C3 Chapter 3

• 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.