I gasped as I ran into Corny's arms, holding my breath so that I wouldn't cry. He didn't say anything, he just wrapped his arms around me and held me tight. I appreciated it and it gave me a moment to collect myself. He thanked the police officer who walked me out then kept one arm around my shoulder as he led me to his car. I told him what had happened and he shook his head in anger then made me move the ice pack. I could feel that it was bruised but his face said it all and I could only look away, embarrassed and ashamed.
"Lisa, it doesn't look that bad. I promise. Keep the ice on it and I'm sure you'll be fine. I just can't stand the thought of anyone ever hurting you." I nodded and pressed the ice pack against my cheek again before asking where we were going. He told me he was taking me home because he had to be to the studio for the pageant in a few hours. Once we got to my house I thanked him and waved goodbye as he drove away. Then, I turned around faced my house. There was a police car outside and all the lights were on in the house. Taking a deep breath, I walked up the stairs and into the house without knowing what to expect.
The moment I opened the door, the first thing I saw was Link Larkin sitting in our kitchen eating. I stared at him in confusion and he perked up, smiling at me like I had just made his day.
"Mrs. Turnblad! Lisa's home!" I heard a gasp, something shattering, and suddenly my mother was barreling around the corner towards me. She pulled me to her and hugged me tightly enough to knock the wind from my lungs then she started asking a million questions. She suddenly puffed up in anger and I realized that she had finally noticed my cheek. Once I had answered all the questions and managed to calm her down, she began telling me in detail what had happened while I was gone.
Apparently Tracy was hiding from the police and had a plan for the Miss Teenage Hairspray pageant tomorrow. I didn't need to really do anything except show up and make sure things went the way they were supposed to, which was easy enough. I wore the best dress I had, a beautiful blue dress with jewels sewn into the skirt and a bit of glitter along the torso. Mom and I went to the pageant with Penny, mom wearing a long coat and a scarf on her head to hide her identity. Once we had gotten our seats, a man with a clipboard and a headset came up to me.
"Lisa Turnblad?" I nodded at him and then he motioned for me to stand up. "We've been asked to bring you down to the stage. Corny wants you to stand up with him tonight." I blushed brightly and nodded before standing up and following the man. They brought me to a makeup person for a moment since I was likely to be captured by the camera. I only needed a bit of powder to help cover the small bruise on my cheek and get rid of any shine. After that, they helped me onto the host's stand and gave me instructions.
"Alright so all you need to do is just stand up here and look pretty. Should be easy enough for a girl like yourself. Corny is going to perform the opening number then he'll come up here to announce the rest of the show. You can't distract him while he's doing his job okay?" I nodded and smiled then propped myself up in the corner. The man nodded to me, gave me a thumbs up, and then walked away while talking rapidly into the headset.
Moments later, the music started and I watched as Corny sang and moved across the stage. He looked like he belonged there and I couldn't help but smile. The only problem I had was near the end when he told Amber that she "looked like she could use a stiff one." I knew that Corny wasn't interested in the girl but it still bothered me more than it should and I felt jealousy pool in my stomach. They went to commercial break and Corny looked over at me, smiling until he saw me glaring at Amber. He looked between the two of us but was brought back to attention when they announced that they were coming back. He announced the dance off for the pageant and then came onto the platform next to me. He spoke into the microphone in front of him to announce the first girl then leaned over to whisper to me quickly.
"You look prettier than anybody here Lisa, you know that right?" I blushed and kissed his cheek softly before he went back to introducing all the girls as they danced.
A.N. Alright, this is what I have written so far! Please review and let me know what you think so far! I only have a few more chapters to write but if nobody likes it, then I won't bother. Thank you!