Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 18

Amanda's POV

As if he could hear what I was thinking, Asher turned to look at me. I wasn't prepared for that, so my eyes widened. I looked away and cleared my throat.

Calm down, Amanda Callie!

I was about to leave the room when I caught Asher and Rose talking at the end of the corridor where not many could hear them.

Did the two of them confess to each other?

Suspect number two, Rose.

A paper was placed on my armchair. I looked up at Asher who had papers in his hands that seemed similar to mine.

"The seniors are conducting a survey. Answer it," he said.

Asher, helping the seniors with a survey? Suspicious.

"Whose survey is this?" my voice trembled because I was trying to divert attention away from myself as the possible suspect number 3 instead of seeing it myself.

"Rochelle," he replied shortly.

He called her by her name even though Ate Rochelle was older than Asher. Jasper was wrong. He's not fond of younger girls, but rather those older than him.

Suspect number 3, Ate Rochelle.

Astrid almost spit out the water she was drinking as I reported to her the investigations I've been conducting so far.

"What kind of grounds is that? Because he smiled, talked to her at the end of the corridor, and helped with a survey, he likes her immediately? Damn, your ideas are wild, Amanda Callie."

"Whatever," I try to keep my voice low because we're only in the classroom. Asher might hear what I'm saying. "Something just feels off."

Astrid barked a laugh. "Make sure to remind yourself to never be an investigator in the future."

I frowned at her. "Are you supporting me or not?"

"But seriously, Amanda. Don't rely on shallow signs. Look for something deeper. And think bigger," Astrid's voice was serious.

"Astrid, it always starts with the small things," I replied.

She pursed her lips and nodded. "Yeah, it's always the small things," she says softly. "But sometimes you can't see that."

"Huh?" confusion in my voice.

"Never mind! Just do your best!"

I only see three possible girls who Asher might like. What can I do to turn Asher off from them?

I'm busy now because the intramurals are next week. Our Foundation Day/ Intrams day is held every last week of November. I held the sash in my hand. Ma'am didn't teach us today, but instead asked us to help her make sashes for Mr. and Ms. Intrams. I was the one tasked to bring it to the faculty room after dismissal.

"Amanda, let me," Cedric took my carried sashes from me.

"Hey, it's okay. They're light and just sashes," I tried to take the sashes back, but Cedric moved his hand away. He smiled cheekily at me.

"Nope, I'll carry them. So, I could spend time with you. Ledesma always hovers around you," he laughed softly.

"Hmm... okay."

Cedric wiped his forehead. He was still wearing a basketball jersey.

I reached into my pocket for a handkerchief and handed it to him. "Oh. Use this to wipe your sweat. Don't mind give it back to me. I haven't used it yet."

Cedric's dimples appeared. "Thanks, Amanda. You make me feel giddy," as he wiped his sweat.

"Did you practice basketball?" I asked.

"Yeah, for the intramurals."

I furrowed my brows. "But shouldn't varsity players not participate? It's an unfair advantage for the opponents. And even if you don't practice, I'm sure you'll win anyway."

"I'm flattered. You have a lot of faith in us," he chuckled.

"Of course. You're the pride of Oakwoods. Don't be so humble."

He faced me and suddenly became serious. Did I say something wrong? Is he upset about our conversation?

"Alright. I won't be humble anymore," he said. "I like you, Amanda Callie. I want to court you to be my girlfriend."

When did this conversation escalate so quickly?

I let out an awkward laugh. "Haha. I didn't know you were also a joker, Cedric."

My laughter lingered longer to dispel the serious atmosphere between us. But when Cedric's expression remained unchanged, I stopped.

"Wait, are you serious?" I couldn't believe what he had just admitted. A handsome varsity basketball player like him wants a morena girlfriend with acne on her face. First of all, sorry to disappoint, but he won't see me attending his basketball games to cheer for him. I'm too ashamed to do so. Secondly, he won't be able to show me off like his teammates do with their girlfriends.

"Isn't it too fast?" I checked his head jokingly. "Or maybe you hit your head suddenly."

He held my wrist to stop me from checking his head. I froze, staying put because he was taller.

"It may seem fast for you, but not for me because I've long wanted to do this. And I'm sure because I've liked you for a long time."

I couldn't speak. This is all too much for me. Everything in my life is going from zero to a hundred. My life used to be quiet. I was enclosed in my safe shell. I didn't meddle with others, and they did the same with me. But now, I'm involving myself in Aria and Asher's engagement matters. I'm trying out my talents by doing makeup for the Mr. and Ms. Intrams, and now there's someone who wants to court me!

"It's alright if you're still processing this and don't have an answer now. I'll wait."

He doesn't need to wait anymore. Because I have nothing to offer him. Relationships will never be my thing. Who knows? He might regret his decision later on.

"You don't have to wait because I..."

"Shush," he put his index finger on my lips. "Won't you at least give me a chance? It took me all the courage for me to confess, and you won't even give me a chance."

I stood up straight because my feet were starting to hurt from standing still.

He sighed. "Can you wipe my back for me? I can't reach it."

My hands turned cold. I felt awkward about what he wanted, especially since we were in an open area. We would be more visible to students.

"M-maybe your other teammates can do it instead. Let's hurry and take these sashes to the faculty room so you can join them."

"Amanda Callie!" an authoritative voice called from my right.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw Asher. His bag was slung over his right shoulder.

"Asher!" my voice was higher pitched now.

He must have sensed the nervousness in my voice because he quickened his pace towards where Cedric and I were standing.

"Cedric, I'm fine now," I took the sash from him. "I can manage to take this. I'm with Asher anyway. You should go to the locker room, so you don't sweat too much."

I pulled Asher away from Cedric. When we were out of Cedric's line of sight, I let go of Asher.

"You're with him again? I told you not to get swayed," I continued walking straight ahead without looking at him. "The question here is whether I like him or if he likes me."

I kept searching for the faculty room, but Asher stopped me. "What do you mean?" he inquired.

I brushed his hand aside. "I don't owe you any explanations."

"Herrera told you he liked you," he accused.

"So, what if he did? He even asked me if he could court me, ridiculous right?" I stopped in front of the faculty room and knocked, ending our conversation.

"Ma'am, here are the sashes," I handed them to her, which she accepted and placed on the long table that seemed to be their meeting spot.

Asher didn't follow me inside. I thought he had already gone home or had somewhere else to go. But I was mistaken. When I exited the faculty room, he was leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

"We will talk," he declared.

"We have nothing to talk about," I insisted and walked straight to the corridors to return to the room, grab my bag, and leave.

"You gave him consent to court you?" he continued to pester.

"I'm still considering it."

"So, you're considering it!" he pressed. "Do you like him?"

With an irritated expression, I faced him. "So what, Asher? Am I not allowed to have a man interested in me? Am I not allowed to entertain suitors? Are you going to put boundaries around me?" I challenged him.

"Yes, if I have to!"

"You!" I glared at him. "What excuse will you make? That you're my brother-in-law, so you're protective? Who are you to say that?! You smile at Anne, talk privately with Rose, and help Ate Rochelle. You don't even address her politely. You're on a first-name basis with her like that?! You four-timing womanizer!"

Asher looked stunned as he listened to all my complaints. He seemed confused yet also amused and intrigued.

"Four-timing womanizer," he laughed heartily. "The girls you mentioned were only three, who is the fourth? The original one."

My cheeks flushed as I realized what I had done and spoke. All this investigation thing went to trash because I ended up exposing myself to him. I squeezed my eyes shut and internally fought with myself.

"A-Aria. M-My sister of course!" I tried to put up a good fight for myself.

He looked skeptical. "Are you sure?"

What did he mean by that?

"Of course, I'm sure! Who else?!"

He chuckled. "So, you don't like it when I do that," he concluded. "I'll make sure to push all women far away from me then."

"Who said you need to do that? And it's not me! I'm just looking out for my sister!"

"No, I'll still do it. My sister-in-law doesn't like seeing me with other women," his voice taunted.

"Do you even hear yourself? Why listen to your sister-in-law and not to your soon to be wife?" my face twisted in disgust.

"I won't marry your sister. But you seem to like the label sister-in-law," he smirked.

"Then this is where our relationship ends! We're nothing more than brother and sisters-in-law. Goodbye!"

But he pulled me back towards him. "What! You always like to overreact. I'm already ugly, are you going to cut off my hands too?"

"Who told you that you're ugly?" his face darkened. "Cedric?"

I shook my head. "Not Cedric. He even told me I was beautiful."

"So, you like him?"

No.

"Why do you care?" I shrugged him off and walked away, sticking my tongue out. "Goodbye, Mr. President!"