Chapter 6

The Mayor´s announcement of the contest met with an amazing interest from its citizens and before the next day arrived nearly everyone in Beauvillage was talking about the event. The comments variated – most, especially fathers were scrowling at the mayor´s controversional decidion about the main (and only) prize. Some immediately commented, that it was a bad decidion, given Rodney Philips´ age. Since the contest age limits were from 17 to 25, it seemed to them slightly perverse, that Rodney – a 35 year old man should even be in the contest, let alone a judge which may be potentionally chosen for a date with one of their daughters. The mayor jovially shrugged it off and declared that "There is NO age limit in love." – not noticing his own daughter´s murderous look. Had it not been the fact, that Rodney Philips was a well known quantity among the Beauvillage population, the various parents would´ve opposed the idea out of hand. However, Rodney´s fan-club at once voiced their appretiation for the arrangement. With Michael Miles and Detective Wiseman it was pretty much the same with their own fan-clubs – in some cases the annoyance of many fathers, boys and even boyfriends, who seemed to take this as a threat. In any case in mere minutes following the Mayor´s announcement it was clear, that the Miss Beauvillage contest will have no need to worry about the contestants. The fact, that it was to be broadcasted on National TV was another thing and many of the shopowners and craftsmen offered their help and support – Mr Workalot came to the mayor almost instantly, offering whatever servise the contest should need. Immediately following was Natalie Conners and even Beth came straight after that. Chichi, Lola, Billy, Lily, April along with Mom and Buba were just standing near the stage completly petrified with shock at the Mayor´s machinations. Similary stunned were the three would-be judges and Angie was still glaring her father – positively shaking from rage.

Completly overjoyed, the Mayor ushered all of them into his office. The three gentlemen at once voiced their disaprooval at the situation they have been thrown into. At once, the mayor started to plead with them, that they would do this for Beauvillage.

"You´d be surprised with how well will this contest turn out. So please..."he pleaded.

Sharing a glance, Wiseman and Rodney relented and agreed. Miles however was proving very hard to persuade. Sulking like a little child he sat in defiance straight on the floor of the office, folded his arms and refused to listen to anything which was said – the gesture gaining much aprooval from both Lola and Lily. Though several – the Mayor, Beth, Mom, Bee, even Buba – tried desperately to persuade him Miles was adamant, even when Wiseman threatened to place him under arrest for "incooperative behaveour". However down on his knees Mayor Haveitall played on the one thing that apparently made Michael Miles tick. He offered to pass on to him every single cent the National Television was offering in return for the program – thinking that it won´t ammount to much anyway. THIS had the intended effect, grasping his hand and shaking it vigorously he exclaimed "Well, why didn´t you say so in the first place, Mayor – Man?! Judge Milesey at your servise."

This prompted an exaspirated Lola to smack her forehead while Lily sighed in mild-annoyance. The exchange in the office culminated in Mayor Haveitall asking the mothers for permission to have Chichi, Phil and Billy help with the organization of the event – promising the boys a reward for all their help – something they sincirelly doubted, but agreed on regardless. In fact, Chichi later on said that he only agreed upon this as not to attract any attention to his work in the Hidehole – which meant, that he could use the contest as an excuse. The gang decided to have a yet another sleepover in the Tofu house in the wake of the news and the continued garden - party. Though thistime, the girls were bunked up in Lola´s room discussing everything fervently and the boys bunked in Chichi´s room doing pretty much the same.

Lola, Lily and April wasted no time in musing about every single detail of the contest... well more precicely its contestants. It was clear to all three, that most of the girls in Beauvillage High would be attending and they all felt sickened at the thought of ANY of them dating Miles. Though as April pointed out, it was only ONE date.

"Easy for you to say, April..."remarked Lily, glaring her a bit.

"How would you feel if that was CHICHI in his place?"

April gasped in revelation and her face instantly darkened at the thought.

"See?"asked Lily as though proving her point.

However the reference didn´t go unnoticed by her best friend.

"Hold your horses, Lily. You´re not in love with Miles."commented Lola taking a good, long look at her best friend, who´s cheeks were turning slightly red.

"Are you?"asked Lola in astonishment and mild-horror.

Lily swiftly shook her head.

"Of course not. Don´t be silly."she said while laughing a laugh, that was very unlike her own.

Though April laughed humorously though Lola kept her eye narrowed in suspition.

"I honestly can´t see you entering into such a contest, Lily."remarked April still chortling.

Lily fixed her a happy smile.

"I can´t eighter, April."

Though as Lily pondered over the night, she wasn´t so sure about that. With Lola and April deep in dreamland she took the time looking out from Lola´s bedroom window as the moon shone brightly that night. Lily wasn´t even sure for how long she stayed there, contemplating on a very serious question. Did she really have feeling for Miles? She thought back to some of the times she spent with him, both with the gang and without. Before she got to know him, she only heared the rumors from Megacity which discribed him as a criminal and admittedly a person whom she never though she could associate with...

Then, in the heart of the Beauvillage drug-case several months back Chichi aqquainted them with the ever-greedy young man.

-Flashback-

The gang looked around for the source of the voice and their eyes laid on a yound man on the grassy clearing. He was lying comfortably on the grass, arms behind his head, one leg crossed over another and small puffs of smoke going from his lit cigarette. Chichi grinned as the others drew their breaths. It was as if the rumor itself was coming to life before their eyes – Michael Miles was getting to his feet and started to approach them. One step after another, the fair black-haired muscular man was approaching them. He was taller than any of them and was wearing light blue jean shorts, matching sleeveless vest, white shirt and dark black sunglasses. He way he carried himself fitted his muscular appearance and coupled with the puffing on the cigarete, he gave an almost intimidating appearance. But just as he crossed the clearing to the place shaded by the trees, he puffed out the smoke, gave a couple of loud coughs and tripped one of the many rocks, that were sticking out of the grassy ground, sprawling himself on the ground, his sunglasses falling from his face. The gang looked from one to the other, unsure what to think, but Chichi unable to hold his composure any longer exploded in laughter. Shaking his head and still chuckling he rushed to his friend´s aid.
„Well,
thisis him. Miles, this is April, Phil, Lily, Billy and my older sister Lola."said Chichi in a proud voice as he introduced his closest friends, each of them nodded, waved or made a gesture of acknowledgement as Chichi said their name. Miles approached them.
Michael Miles. For you guys ...justMiles."he said and gestured in a comical way, that lightened the tense moment and made everyone chuckle.
He moved to Phil and fist-bumped with him, then kissed the back of Lily´s hand making her giggle.

-End of Flashback-

Lily smiled fondly at that memory. Since then Miles proved to be an amazing friend and a brilliant asset to their group. His personality was hard not to like. In fact, she met very few people as easy-going and open as him. Looking at the moon again, she remembered another little memory – one she had from the Stony moutains. As she was contemplating in much the same way, the footing underneath her crumbled and she would´ve fell several meters downward if not for Miles. Catching her, he prevented her fall and pulled her back up with a single hand. For a few seconds before her mother reached them, she remembered being in Miles´ arms. She blushed heavily remembering his strong arms. Thinking back at the other adventures she had with him, over the Bunglewood case and later she finally understood one thing.

"I... I´m falling in love with him!"she nearly exclaimed in revelation before clasping a hand to her mouth, carefull not to make a sound.

Looking over her shoulder she checked, whether Lola or April heared anything. Luckily not. Lola remained as she was and April turned over to her other side, snuggled more into her pillow an sighed something, that sounded very much like "Chichi...". Smiling to herself, she turned back to the window and her musings.

Sure, Miles was a cool guy and all... attractive, fun to be around. Dating someone like him surely would be a boat-load of fun. Recalling the journey with him and Chichi just 4 days ago, she almost laughed again. Accompanying the pair of them into Middletown on their business trip was more amusing than she believed possible – the two acted like a pair of clowns for her benefit even as they effectively completed their intended mission. In fact, she found herself pressed close with Miles and for a few seconds they shared a blushing stare before Chichi roused them from it. There was no doubt about it – she longed for him. Sighing to herself, she wondered about simply being as honest as he was with her and just tell him of her growing feelings for him. She cringed a bit at the thought. What if this somehow messes up their friendship if he´s not interested...? Mulling it over she shook her head.

"No... come on, Lily... you know him better than that."she whispered to herself.

True... Miles would probably feel flattered if not anything else and wouldn´t push the matter unless she would. So this should be easy enough...

In that case, she thought she should get a move on before the Miss Beauvillage starts and some girl actually manages to catch his attention, however unlikely that is...

On the other hand...

Lily´s smile started to grow. She realized that there would be a way to show her growing affection for Miles, have some fun and shut-up his lovesick fan-club once and for all – all in one single sweep. Enter the Miss Beauvillage contest – it sounded like a briliant idea now. Why not? Even if she doesn´t win, she can simply tell Miles her feelings – she already HAS an advantage over all of the other girls. With a gasp she realized, that this fact may actually be a problem.

With her already overgrown and still growing fame over the Great Mystery, plus the fact that she´s Miles´ friend the other contestants are bound to protest to her entery to the contest. In the wake of fairness and admittedly the hope of avoiding a possible scandal, Mayor Haveitall would surely agree to her having an unfair advantage – which would mean she would have no way of entering. Releasing a very deep sigh, she slouched on the window pad and stared sadly at the moon, desperately searching for a solution.

"Hm... what would Fleur do?"she pondered refering to the character in the Great Mystery book – a female main character, whom she modeled after herself – or rather the person she would love to be.

Indeed what would Fleur Resaque (or rather Fleur Razor, right now since she and Detective Razor were already married in the sequel book) do in this situation...?

Bright light shone in her eyes as the answer came to her in a single moment of briliance. A happy smile spread across her lips.

"Oh, this is going to be so much fun..."

...

The events of the next day progressed kinda rapidly. The breakfast in the Tofu house were a lot of fun especially for the girls. No sooner had the three girls went down from Lola´s room, they have erupted into a fit of giggles. Out on the yard Chichi was locked in an all-out yoga session with Mom. Buba explained that yesterday´s events have convinced Mom, that Chichi has fallen out of balance with the Great Oneness and insisted on helping him regain it. So a sleepy, hungry and disgruntled Chichi was doing a morning yoga-practice along with her – something he was always forced to do after serious trouble. The breakfast was interupted by the arrival of Pop and Titus both of whom were completly drained from their journey from Cygnuville as they sat behind the table. From what they said, the Cygnuvillian Outdoor Sales were a bit of a bore with nothing interesting happening. Mom and Buba instantly started to fill the others in and the gang took that as a que to move out to school – not really eager in seeing the faces of the two men, when they learn what happened yesterday.

Elsewhere in Beauvillage, there was a heated discussion about yesterday´s events too. Since yesterday´s evening, the Beauvillage Police Station was in an utter state of extreme celebration. Their sucess in apprehanding the theifs met with many calls of aprooval from the citizens and the higher-ups as well. Detective Wiseman had insisted on a party in the station in the light of the event – one that turned out unlike anything the policemen ever experienced. A party that dragged on for almost entire night and resulted in everyone sleeping over for the night. That of course also included Nick, Tex and Archie dispite the fact that they had school in the morning. As it was, by the time they have woken in Wiseman´s office most of the officers were already up, preparing coffee or attending their duties. Just like Detective Frederick Wiseman, who was currently attending a press conference at Town Hall – since the media were very interested about both their success AND Wiseman´s participation on the newly declared Miss Beauvillage contest. The three boys have just prepared themselfs for their journey to school, when an officer stepped into the office.

"Brother Fred isn´t here."Archie revealed to him.

The elder policeman smiled.

"I know boys. Its just that I was checking over the mail and THIS arrived for him with the morning post."he replied showing them a pink envilope he placed neatly on the table.

Smiling at them warmly, the policeman exited the office. The trio shared a meaningfull look. This letter HAD to be what they thought – another letter from their beloved brother´s secret admirer. Barely able to contain their curiosity, the trio reached for the letter as one, having a small fight over who would open it. Finally Tex won out (due to his height) and opened the envilope, which was pleasantly smelling from parfume – but one neighter of them recodnized.

Sharing a small glance with the other two, Tex proceeded to read the contents of the love-letter.

"My beloved Detective Wiseman, yesterday you proved yet again just what an amazing hero you are. I was so proud of you even as we all saw you and Miles on the stage – I think you´re much cooler than him by the way. I want you to know something... since the Miss Beauvillage contest is on, I plan on entering the contest and winning it. And then we can finally be together my precious genius of crime. Love, your secret admirer – soon to be your loving wife."

As Tex finished both he and Nick looked revolted, while Archie looked completly puzzled but all three sported brilliant blushes as they tried to puzzle out the contents of the sappy letter.

"This person, whoever it is HAS to be from Beauvillage if she knows about yesterday."whispered Nick, now full in detective-mode.

"And she wants to be brother Fred´s wife?"asked Tex in horror.

"Hey guys, look! A clue!"exclaimed Archie once more drawing their attention to the letter.

However both looked at the letter with bewilderment a moment of silence hanging in the air.

Archie pointed to the right lower area under the pretty handwriting.

"Eeeew! She kissed the letter! That´s completly gross!"exclaimed Tex in a revolted voice while Nick nodded fervently.

"But its a clue!"stressed Archie still pointing to the spot.

Once more his two brothers fixed him with a confused look.

"Look guys... just like people have finger-prints, we can use the same way of identifying the culprit using this!"

Nick gasped at his brother´s revelation.

"You´re right. So that´s what we do! We´ll take lip-prints."

"That sounds like a plan. But wait... how do we take lip-prints from the various girls to compare."

Nick snorted at Tex´s comment.

"Come on, man... we´re the Brotherhood of the Wise – the heroes of Beauvillage. We will have no problem at all."

...

Beauvillage High was in a state of complete uproar from the moment the day began. Almost the entire girl population were chatting, comparing tactics, declaring their firm beliefs that they would win the contest and of course several insults were hurled some of which culminated in many cat-fights. The boys were eighter breaking up the brawls or speaking with eachother disgruntled about the contest. Following a lesson with Mrs Morter, who wasted no time in shouting at the girls for applying so much make-up and lipstick, then ranting about their "idiotic old douche-bag of a mayor" and his "degrading" contest, effectively taking up her entire lesson about the renesaince-time France. However, Chris stupidly pointed out this fact which prompted their professor, who was red-faced with rage to have them study up the lesson themselfs over the coming weekend, promising them a test on it on Monday. Cherie slapped Chris the moment Mrs Morter exited the classroom and the other classmates wasted no time in joining in, Chris completly under fire now. But suddenly the classroom-wide scolding came to an end, when an overjoyed Julia came into class and announced that the entery list for the Miss Beauvillage was now pinned up on the bulletin board. The effect was immediate. The girls let out an ear-splitting squeal and at once exited the class in a rush. The boys, grumbling to themselfs followed most likely to have a small chat in the schoolyard. This left only three people in the abandoned classroom – Billy Hubbub, Lily Robins and Lola Tofu.

"Good riddance."grumbled Lola glaring the closed door of the classroom.

Billy wasted no time in closing the distance between them and embracing Lola from the behind – he still felt that the yesterday´s small exchange in her room was lingering in her mind for a bit. Though pardoning him for the fight, Lola still seemed a bit distant. But the small ammount of lingering anger was slowly dissapearing and Billy was happy that his "punishment" was coming to an end, which was a good thing – he really missed Lola´s affections.

Smiling a bit at the show of affection, Lily envisioned her and Miles in much the same position. As she wanted to say her views at the current situation in their class, the classroom door opened and their homeroom professor entered.

"I´d rather spend the break here. Melissa – I mean professor Morter is clearly not in a good mood today and she considers me to be as responsible for the contest as the mayor is."he said answering their questioning looks as he seated himself behind the teacher´s desk.

"Also there´s one thing I have to talk to you about regarding the contest, Lola."

The trio shared a bewildered look as they seated themselfs closer.

"The mayor asked me to find one objective student, who would narrate the show along with Angie."

Lola gasped, feeling her cheeks growing warmer.

"You... you mean... ME?"

Professor Rodney Philips smiled warmly at one of his prize-students.

"Of course, Lola. I know that you are very objective, you have a talent for the stage and besides it will be good practice for when you enter Megacity´s Music and Art Academy. Plus this way, you´ll appear on the National Television which is bound to make things easier for you when you´ll apply for the Academy´s entery."

"He´s right, Lola. Its bound to give you higher chances. Remember what Johnny Jack said – every little thing helps and appearance on the National TV is hardly little."said Lily, nodding sagely.

Now completly red in the face, Lola turned to her boyfriend.

"What do you think about this?"she asked uncertainly.

His girlfriend´s question made his heart jump, knowing that his sweet, loving and affectionate Lola´s anger at him was completly gone. Smiling warmly, he pressed a loving kiss on her temple.

"I agree with them, Lola. I know, that you´ll be a brilliant narrator. Besides, you won´t be in this alone."he said already knowing, that Lola would ask "What if I mess up?" or words to that effect.

Lily nodded.

"Yeah. Angie will be there too, so no pressure."

Lola smiled happily, returned the favour to her boyfriend and turned towards Rodney again.

"I accept the position, professor."she said happily, but upon looking at their professor´s face her eyes flashed with concern.

Rodney Philips was looking somber for some reason, which was slightly out-of character for him.

"What´s wrong, professor?"asked Lily, also worried slightly.

Rodney snapped back to reality.

"Oh... nothing, girls... nothing at all."

Lily´s eyes however narrowed in suspition.

"Doesn´t look like nothing to me, professor. You look like that only when something really bothers you."

Rodney sighed – the two girls really knew him well by now. However, he pondered about what to tell them.

"It... it´s personal..."he replied vaguely as his cheeks took on color.

"Angie."

Rodney´s blush only intensified at Lily´s observation and he started to stammer.

"N... wha... how did you know?"

Lily giggled, pleased that her suspition was proven correct.

"You dulled so much when I mentioned her a moment ago."

Rodney sighed to himself, realizing that he had underestimated Lily´s observational skills – he supposed he should´ve known better since she wrote detective-novels.

"Well... yes... she´s been treating me really coldly since yesterday. Detective Wiseman says pretty much the same."he said with a sigh, revealing what had been eating him since yesterday – so much in fact, that he barely got a wink of sleep last night.

Though revealing as much as he had, he was firm in keeping his other thoughts to himself – since Angie was occupying his mind for quite a few weeks now and at a few times, she was also present in his dreams which left his face scarlet eachtime he woke up.

Since the mayor´s announcement of the contest and his and Wiseman´s agreement on their positions as the judges, Angela Haveitall was rather cold with both of them – and Rodney had no idea WHY. He broke off from his musings when he spied the smirks on the faces of Lola and Lily.

"Professor... is it possible, that you like her?"asked Lily slyly and Rodney tensed once more, face going scarlet.

"N...o... of course not, Lily... not that way... I mean... um... Oh, excuse me. My cell-phone is ringing."he stammered as he got up and started for the door leaving the girls in giggles.

"Professor, we heared no ringing."called Lola with a giggle.

Reaching into his pocket for the cell-phone he turned towards them, scarlet-faced.

"Of course you didn´t... I have it on silent-mode."he said before he left the classroom in a hurry.

"Liar."said Lola smugly.

"Yup! It´s love allright."noted Lily, before the trio dissolved into laughter.

Rodney made it to an empty classroom breathing as though he ran a race, his face still red.

Thinking about it, the girls read him well. His feelings for the girl, who was a decade younger than him, a girl whom he used to baby-sit, a girl who had a crush on him since the age of 12 (a crush, he suspected had faded away by now) were growing more and more. He wasn´t even sure WHEN it happened, but it hardly mattered now. He wondered about asking her out many times – everytime with the same conclusion.

"You´re too old for her, Rodney – face it."he told himself for what seemed like the milionth time.

Perhaps he WAS alone for too long. The problem is, that since his last girlfriend years back, no other girl in Beauvillage had interested him... except Angie. He lamented the fact, that the one single girl in the town that interested him was the one he couldn´t possibly have. His musings were interupted once more, now by the cell-phone in his hand which was really ringing now. Looking quickly at the caller ID, his face brightened instantly and he answered the call almost at once.

"Yes, Angie...?"

...

By the time the classes ended almost fourty names were already sighned in for the contest. Most of the student body went home but Cherie was sitting in the schoolyard along with Nina and Zoe. Out of the three girls only she had sighned in her name.

"Well, looks like you have your work cut out for you, Cherie."commented Zoe puffing on her cigarette.

"Most of the girls from our year and the final one have sighned in."noted Nina, the only one of the trio not smoking.

Cherie puffed her cigarette furiously.

"This means WAR! I will NOT allow any of them to steal away my precious Miles! And I´ll prove once and for all, that I am the prettiest girl in Beauvillage! I MUST win that contest!"she yelled, finally venting her frustration.

Indeeed she was vexed for most of the day and the surprise visit from the three younger boys from the Brotherhood of the Wise over lunch-break didn´t help one bit. Those three dumb pipsqueaks actually asked her to kiss some piece of paper – which led her to promtly slam Nick´s and Archie´s heads together. The other girls took this humorously and did as they asked, but Cherie was already in no mood for games.

"Hey girls."sounded a voice she knew so well by now.

Steve Rowan had arrived and sat down next to her.

"Hi Stevie."she greeted him, cigarette smoke coming from her mouth.

Steve coughed and waved a hand in front of his face, in order to clear away the smoke.

"I really wish you´d stop that, Cherie. Its bad for you, you know."

Cherie rolled her eyes and took another puff from the cigarette.

"It helps vent stress. And I´m stressed enough as it is."

Steve frowned and wanted to say something before Nina cut him off.

"I thought you went home, Steve. Did you have detention?"

Steve laughed a bit and shook his head.

"Of course not. Philips called for me and asked me to help in the contest, as the part of the crew."

Cherie gasped, but choked on the smoke still in her lungs sending her into a coughing fit. Steve instantly moved toward her and gently patted her on the back.

"See... I told you it´s not good."

Cherie however took no note of it and looked at him.

"You... you´re part of the crew?"

Taken aback at the question, he nodded.

"That´s amazing. In that case, you can help me eliminate some of my competition."

Steve gasped.

"Cherie, you´re not serious. You want to cheat?"

Cherie giggled slightly.

"We don´t have to call it that, Stevie. But some of the contestants... well most of them, are clearly not deserving of eighter the title or the prize date. I am the prettiest girl in Beauvillage afterall."

Steve blushed slightly.

"Of course you are, Cherie. There´s no reason to cheat than. You´ll win no matter what."

Cherie smiled warmly at him, only making him blush even more as she grabbed his hands and looked him deep in the eyes.

"Please, Stevie... I want to be completly sure... you know how the judges are... they may not be able to appretiate my beauty like you do... please, Stevie... do it for me."she pleaded with him in a voice which was like a hypnotizing music to his ears – so sweet, that he couldn´t possibly say no.

...

Exiting from Philips´ office, finally completing the preparation plans Lola and Lily were in good mood and Rodney Philips also seemed to have lightened-up since morning.

"I bet Angie called him. That´s why he´s so happy now."speculated Lily.

Lola smiled and nodded.

"What d´you think? They´d be cute together."

"I think so too. I mean, Angie loved him for years."agreed Lily as they opened their lockers and picked out their notebooks and placed them into their bags.

"Anyway, Lola... I see, that you´ve stopped being mad at Billy."

Lola blushed, but a gentle smile was playing on her lips.

"I can´t possibly stay mad at him for too long."

Lily giggled to herself, knowing what she meant for it was pretty much the same with her and Phil, no matter how mad she wanted to be at the little-guy sometimes. She wondered for a brief moment if that would be the same with Miles, though she couldn´t envision a situation when she would be mad at him.

Lola´s gasp brought her back to earth.

"Oh no! I forgot my pencase in the classroom. Wait for me a bit, Lily. I´ll be right back."

"Perfect."Lily said to herself as her best friend ran off towards their classroom.

Turning her head, she spotted the bulletin-board and moved towards her. Looking at the entery paper, she saw that a great number of contestants were there. Including Cherie, Mary and several other girls from her class. Smiling to herself smugly, she brought out a pen from her bag. She pondered about the pseudonym she would use for most of the day – finally she figured out a perfect one. A mischievous grin formed on her face as she entered the name on the entery list.

...