Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 24

Amanda's POV

I navigated through the crowd to look for Zyna. I found her just entering the gymnasium. She looked around for me too. As I approached her, I waved my hand to get her attention.

"Let's go to the restroom," I whispered. I'll fix her up there because it's less crowded. Besides, she hasn't changed yet. She's still in her jeans and foundation shirt. She chose to wear a racer for the sportswear competition.

I applied moisturizer on her face. Then I put on colorstay foundation, followed by full cover concealer under her eyes. Next, I contoured her nose and cheeks, applied finishing loose powder, and used tinted brow gel.

Zyna stopped my hand. "Take me to the gymnasium to get ready. It's getting warm here, and I might sweat. I'll change into my costume now."

I nodded and packed up the items to move. I grabbed two plastic chairs for the makeup kit and one for Zyna to sit on.

I continued with the brown eyeshadow, added a hint of red and dark brown shade. I applied metallic palette highlights and used liquid eyeliner.

I heard the sound of a camera beside me. It was Asher. He grinned at me as he took a photo. "Asher!" I whined, covering my face because I'm camera shy for obvious reasons. "Take a photo of Zyna instead!"

"Relax, you look decent in this photo," he smirked, looking at our shot. "Continue, don't mind me."

I rolled my eyes at him and continued without wasting any time. I grabbed mascara for Zyna's lashes and then applied blush on her cheeks. I blended peach, chili pepper, and shade shura for her lipstick. I managed to complete the whole process even with Asher around. I felt uneasy knowing there were cameras pointed at my face.

She looked at herself in the round mirror she held. Zyna nodded in satisfaction.

"Wow, Aria looks beautiful!"

"She's fierce!"

"OMG! She's girl crush material."

The three of us looked towards the door where Aria entered. She was wearing a sexy military sleeveless top, black shorts with thigh harness, boots, and had guns as props.

When her eyes met Asher's, she smiled and walked over. "Hi, my fiancé," she spread her arms, showing off her outfit. "Does it suit me?"

She glanced at Zyna and then at me. "Oh, it's my sister. Are you enjoying yourself away from home?" she crossed her arms. "Family wrecker."

I was surprised, tilting my head quizzically. "Aria, stop causing a scene here," Asher stressed. "You should be with your friends."

My sister pouted. "You're not going to accompany me? You're making me sad, my fiancé. As my soon to be husband, you should be watching over me. Right, sis?" She turned to me. "Tell him."

Onlookers around us watched our little drama. I closed my eyes tightly. If I didn't act, my sister might cause an even bigger scene.

"Asher," I called out his name. "Why don't you... accompany your fiancée?"

I kept my gaze on the floor out of embarrassment. I swallowed nervously, afraid Asher wouldn't comply.

His expression hardened, but he followed. He walked after Aria. She took his hand and wrapped it around her waist, but Asher quickly withdrew his hand and glared.

I turned away from them and focused my attention on Zyna. "Good luck, Zyna. I know you can pull this off."

"And by the way," Aria interrupted from afar. I paused and turned around to face her. She crossed her arms. "I consider you out of the family. You never fit in to begin with."

Sorrow closed up my throat. Her words felt like a knife to my heart and plunged me into despair. But I remained unresponsive. She's just too caught up with everything that's happening that she can say those things. She's too young to be involved in these kinds of issues.

My mouth opened but I quickly closed it.

I returned to where my friends were sitting. The candidates were already lined up near the stage, so Zyna and I separated. We would just watch the dances all day. The competitors included students from elementary level, grades seven to nine, grades ten to twelve, and first to fourth year college.

"Your sister really has no manners! She thinks she's older than you," Elara scowled. They were on the far side of the gymnasium, so they didn't see what happened earlier. The news spread among the students and reached them.

"I will never bring you back to your family," Astrid added. "I don't know if you can even call them your family. You treat them like one, but you never get what you deserve."

I smiled faintly. "Come on, guys, this is not a pity party. Let's enjoy the day."

The candidates had an intermission number for Mr. and Ms. Intramurals. Then they went on stage to raise their team flags. Someone ran around the gymnasium with a torch. The organizers gave speeches about the school, the faculty, staff, and the students who have come together to make quality education possible. They also shared how they plan to ensure us stable and successful futures. Asher took photos of everything. He seemed to be all over the gymnasium taking pictures.

I tried my best to enjoy the day, but I couldn't lie to myself. In the back of my head, I couldn't help but think about what Aria said earlier. Am I really a family wrecker? And do I really not belong to begin with? How many more times do I need to seek for love from my family only to be disappointed? I'm just trying my best every day. I don't complain when I sacrifice for my siblings, when my parents stop me from doing what I want, or when I follow their wishes. I've never been selfish. I've done everything in my life with my family in mind. Will I hurt someone or insult anyone? Will any decisions I make in life harm someone? How come I'm seen as a home wrecker when all I wish for is the best for them?

"Guys, I'll just buy a shake," I said. "Do you want anything?"

Astrid shook her head. "No, we already asked Jasper to get us fries."

I looked at an empty seat next to Axel. I didn't notice Jasper leaving because I was lost in thought.

"Pearl shake, please. Chocolate flavor," I ordered, my mind still preoccupied. My heart felt heavy. I thought today would be a happy day. Can't I just be a normal student? One who doesn't have to think about problems other than academics and dreams in life?

"Kid?" I zoned out so much that I didn't realize the vendor calling me. "Are you going to get this or not?"

I quickly took my pearl shake from her.

"That's forty pesos," she said. I felt my pocket.

"s**t!" I forgot to bring my wallet. I just came straight here earlier.

Before I could even say goodbye to the vendor that I was just going to get some money from, someone placed a hundred in front of me.

"Pearl shake, buko pandan flavor. Include her payment with mine," Cedric pointed out to me.

"Hey Cedric!" I greeted him. "It's you. Thank you, I left my wallet in my bag. I'll just pay you back later."

He smirked. "Just say 'yes' to me, I'm good with that."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I'll pay you with money. Your desired price is not affordable."

"Is that your way of rejecting me?"

"Is it too obvious?" I pretended not to know.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "No, Amanda. There's no justice in that."

I scratched my head. "I'm just not ready for those things. I'm not thinking about being in a relationship yet. I'm just seventeen. We're not even capable of love."

"And you think older people are more capable? There are a lot of failed marriages and relationships. You think older people are wiser? Love does not look at age, Amanda. It's not just for adults. So, when you feel it, don't hold back. Because whether younger or older, we are all fools in love."

Instead of being encouraged, his words made relationships seem like an even worse idea to me. There are a lot of failed marriages and relationships, usually because of cheating. Just because other women are more attractive, they get swapped out. We cannot help who we are and how we look. Why does it seem like it's our fault if something is lacking in us and why men act up. If there some women who’s more beautiful than me that are still got cheated on, what more with me who isn't proud of my looks? As a woman, every time I see other beautiful women, I can't help but compare myself to them, how much more with men?

"Ledesma!" Cedric gave Asher a big smile, who I think was behind me because Cedric's gaze was directed there.

I turned to Asher who was approaching us.

"What are you doing here?" Asher asked coldly.

"I study here too. What? Am I not allowed here?" Cedric took his shake and his change of twenty. He took a sip. "I was just telling Amanda to watch my basketball game tomorrow," he messed with my hair.

"But-"

"Okay then! See you tomorrow! I'll pick you up at your place if you don't show up!"

I sipped my shake while glaring at him. He smirked naughtily as he walked away from me. But I didn't witness the whole thing as Asher's body blocked my view.

"What?" I asked.

"Did you make me go with your sister so you could have alone time with him?" his voice sounded accusatory.

"No way!" I denied. "We just met here. He paid for my shake because I forgot my wallet."

"Did he treat you?" he seemed more irritated with my explanation. "So, you're friends now?"

He looked like a sulking kid, so I chuckled.

"It's not funny, Amanda Callie. I feel betrayed," he furrowed his brows. And yet he didn't lose his charm. He looked more masculine when he's serious, which is all the time.

"Are you jealous, my friend?" I teased him.

"Yeah. He paid for your shake and he doesn't get ditched. Meanwhile, I was about to pay for your damn donuts and I get left at the convenience store."

I burst into laughter.

"Sorry!" I couldn't stop laughing.

"No, Amanda Callie, you're not forgiven."

I pouted.

"You need to go on billions of food dates with me for my forgiveness."