Chapter 3: The Prize Behind the Curtain
Saturday arrived with a clear sky and a cold breeze.
Nia reached the showcase venue shortly after four.
The building was a converted event hall with tall windows, polished floors, and bright spotlights illuminating a long runway.
Models and designers moved through the backstage area, carrying garment bags and makeup cases.
Nia held her dress against her chest.
The bandage over her left eye was clean and firmly secured.
She wore a simple black outfit while waiting for her turn.
A volunteer approached with a clipboard.
"Name?""
"Nia Carter.""
The volunteer checked the list.
"You're number twelve. Changing room three.""
"Thank you.""
Nia walked toward the changing area.
As she passed a row of mirrors, she caught a glimpse of herself.
For a moment, she remembered standing in her bedroom while her mother pulled the cream dress from her hands.
Her stomach tightened.
Then she looked at the garment bag.
She had made something new.
Something nobody had given her.
Something nobody could claim had been created by anyone else's hands.
"Nia!""
She turned.
Olivia hurried toward her carrying a small makeup bag.
"I made it.""
Nia laughed.
"You said you weren't coming until five.""
"I lied. I wanted to see the dress before everyone else.""
Olivia opened the garment bag slightly.
Her eyes widened.
"You added more beads!""
"Just a few.""
"A few? Nia, this thing is practically glowing.""
Nia adjusted the zipper.
"I was nervous about the neckline.""
"Trust me. It's perfect.""
A woman from the production team approached.
"Miss Carter? The judges are asking all participants to be ready backstage in twenty minutes.""
Nia nodded.
"Understood.""
Olivia squeezed her shoulder.
"You're going to do great.""
Nia took a deep breath.
"Stay where I can find you afterward.""
"Always.""
In the changing room, Nia carefully stepped into the patchwork dress.
The bodice fitted closely, while the skirt opened into layers of contrasting colors.
Blue satin flowed into burgundy velvet. Gold cotton appeared between ivory lace and faded rose fabric. Each section had been stitched into the next with deliberate patterns.
The visible seams were part of the design.
She hadn't tried to make the scraps look expensive.
She had made them look valuable.
When she stepped out, Olivia covered her mouth.
"Oh, my God.""
Nia looked down.
"Is something wrong?""
"Nothing is wrong. Turn around.""
Nia slowly turned.
The back of the dress featured a wide arrangement of fabric pieces that formed a pattern resembling a blooming flower.
Olivia shook her head.
"Your mother should see this.""
Nia looked toward the backstage entrance.
"She probably will.""
A production assistant called the next group of designers.
Nia joined the line.
Through the curtains, she could hear the audience settling into their seats.
A host's voice echoed through the hall.
"Welcome to the annual Young Designers Showcase!""
Applause followed.
Nia's heart began beating faster.
She touched the small beads at her neckline.
Then she whispered to herself.
"You made this. Remember that.""
One by one, the contestants walked onto the runway.
Some wore sleek black gowns. Others presented elaborate dresses made from expensive fabrics and professional embellishments.
The audience applauded.
The judges took notes.
Then the host announced:
"Our next designer is Nia Carter!""
The spotlight shifted.
Nia stepped forward.
The bandage over her left eye remained visible.
For a moment, the audience grew quieter.
Then she walked.
The colorful skirt moved around her legs, revealing new combinations of fabric with every step.
She reached the center of the runway and paused.
A camera flashed.
Another followed.
Nia turned slowly, allowing the judges to see the construction from every angle.
One judge leaned toward another.
The second judge pointed toward the seams.
They exchanged a few words.
Nia couldn't hear them.
She simply returned to the backstage area.
Olivia was waiting with both hands over her mouth.
"Did you see their faces?""
Nia laughed nervously.
"I was trying not to trip.""
"You didn't. You looked incredible.""
Across the hall, Maya sat in the front row.
She was wearing Nia's original cream dress.
Her pink blazer had been replaced by a matching pink clutch, and her hair fell in loose curls over her shoulders.
Their mother sat beside her.
The woman watched the runway with a satisfied expression.
When Maya noticed Nia backstage, she lifted her chin slightly.
Nia looked away.
She didn't want to spend the evening thinking about the dress she had lost.
She wanted to think about the one she had made.
After the final contestant finished, all participants were invited to wait backstage while the judges discussed the results.
Nia sat on a folding chair.
Her hands rested on her knees.
Olivia handed her a bottle of water.
"Drink something.""
"I'm not thirsty.""
"Drink anyway.""
Nia took a sip.
A few minutes later, the host returned to the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. Our judges have completed their evaluations.""
The audience applauded.
Nia stood.
Her fingers trembled.
The host announced several special mentions before revealing the main award.
Then he paused.
"And this year's winning designer is...""
Nia closed her eyes.
A beat passed.
"Nia Carter!""
Olivia screamed.
Nia opened her eyes.
For a second, she didn't move.
Then Olivia grabbed her hand.
"Go! That's you!""
Nia walked toward the stage.
The applause grew louder as she stepped into the spotlight.
The host shook her hand.
"Congratulations, Nia. Your design was extraordinary.""
"Thank you," she whispered.
A representative from the organizing committee approached carrying a large envelope.
He wore a dark suit and held the envelope carefully between both hands.
"Miss Carter," he said, "on behalf of the showcase committee, congratulations on your achievement.""
Nia reached out.
She wrapped her fingers around the envelope.
Only after she had a firm grip did he release it.
She stared at the envelope.
Her mind immediately returned to the medical estimate in her bedroom drawer.
The representative smiled.
"This prize could pay for your eye surgery.""
Nia's lips parted.
She looked down at the envelope.
It wasn't a promise that the surgery would happen.
It wasn't a doctor's approval or a confirmed appointment.
But it could give her the opportunity she had been praying for.
"Thank you," she said, her voice shaking.
The representative nodded.
Then his attention shifted toward the front row.
Maya was still wearing the cream dress.
Their mother sat beside her, smiling faintly as if the evening had gone exactly as planned.
The representative studied Maya's outfit.
His expression changed.
"But Maya's dress has a problem.""
Maya's smile disappeared.
Her eyes dropped toward the cream-colored fabric.
Then she looked at her mother.
Their mother's face lost its confident expression.
Nia turned toward them.
The representative remained silent for a moment.
The room seemed to grow quieter.
Nia followed his gaze to the dress she had made before the competition.
May you like
Then she slowly looked toward the camera.
"What’s wrong with her dress? Watch part two below.""
