The Fashionista's Biggest Plot Twist

I stared at myself in the mirror, and honestly, I couldn't stop smiling. My reflection seemed to be saying, "Girl, you nailed it again." My skin was flawless, so fair it was almost pale. My purple hair fell perfectly over my shoulders, shiny enough to look like it belonged in a shampoo commercial. A lot of people noticed my hair color. They always said it only looked good on me. On everyone else? Apparently, it made them look like purple rice cakes. Well, I couldn't really blame them. I mean... this is Antonette Elejar we're talking about. "You're seriously gorgeous, Antonette," I whispered to myself as I gently ran my fingers through my hair, admiring my reflection even more. I let out a soft laugh. It was true, after all. Mirrors don't lie. I'm Antonette Elejar, the one and only fashionista of St. Adrienne University. And I didn't need to be arrogant just to admit that. I was wearing my newly bought signature dress. A white mini dress that was just the right length. Not too revealing, but definitely not boring either. I paired it with baby pink wedge sandals with ribbon straps. Classy, sweet, and exactly my style. Around my neck hung a silver necklace with a heart-shaped pendant that sparkled beautifully, matching my elegant earrings that shimmered under my bedroom lights. Actually, I prefer gold jewelry. But honestly? A thief might just snatch it. And hello? I refuse to look like a sweaty mess while chasing after a robber. Imagine, ruining my entire aura just because I'm drenched in sweat. No, thank you. I took a deep breath as I looked at myself from head to toe. Everything was perfect. Well... almost. Yeah, almost. The only thing missing? Cody Villafrancia. There it was again. The moment I thought of his name, my heart started racing. I've had a crush on him ever since my first year of college. Actually... I don't even know if it's still just a crush or if it's already true love. What's so frustrating is that no matter how much effort I put in, new clothes, a new hairstyle, even expensive perfume, he still acts like I don't exist! That guy is seriously clueless. Hello? This is Antonette Elejar! My thoughts were interrupted by a series of loud knocks on my bedroom door. Seriously. It sounded like someone was trying to tear it down. I opened the door and, as expected, there they were. The three angels of my life. The Campus Sweethearts. My girls. Judging by the expressions on their faces, they'd clearly been waiting for quite a while. We were planning to go to a party tonight. School had been exhausting lately, and we were all mentally drained. We figured a fun night out would help us recharge. Yeah, I know this outfit doesn't exactly scream "party." But I was going for a demure look. Soft. Elegant. The kind of girl who looks like she couldn't even break a plate. Honestly, this outfit was already simple by my standards. Good thing I didn't wear a gown. They'd probably be even more jealous of me. Me? This is Antonette Elejar. No one can beat my fashion sense. "So, girls... how do I look? Still pretty, right?" I asked proudly, striking a pose with a little arch in my back to show off my outfit. But instead of applause... They burst out laughing. Laughing like they had absolutely no mercy for the full hour I spent getting ready. "What took you so long? We've been waiting downstairs for almost an hour," Lara complained. She was basically the big sister of our group. A total bookworm. Serious. A little grumpy. And trust me... Never, ever interrupt her while she's reading. Honestly, it's probably safer to wake up a dragon. So don't even think about trying it. I'm warning you. "Your dress is so cute, girl. It looks amazing on you. I love it!" Mandy said, instantly making me smile again. That's Mandy. My soul sister when it comes to fashion.We have the same taste.The same vibes.Unlike Lara, who's all about practicality... Or Roma... Well... Roma is on a completely different level. "Thank you! That's why I love you, friend," I replied with a wink. But before I could fully enjoy the compliment. Someone just had to ruin the moment. "What's so cute about Antonette's outfit? She looks like a Christmas tree with all those colors! You should've worn orange instead. It would've suited you better." Roma. Also known as... The villain of my life. The Queen of Darkness herself. I immediately felt like smoke was about to come out of my nose. Seriously? This witch again? She always had something negative to say. I'm probably getting wrinkles because of her. "Oh, come on, Roma. You're teasing her again," Mandy laughed as she lightly smacked Roma on the shoulder. Honestly, she should've hit harder. Maybe then it'd actually hurt. "I'm just telling the truth," Roma answered casually as she sat on the sofa like she was the host of a talk show. Meanwhile... I was already getting annoyed. "The truth, my ass," I muttered under my breath. "Excuse me, but for your information, this outfit is trending. And you? My God! Where's the Halloween party? It's not even November yet! Is someone holding a wake?" Well... I couldn't stop myself anymore. If she's going to play the villain. Then so will I. She was wearing another all-black outfit from head to toe. Even her eyeliner looked like it belonged in a horror movie. Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised if she secretly belonged to some creepy cult. Sometimes I swear darkness itself lives inside her room. Who knows? Maybe she has dolls with needles stuck in them hidden somewhere. Just imagining it gave me goosebumps. Ugh. Erase that thought, Antonette. "We're actually here for the wake. So where's the coffee and bread?" the witch fired back before laughing. She loved getting on my nerves. Lara and Mandy laughed too. In the Philippines, it is customary for the family of the deceased to serve coffee and bread to visitors who come to the wake to offer their condolences. Traitors. I was the only one who wasn't laughing. Because it wasn't funny. "Why, you—" I was about to fire another comeback when Lara spoke. Our dragon's big sister. "That's enough. Let's go," she said in the same tone a teacher uses after giving up on a noisy class. "It's Roma's fault..." I complained with a pout. People say I look cute when I pout. Maybe Lara would finally take my side. Why not me, right? "Just ignore her. You already know she hates colorful things," Mandy said with a wink. I simply sighed. That's Mandy. The peacekeeper of our little chaos. Roma grinned before casually wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Sorry," she said half-heartedly. "Whatever," I replied with an eye roll, pretending to be offended. "Actually... your outfit really is pretty." I instantly stood a little straighter. "The only thing missing..." She paused dramatically. "...is a string of Christmas lights. Then you'd be absolutely perfect." There it was! My blood pressure shot up again. I knew it! "Your outfit is the one that needs Christmas lights! You're so dressed in black you make a power outage look bright!" I shot back. Roma laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "I'm kidding! You seriously can't take a joke. But honestly... you really do look like a doll." I raised an eyebrow. A doll? Well... Mom always says she craved dolls while she was pregnant with me. So... believable. "Really?" I asked, already feeling my irritation disappear. "Yup! You're a doll..." She paused again. "...a voodoo doll! You know, the kind people use for witchcraft! Hahaha!" Before I could smack her, she took off running. "Roma! A voodoo doll?! You look more like one than I do! Maybe you're even related to them!" I shouted, fuming as I picked up the last pieces of the dignity that monster had thrown away. If I ever caught her... I'd hang her upside down. Even if it meant risking my delicate, sexy arms. "I love you too, Antonette!" the little demon shouted while laughing. As if she were actually funny. Meanwhile... Mandy and Lara were still laughing their heads off. Not one of them defended me. Heartless. "Hmph!" I huffed, rolling my eyes at my merciless friends who clearly had no sympathy for their fashionista's friend. But even so... I couldn't stop smiling as I closed the door behind me. That's just how we are. Chaotic. Loud. Always teasing each other. And no matter how many voodoo doll jokes Roma throws at me... I know I'd never trade these crazy girls for anyone else.