Chapter 3 - Flaunt It

“So! We’ll see you at your place later,” Bambi told both girls, frantically waving as he walked backwards. “Ta-ta!”

The pinks were excited for tonight. They were in a hurry to leave so they could get their clothes before going to Jada’s condo.

Honey, on the other hand, was just as excited. They still have one more class to attend, but she cannot sit still anymore. She kept talking about all the what-ifs during class.

After class, she immediately dragged Jada out of the room. They live in the same building, so it was easier for them to huddle.

Honey was first to move at Vertex. Meanwhile, Jada’s family's house is located in Boca. It takes an hour to reach Flagler, or more if there is heavy traffic.

Knowing this, her father offered to get a unit at Vertex. Fortunately, the unit right next to Honey’s was still vacant. Without second thought, Jada asked her father to get it.

“Ouch!”

A strong force hit Jada on the way downstairs. Unable to keep her balance, she stumbled on the floor, and her phone flew across the hallway.

“You shouldn’t be texting while walking, you know?” Said the person who was bent down to pick up the phone.

Jada quickly stood up to confront the culprit, but she was taken aback when she realized it was Lyken. His face was in a frown as he handed back her phone. Annoyed, Jada snatched it from him.

“Careful next time,” he even added before turning his back on her.

‘Huh! And now it’s my fault? Where’s the apology?!’

Brows still knitted, she looked around for Honey. She spotted her friend not far from the incident site, busy talking to Kobe. From the look of things, it seemed they were talking about tonight’s plans.

Jada did not bother joining them. She just waited for Honey to finish, and when she did, they headed to the parking lot.

“He said they'd pick us up later,” Honey informed her as they descended the stairs.

Disliking the idea, Jada clicked her tongue. “I have my car, we can just go to the venue on our own.”

“Sis, isn’t that sweet? Imagine, those hotties are coming to our place!” Honey squealed.

Jada sighed. The whole situation did not really appeal to her. It was nice that the guys were chivalrous enough to offer them a ride, but they did not actually pique her interest.

She had always preferred the studious type. He did not have to be nerdy, but she definitely wanted someone who did not attract quite so much attention.

Jada was the jealous type. She believed it stemmed from the truth that she was an only child. She was used to having all the attention to herself.

An hour after they got home, Bambi and Ada arrived. They all gathered at Jada’s unit. It was only four in the afternoon, but they were all starting to prepare. Both pinks even laid their clothes on the couch, undecided what to wear.

Jada, on the other hand, chose to rest for a while. After an hour more, she grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom. On her way back, Bambi blocked her way to the bedroom.

“What are you going to wear, byotch?”

"Jeans, shirt, usual!" Jada answered with a shrug.

Bambi’s expression shifted–shocked, irritated, to disgusted. He even gave her a slow, judgmental look from head to toe. “Wow, Jada! Why are you so boring?!” He exclaimed, the annoyance evident in his tone. “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 added, pointing at Honey while eyeing her from head to toe. Again, Jada shrugged.

She entered her room and opened her closet. Slowly, she sat on the bed, staring at her clothes, unable to figure out what to wear. ‘Will these still fit me?’

Although Jada has "girly" outfits, she does not really find them comfortable. She rarely wore them. Back in Kensington, she only wore dresses and such when going out, and her crush is coming with them. Back there, she had to dress to impress. But at Flagler, she had no reason to dress up at all.

Jada sighed as she pushed herself off the bed. She grabbed a purple racerback and a pair of ripped shorts. ‘These will do,’ she decided. On her way out, she slipped on her favorite sneakers. ‘There! All set!’

When she stepped out of my room, the pinks turned their heads to her. Ada and Bambi looked at each other, smiled, and slow-clapped.

“Damn byotch! Flaunt it!” Ada exclaimed.

Bambi circled her, “Those legs are winners!” he praised. “Come here, Jada! Let’s enhance that beauty!” Pointing at the stool in front of the mirror.

He grabbed the hairbrush and ran it through Jada’s hair several times before tying it into a half ponytail. But when he picked up the makeup brush, Jada dodged.

She cupped her face, stood up, and backed away. “No, thanks!”

Ada laughed at her reaction, “Why? You don’t want to look like a clown?”

“Hell no! Face powder and lip gloss will do!”

Jada rarely wore makeup. Again, she was uncomfortable with it. Her face itches, and she cannot stop herself from scratching it.

She instead returned to her room, picked up the hoop earrings she had left on her dresser, and put them on. ‘Not bad!’

Ten minutes before the clock struck six, Jada’s doorbell rang. She peeked from her room and saw her friends panicking over the final touches.

“Jada?” Kobe’s forehead creased, eyeing her from head to toe.

She smiled awkwardly, “Hi, good evening! Come in!”

“Wow! Damn, you look different!” he exclaimed, raising both hands in praise.

“I don’t look like a tomboy anymore?” she teased, and his face immediately turned crimson before shaking his head.

Jada chuckled, lightly tapping his shoulder. She actually regretted teasing him about it. “Hon! Kobe’s here!” she called, though she knew they were aware of his arrival.

All three of them popped their heads out of Jada’s room. They were all trying their best to hide the excitement on their faces.

“You guys ready?” Kobe’s smile seemed glued to his face.

Honey stepped out of the room wearing a peach, off-shoulder dress, paired with wedges in a darker shade of peach. Bambi curled her hair, leaving it down.

She was gorgeous, and the appreciation was evident on Kobe’s face. She was like a goddess about to go out and party.

The pinks coming out were a signal they were ready to go. Kobe gestured for the door, and the three of them quickly followed.

“You guys go ahead, I’ll just check on something,” Jada called after them.

She checked on the sliding door to the terrace and made sure it was locked. It was also her habit to check all the appliances and unplug what needed to be unplugged.

Downstairs, she spotted a car parked right outside. Jada peeked inside–Lyken is in the driver’s seat, Kobe is in the passenger seat, and her friends are squeezed in the back. It was crowded.

“Let’s go, Ja!” Ada called excitedly.

“Where are we going?”

“At Clematis!” Kobe answered.

“I’ll just follow you guys, is that okay?” She looked at them one by one, weighing their reactions.

“Get in, I’ll transfer to Steve’s car,” Kobe offered.

Jada stopped him from getting out. “No, it’s fine. I’ll just take my car.” Jada was not being picky. But the number of people in the car was suffocating.

“Let her go if she doesn’t want to ride with us,” Lyken told Kobe, and he was obviously irritated. Jada was even surprised he spoke.

“Okay, I’ll just follow you guys.” Without another word, she turned to her car. It was parked not far from them, so it did not take her long.

Jada did not wait for Lyken to say more. She might snap at him. He still owes her an apology for what happened earlier.

'What an asshole!'