It was already dark when I left the penthouse. Since we were still full from all the snacks we had earlier, we opted not to have dinner.

Though it was a bit distracting studying with him—since I can’t avoid looking at him every now and then—it still felt nice. I don’t know how else to describe the feeling.

It felt warm and comfy, and in a way, I felt inspired while studying. It’s like I needed to do better because he was around.

While I was arranging my stuff, the doorbell rang, he probably forgot something…?

When I opened the door, it was JB.

I thought she’ll be home late since I knew she’ll be spending time with her boyfriend, but it seems as though their date finished early. I wonder what happened.

“You’re early. I thought you’ll be home late?”, I asked.

“Yeah, thought so too. Apparently he’s busy”, she said, looking dejected. “It’s also their exams.”

“Oh, then maybe schedule it after then? During our term break?”, I suggested.

“Nah, unlikely. I’ll be going home, and I think he’ll be going home to their province, too.”

I don’t know what else to say. Should I console her?

“By the way, how did he react when he saw you?”, was the only thing I can think of.

“Honestly, I really don’t know.” She seems to be lost in thought. “It felt as though it was nothing. I thought when we’ll see each other, he’ll be happy seeing me, maybe compliment me, but you know what he told me?”

I looked at her, kinda feeling that this won’t sound too well.

“Nothing. He didn’t even bother staring at me, he didn’t compliment me. Nothing. It’s like, ‘oh, okay, you’re here, let’s eat.’ Just like that!”, she sounded very frustrated. “Like he didn’t even bother noticing that I made an effort.”

I probably would’ve felt the same way as her. I mean making an effort to dress up to feel good about myself and not getting a reaction from the guy I like—well, boyfriend in her case—I’d probably lose my shit too.

Out of frustration and not knowing what else to tell her, I just ended up changing the topic and asked about school stuff. Wouldn’t wanna talk about Ethan knowing that she just had a crappy date.

Two weeks passed and it’s already our sem break. The past two weeks have been busy due to submission of requirements and exams, and now, we can finally breathe. I’m so happy.

I probably won’t be seeing Ethan since I’ll be going to our province, and also, my mom and I will go on a vacation. I still have around three days here in Forthworth, so we’ll probably spend most of it together, plus he wanted to do the boyfriend challenge tomorrow. I wonder what he has planned.

Now, I’m on my way to a shoot. It’s for an online clothing store. It’s a solo shoot and it’s only me as their endorser, since it’s just a small brand. Just starting.

Since I only have three more days here in Forthworth, Ethan actually decided to drive me around since I’m quite loaded with content shoots and what not.

After that shoot, Maureen and I met. Over the weeks and despite our busy sched with the school, we were able to plan things out and good thing there’s not a lot of things needed for it.

“I’ll just stay here in the coffee shop, okay?”, Ethan said as he was accompanying me to Maureen’s condo.

“You sure? This might take a while.”

“Yeah, I’ll wait.” He granted me a smile.

I actually feel bad for leaving him there, but Maureen and I still aren’t that close so I’m not sure if it’s fine to take Ethan with me all the way to her unit. And besides, he probably won’t feel comfortable there.

“Don’t worry, okay?”, he added.

I nodded and smiled back as I made my way to Maureen’s unit.

“Avery! Come in”, Maureen greeted me. “I prepared two racks for us to hang our stuff.”

I just nodded.

“Also, do you want me to do your makeup? So that it will match my usual look?”, she asked, beaming. “Oh, wait, that’s a part of my vlog.” She said as she suddenly patted her forehead.

“Sure”, I just gave her a sweet smile.

“Anyway…what else?”, she scoured the room as if looking for something. “Uh, yeah, hang your stuff first. Then let’s make a short intro, then makeup transformation first?”

I can’t help but chuckle a bit and nod, she really talks fast. But I like it ‘cause she’s taking the lead, so I don’t really have to initiate things.

She set up a ring light and arranged her vlogging camera. We talked about how we want our intro to go and once everything was sorted out, we began.

“Hi everyone! This is Maureen again for another vlog, and this time I’ll be doing a makeup transformation with one of Forthworth’s rising vloggers, Avery!”, Maureen started then pointed at me.

“If you follow Avery, you know that she’s leaning more towards the soft girl aesthetic, whereas, me”, she holds her hands above her chest, “I’m more of a baddie.” She winked at the camera.

Since she seems to be very comfy and a pro at what he’s doing, the whole process went by quick.

And when I saw myself in front of the mirror, I can’t help but be in awe.

“See? You really look hot with this edgy look”, she commented.

I can’t remember if I ever tried having this type of look before, but I have to admit, I was amazed with how she transformed me. Truly one of the reasons why she has all that following. She’s very talented!

After we did the makeup transformation, we then proceeded with the style swap.

“Hi everyone, this is Avery for another episode of Avery Day. And for today, we will be having a style swap with the very pretty, Maureen!” Then I gestured towards her.

“This one’s actually a bit tricky as my style tends to lean more on the soft girl aesthetic, pastel colors, some patterns and light prints, whereas with Maureen…” I paused, “well, as you can see with my makeup now, I think you can take a guess where this is leaning, right? So let’s begin.” I smiled.

The style swap shoot was actually very fun. I didn’t expect that it would be that fun to do, but it was really nice since our styles were really different, so the changes were very interesting. I pretty much ended up dressing quite racy, whereas she ended up looking more demure. It was a pleasant surprise everytime we’d go out to show our outfits.

Just as we were about to wrap up, Ethan called.

“Hey, sorry to disturb you, but how’s it going there?”, he asked.

“Great timing, we’re pretty much done. Just arranging some stuff now. How are you there? You didn’t get bored?”, I asked, worried.

“No. I just played games on my phone”, he chuckled.

“Okay okay, I’ll hurry.”

“Okay”, he said then dropped the call.

Maureen shot a glance at me as she was arranging some clothes. “Who’s that? Someone waiting for you?”

“Yeah”, I nodded. “Ethan. He just wanted to accompany me.”

“Oh, you should’ve told me that Jared’s here. He could’ve waited in the living room or something.”

“It’s fine. He didn’t want to go all the way here anyway”, I said, a bit shy.

When I got all my things, I told her that I’m gonna leave.

“I’ll just hit you up when I’ll be posting mine? So, uh, maybe we can post it around the same week”, she stated.

“Oh, sure. I will”, I answered.

When I went back to the coffee shop, I noticed that Ethan was seemingly busy with his phone so I ended up just staring at him for a while. I have to admit that I still can’t believe that someone like him really likes someone like me.

He can pretty much pick whoever he wants, but he chose me. I can’t help but smile.

He probably noticed that I was staring at him so he immediately got up and made his way towards me.

“So how was it?”, he asked.

“It actually went well, I thought it would be awkward, but Maureen was actually very friendly and nice, so yeah, it was very fun to do.”

“Mind showing me some preview. Because with the way you look now, I feel like I can’t wait for your vlog to come out”, he teased.

His comment suddenly reminded me that I didn’t even fix myself and remove the makeup, so I pretty much look different than usual.

I just shook my head and chuckled. “You gotta be patient then.”

Since we’ll be having an early day tomorrow, we decided to just eat out for dinner and go home right away.

“Anyway, can you dress up tomorrow?”, he suddenly suggested while driving.

“Why? Is anything wrong with my usual get-up?”

“Nothing”, he shook his head and smiled. “Just, well…”

“Wait. Where will you take me anyway?”, I asked.

“It’s a surprise”, he winked. “Just look your best. Well…you always do.”

I can’t help but feel the heat rushing up to my cheeks.

“I’ll try to make it worth your while.”

“Okaaay”, I said as he squeezed my hand.

When I got home, I can’t help but wonder what he has in store for tomorrow. It’s unlike him to suggest that I dress up. I feel like I usually dress up anyway, so I’m not sure what he really meant by it.

Should I go for a more formal dress? No. That would be overkill.

Maybe a casual, but highly feminine dress? Possible.

Now I just wish that he didn’t say that, I can’t sleep thinking about it. And I know that I need a beauty rest, so I’ll look really fresh when we do that vlog tomorrow.

I decided to go to JB’s unit.

“Oh, Ave, what brings you here?”, she asked.

“I can’t sleep. I know I should be sleeping by now, but I’m kinda bothered”, I said. “What do you think a guy means when he tells you to look your best on your date?”

She just looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

“I mean, well, technically, it’s not a date, since it’s for the vlog, but…Ethan told me to look my best. What does that mean?”, I said, confused.

“He’ll probably take you to a fancy place? Maybe meet the parents? Or a bit of a special event?”

My eyes widened. “I feel like that’s too much. Well, the fancy place? Possible. But all the other things you suggested? No. I cannot!”

She shrugged. “Well, I’m not sure as well. I haven’t experienced any of that. And besides, Jared’s way different than my boyfriend.”

Well, she does have a point.

“You think casual’s okay?”, I asked.

“I guess?”, she said, seemingly uncertain of her answer. “Just ask him again. Go! So you can be sure!”

Welp. Instead of getting a decent answer, I felt even more confused. So much for asking for an advice on what to wear.

I ended up settling for a cream colored babydoll dress which I’ll just pair with this cream colored block heels.

Yeah, I think it looks quite simple and elegant.

I woke up early the next day, probably out of excitement.

Compared to waking up early for school, waking up this day doesn’t feel dragging, I really wonder what he has in store for us.

Soon enough I received a message from Ethan.

Rise and shine, Ave.

See you in an hour!

See you!

I can’t help but smile while typing that short reply. It really does have an effect on you when you’re talking to someone you like.

It didn’t even take me long to make myself up since I opted to go for a simple look—light makeup, simple yet elegant dress, and a half-up hairstyle with a ribbon.

Perfume.

Checking myself out in the full length mirror.

I think I’m good to go!

I immediately texted Ethan.

Hey, I’m done prepping :)

Oh, okay :)

Me too.

Will fetch you then.

Soon enough the doorbell rang, and I immediately went to get the door. I was in a slight shock when I saw that Kel was there. Actually, him and JB.

Shock was still probably registering on my face, that’s why JB spoke.

“Don’t ask. Just come with us.”, she said as she sported a huge grin while touching my arm and guiding me out.

Okay. Now, this is weird. Although he probably asked for their help to take videos and all, I didn’t expect that it would be this…extra?

We didn’t go to the basement. Instead, they brought me to the lobby and I noticed that Ethan was waiting at the entrance.

He was leaning on his car and seems to be fumbling with his phone, but he certainly looks dashing.

He’s aura’s a bit different from the usual, probably because he’s wearing a white button down polo with folded sleeves, paired with this khaki trousers. Gosh, it’s straight out of a dream!

As I went near him, JB and Kel left me all alone to make my way towards him.

“You’re already a grown up now. You can do it”, JB said in the most motherly way possible. “And don’t keep on looking at us, at the cameras. Just act normal.”

If she didn’t mention it, I probably wouldn’t notice that there really are a number of cameras surrounding us.

Now, what have you planned, Ethan Jared Andrada?