Dolly's Point of View
I can't breathe.
The world around me seems to collapse, the walls of this grand venue push in from all sides. My ears ring, the sounds of the room fade to a dull hum, but one voice—one name—cuts through everything like a sharp unforgiving blade.
"The first-place winner is… Caroline Hill!"
No.
No.
No.
The room explodes into loud applause. A deafening, spirit-crushing sound. People stand up, clap cheer celebrate her.
My body won't move. My heart pounds against my ribs, a fierce uneven beat that hurts my chest.
This can't be true. It's impossible.
Caroline? Caroline came out on top?
My gut twists. Acid rises in my throat as I try to grasp the words that just broke my world. I breathe fast and shallow. My sight gets fuzzy as it sinks in—
I didn't win.
I didn't win.
No.
Why? Why?!
I put in too much work for this. I gave up too much. My designs had no flaws—they were perfect. They told a tale sparked feelings, showed what love is!
Caroline's work?
It was just a dull de
