Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 4

Amanda's POV

As we entered her office, I was greeted by the office table and two chairs where students sent to the office or complaining parents would sit. There was a shelf beside the principal's seat filled with books and a desktop. There were small plant decorations. Behind her were trophies won by our school from division and national contests. There were photos of the faculty as well.

"Ms. Velarde, we are aware that you come from powerful and rich families..." Mrs. Medrano began, reciting words I already knew too well. This was always the lecture students received here. "So, it is natural to feel like you are in control and authority. But let me remind you that you are on school premises. That means, we are in charge here. We didn't write the school rules in the handbook just to fill up the pages. We put them there to be followed and to keep the school in order. There are appropriate places for certain things. You are not in a parlor, you are in school to study. I am not forbidding you from wanting to look good, but you know cosmetics are not allowed in school."

I bit the inside of my cheek, unsure of how to respond to Ma'am's words. I just listened. I was aware of all that. It was really a mistake to insist on bringing it. And for a petty reason, for everyone to see. But in the back of my mind, I pondered. Not everyone can easily fix their appearance. Some people are not lucky enough to just put on powder and look nice. What about those of us who are not blessed in that way?

In the midst of my thoughts, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in, Mr. Ledesma," I felt even smaller in my place now that Asher was here. Would Asher witness only my embarrassments?

My hairs stood up on my neck as I felt his presence behind me. There was distance between us, but I didn't know why it felt like he was just an inch away from me.

"Good morning, Mrs. Medrano," his well-modulated voice said. I thought he would just stay in the background behind me, but he stepped forward in front of me as if blocking me after greeting.

"You are 11-ABM's classroom president, am I right?"

He nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"You're one of the greatest students in the campus, I expected you'd be more hands on with your leadership in class," Mrs. Medrano lifted my cosmetics. "This belongs to one of your classmates. She's brave to bring this even though she knows it's prohibited by school rules. And one reason I could think of is because the president allows these actions to slip through, so classmates are confident because they know the officers will cover it up."

His face remained stern, showing no hint of intimidation. "Apologies ma'am. I'll make sure that this won't happen again."

Mrs. Medrano looked unmoved, expecting that kind of response from Asher. "Ms. Velarde, this is your first warning..." she turned to me.

I nodded. "Yes ma'am. Uhm... should I tell my parents to come to school?" panic was evident in my voice.

Mrs. Medrano chuckled. "There's no need Ms. Velarde since this is just a first offense. You can retrieve your cosmetics during dismissal. Unless you plan to do this for the second time, then you should tell your parents." That's when I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, my parents won't be called in. I glanced at Asher. He was looking at me intensely. I looked away, feeling guilty. I was the one who brought it. He didn't really do anything wrong. But that's how it goes in school. The sins of the classmates are carried out by the president.

"You may now leave," and with that signal from Mrs. Medrano, we left her office.

We walked in silence. The longer our silence stretched, the more nervous I became. Why is the principal's office located in the elementary building? We still needed to walk to the senior high school building.

"Uhm..." I started but closed my mouth.

His eyes flickered to me, noticing my silence. "What is it Amanda Callie?" his voice gruff.

I felt a lump in my throat. I nibbled my lower lip. "I'm sorry," my eyes were directed elsewhere. In the corner of my eye, I saw him stop walking and face me, so I stopped too.

"Are you?" there was sarcasm in his voice. "I was scolded in front of you, Amanda Callie. I'd like to think you take pleasure in all of this."

"I'm really sorry, Asher," I repeated, still not looking at him.

"Hmm... alright," he says. "But at least look at the person you're saying sorry to." My breath caught at his words. Calm down Amanda Callie! Just look and apologize then you're done. Don't drag this out.

I slowly turned to my left, to Asher. He raised an eyebrow at me, the corners of his lips restraining from lifting. "I'm sorry, Asher."

He nodded. "Forgiven."

I sighed, relieved that this is over. We continued walking towards the senior high school building.

Before we went up the stairs, I stopped. The comfort room was here on the first floor.

"You go ahead," I pointed to the comfort room. "I'll just freshen up."

"Why?" Asher asked.

I drew circles with my index finger in front of my face. "I have makeup on. Someone might see and think I've put makeup on again."

He narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on my face as he examined me. It's as if he's searching for something on my face.

"Really? The makeup wasn't obvious. You did it naturally."

I looked at him in disbelief. Really? They didn't notice any change in my face? I couldn't believe how different I looked with makeup compared to without.

"Don't you notice anything different about me?!" I exclaimed. "I look more human now," and I laughed.

He didn't laugh. Not that I was expecting him to, but he just kept staring at me. My laughter faded. The smile disappeared from my lips. "What?"

He licked his lips. "Nothing really changed about you..." his mouth opened as if there was more to say, but he closed it again.

A pang of bitterness passed through my heart. Right! I know that cosmetics have no effect in covering my unpleasant face. Especially my pimples. He's a man after all. Plus, he is good looking too. He will know a beautiful girl when he sees one.

But I still forced a smile in front of him. I won't show that his words affected me. Why should I be affected anyway? What is he to me? Nothing, so I shouldn't feel disappointment.

As I entered the classroom, my classmates were standing at the side of the room, holding their bags. No one was seated on the chairs.

Shouldn't they be having class already? I checked the time and was surprised to see it was only 7:20. Well, we didn't spend much time in the principal's office. It's still our home room today. Sir Guzman, our adviser, was sitting in the front. That's where the teacher's table is located. Asher was beside him. They were holding a paper which I assumed was the seating arrangement plan.

Oh right, it's already the third quarter. Whenever the quarter changes, we switch seats.

I walked over to Astrid who was already carrying my bag because I wasn't in the classroom earlier. "Thanks," I took my bag from Astrid to lighten her load. Astrid had just wiped her face with wet wipes since our makeup session was interrupted earlier.

"So, how are you?" I gave her a thumbs up. "I'm okay. It's still safe since it's just a first offense. I'll get my makeup back during dismissal."

"I heard that Pres Hottie was your rescuer earlier," Astrid raised her eyebrows playfully.

I scowled at her. "Rescuer? He was just called to the office by ma'am. He didn't come voluntarily."

"Well, they said he left their meeting quickly when he was summoned to the office," Elara chimed in, listening to our conversation.

"Of course, he would hurry if he was called by ma'am, don't you think?" why do friends always give different meanings to things? People can be influenced. People hope. But not me, luckily. I know how to read between the lines.

"Axel, Elara, Jasper, Astrid, and Amanda Callie. In that order from right to left of the fourth row on my right side," Asher announced.

"Yes!" Axel and Elara fist bumped each other because we, the group of friends, were seated together at the back. I don't know what got into Asher’s head to put the five of us together. The principal just instructed him to manage the classroom better. I don't know if he's following it now or not. But I'm not complaining, at least we, the group of friends, are seated together.

We went to the row of seats on the right and headed straight to the fourth row. Axel sat in the first seat, Elara in the second, Jasper in the third, Astrid in the fourth, and I in the fifth. I was seated by the center aisle.

"Wow! I love the third quarter! I'm nervous about the stress coming after second semester, but I feel like I can handle it because we're sitting together," Elara said.

"You're so dramatic, Elara," Jasper chuckled.

"You really know how to ruin a moment, don't you!" Astrid playfully hit Jasper.

"Ouch! Why do you always hit me? That's why I never make it to the honor list! You're taking away my brain cells." Jasper and I were the same. We always had an average range of 88-90 on our report cards. We only make it to honors in the fourth quarter, so when it comes to the final grades, we don't make it to honors. On the other hand, Astrid, Axel, and Elara always have "With Honors." I know Jasper’s capabilities. He can definitely make it to honors. He just doesn't take studying seriously because he doesn't like stress, unlike me who, no matter how much effort I put in, can only reach a certain level of achievement.

Asher kept calling out names to the front and assigned them seats. When everyone was settled, I glanced to my right. Each row had five seats, the same on the left side, but here on our side, there was an extra chair. Why didn't Asher assign someone there?

I heard my classmates gasp for an unknown reason. Astrid nudged me, as if urging me to look at her. Astrid smirked. Before I could look ahead, someone placed a bag on the extra chair next to me. I slowly looked up to see who my seatmate would be. I almost swore when I saw who it was.

"You can save your internal victory party, Amanda Callie," Asher smirked cockily, then sat beside me.

I heard murmurs from my classmates.

"Why did Asher sit next to her? Imagine, his day is already starting off badly!"

"He should be sitting next to Rose."

"Yeah, that's right," I didn't realize I said that aloud to myself. I nodded in agreement. I blinked rapidly as I realized what I did.

"I'll be watching you, Amanda Callie. You seem to always get in trouble. I have to keep you checked," Asher said.

I still couldn't speak.

"I'll make sure you don't do anything stupid. You're stuck with me and you can't do anything about it."

I'm pretty sure I heard Astrid and Elara shriek in their seats while Jasper and Axel high-fived each other.