The Fancy Dress Competition

The bright, airy room was filled with colour. There were about thirty people, dressed up in creative costumes. There were many pretty fairies and graceful ballerinas, along with fearsome pirates and brave superheroes.

However, two of the costumes that really stood out from the rest were ones worn by a girl and a boy. The girl was wearing a shimmery, white, quarter-sleeved dress with a flouncy skirt that had hundreds of tiny sequins sewn into it. Little, shiny beads adorned the edges of the sleeves and a silk ribbon outlined the neckline of the dress. She wore a matching mask that covered her eyes and also had small beads and sequins on it. White silk gloves came up to her elbows and silver glitter was sparkled in her loose, fine golden curls that cascaded halfway down her back. Her charming smile dazzled everyone who looked at her and many people assumed that she would win the competition.

The boy was dressed as a shabby artist from the early 1900s. He wore a loose, white shirt with the collar undone and the sleeves rolled up. His tan-coloured baggy trousers were held up with suspenders and his shoes were dirty and worn-out. A holey, moth-eaten brown coat was thrown carelessly over his shoulder. His brown hair, streaked with gold, was parted on the side and his piercing eyes were the exact same shade as the ocean. He carried several paintbrushes and pieces of charcoal; a big sketchbook was also tucked under his arm. Some people privately thought that his costume was much more original than the girl who was dressed as a princess.

At last, the moment had arrived. The air was heavy with anticipation. Everyone was waiting with bated breath and they wore identical expressions of expectancy and anxiety. The judge, a kindly woman with gray hair and dressed simply in a blue skirt and white blouse, stepped up to the podium. She smiled at everyone before she spoke.

"This year, there have been many wonderful and creative costumes that I have had the pleasure to see," she began.

"It was extremely difficult for me to choose only one of you as the winner. I thought long and hard on who that person should be."

She paused and looked around at the sea of silent people, hanging on to her every word.

"This year, I have decided that there will be two winners. Both of these costumes have been prepared with the utmost care and devotion. Without any further ado, I shall announce the winners. Everyone, please give a hearty round of applause to... Pete Ivey and Lily Evans!"

The crowd broke out into applause as the artist and the princess stepped onstage to receive their prizes. As the crowd looked at them, standing there, they felt that there could not have been anyone else who deserved to win the competition as much as Pete and Lily did.