded. "Thank you for this opportunity." She wiped the tears forming in the corners of her eyes and left the ballroom. Genie went after her, and the rest of the contestants could hear Lupe crying in the hall.
"Alright ladies. The realization of this competition is here. Congratulations to all of you who have made it past the first elimination," Mai said sincerely. "Now then everyone get some well deserved sleep. We will see you in the morning."
--:0:--
While Anzu waited for princess Mia to finish in the bathroom, she rested on her bed staring up at the ceiling. When she thought of Kaiba her heart fluttered like she was in love or something. How could she possibly love Kaiba? She doesn't even know him very well. Yet, maybe, just maybe, deep in her heart, she had always had a thing for him, but why? "He's a stubborn, never smiling, know-it-all CEO that thinks he can talk down to me. Just because I have good friends and he doesn't. What do I care?"
"Who's a stubborn, never smiling, know-it-all CEO…" Ami covered her mouth. "I'm sorry for ease dropping."
Anzu rolled over. "You weren't. I was talking out loud."
Ami sat down on the edge of the bed. "Were you talking about Kaiba? He's the only CEO I can think of."
"Yeah. We go to school together."
"I know that. Do you dislike him or something?" Ami asked softly.
"I don't know anymore…" Anzu groaned. "I wish I knew. He's making me feel…"
"Oh! You have a crush on him!"
"I don't know…" Anzu buried her face in the pillow. She did like Kaiba, but why? How did he have that kind of affect on her? "He didn't even look at me tonight…"
"Hello girls!" Mia said cheerfully as she exited the bathroom. She plopped on the bed. "What are you girls talking about? Isn't it amazing that we made it? Well I guess I should say you Ami." Ami sighed and walked into the bathroom.
"Why do you have to be so mean to her?" Anzu asked.
"I'm just trying to make her stronger Anna. Don't worry, she'll thank me in the long run." Mia stood up and laid in her own bed. "Do you want to know what Seto mouthed to me during the eliminations?" Before Anzu could speak, Mia continued, "he told me that… oh never mind… I really should keep it between us."
"Great…" Anzu grumbled. She could care less. Why was she trying to kid herself? She liked Kaiba, a lot. Maybe she knew deep in her heart, that she had no chance with him and that was why she suppressed her feelings for so long. She rolled over on her side that faced away from Mia. Kaiba liked girls like Mia, or so it seemed to Anzu. 'If he likes Mia, then I should be happy for them…' A tear fell out her eye, and she wiped her nose. '…And if I'm truly starting to love him, then I have to…let…him…go…'
Anzu tried not to burst into tears; she didn't want to let anyone see her crying. Even if she couldn't admit to anyone how she felt, on the inside, her heart was slowly breaking.
Awww… poor Anzu. I felt so bad writing this, but I was trying to think of how she would feel if someone she loved was becoming farther and farther away from her heart. Don't you just Hate Mia? Well don't forget to leave me a Review! Coz you know I love them! Thank you.
Sorry Mystical Aquafina but I have plans for Mia, so I can't eliminate her first. So you'll just have to hate her for a few more chapters.