Page 76 of Marked By Shadows
“You guys did great,” I said.
“It was all Jonah. Never seen anyone cut pieces so fast that fit perfectly once sewn together.”
“And that man of yours,” Jonah said, “damn he can sew. I was like sew this to this and he whipped right through it. Not even a problem with the knits once I changed the needle.”
“Except the skirt. He had to do that. Pleats?” Alex looked down at the skirt Jonah was wearing. “Pleats are evil things.”
“Right?” I agreed. “Nicole slammed through hers like it was nothing. I think I need more practice.”
“Sewing clothes fast is part of fashion design,” Jonah said. “Skirts are easy. Too bad Velma didn’t rock an A-line. Would have finished it in half the time and better to show off this fine ass.” He patted his own butt.
“Who created the magnifying glass?” It looked a bit like one of those giant foam cheese head things I’d seen on TV. Or even the big foam bat they had at some sports events.
“That was me,” Alex said. “Foam is pretty easy to work with. Since we had sheets of it available and a couple of good craft blades, I did that while Jonah was finishing up the hems.”
I grinned at Alex who was too creative for words sometimes. “You’re amazing.”
“And goofy,” he said.
“You make a sexy Shaggy,” I said touching his face. I really liked his face.
He leaned to kiss me, which was more complicated with all the hair I had, but he managed it.
“Aw,” Jonah said. “A Shaggy and Inuyasha crossover love story. Not sure the cannon universes will ever be the same.”
We laughed.
“Alright everyone. Numbers are tallied. Everyone ready?” Freya asked.
“Yes,” came the unanimous shout from the group. We all huddled together, excited, still teeming with the adrenaline from the contest, and everyone grinning, feeling good.
“There are no losers here,” Freya continued. “Everyone has done amazing work. And everyone gets a prize. We’ll go in order, first to last, based on points. Everyone will get their scoresheets when we’re done so you can see the feedback provided by your peers. Once each group is called, they can step up to the table and choose their prizes.” She held up the paper like it was one of those Grammy envelopes. “First place wins for originality, authenticity, and use of physical form to fit the characters as well as execution. Amazing that this is our newbie with one of our old pros, Jonah and Alex as Velma and Shaggy. The Scooby pillow got lots of comments,” Freya said as she announced.
Alex’s mouth dropped open. “What? No way.” He glanced at Jonah who was dancing and strutting about in his sexy Velma costume. “How? I mean…”
“Boy,” Jonah said, “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. We worked our asses off and look fannn-TASTIC.” He headed to the table. “Plus, you had my fine direction. There is a reason I’m a rising star.”
Alex followed Jonah to the table his expression still reading as shocked. I wasn’t surprised, more thrilled that he’d had such a positive time. He appeared to be glowing with happiness and excitement. The two of them looked over the table. I expected Jonah to take the sewing machine and Alex to take the books and pattern set he’d expressed interest in. Instead Jonah choose an iPad bundle, and Alex picked the computer and software set. I gaped at him as he returned to me.
He winked, holding the computer to his chest, his smile so large it brightened his face. “This is what winning feels like?” He said. “It’s amazing. No wonder you guys do this sort of madness.”
“Next set of winners,” Freya began when both Jonah and Alex were back with the group. “Gets high marks for props, poses, and structure of their pieces, everyone loved the ‘Sit, boy!’ pose. Nicole and Micah.”
“Oh, that’s us!” I said jumping a little as I had been more focused on Alex instead of myself. Nicole tugged me to the table. I contemplated getting the pattern and book bundle Alex wanted, but felt bad, since I could buy any of that for him that he might want. In fact, there was nothing on the table I couldn’t buy if I really wanted it. I was blessed that way, having a successful shop.
“What are you thinking of picking?” Nicole murmured to me.
“If I take something to donate do you think anyone would get mad?” I whispered back.
“Donate to who?” She asked.
“Chad’s non-profit.”
Her mouth formed an O and her eyes got big. “Good idea.”
“That would give them still a choice for themselves,” I whispered back. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking I don’t need any of this but like the idea of those kids he’s helping. I honestly had more fun just doing this event than winning any of this stuff.”