Beauty Under the Lens

CHAPTER 22

Amanda's POV

"It's nice hanging out here in the garden. It's breezy. Why didn't we make this our hangout spot in the past years?" Elara handed me the things I needed.

I applied concealer on Zyna's eye area. It's our usual practice to start with the face when applying makeup, but with Indian makeup, I observed that they prioritize the eyes. I set the concealer using powder. Then, I used a brown eyeshadow. After that, I applied dark brown on the sides of her eyelids. Then, I cut the crease and put gold shade. Next, eyeliner. I made sure it was sharp and very dark on the ends. I also applied foundation and fake eyelashes on Zyna.

"Next are contour and highlights," I focused on what I was doing, so I didn't bother Astrid and Elara who were laughing about something.

I used an eyebrow pencil to fill in her brows and finished off with red lipstick. I smiled to myself because my work turned out consistent. How I did her makeup yesterday is the same today, so I didn't worry about making mistakes during the actual pageant.

"Do you have your costume with you?" I asked Zyna as we haven't seen how she looks with makeup while wearing the costume.

"Just a moment, I'll change in the restroom," she picked up the paper bag and went to the nearby restroom.

"You're really talented, Amanda Callie. You really have the skills of a makeup artist. You should turn it into a business," Astrid commented.

"Makeup is somewhat therapeutic for me too," I agreed as I sat on a plastic chair. "Today was really exhausting."

"Yeah, it was. Luckily, we have intrams in the next few days. It's a break for us too," Elara added.

"We're getting closer to the part I fear," Astrid grumbled. "We're starting our research for PR1. I hope we're allowed to choose our own groupmates."

After the intrams, we'll be grouped. During the Christmas Break, we'll have time to decide on the topics and research titles to propose to the teacher. In January next year, we'll have a title defense.

"Thank you so much, Amanda. Sorry for the trouble," Zyna said after she washed her face and changed back into her uniform. According to Astrid, everything was perfect.

"Don't mention it. This is what I do, so no problem," I reassured her with a smile that she returned.

"If you need me, I could do you a favor as well."

I shook my head. "That won't be necessary."

Zyna bid us goodbye. She went home first while the three of us remained in the garden. It was only four o'clock in the afternoon. Our dismissal time is at 2:30, so we had plenty of time to hang out. I took out my earphones and put them on, playing music. I could use a rest. I just lowered the volume so I could still hear if Astrid or anyone wanted to talk to me.

One minute they were almost shrieking in laughter then suddenly it became silent. I was too curious for my own good, so I opened my eyes. And the first thing I saw was him. Looks like Asher is waiting for someone. And that someone must be my sister. He fetched her yesterday.

"Guys, let's leave," I didn't need to explain to them anymore because it seems like they also know what's going on.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and hurriedly walked to leave the garden and go home. I looked down so I wouldn't have to look at Asher. But just a few steps away, I bumped into something hard. I stepped back and looked up. It was Asher.

"Hey, Asher!" I laughed awkwardly while looking at Astrid and Elara. "Oh, you're here too. We didn't notice you."

Astrid and Elara also chuckled with me.

"Yeah. We're leaving now. If you're waiting for someone, you can have the garden to yourself," Astrid casually said.

The brown of his eyes protruded as the sun's light touched his face. He licked his lips, expression hardened.

"Can I have Amanda Callie and the garden to myself then?" he asked Astrid without taking his eyes off me.

My breath almost came to a stop because I felt like drowning in the sea of overwhelming emotions, where I couldn't resurface no matter how hard I tried.

I miss him. Even though I only spent a few weeks with him. I've dreamed of doing so for five years. And now that we're back to zero, it feels like a lost dream all over again.

If I ask, will he grant it? I've done nothing but be obedient and compliant to others. Maybe this one time, the universe can grant it to me. Just one day, then it's gone. I'll distance myself again. Can I at least have that in my life?

Just this once, I convinced myself.

"Astrid, Elara, please leave us," I slowly said without taking my eyes off of Asher.

Astrid pulled Elara along. They silently left the garden. It was just Asher and me are left.

"What do you want to talk?" I asked in a cold voice.

"You're avoiding me," he accused instead of asking.

"I'm not avoiding you. I just have nothing but respect for my sister. Those are different," I tried hard to make my expression appear tough.

"Sitting beside me, talking to me, and being with me, does not make your respect invalid," he argued.

This is all I ask for. To hear his voice. No matter the situation. Whether he's casually talking to me, happy, sad, or angry like now. As long as I heard him. And that was fulfilled today.

"Is that all you're going to say? If so, I'm leaving," my expression blank. I tried to leave because being with him for much longer will make me break down for sure.

As I passed by Asher, my vision blurred. I caught my tears. Before I could lower my hand, he pulled me back to him like a spring. I was welcomed by his chest. My tears continued to fall as my face buried in his chest.

"Asher, what is it?" I was weak at this point. "Let me leave! What else do you want?"

I hit his chest and when he grabbed my hand, I almost wrinkled his uniform with my tight grip. I sobbed so hard that I almost lost oxygen. Just one hug. I will let out whatever is bothering me inside. Perhaps that's what I need to escape from this madness. Maybe I'm not letting go of what I'm feeling because he doesn't know. Maybe I'm feeling this because he doesn't know about it. And when he finds out, I might lose interest as well. I might suddenly wake up.

"Asher," I sobbed and reached for his neck to hug him. I can only do this once. I'll make the most of it. I don't care if I almost strangle him with how tightly I hold on.

"Shhh..." he stroked my hair while one hand embraced my waist to support me in my stumbling.

"It hurts and I don't f*cking know why," my favorite scent filled my nose, his scent. "Just one hug, Asher, I'll be fine. After this, we shouldn't have any connection. Don't make it difficult for me. Let's just go back to how things were before. When you didn't even notice me. You're just my classmate and our class president who likes to boss me around."

He cursed softly. His hand went under my thighs. He lifted me as if we were newlyweds. I became more comfortable hugging his neck because we were now of the same height.

He kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes.

"You want me to boss you around? Well then, your president tells you that there's no going back," he hissed. "Stop avoiding me, Amanda Callie. It's useless."

He walked towards one of the benches. He sat us there. I lay on his chest, still sniffing from crying.

"Asher, you are engaged to-"

"Hush, Amanda Callie," Asher interrupted me. "A mere statement doesn't make it an engagement unless both sides commit to it. And I commit to who I want to marry, not who they want."

The two of us fell silent. I could only hear our breathing.

"Where are you staying now?" he started the conversation again. "Astrid? Elara? Zyna?"

"Why aren't Jasper and Axel options?" I asked nonchalantly.

"I would know if you're there. Why? You're living with one of them? They must've lied to my face then. I'm gonna kill those f*ckers."

Was he looking for me?

"I'm staying with Astrid," I replied. "I'm lucky I still have somewhere to live," I chuckled.

"You could always come to me, Amanda Callie," he tucked my hair behind my ear.

I shook my head. "It's embarrassing, especially to auntie. And why would I come to you when we're not even that close?"

He pulled me closer to him even though we had no gap before. "How much closer do you want, Amanda Callie?"

"You're so corny," I chuckled softly.

"Is there still someone there?" I heard the guard on patrol shout. I checked the time on Asher's wristwatch. It was already five o'clock.

"Let's go, we need to leave now," I moved away from hugging him. When I stood up, he stopped me.

"Asher, it's already five o'clock!" I reminded him.

"You have to promise me you won't avoid me after this," it seemed like he wouldn't let me go unless I complied with what he wanted.

"Asher, our schoolmates might say something."

"I will decline that engagement. Will you talk to me, then?" he looked hopeful as he offered.

I didn't want to complicate our situation further. Him declining the engagement would only anger my mom more.

"We can be... friends," I replied. "No hugs like what I did, no carrying me like what you did, you can't pin me against the walls or pull me back to you. People would misinterpret."

He looked amused as I laid out my conditions.

"Fine, let's negotiate," he licked his lips. "You will go back to your seat at the back, beside me. You won't leave me at convenience stores because that's not what a good friend does."

I blushed when I remembered that.

"And you won't go around pushing me to women because it's making me uncomfortable."

I felt a twinge of guilt. I always did what others wanted without asking him if he wanted me to push Aria towards him.

"Okay, deal."

He smirked. "I'll get you home, then."

"It's not necessary. I can commute on my own," I took my wallet from my bag to prepare for payment. It's difficult to arrive home and then realize you don't have money with you. It's panic-inducing.

"But you had Cedric drive you home," he retorted.

I scoffed. "Well, you had Aria picked up yesterday!"

"I was waiting for you," he pouted. "And you're just having Herrera drive you. He's courting you now?"

"Why do I need to tell you?"

"I'm your friend. Isn't that what friends do? Tell each other when you like someone or if someone is courting you," he replied.

"That's for girl talk. Guy friends don't like hearing those things. Unless you're gay?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

He faced me and leaned closer to me. "Let's see if I'm gay then?"

I pushed him away immediately.

"We're friends, right?" I reminded him.

"Yeah," his eyes were gentle. "Friends."