Chapter 3 Dress Up or Dress Down

• • Jada •
• “So! We’ll just drop by your place later,” Bambi told me, as he wave at us frantically while walking backward. “Ta-ta!”
• Honey and I nodded at him then they both run towards the stairs. Both Bambi and Ada are excited about tonight’s event.
• They were in a hurry to leave because they still need to fetch their clothes from their apartment. After that, they’ll go straight to my condo.
• “Let’s go?” Honey asked me. She too is excited, she can’t even get rid of the smile on her face.
• Even if we still have two more subjects to attend, she can’t help but imagine what it will be like later. She keeps talking about it in class.
• Good thing there’s not much going on in the last two subjects so we won’t miss anything. Even if we’re busy chatting.
• After our last subject, Honey and I immediately left the classroom. We live in the same building. She was the first one to have a unit there, but she moved to the one next to me when I moved.
• Our family house is within Quezon City too. However, it will take me an hour to reach SMU, even two hours if there’s heavy traffic.
• As I know how toxic traffic is in the city, I decided to ask my father for my condo unit. I pick near the university. Fortunately, he agreed.
• I don’t often ask anything from my parents. If I can take the expenses from my allowance, I just do that. But for expenses such as the condo, I ask them for help.
• “Ouch!”
• A strong force hit me and I wasn’t able to keep my balance. My phone flew across the corridor as I topple on the floor.
• “You shouldn’t be texting while walking you know?” an intimidating voice scolded me. the owner of the voice was bent down, picking my phone from the floor.
• I quickly stood up to confront whoever the culprit is that caused me to fall, but I wasn’t able to do it when he faced me. It was Lyken.
• He was frowning while handing over my phone to me, brows shot up. I snatched it from him as I roll my eyes, holding my arm as it was still painful from the bump.
• “Careful next time,” he even said before turning on his heel.
• ‘Wait a second. Wasn’t it him who bumped into me? I was the one who got hurt. Why does it seem like I was the one at fault? That jerk didn’t even apologize!”
• After Lyken left, I looked around for Honey. I saw her talking to Kobe near the stairs. It looks like they’re already discussing tonight's outing.
• Kobe smiled when he saw me, but I wasn’t able to return it. My arm still hurts because of the incident with Lyken.
• When the man left, Honey and I went downstairs, heading for the parking lot. “He said they’ll pick us up later,” she informed me while we’re walking.
• “I have my car, we can just go to the venue on our own,” lightly refusing the idea of the men picking us up.
• “Sis, isn’t that sweet? Imagine, those hotties are coming to our place!” she exclaimed.
• I just shrugged at her. I’m really not interested in those kinds of men. I prefer the studious guys. Not nerdy but definitely not someone who attracts so much attention.
• I’m the jealous type, I must admit. Probably because I’m an only child and I’m used to having attention to myself.
• An hour after we got home, Bambi and Ada arrived. We’ve decided to meet in my unit to prepare for the event.
• It was only four in the afternoon when they started getting ready. Both pinks laid down their clothes on my couch, undecided what to wear.
• I rested for a bit before grabbing my towel and heading for the bathroom. As soon as I stepped out, Bambi blocked my way to the bedroom.
• “What are you going to wear byotch?”
• "Jeans, shirt, the usual!" I answered casually.
• I saw his facial expression changed several times. He looked shocked, irritated then disgusted. He even eyed me from head to toe.
• “Wow Jada, why are you so boring?!” Bambi exclaimed, obviously irritated. “Get yourself out of your jeans and tees, and try something else before I burn all your clothes!”
• “Yeah, that’s why you’re being mistaken for a tomboy!” Ada seconded.
• “Wear something girly this time. Look at Honey, she flaunts what she has!” Ada stated, pointing at Honey while eyeing her from head to toe. Again, I shrugged.
• I went inside my room and opened my closet. Sitting on my bed, I stared at my clothes, trying to find something suitable to wear.
• ‘Will these still fit me?’
• Although I have "girly" outfits, I don't really find them comfortable so I rarely wear them. Back in the US, I only wear dresses and such when we’re going out and my crush is coming with us.
• Of course, I had to dress to impress. But here in the Philippines, I don’t think I’ve ever dressed up at all.
• I let out a sigh when I've finally decided what to wear. I picked a purple racerback paired with ripped shorts.
• I grabbed my favorite sneakers from the rack and put them on. ‘There! All set!’ When I stepped out of my room, the pinks turned their heads to me.
• “Damn byotch! Flaunt it!” Ada exclaimed, exaggeratedly while doing a slow clap.
• Bambi circled me, “Those legs are winners!” he praised.
• I got long legs, that’s a fact. I’m as tall as Honey but I’m thicker than her. I’m not milk-skinned like her but I like my color.
• My skin’s light brown but I easily blush when it’s hot. I have long, straight dark brown hair but no one will notice as I always tie it in a messy bun, especially when in school.
• “Come here, Jada! Let’s enrich that beauty!” Bambi giggled as he points at the stool facing the mirror.
• He grabbed the hairbrush and run it thru my hair several times before he tied it into a half ponytail. However, I quickly dodged when he picked his makeup brush.
• Crossing my arms on my chest, I quickly stood up and walked backward, “No, thanks!”
• Ada laughed at my reaction, “Why? You don’t want to look like a clown?” he asked, teasing our friend.
• “Definitely not! I’m fine with face powder and lipgloss.”
• I rarely wear makeup, I don’t find it comfortable. When I do, I feel like my face itches and I can’t stop myself from scratching it.
• When Bambi didn’t force me, I head back to my bedroom. Picking the hoop earrings I left on my dresser, I quickly put them on and take a good look at myself in the mirror.
• ‘Not bad!’
• Four minutes before the clock strikes six, the doorbell of my unit rang. I went ahead to open the door while my friends are busy with their final touches.
• “Jada?” Kobe’s forehead was creased while eyeing me from head to toe.
• I smiled at him awkwardly, “Hi, good eve! Come in!”
• “Wow! Damn, you look different!” he exclaimed, raising both hands in praise.
• “I don’t look like a tomboy anymore?” I jest. His face immediately turned red before shaking his head.
• I chose to ignore the embarrassment he displayed to not put him in a tough spot. I even regretted teasing him about it.
• “Hon! Kobe’s here!” I called my friend though I know she was aware of the man’s arrival.
• All three of them popped their heads out of my room in unison. They’re all trying their best to hide the excitement in their faces.
• “You guys ready?” Kobe asked without taking his eyes off of my best friend.
• Honey’s wearing a peach, off-shoulder dress, paired with wedges in a darker shade of peach. Bambi curled her hair, leaving it down.
• She’s gorgeous and the appreciation’s evident on Kobe’s face. Honey’s like a goddess who’s about to go out and party.
• When they nodded at Kobe, he gestured for the door and the three of them quickly followed. “You guys go ahead, I’ll just check on something,” I called after them.
• Before leaving, it’s become my habit to check on the sliding door of my terrace to make sure it’s locked. I also check on the appliances to make sure everything that needs to be unplugged was unplugged.
• When I came down, I saw a car parked right in front of our building. Peeking inside, I saw Kobe on the passenger side, Lyken on the driver’s seat, and my friends sitting comfortably at the back.
• Lyken’s car is a blue metallic BMW Coupé so if you’re to look at it, it looks crowded. Behind his car is a silver Mazda with three guys onboard, probably their teammates.
• “Let’s go Ja!” Ada called excitedly.
• “Where are we going?”
• “Malate!” Kobe answered.
• “I’ll just convoy, is that okay?” I asked while eyeing them one by one, weighing their reactions.
• “Get in, I’ll transfer to Steve’s car,” Kobe offered.
• I raised my hand to stop him from opening the door of Lyken’s car, “No, it’s fine. I’ll just take my car with me.”
• I don’t want them to think that I’m being choosy or anything, but even if it’s just the four of us in the car, it still looks crowded. It feels suffocating.
• “Let her go if she doesn’t want to ride with us,” Lyken told Kobe, obviously irritated. I was even surprised that he talked all of a sudden.
• “Ok, I’ll just follow you guys,” then I turned around to get to my car. It wasn’t that far from where they are parked, so I easily got there.
• I didn’t wait for Lyken to say anything more or I might snap at him. I think he forgot that he still owe me an apology for bumping at me earlier.
• I quickly turned my car engine on and followed them. I don’t want to act like someone important but I also feel like I offended Lyken because of what I did.