Allan headed over to Francesca's house, clothed in light khaki shorts and a hawaiian shirt, with a white undershirt underneath. He knocked on her door and waited for the answer.

Francesca opened the door, a beautiful smile emerging on her face. She hugged Allan and the two kissed. Allan slipped Francesca the letter he had quickly written before rushing to her house.

Francesca carefully put the letter in the pocket of her short jean shorts. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear.

Allan blushed gently and linked his arm in hers, heading to the contest. He firmly believed that this contest would be one that the students of Midway Prep wouldn't soon forget.

"Come on, Zach! We don't have much time!" Matt called, brushing his blond hair back smoothly. "The contest is about to start!"

Zach's head popped out of the bathroom door. "I thought you said you were already going. Why're you still here?"

Matt sighed. Zach just didn't understand some things. "Because I'd look dorky if I went alone. Come on, man!"

Zach finished washing his hands and face, and looked satisfactorily into the mirror. "There," he said to himself. "I look presentable. Goodness knows I'll have to look as normal and unsuspicious when Karen gets that letter." He laughed out loud. "I can't wait to see her face drop when she realizes what a desperate fool she looks like when she finds out Carson didn't write the letter."

Zach walked out of the bathroom and his room, joining Matt in the hall.

"Good, let's head over to the beach so we can be the first ones there! We've gotta get good seats, you know," Matt said eagerly.

"That we do, Matt. That we do," Zach said, a sly smile forming at the corners of his lips.

Amber walked towards a group of girls: Eve, Kim, Carrie, Chantal, and Melanie. "Hello, girls. I see you're ready for the contest."

"Yes we are, Amber. Are you?" Eve asked, brushing her hair back.

Amber smiled and laughed. "If you mean ready to win, then I'd say yes. If you mean anything else," her voice became low and seedy, "then I'd suggest you shut up and get rid of the thought, because I will win."

"If you say so," Kim sighed. The only thing bigger than Amber's ego were her...well, never mind that.

"You know, Amber. You mustn't be so sure of yourself. You know I have a good chance of winning," Carrie said rather airily.

"I'm sure you think that, Carrie. But then again you never had the common sense God gave a gnat, so why don't you do yourself a favor and shut your trap," Amber said smoothly, a smile on her face all the while.

"Can we just not fight right now?" Chantal said. "We have to focus on getting ready for the contest and the carnival. They're supposed to have the swim race today, and I want to be in top condition."

"Yes of course you do," Amber replied sarcastically.

Melanie was obviously distraught over something, though the other girls never could figure out what.

"Melanie, I believe it's high time you tell us exactly what's wrong with you. If it's something serious then please let us know," Amber said in annoyed tones.

Melanie bit her lip before looking at the girls with eyes that made their hearts break. "It's about Jessica..."

"What? What about Jessica?" Kim said, a note of concern entering her voice.

"She...she..." Melanie hesitated. She decided to make a full breast of it. "Jessica's in a coma!"

Allan & Francesca headed down to the beach. Already, a lot of people had shown up, which made Francesca a little insecure. The stage had already been set up and the emcee, Mr. Tom Winston, had already arrived. Mr. Winston walked up to Allan & Francesca with a big smile on his face.

"I heard you're running for Miss Midway, young lady. I wish you the best. The winner will be announced in a few minutes, so make sure you stick around!" he said kind-heartedly, shaking Francesca's hand.

"He's right, you know," Allan said as soon as Mr. Winston walked away.

"Not this again, Allan. I think I've had all of the encouragement I can take for one day," Francesca said, though her eyes were kind and thankful.

"Well then come on, let's head up to the stage so we can get up front. In no time, we'll know who the real winner of the Miss Midway Contest is," Allan said, walking with Francesca down to the stage.

Matt & Zach walked to the crest of the hill that overlooked the beach. The crowd was large and inviting, but Zach hung back for a while. He wasn't too fond of large crowds.

"Come on, they don't bite, Zach," Matt said, grabbing Zach's arm and tugging him down the hill to the beach.

Before they reached all of the action, Zach spied Karen & Carson. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the two lovebirds from Hell. Why don't we go say hi, Matt," Zach said, that slow, evil smile coming upon his face again.

"Zach..."

"Oh, come on! I just want to say hi!" Zach walked over to Karen & Carson.

"Well, fancy running into you two here!" Zach said in mock surpsise.

"Come on, Carson, let's go up to the stage," Karen said, looking straight at Zach and tugging on Carson's arm.

Carson jerked his arm away from Karen. "No, Karen. I'm not going to let this jerk keep bullying you like he does. It's time to settle this right here and right now!"

"Oh, look, they're getting ready to announce! Let's go!" Matt said quickly, dragging Zach down to the stage and away from impending danger.

"I'll get them yet, and that's a promise!" Zach exclaimed bitterly.

"Come on, you guys, we can talk about Jessica later. It looks like they're about to announce the winner of the contest," Amber said. "I don't want to be late!"

Kim looked reluctant, but then said to Melanie, "Fine, but as soon as they announce the winner, I want you to tell me exactly what happened to Jessica, OK?"

"OK," Melanie whispered, a tear falling out of her beautiful brown eyes.

The girls walked down to the beach and found a place to sit and wait for the announcement, which was at hand.

Amber flounced her hair a bit and batted her blue eyes. She was fully convinced that she would be the winner, as had been the tradition. Nothing, she believed, could keep her from being Miss Midway.

Mr. Winston walked across the stage to the mic. All talking and noise immediately ceased, as he pulled out the envelope.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the annual Miss Midway Contest. I'm not going to bore you with a long history, so why don't we just get right down to business and find out who Miss Midway is!"

"Yeah!" the crowd replied.

"OK, here in my hand I hold the envelope containing the winner of the contest. Here holds the key to everything, so!" he began to open the envelope. Everyone held their breath in anticipation. The winner was only seconds away.

Continued in Episode Nine, Part Two of the Miss Midway Contest