Dying Embers

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve: Just The Way You Are

After we got our invitations for the acquaintance party, Jilliana wasted no time — hinila niya agad 'yung braso ko and practically dragged me out of campus, straight to her car. Before I knew it, we were cruising down the road, the windows half-open, and the afternoon sun spilling inside like liquid gold.

"Saan tayo pupunta?" I asked, glancing at her. We were seated in the back, the leather seats warm against my skin. Jilliana looked far too excited for a random Wednesday.

"Legacy," she said, her voice lilting with mischief. Then she giggled, like she was revealing a grand secret. "We're getting makeovers!"

Napatigil ako. "No way."

"Yes way!" she countered, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Girl, look at your eyebrows. They're fine, pero kailangan i-maintain. And your hair, oh my gosh, something has to be done about it. Hindi ka pwedeng ponytail forever. You have such nice hair! I don't get why you don't do anything with it."

I slouched in my seat, arms crossed. "Because I don't want to. Komportable na ako sa ayos ko."

"Yeah, right," she said, flipping her hair with that signature Jilliana flair. Then she turned to me, her tone softening. "Pero don't you want a little change? Kahit konti lang?"

Umiling ako, though her words lingered in the air longer than I wanted them to.

"Come on!" she nudged, her voice playful but insistent. "Just one makeover."

Tahimik akong napatingin sa bintana. The city was a blur of pastel buildings and people crossing streets like moving shadows. Her words replayed in my head, looping softly like a song I couldn't turn off. Was it really so bad to want a change? Even a small one?

I'd always thought I was fine being simple. I had insecurities, sure — but manageable ones. Until I met Chance Castiel. Parang may kung anong nagising sa akin nung nakilala ko siya. A quiet voice whispering, could I be more?

Alam kong hindi naman si Chance 'yung tipo ng lalaking madaling mapalingon sa mga magaganda, pero every time na magkasama kami, napapansin ko 'yung mga tingin ng ibang babae. Yung mga mata nilang sumusunod sa kanya. Yung mga sigaw tuwing may laro sila — his name echoing across the court like it meant something divine.

And I can't help but think... ano bang laban ko sa kanila?

Before him, I never cared how I looked. But after watching how effortlessly other girls laughed, how they seemed to glow under the light, how rooms shifted when they entered — how could I not feel small beside them? How could I not feel... invisible?

And maybe that's what stung the most. Because deep down, I knew — I wasn't like them. I wasn't someone who could turn heads or make someone's heart skip a beat. I was just me. Plain. Simple. Safe.

But was that really enough?

Maybe Jilliana had a point. Maybe... I should try. Just once. What's the worst that could happen, right?

The car slowed to a stop. The neon Legacy Salon sign glowed ahead, reflected on the car window like a dare. I turned to Jilliana, letting out a resigned sigh.

"Fine," I said. "I'll do it. But no bold makeup, ha?"

Her grin widened, bright and proud. "That's my girl."

And somehow, for the first time in a long while, I smiled too.

Pagpasok pa lang namin sa Legacy, agad akong nabingi sa katahimikan ng ganda ro'n. The place radiated elegance — yung tipong hindi kailangang ipagyabang kasi ramdam mo na agad. The walls were painted in deep, sleek black with soft streaks of lavender light dancing across their surface. Ang mga chandelier, kumikislap nang parang mga bituin na napalapit sa lupa. The air even smelled like luxury — subtle perfume and polished marble mixed together, like a quiet promise of beauty.