Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 16

Amanda's POV

"My point here is that Asher showed no respect to us! He's such an irresponsible host! Instead of talking to each other, only his parents were the ones he talked to!" mom put her arms around Aria. "My poor daughter, she must be bored to death while we were having dinner."

Aria winced at what mom said. Mom's probably right.

"W-well.... maybe it's also okay for Aria to talk to Asher's parents. At least if she gains the favor of Asher's parents, they themselves will find a way for them to get closer."

Aria's face lightened upon hearing that from me. She looked at me with a hopeful expression.

"Really, sis? Do you think it can work that way?" I felt sad for my sister making efforts just to be liked by Asher.

I can understand where Asher was coming from. He's just seventeen and he's being tied to this arrange marriage because of our family scandal that we should really be the ones to fix. Asher has big dreams. He's more than just a potential husband-to-be. Love and commitment are not yet in his vocabulary.

"Great idea, Callie. I like where you're getting at," mom smiled. "But that's still not enough. They still need to develop feelings for each other."

I leaned back on the sofa and stared at our ceiling. I know I would do anything if only Mama would ask me to do so.

"Aria and I are not engaged nor am I romantically involved with her. Remember that, Amanda Callie."

"I want you to stop pushing me to your sister when I'm not even interested. Everyone's doing enough of that already and it's suffocating me."

Can I do this to Asher?

I glanced at Aria and nodded to myself. Yes, I can. Because this is for both of them. If Asher doesn't see Aria now. Years later, he will look back and regret what he lost. I'm doing him a favor.

"Asher and I are classmates. I can find a way to make it happen, Aria. But here's what you will do..."

I walked around the room like a guard. I reached the four corners of our classroom. Only Asher and I are in the room. It's only six in the morning. Students will start coming in at around 6:30.

My gaze landed on Asher. He was leaning back with his hand in the pocket of his red hoodie. It's raining today. I don't know if I'm too thick-skinned in my own eyes that's why I didn't think of bringing a jacket. I'm regretting it now. Because I'm feeling very cold. It's raining and yet our classroom is still air-conditioned. My stomach grumbled. I forgot to eat breakfast again just to come early. Remind me to never do this again. I went back to my seat just to see what I have for today so I can eat this morning. But when I opened it, there was no food there. Did I forget that too?

I placed my hand on my face. "Oh no!" I whined. My appetite is stronger in the morning. When I wake up, the first thing I want to do is eat. I don't know how I endured this now. I feel like having something sweet right now.

I looked to my right where Asher was sitting. He's still closing his eyes until now. Is he sleep-deprived? I poked his cheeks to wake him up or to get his attention if ever he was really just closing his eyes.

"Asher," I called softly. But he still didn't respond. So, I shook his shoulder.

"Asher," my voice was louder now.

I leaned closer to Asher so he could hear me calling him. But before I could try again, he opened his eyes. We were so close that I almost went cross-eyed.

"Hmm?" he raised an eyebrow at me. "You keep calling my name. I don't know what you want to happen."

Well, obviously, I want you to wake up!

My bag fell that I left wide open. It made a loud thud because I had a water bottle inside that weighed it down. It's also fortunate to wake up Asher's system more. But I worry about my water bottle in case it broke from the fall.

"Do you need anything, Amanda Callie?" his voice was sleepy. His hair was messy, but not in an unpleasant way. Like it was intentionally styled that way.

I picked up my bag. I groaned because of its weight as I put it down on my chair.

"I'm hungry," I declared. I held my grumbling stomach again.

He adjusted his sitting position. He turned to get something from his bag. He took out his wallet from his bag.

"Let's eat at the cafeteria, then," he stood up from his chair and held out his hand towards me.

We were already walking around the grounds when I thought of what I wanted to eat. I tugged at the sleeve of his hoodie to make him stop and look at me.

"I want to go to seven eleven. The one near the school," I pointed outside our school gate.

He shook his head. "It's raining, Amanda Callie. Why go far? There's a cafeteria nearby."

"I want a donut from seven eleven!" and there's no such thing sold in our cafeteria so I wouldn't like to eat there.

Asher furrowed his brows as if contemplating something.

"Asher. I want a donut!" I insisted to him. "If you want to eat at the cafeteria, go ahead. I'll go there myself since I have money."

I struggled to break free from his grasp to get out of the gate, but within seconds, his hand was already holding onto my shoulder, anchoring me.

"Fine, I'll go with you!" he said as he grabbed the end of his sweater, which I immediately stopped.

"Hey! Are you planning a stripping show here?!" I exclaimed. Then I glanced at the students who were staring at Asher.

"Asher looks hot in everything."

"If I get his hoodie for myself. I won't even wash it."

I glared at Asher.

He smirked at me. "Jealous, Amanda Callie?"

I harshly removed my hand from the end of his sweater and crossed my arms. "Not at all! I just don't want to be embarrassed, and you're too close to me. They might think I'm the one who requested it."

He took off his red hoodie. Well, he was still covered because the coat is part of our school uniform.

"Wear this or we both won't go out," he threatened while extending his hand towards me, holding the hoodie. I immediately took it to avoid any further delays.

I closed my eyes as his scent suddenly enveloped me. I don't know why I like his Tom Ford Noir so much. Many people use it at school because they associate it with Asher. They think they'll attract women if they use this perfume. But for me, it's only attractive when Asher wears it. Meanwhile, on the other hand, I didn't notice that he's looking at me fondly as I hugged myself while wearing his hoodie.

"Let's go get your donuts," he said while unbuttoning his coat. He raised the hood of the sweater I was wearing, covering my face. I raised it and gave him a stern look.

He turned his coat over our heads, serving as our makeshift umbrella. And we ran through the rain.

My stomach growled louder when I smelled the sweet aroma of 7-Eleven. My drowsiness disappeared. I quickly went to the donuts section.

I grabbed a container and he did the same, then we both took a donut from inside the container. Asher followed behind me.

"His girlfriend is so lucky. I wish I could be like her."

"The boyfriend is so sweet, I feel like the girl is wearing his hoodie. It's big."

"That's Asher Ledesma."

"The girl in the hoodie must be beautiful then. Because she's with Asher Ledesma."

I could hear murmurs circulating around the convenience store. Most of them were students from other schools buying breakfast or snacks for the day.

It's a good thing Asher's hoodie is large, so I wasn't easily recognizable by others here. Or maybe not.

"That girl's face looks familiar."

I stopped grabbing a donut because of that. Oh no! Not here!

I didn't have time to think about the situation when Asher suddenly pulled me close and hugged me to his chest. He kissed the top of my head.

"You look stunning today, baby," he whispered in my ear.

My heart raced at what he did. What was he doing?

"W-what?" I was bewildered.

"Just play along if you don't want them to see your face," he replied.

I felt shooting pain stab me. I smiled bitterly against his chest. Of course, he wouldn't want to show off a face like this. I am a big embarrassment to him. That's why I did not allow myself in close proximity to him in the first place.

"Wrap your arms around me so you can hide to them" he instructed.

I hesitated for a moment then obeyed. I slowly raised my arms and wrapped them around his waist. When both of my hands met at his back, I tightened my embrace around him.

"My donut, it might get left behind," I reminded him.

He chuckled, "I'll bring it with me, ma'am. Now what else do you want? I'll walk you there."

"Uhm... oreo," I smiled against his chest.

"Okay," he said as he walked towards the aisle where the cookies were.

I heard the bell chime at the entrance of 7-Eleven. This is my cue. I quickly pulled away from Asher.

I saw Aria at the end of the aisle. She beamed at me. "Ate! You're here too!"

I tried my best to put on a shocked face. "Aria... you're here!"

Aria walked closer to where we were standing. When she faced Asher, I leaned against the rack, which caused some biscuits to fall on the floor.

On instinct, Asher sat down and started picking them up. Aria and I had a silent conversation with our eyes.

"Go," I mouthed as I nodded my head down.

The side of her mouth quirked upward meaningfully. "You're the best," she mouthed then started helping Asher.

Aria happened to pick the same thing as Asher which caused their hands to touch. Which sent me an alien feeling which I could not touch.

Good job, Amanda.

I hurried to the counter. Luckily, there was no line so I quickly paid for and got what I bought. Then I got out of the convenience store, leaving the two of them to each other's company.