So Bad: Can Friends Kiss?

Episode 7

A FEW DAYS LATER...

Almost a week after that day, I started to transform myself with the help of my two dear friends. Now, I've changed a lot. From having jet-black hair, these two changed it to a light brown, which makes my face look significantly brighter. They also got me to change my makeup tone and practically gave me a whole new wardrobe. Now, I've become a beautiful, stylish, edgy, and bold girl.

Oh, and I have to give credit to Milan for the clothes. I wouldn't have the means to afford a whole new wardrobe. Even though my parents send me enough money each month, I know my family isn't as wealthy as others. Every baht my parents send is earned through their sweat and toil, so I absolutely refuse to spend their money on frivolous things.

But since Milan has her own clothing brand and it's selling really well, she gave me every style. At first, I didn't want to accept them because they were for sale, but she proposed a deal she'd suggested many times before: to model her clothes. I never agreed before, but this time I accepted the offer in exchange for the clothes, which seemed fair to both sides.

“Girl... you look stunning, my dear. So beautiful that even the dogs in front of the faculty are staring. Haha,” said Manny, the sharp-tongued drag queen as usual, greeting me on a delightful Friday morning. This one loves to tease friends. May she never find a husband.

“You look beautiful too, girl. Beautiful in a ghostly way,” I teased back, laughing.

“You! But you really are beautiful. Even in a student uniform, you look this good. If Austin doesn't notice, I'll just have to get a wife myself.”

“Watch out, you might actually end up with one,” I teased back, making her glare at me once.

Ding!

“You guys are bickering early in the morning,” Milan, who had been listening to us bicker for a while, complained and picked up her phone to check the notification she just received.

"Ugh, I'm fed up, I'm bored, ugh!" Suddenly, she snapped after checking her phone, and we were so startled that we immediately turned to look at her.

"What's wrong?" I asked with concern. Milan rolled her eyes and handed us her phone. Once we saw it, we immediately understood her mood.

"Ugh! Damn it, I feel like becoming a monk," Manny exclaimed and collapsed onto the bed. I was just as annoyed because the class president sent a message to the group saying that both the morning and afternoon classes were canceled.

Why did I even bother coming?!

"Do you think the professor is worried we'll sleep in, so they always tell us right before class starts?" I complained too. If there's a student who hasn't gone through this, I'd be shocked.

"Then let's go to my place. Let's find some clothes. Don't forget, it's Kevin's birthday tonight," Milan suggested, inviting us to her condo, looking excited when mentioning Kevin's birthday party happening tonight.

"Oh right, damn, I haven't even prepared a gift for my dear Kevin yet," Manny exclaimed loudly, looking flustered.

"Oh, come on, you're acting like it's your own boyfriend's birthday. Why don't you just wrap yourself up with a bow for Kevin?" I teased, feeling a bit annoyed, and Manny pouted slightly at me.

"Would that work? If it would, I'd throw myself at him right now."

"Haha, sure, but can we hit the mall first? I haven't got a gift for Kevin either." I laughed at Manny's antics and changed the subject, and the two of them agreed. So we headed to the mall to find a birthday gift for Kevin first.

***

THE MOST

"Your girl looks amazing... but Milan, why are you so toned down today?" Manny looked between me and Milan, clapped once in satisfaction at the work she had done on my face, and then turned to ask Milan, who seemed to be dressed more casually than usual. Normally, someone as sexy as her wouldn't tone it down for a night out at the club.

"I want Mia to stand out the most today, to leave the birthday boy speechless," Milan said with a chilling smile, leaving Manny and me confused.

"What's Kevin got to do with this? Min's target is Austin, right?" Manny asked, echoing my own curiosity.

"Kevin is Austin's best friend, and he's just as much of a flirt with a strong charm. You're looking really hot right now. If Kevin shows interest in you and you flirt back while ignoring Austin, do you think a guy like Austin wouldn't get jealous, right?"

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Manny nodded in agreement with Milan.

"But is it okay to mess with someone's feelings? Besides, Kevin isn't exactly a pushover," I asked, worried about whether I could handle Kevin. Even though Kevin is somewhat reliable, playing with his feelings could backfire if he finds out and decides to retaliate harshly.

"Just don't get too close. Just talk to Kevin a bit more and don't even glance at Austin. That should work. Trust me," Milan replied confidently. Alright, I'll give it a shot.

"Alright, I'll try," I took a deep breath to steady myself and agreed before we walked into the club where the event was being held.

Kevin hosted the party at his best friend's club, which is none other than Austin's. The club was closed to outsiders, allowing only those with invitations. Once inside, I was surrounded by campus celebrities, actors, young singers, famous models, and many socialites. The guests were quite impressive, and I was thrilled to meet these famous people.

But there was someone else who excited me even more, even though I hadn't seen him yet—Austin. Since that incident, I've been trying to avoid him, and he hasn't reached out either. But that's not surprising, since I'm just a temporary part of his life.

"Hi... Kevin, happy birthday!" Manny's high-pitched voice greeted the birthday boy, drawing the attention of everyone around before he linked arms with Kevin, handed over a gift, and eagerly took a picture with the host. Milan and I just laughed at his playful antics.

"Happy birthday, Vin. Hope you have lots of happiness," I handed Kevin a gift and smiled at him.

"Thank you so much, Mia, Manny, Milan. You didn't have to go through the trouble of getting gifts; just having you here is great. Come on, let's take a group photo," Kevin said to all of us, but his eyes were fixed on me with an adoring gaze. A very adoring gaze.

Could Kevin really be falling for my charm, just like Milan wanted?

"It's no trouble at all. It's Vin's birthday, after all," I replied with a smile, and Kevin smiled back at me.

"Come on, let's take a group photo," Kevin smiled at me and then called everyone over for a group photo, which we took with great fun until I saw Austin walk in.

Seeing him nearly made me lose my composure, even though I knew we'd meet today. I had prepared myself, but my heart still raced, and I felt awkward until Milan nudged me and gave me a look to snap me back to reality. I tried to act like nothing had happened, even though my heart was pounding.

"Hey, man, what took you so long to come down?" Kevin greeted Austin, who had stopped in front of us. He glanced at me briefly before turning back to talk to Kevin.

"Just finished up," he replied with a stoic face, which made me a bit curious about what he had been doing. But upon closer observation, I noticed a woman following Austin.

"Happy birthday, Kevin," the girl following Austin stepped up to stand next to him, handed Kevin a gift, and linked arms with Austin as if to stake her claim. Then she pretended to touch her neck.

Okay, I understand now the reason why she's holding her neck and trying to make sure Milan and I see it. It's because she has red marks there, quite a few. I immediately realized what they had been doing on the third floor before they came down.

That really stings.

"Thanks. You really ignored the host, didn't you? That was quick. Come on, let's take a picture, everyone," Kevin thanked the girl and teased Austin before inviting the six of us to take a photo together.

Milan and Manny knew the drill and placed me close to Kevin. We took just 2-3 group photos before Manny and Milan stepped out of the frame.

"Let's take individual photos, so we can post them on social media. One at a time, alright? You first," Manny said, pushing the girl to take a picture, then quickly organized everyone to take individual photos with Kevin, leaving me for last.

"Kevin, put your arm around Mia's waist a little. Perfect. Look into each other's eyes for the next one. Wow, that's fantastic!" Manny was directing the poses for Kevin and me the whole time we were taking pictures. He made sure we took a lot more photos than anyone else, and Kevin seemed to enjoy it, which made it fun for me too.

Oh, Milan chipped in too, but in his usual laid-back way. Meanwhile, Austin and the girl with the bright red lipstick were watching us. (Her lipstick was so red that even in the dimly lit club, it was clearly visible, like she'd just devoured someone. A real vampire.)

"Hug each other, look into each other's eyes. Mia, dear, smile a little, darling. Wow, amazing, like a pre-wedding shoot," Manny kept pushing, making me blush. Haha!

I don't know if I imagined it, but it seemed like I caught glimpses of dissatisfaction in Austin's eyes from time to time. Whenever I accidentally made eye contact with him, he'd glare at me. But who cares? I want him to be jealous. Go on, be jealous. Haha!

"Does it really look like a pre-wedding shoot, Manny? That's great, just in case it actually happens. Haha," Kevin suddenly asked Manny, making me blush.

"Kevin! Don't say that, it's embarrassing," I smiled and gave Kevin a playful tap, feeling shy. Kevin just smiled and laughed softly. Even though I don't have feelings for him, I have to admit that Kevin is just as charming as Austin. When a hot guy says something like that, it's only natural for me to be flustered, right?

"Huh! Aren't you going to make a choice? If you're serious, you should check for any flaws first."