Change and Curiosity

ARA’S POV

I am Aira Ri Anne Lim, I’m half Chinese and half Filipino and I am Quinn’s best friend. Well, I just assume before that I am until she gets used with me and we officially became friends together with Hailee and Jaira. Quinn is the most badass woman that I’ve ever encountered and she was just so amazing and adorable. The first time that I see her I couldn’t even get my eyes off of her. She wore pants and a long-sleeve checkered with black sleeveless underneath, though that style looks old fashioned but with her, you just can’t say it is. She got a very fair skin, red lips, long lashes, brown eyes, straight long hair and a good body shape. Ever since that I’ve seen her and witnessed what she has done to Hailee on their first encounter was savage! That gives me the urge to be friend with her but she was too aloof. She never cares about my existence or even to anybody and she’s always on her straight face. I never seen her smile, never! But that what makes her cool. She doesn’t look like she’s trying to look cool, but she’s indeed so cool even when she doesn’t know about it but I would say that she is so amazing and I adore her each day that would pass.  Deep inside me I know that there’s still a mystery behind her that she doesn’t tell us about but I won’t even try to dig on that. I just felt that she’s been through so much and I can see it in her eyes. We knew that she hates guys but we didn’t know why, she just mentioned that her father was a jerk and cheated on his mom and she didn’t share anything else anymore. I can see sadness and anger on her every time like she has so much of something that makes her feel that way. She doesn’t care about people’s opinion about her, she hates people that tries to take advantage to others that’s why she helped Jai get rid of those bitches that would peek on her before. Quinn is kind, that is a fact but the only thing that she losses temper is when she felt disrespected or when she sees disrespect and inappropriateness over something just like what happened yesterday. We get into trouble because a group of girls are being immature that they intentionally block their leg on the way when it’s Quinn’s turn to pass and when she slapped their food on their faces, that was the best revenge but everything just blew up and yeah, we’re all suspended and we have to do the school service.

“OH. MY. GOSH! STOP ME!” I am looking at Quinn who just changed clothes using Haillee’s dress and I am literally jaw dropped when I see her. I never seen her in skirts and it makes her beauty glow even more and considering that she’s tall, grr that’s insane! SHE’S SO PRETTY! If I were just a boy, gosh! Stop me!

“Quinn! You re breathtakingly gorgeous!” you said it right girl! Hailee is also beautiful but she’s a type that’s way opposite to Quinn. Hailee would always flaunt everyday by showing off and being sassy as always. She’s way too feminine and luxurious!

“You’re so feminine and very pretty!” Jai said. Yeah, Quinn would act so plain, not a boyish one but, she’s the type of girl that’s too simple but what I have observed is that, she doesn’t look so awkward or uncomfortable with wearing it, hmm. 

“Stop it” before I am always moved when Quinn speak like this and I would immediately do as what she said but as time passes by, I learn to joke around with her and she already set a high patience for me.  

Since we are still suspended for one day, here we are at the mall. Yesterday, Hailee ask for a hang out and she forced all of us so, here we are now. I think we will just be having a shopping. 

“Let’s get in here” Hailee point out the boutique so we just get in. There are a lot of good dresses but they’re just not my style and I am sure it’s not Quinn’s nor Jai’s type, it’s just for Hailee. It’s more of sexy dresses and Hailee brought from it, well, she loves it, that style. 

“This is for you, you and of course you” Hailee individually hand us out the paper bags starting from Jai, me and Quinn. We are all surprised with her because in the first place this is not the type of dresses that we can manage to wear, these are all revealing dresses. 

“You can use that for certain occasions” Hailee told us. 

“This is way too much revealing” Jai told Hailee while looking at the dress. 

“There will surely be a time that you can use it and besides let’s liberate ourself with the idea of being “conservative”. We can wear whatever they want if that what makes us feel good about ourselves even if it’s revealing or not when the guy will sexualize you, they will regardless of what we wear. It’s not us who should adjust for them, it’s their responsibilities to be responsible of what they think and how they will act. Guys with dirty mind, we can never change that” Hailee is saying too much! I understand her point and she was kind of right about it but sometimes it’s hard to trust people specially that we can’t get into their mind. 

“Next stop, we will have our nails done” Hailee said while walking out the boutique and search of a manicure and pedicure areas and when she found one, she gets into it and we just followed her. 

“I never get my nails done” I said. 

“Well, you will have now” Hailee replied to me, “and to you Jai” she turned her attention to Jai and continue speaking “it’s about time for a change” she said. Jai looks nervous with Hailee’s plan but she can’t say no to her, Hailee will keep on insisting it so it’s better to just say yes. After an hour. We are all done and bound for our next stop, the salon. 

“Good morning ma’am” the staff of the salon greeted Hailee. They all knew her and maybe because she always visits here. 

“We own this salon, and I know that Quinn and Ara don’t like this stuff but Jai, we will be giving you a makeover” Hailee said and grab Jai’s hand towards the chair and make her sit. 

“I think it’s a good idea. She looks so plain and it’s about time for a change and move on” I agreed on Hailee. They’re right, this will help Jai boost her confidence and stop being so dramatic over her ex-boyfriend. 

“Give her the best transformation, okay? We will just go back here” Hailee told the staff and we left Jai there. We decided to go for an arcade and spent our time playing. 

“I just realized how I wasted so much of my time being in a toxic relationship” Hailee said while playing. 

“You know what, I’ve been in one relationship and I thought that we will lasts because we’ve been together for four years since high school and I thought that we’re perfect and strong but look at us now, gone” I also said while playing. I continued playing while Quinn is just listening to us. She always remained quite when talking about guys or about our past. 

“We’re so young then and yet we’re so broken” Hailee said, “yeah, whenever I recall those times, the only thing I did is laugh at it” I said. I notice Quinn stops playing and I she looks like she’s thinking deep over something that she’s reminded about.  

“What about you Quinn?” Hailee suddenly asked. Thanks to you Hailee, you have the guts to ask her. 

“It didn’t work, it didn’t last. That’s all” she straightly said while playing. It’s obvious that she doesn’t want t talk about it so I decided to change the topic to avoid the awkward situation. 

“I think we should go back” I said. We decided to go back to the salon so we can also go home. 

“WHAT THE F—” Hailee was surprised. 

“I think I’m lost!” I can’t believe what I’m seeing right now! We are all surprised with what we are seeing. Since then, I know that Jai only needs a little makeover and she’ll flaunt it. She’s plainly beautiful before and now that she’s added with a stye, she’s way more attractive. She’s a bit nerdy before so others would really peek on her but now that she transformed, I don’t think so they can even bully her. 

“Do I look horrible?” Jai hesitantly asked. 

“No girl, you’re absolutely gorgeous!” Hailee exclaimed while circling on Jai checking every angle of her. Jai is wearing the dress that Hailee brought for one of us and I would really say that Jai is stunning. 

“Girl! You just transformed! I never know that you have that hidden beauty! Gosh! It’s getting hot in here!” Hailee said with so much amazement. Jai just smiled and she looks happy though. 

“Keep that look. You look bold on that. Leave the lame you behind” Quinn told her the moment that she walked close to her. Whenever Quinn speaks, it makes us shut our mouth. I know how disappointed she is with Jai but despite of it, she initiated to do the prank on Jai’s ex-boyfriend to take revenge. Quinn was quite most of the time and even when she’s a total badass, she’s kind and I witnessed that. 

“What about you Quinn? I think you also need some makeover” Hailee told her and I am sure that she’s trying to mock on Quinn. She gave Hailee a glare to warn her to stop. We knew her well. She doesn’t like stuff like this but Hailee is still trying to insist. 

“Okay. I am just suggesting maybe you like to change your mind you know, if you just like to” Hailee said and walk out. This girl always pisses off Quinn and if I know, Quinn is irritated but she’s used with Hailee’s personality – bubbly and carefree. 

“If your ex-boyfriend sees you, I am sure that he’ll be drooling with you” I said and cling on Jai’s arm. We walked out the mall and headed home. 

“I’ll see you tomorrow Quinn” Hailee said and we leave. We have our own cars except for Jai. She’s not allowed by her father to drive because he’s afraid that something might happen to her so her dad gave her a driver instead but every school day, Hailee would do the honor of fetching us up one by one. She actually insisted to do it because she wants us to come at school together and since we are all classmates, we’re always together. Hailee is bound to send me home because Jain and Quinn are already home. 

“You know what, I just felt that there’s something more aside form the story about Quinn’s dad that makes her like that” Hailee open the conversation. 

“That’s what I thought too. Every time that we’re talking about guys, exes and past, she felt uncomfortable and would always avoid getting into the conversation” I said. Hailee is listening while driving. We can’t dig more on Quinn’s life because we respect her privacy. If she’s ready to tell us, we’re just here to listen.