"This is exactly why you need to get an Android phone. This button phone of yours isn't doing you any justice. Now look at you—looking like the main character of a horror movie."
Roxie spoke with crossed arms. Avelina, who was drinking water on her bed, almost choked.
"You still have the guts to scold me? Why didn't you tell me? You know I'm not in the school group because of my phone! Do you know how much I suffered today alone?" Avelina said, sighing in frustration.
"Sometimes lessons need to be learned. Me informing you would've just made you continue with that phone. This way is better… at least now you know why you need one," Roxie said, as Avelina rolled her eyes. Roxie had brown bobbed hair, brown eyes, and beautiful pale skin. She was tall and lean.
"Girl, after this, go take a quick shower and rest. You look like a rejected sacrifice."
Avelina's lips parted in shock. She knew she looked bad—sweaty, dark under-eye bags, and hair telling its own story, but her friend loved making things worse.
"Thanks," Avelina said with a smile. Roxie raised a brow; she knew this girl was up to something. Anytime Avelina gave that creepy smile, it usually meant she was plotting instead of insulting back.
Avelina walked to the wardrobe and removed the clothes she would wear after bathing. She needed a bath. Afterward, she planned to ask her friend if she had an extra gown for the ball. Roxie's family was well-to-do, meaning they were rich.
"No, Ave, you sly fox!" Roxie immediately moved to grab the new shirt Avelina had taken—the one she had just bought for a special occasion. Roxie knew this lady was up to something the moment she smiled earlier.
"No… come get it!" Avelina laughed, flinging the cloth up as a challenge.
Roxie ran after her as they both dashed around the room. Finally, Roxie caught her, and they both tumbled onto the bed. Avelina pressed her face against Roxie's chest, smearing her sweat on her shirt. Roxie's lips parted in surprise.
Ave's smile widened even more.
"Now we both look like rejected sacrifices," she laughed. Roxie couldn't believe this girl—Avelina had never planned to wear the shirt. Knowing Roxie had kept it there, she decided to use it against her. That alone left Roxie speechless. Avelina grabbed a jean maxi skirt and a black top.
"You… fox!" Roxie exclaimed, pointing at Avelina as she laughed and stuck out her tongue as if saying:
Next time you insult me, I'll show you worse.
Before entering the bathroom to freshen up, Avelina grinned at her clever comeback.
Avelina and Roxie had been friends since childhood. It all began when Roxie accidentally threw up on Avelina's gown, and even then, Avelina had run to call the nurse in the sickbay.
After Avelina finished bathing, she stepped out, now changed and looking even better than before. She walked to the vanity and combed her silver hair while Roxie entered to change the shirt Avelina had soaked with sweat. Avelina dried her hair, then tied it into a ponytail.
Roxie stepped out, and both girls sat on the bed. The room fell silent which was rare—until Avelina finally spoke.
"What do you want to say?" Roxie asked calmly.
"I wanted to ask if I could take one of your gowns—the ones you wear for special occasions. I promise I'll return it when I'm done."
Roxie stared at her with wide eyes.
"Is that all?" she asked, raising a brow. She knew Avelina usually took her things. Not to mention, the clothes Avelina was wearing now were hers, so why the formality? The way Avelina asked hinted there was more.
"I sold the condoms last night," Avelina finally spoke. Roxie's eyes and lips parted in surprise and happiness.
"I knew you would," she said with a wide smile as she clapped. She had already decided that if Avelina hadn't sold them, she would've paid for her exam fee herself, not minding if Avelina got mad.
"You brought your money, right?" Roxie asked, moving to grab Ave's bag. Before Avelina could answer, Roxie opened it.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the bundle of cash. She looked up at Avelina in shock.
"Ave, you're not telling me the whole story. I know that club is only for the wealthy, but you can't tell me you sold those condoms for this much!" she asked.
Avelina's lips parted, how could she explain? She had already signed some kind of contract.
"Wait—is that why you wanted the gown? Did some rich man give you the money? Did he invite you to a ball?" Roxie asked, full of excitement, a wide smile on her lips. She hadn't expected this at all.
"Oh, who knew fate had other plans? Thank heavens," Roxie said as she stood and walked to the wardrobe without waiting for ave to clarify.
"I have gowns, but we'll need one that fits you. You know he'll pick you up—send him your address. I'll dress you, and we can tell your mother that they shifted the date of the pay event, which is true, and that you want to sleep over so you can wake up early for school tomorrow. It'll make sense to your parents since I'm at the university hostel," she rambled quickly.
Avelina just stared; she already knew how fast Roxie jumped to conclusions.
"Roxie, calm down," Avelina said. Roxie smiled and sat on the bed, still buzzing with excitement.
"I'm just going to the ball. Nothing else," Avelina said, and Roxie nodded, rolling her eyes.
"Mmn hmm," she hummed sarcastically.
"That doesn't matter—I'll still dress you up. Who knows what fate has in store for you?" she giggled softly.
"I'm not sure," Avelina said, looking down. Her life really was confusing.
"Mother wants me to go to Reverend school," she added calmly.
"Hell no, you're not going anywhere! And what did you tell her?" Roxie asked, her face annoyed.
"I had no say. They already concluded," Avelina replied, her tone calm. Roxie's face fell with frustration.
"You know what? I need to give that woman a piece of my mind," Roxie snapped, annoyed.
"Roxie," Avelina called, reminding her friend of what she just said.
"I'm sorry, I'm just annoyed. You're old enough…why do they have to make decisions for you?" Roxie said, calming down.
"I just want to find a job after exams," Avelina said.
Since the university would be giving them a one-year break to rest before starting their normal jobs, the ones they studied for in school, Avelina felt that one year was too much just to rest, so she decided it was best to work.
That had been her plan, but things had changed last night.
She forced herself to stay calm, knowing she would not see that man again after tonight.
"There's an application for a job," Roxie said, and Avelina's eyes lit up.
"Really?" she asked, and Roxie nodded.
"Yes, but I don't think you'll like it," Roxie added. Avelina raised a brow—if her best friend said that, it meant she probably wouldn't like it, but her curiosity was piqued.
"How much do they pay monthly?" she asked. Roxie's brown eyes locked on hers before she spoke.
"They pay weekly… a thousand dollars per week."
Avelina's eyes flew wide as she straightened her posture. That was a lot. She could seriously make a living with that. But what was the job? Roxie finished her sentence.
"A nude model."