PRESSPLAY
All the contestants lined up to walk out. We all wore black mid-thigh dresses with black stockings, black gloves, a deep, dark orange blazer, dark shades, and a matching beret. It was giving diva vibes. I glanced at how some of the girls looked better than others in their outfits. Ms. Vanmyer stood there proudly alongside Dean August, who smiled at us. This was a big thing for the Gray and Gold, as one of my sisters had won every year, whether she had already become a part of the Gray and Gold or she would become a member in the future.
Now there were two of us as contestants, and there was no way one of us wouldn’t walk away with the crown. Hell, there was no way I was letting Reagan beat me.
“Okay, ladies. We’ve practiced enough; it’s time to show us what you got.”
The music queued as we prepared to exit. Reagan smirked before swinging her head to face forward. Alyse turned my way, but I couldn’t see her eyes because of the shades. If I had to guess, she was nervous as hell because I was too.
Step, strut. Step, strut. Head swing right, smirk.
Step, strut. Step, strut. Head swing straight, straight face.
Step, strut. Step, strut. Head swing left, smirk.
Step, strut. Step, strut. Head swing straight, straight face.
The crowd was thick, with all eyes on us. Howling came from the far end as a group of girls and guys in orange and black screamed Alyse’s name. The way they were showing out and the fact that we had barely come out made me feel some kind of way. For a moment, I thought it was the brothers of Chi Kappa Chi, but they were on the other side, with Jesaiah standing in front, watching. When my head swung back toward the crowd, I spotted my auntie, my mother, and my father in the front row, watching me proudly, sending a wave of nerves through me.
Each of the contestants came to the front, introducing themselves in cute and sassy ways as their people rooted for them. Freaky Zekey was on the mic as he introduced the next contestant, and we moved in a circle, stepping forward as we went. I had taken a Xannie to calm my nerves. Reagan stood in front of the mic. One of the girls from Blue Reign came up and removed her shades.
“Goodeveningto the confident Blue Hawks and my lovely family and friends!” she shouted. “And to the brothers of the distinguished Chi Kappa Chi Fraternity.”
The brothers leaned back. “Yerp!” they yelled in acknowledgment.
She swiveled slightly and continued. “They say there can only be one! I wouldn’t know because—” she paused, shifting her hips, “—I am that one! I am Reagan Sams, a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in education, a small-town girl with a crown that sits high.” She paused again, using her hand as a crown. “Aproudmember of the Gray and Gold, and truth be told, I amstoonnecold!”
“Yee-ee-ooop!” the girls in the audience screamed.
“Don’t be surprised if I shine once I get done. I am!” She stomped and rolled her hips upward. “Contestant number one!”
They handed her the shades back, and she put them on as more music cued, and the next few girls went. My nerves started to get the best of me as the pills kicked in. Alyse had now stood up to the mic, and that corner those people were in went crazy. I watched as a guy came closer to the stage, smiling and signing.
Must be her boyfriend? Never seen him before,I thought. Another girl came up to her and removed her shades. “Greetings! To my Black Educated Blue Hawks!” she said and signed at the same time, giving a little squeal. “Welcome, family and my wild friends!” She started to move slightly, doing one of the bruhs’ moves. “We can’t forget the cleanest, flyest brothers ofexcellence,Chi Kappa Chi Fraternity!” She winked.
They got super loud this time.“Yerp!”
“Yes, I’m blessed, and yes, I’m cute, but what makes me the best?” She paused as her head snapped toward me before she smirked and focused back on the mic. “Is that I’m fierce, hungry, and like an animal from da—” she paused again, leaning her body all the way back and belting a long, exaggerated, “—Zoo!”
“We don’t fuck you! We only fuck with the Zoo!”everyone from that corner screamed loudly.
“I am the incomparable Alyse Maverick, a sophomore majoring in medicine with a minor in dance. I may be talking with my mouth, but I can also signal with my hands!” She rested her body on one side before shifting, popping herself forward. “Sharp as a tack, I stand before you. The competition is over because I have been introduced. If Black excellence is why you’re here, what else areyou—” She leaned forward, resting her hand on her forehead like she was shielding her eyes from the lights while looking out in the crowd,“—searching for? Not only am I God’s gift fromheaven!”she squealed, “but I’m the last stop, contestant number seven!”
They went wild, and I immediately felt defeated. My nerves were calm, but now I was scared. The music kicked in, and the circle moved as I came forward. My mouth felt dry, and I began to feel sluggish. One of my sisters came and removed my glasses. The bright lights hit me, but I focused on the darkest space. “Hello! To m-m-my,” I stumbled with my words. “Hello to my successful, lustrous Blue Hawks!” I squealed at the end.
I smiled, looking left to right, and then spotting Harlem walking in. My eyes moved to my aunt as she nodded while my mom and dad had their phones out, probably zooming all the way in on my face. I had gone to say something else, but I had forgotten that fast. My eyes landed on Dean August, who watched me with much intent.
My eyes landed back on Harlem, who pressed his hands down in a calm-down motion.You got this,he mouthed. I nodded slowly as I glanced straight ahead. I shifted back and forth and continued.
“To those Black men who stand out with grace, the brothers of Chi Kappa Chi Fraternity, greetings!”
“Yerp!” they shouted back.
“Mahogony is the name that sits on my back. Queen of the dark, I always snap back!” I smiled. “I am Apple Timothy, a junior majoring in—” I choked up. “Majoring in criminal justice. The girl from Texas who would never fold is also an empowered queen of the Gray and Gold!”
“Yee-ee-ooop!”
I tossed my hand on my hip, dropping it slightly back. “With knowledge and power, I come before you!” I pointed by sending my upper body forward. “You see the options, and I cannot hate. However, just remember I am—” I paused, rolling my neck, “—your contestant number eight!”
