Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 13

Amanda's POV

"Please Amanda. Can you do my makeup for me?" Zyna has been pestering me to be her makeup artist for the Ms Intrams. She got the most votes yesterday, so she will be our representative. She's been bothering me since the first subject. She even switched seats with a classmate who sat in front of me just to bug me during class.

"Zyna, talk to her later," Asher glanced at me. "It's class time and she's busy studying for the quiz. I suggest you study as well."

Zyna stopped annoying me and rolled her eyes. "Tsk."

I held my head in frustration because I couldn't memorize the internal and external users of accounting. When your mind is clouded, simple information can't be retained. The classroom was too noisy with everyone rushing to scan notes for studying.

"Internal. Owners, Managers... what else?" I looked again at Asher's notebook that he lent me. "Employees. Owners, Managers, Employees."

Astrid and I were memorizing together while Asher seemed unfazed, as if he already had everything under control. That's how composed he looked at that moment.

Moving on to the external users, which were quite a lot.

"Government, inland revenue-"

"You don't really need to memorize that. You just need to understand," Asher commented, probably annoyed by our synchronized recitation.

"Huh?" I was getting stressed. "This is not the time to show off how smart you are. Have respect for those who are not gifted with such intelligence."

I was about to return to my reading when Asher suddenly snatched his notes back.

"What the!" I smacked his arm. "You're so annoying. You lend me your notes then take them back. Whatever!"

I turned to Astrid on my left side.

"Astrid, can you share your notes?"

She moved her notebook slightly so I could see better. She was also on the topic of users of accounting.

"Amanda,"

"Just a moment, Asher," whatever he wanted to say or do could wait.

"Amanda Catherine-"

"For heaven's sake! Just hold on, Asher! I can't memorize it!" I raised my voice, slightly annoyed.

Asher looked shocked for a moment, probably wondering where my bravado came from. He looked amused, a faint smile almost appearing on his lips which he tried to hide behind a neutral expression.

He raised his hands in surrender. "Easy, Amanda Callie. I was going to help you memorize faster."

I gave him a scowl. "You said there's no need to memorize and now you want to help me memorize. You're something, huh!"

"You just need common sense, Amanda Callie. Internal means they are just within the company. They're directly involved in operations and management. While external may contribute to projects but they're not directly involved in management. Who are the people within the company? It's the owners, managers, and employees. Externally, it's the government, inland revenues, trade and industry, general public, shareholders, potential investors, creditors, and debtors. You will immediately know if they're internal or external."

"Makes sense, but what if sir asks for enumeration? I can answer if he gives the word and we guess if it's internal or external. But I can't be too sure and what if he asks for enumeration and I haven't memorized," I replied.

"Just use mnemonics. It's easier that way," Asher suggested. "Say it with me. GITIG-SPOCD"

"GITIG-SPOCD," I repeated what he said. "Psh! Will that work?"

He hushed me.

"It will work if you listen to me. G stands for government, I for inland revenues, T for trade and industry, and so on," he explained.

I covered my ears to try out her mnemonic technique and see if it would be effective.

"GITIG-SPOCD. G for government," I listed, "GI- okay! I for inland revenues," I went back to the initials in the mnemonic and easily replaced them with the correct words. "GITIG-SPOCD, D for debtors."

With my eyes closed, I recited the external users of accounting. I had a satisfied smile on my face when I finally memorized it. I even whispered a "yes!" before opening my eyes.

I glanced at Asher who listened to me as I recited. He had a smug expression on his face, pleased with the success of the mnemonic technique. Then he nodded in approval.

"Good," he said, then returned to his own business. And by business, I mean he just went quiet, with his eyes scanning around the class.

It's lunch break. The quiz was easy anyway. It was just out of 25 since this is just an introduction to accounting. I got two mistakes because of wrong spellings. I was happy with that. I was fine with just the thought that I actually understood something in class.

"Wow, first quiz, I got a perfect score!" Elara was having her victory dance. Unlike me, Elara is more grade conscious. So, whenever she gets a perfect score, it's like winning the lottery for her. Whenever she sees her straight perfect scores on record, she treats it like a trophy.

"Congrats! I'm sure you'll get another perfect score next time," I congratulated her.

Jasper and Axel didn't join us. Jasper acted like nothing happened yesterday. He talked to me as usual, so I did the same.

Jasper and Axel went with Asher. In the past days, the three of them were inseparable. Or more like they couldn't distance themselves from Asher.

Elara and Astrid sat in front of me while I sat alone on the other side of the table.

I felt someone sit beside me.

"Can I sit here with you?" Zyna' voice rang in my ear.

So, she isn't done convincing me about what she wants. Their family is rich anyway. It's impossible for them not to afford a makeup artist. Why did she even volunteer to join in the first place if she couldn't handle it?

"Zyna, I already told you, I won't accept that," I couldn't entertain these side gimmicks with my mom. She says the only thing I should focus on is my studies. Of course, it depends on the pageant's theme. And it also needs practice to ensure a perfect outcome.

"Come on, Amanda! What are your talents for if you don't use them?" Zyna insisted, ignoring her food in front of her.

"Why me, Zyna? Your family is rich and surely you can afford a makeup artist."

Zyna stopped for a moment. Like she realized something. Maybe she'd finally stop forcing me to be her makeup artist for the intramurals.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked, looking at my friends. "Alone."

Her tone sounded serious. What she's about to say must be something important. I looked at them and signaled that I would leave them for a moment.

We walked to the garden before stopping. This is the most private place we could go.

She looked around before facing me.

"Promise me you won't tell anyone,” Her expression turned serious, making me a bit alarmed.

Reluctantly, I nodded. She leaned in to whisper.

"My family.... o-our business is.... k-kind of..." she looked like she's having an internal debate. ".... failing."

I couldn't hide my surprise. Their business is failing? And yet it's not even public knowledge. It would surely be all over the media by now if it were true.

"That's not a good joke, Zyna," I shook my head disapprovingly. "Are you saying your family's business is on the verge of bankruptcy?"

She nodded. "I'm not joking, Amanda. Who would wish for their own source of income to fail? I would never talk about it unless it's true."

"If it’s true then that news would have spread around the country by now," I said matter-of-factly.

"Well, my family is doing a great job at hiding it from the media. We don't want to be in the headlines. We'd just be embarrassed."

So, they want to protect their public image. This might also be why she's so eager to join the intramurals. If she can show off, it would prove they're still financially stable.

"And as much as I can, I try to reduce the excessive spending for this pageant. So, I want you to be my makeup artist. I will still pay for the service, I swear! But I'm expecting that you'd lower the price for me?" Zyna had a hopeful expression on her face.

I suddenly felt guilty for turning her down multiple times when she tried to hire me as her makeup artist. She actually had a valid reason for insisting on it.

Helping others when I am capable has always been my principle. Should I follow my principles and break mama's trust?

"My mama doesn't like it when I do things outside of studying," I shared this information with her so she would understand why I didn't want to do it.

"How come your sister is always seen modeling while you aren't even allowed to do anything? Isn’t that a biased parenting?" Zyna raised an eyebrow.

I never question my mama's choices. Even though she is like that, I know she loves me. And she's just doing this because she thinks it's best for me. So, I have no reason to think that mama is biased. She may show her love for me and Aria in different ways, but that doesn't mean one is favored over the other.

"Don't you want to rebel a bit?" Zyna added.

I shook my head. "Okay fine. I will do your makeup. But we will meet here to practice your looks and you're not allowed to tell anyone. In exchange, I'll keep your secret. Is that a deal?"

She casually nodded. "Sounds good to me." She smiled and gave me a hug. I was taken aback by her gesture. I'm not used to receiving hugs or appreciation from people.

"Thank you, Amanda. Just..." she almost gasped in joy. "Thank you. You're a lifesaver."

"I'll do my services for free. You don't need to pay me," we have enough money, I wanted to add. But it might sound offensive, so I left my statement at that.

"Really?" Zyna gasped. She opened her mouth then shut it again, unable to find the right words to say, so I invited her to go back to the cafeteria before Astrid and Elara started looking for me.