The phonecall

"Earth to Gia," someone snapped their fingers in front of her face and it brought her out of her tranced state, looking around her as if she had suddenly forgotten where she was. It was the school's cafeteria and somehow she couldn't even recall how she got there. "What are you thinking about?" her best friend, Tiana asked. Gianna stared at her best friend absentmindedly; it was like she was looking at her but not seeing her. "Nothing," she replied. Even if it was something it wasn't anything she wanted to concern her best friend with. "You've been out of it these past couple of days and you're telling me it's nothing?" Tiana's eyes narrowed suspiciously at her as if her interrogating eyes would get her to spill whatever beans sh was keeping. "Aish, you love me too much. It's nothing really," at least it sounded convincing even to her own ears and Tiana although skeptically, kind of bought it and left the conversation. "I'm your best friend. If there's anything worrying you, you know you can tell me," she took Gianna's hands in hers and squeezed them reassuringly and it touched her heart. Sometimes this girl made her feel less lonely and more appreciated. At least there was this one person in her life who wasn't striving for her to be so perfect to the point of inhumanism. She smiled,"I know." The cafeteria was bugging with noise and although everyone knew their table manners they refused to shut up and eat. It was annoying. Earlier Gianna's mind had been preoccupied with her marriage arrangement. When she had made up her mind to call Mr. Castillo, respectfully so she had forgotten she didn't even have his contact number. At the moment in his office she had been so obsessed with getting his mind off the topic of marriage that she had forgotten to take his number for other information purposes. The first time, she had been lucky to enter his office and come out unscathed but right now if she made another attempt she was sure that receptionist would personally butcher her and have her head placed on a silver platter for decoration. She sighed and it had her best friend looking at her again with questioning eyes. She wished she could tell her but she wasn't even sure herself if she understood things enough to explain to her and knowing Tiana her questions were going to be endless. "Hello to the most beautiful ladies on campus," Brandon, a classmate of theirs invited himself as he sat beside Tiana who rolled her doll like eyes. For as long as Gianna could remember Brandon had liked Tiana and had been asking her out so many times even she had lost count. Her best friend's answer had always been the same well not always since she had plenty ways of saying no in plenty different languages and gestures. It was that bad. Right now she saw how Tiana shifted her chair a little, away from Brandon. She wasn't saying Brandon was a bad guy, in fact he was a sweet soul but he just wasn't Tiana's type. And mind you that was coming from someone who had never had a single boyfriend in her life. Relationships were overrated anyways. With Tiana's personally and intellect she needed someone who challenged her, someone strong minded enough to be able to resist her weird kinks and believe it or not Brandon wasn't it. He was too soft for that hard headed nut of trouble sitting in front of her. "You wound my heart everyday my sweet Tee," the nickname made both of them cringe inwardly and it took everything in Gianna to not sack the boy from their side. "How many times have I told you to not call me with that stupid name. My name is Tiana, take it or leave it," she said in her elegant poise, straightening her spine as she took a bite of the cut apple on her plate. If beauty was a person it would be her best friend and she wasn't even joking. Tiana was the epitome of beauty. She had wavy blonde her that cascaded her back with streaks of strawberry in it. Her eyes were a shade of gray, the most beautiful she had ever seen and she had the body of a model. It was no surprise even boys like Brandon liked her. "It's too long that's why I prefer the nickname," Tiana looked at him like he had lost a few screws in his head and certainly it seemed like he had because since when did freaking five lettered word name become so long, pronunciation was a hassle. "I've had it with you. Let's go Gia," Tiana got up from her chair and practically dragged her along, leaving Brandon shouting after them. That boy was insufferable sometimes it wasn't even funny anymore. "Slow down, he's not following us," Gianna said as she wiggled free from her hold, flexing her hands at how hard she gripped and glared at her best friend. "Sorry," she held her ears apologetically. "Where are we going," Gianna asked and she saw Tiana's eyes light up in mischief. Whatever this girl had in mind wasn't going to be good. "To the mall!" The scream almost pierced the insides of her ears causing her to stuff her fingers inside her ears to protect her hearing ability. "I can hear you just find geeze." "I had to make sure you heard me in case you wanted to bail," she shrugged. Dig this, SHE SHRUGGED! She almost destroyed her ear drums and she had the audacity to shrug?! "You would have been six feet underground for pulling this shit if you weren't my best friend," Gia rolled her eyes at the puppy expression she was giving her. What a baby. "Aw that's why I love youuuu," one second she was standing far away and the next second she was glued to her side and almost crushing her in her bear like hug. "Enough. I can't breathe," she tapped her arm and she released her. Sometimes she wondered if this girl had been sent to murder her before her time. Gianna didn't have anymore classes for the day and that was the only reason why she was agreeing to tag along to this little minx's escapades. She let her drag her along once again without any refutes this time already knowing any attempts at discouraging this would mean having her witness her fake ugly tears. They took Tiana's car and their bodyguards took Gianna's as they trailed right behind theirs. Ofcourse they had bodyguards. Which business tycoon's daughter and which powerful politician's daughter would be allowed to waltz around town like a bag of useless potatoes without security? Well think again because that was the life they lived everyday. Maybe Tiana had gotten used to it with time but not Gianna. She found her bodyguard's presence suffocating especially when he made it so nauseatingly known that he was right on her tail if she were to try anything funny. The first time she had met that block of cement she hadn't believed he was a human. He looked dangerous like someone whose appearance was enough for you to know not to fuck with. She had put the warning bells in her head aside though and had tried to make conversation but the wordless freak had just stood there staring at her like she was the one running mad. He didn't reply, didn't even make any attempts at replying and he just averted his gaze from her. The nerve. Since then she had also made it her priority to openly display her dislike for him and so far he wasn't even fazed. The wordless piece of prick. Gianna was a sweet girl and always saw the good in people no doubt but when push came to shove then push came to shove because she wasn't going to sit there to be stamped upon. They reached the mall in no time and Tiana excitedly opened her side of the car. She sometimes acted as if she didn't literally sleep in the mall everyday. Her bodyguard, Dave opened her side of the door and she didn't realize she had sat in the car long enough for him to open the car door for her. She harrumphed as she got out of the car and not bothering to spare him a glance, hooked her arms with Tiana's and entered the mall. The clothes section was their destination always and meanwhile Tiana had an entire walk in closet of clothes she hadn't worn for years yet she was always buying new ones. " How does this one look," it was a cute strapless red dress and Gia nodded at her. "This is why I don't like shopping with you. You're not enthusiastic at all," she went to the changing room and her words brought a little smile on her face. Tiana stepped out after a while and the dress looked gorgeous on her. "You look Fabulous Tee," she saw how she glared at her after hearing the nickname and it had Gia bursting in laughing. "It's not funny," Tiana stomped her feet cutely and let out a small pout. By the time she finished laughing her insides were hurting like hell. "You haven't tried on anything, take it and go try it on," she hastily took a dress from the racks and practically shoved it in her face as she pushed her to the changing room. Before Gia could process anything the door to the changing room had already been shut on her. She sighed. She looked at the dress in her hand and scrutinized it to a fault. It was an emerald green gown with thin straps and a horrifyingly low neckline. Hell no she wasn't wearing this. It was too revealing for her liking. She went to open the door but it wouldn't budge. She tried again and again but the door remained unmoving. "Tiana Tilly Oswell, open the door this minute," she shouted, banging on the door. No can do unless you wear the dress," she replied in nonchalance as she sat there staring at her nails. "Don't tell me you did this on purpose," her voice boomed from the locked room and Tiana giggled mischievously. She cleared her throat. "Ofcourse not baby girl, I just want you to try the dress on that's all," she innocently replied, masking her "believe me' face as if her best friend could see her. "You locked the door," it wasn't a question, her tone sounding bored but ready to commit murder the moment she was let out of the room. "Quit asking questions and try the dress on will you," there was no answer to that and Tiana smiled triumphantly. After a few minutes she heard a loud bang on the door and she scurried to her feet to open the cage of the wounded tigress, metaphorically speaking. "Please don't kill...her words caught in her throat and the biggest gasp left her lips at the breathtaking perfection in front of her. She looked like the incarnation of a real life goddess and although Tiana knew she was drooling she just couldn't stop staring. The emerald dress complimented her glassy pearl like skin and was a beautiful contrast against her eyes that were a shade lighter. Her chest filled out the dress perfectly and it hugged her slender waist, the gown flowing around her. She was ethereal, like a fantasical creature who wasn't meant to exist in their sullied world. Ofcourse Gianna had always been gorgeous but this, this was perfection. The attendants who had been with them since the beginning couldn't help but stare at her in adoration. If perfection and beauty both were a person it would be her because damn where did she come from. "Omg! Gia, you look like a goddess. A goddess of beauty," Tiana shouted and it woke everybody up from their trance. She couldn't stop gushing over her best friend's looks as she circled around her in nothing but admiration. Gia smiled. "That's a little bit out of context Tia," she knew her friend was just being polite about it. "Now that's a proper nickname and what? Out of context?! Girl have you seen yourself in the mirror. You look like literal perfection," her statement had everyone nodding at her and she couldn't help the blush that formed on her cheeks. "Ma'am can you model for us in this dress? If yes, we would like to take a few pictures," one attendant eagerly asked, pleading with her eyes for her to say yes. Gianna looked at her best friend for rescue but Tiana didn't even bother to look at her averting her gaze. Traitor! "She'll do it," the immediate answer had the attendants bolting out of there, probably to find the manager or something, promising to be back in a jiffy. "I didn't agree to this," Gianna's eyes were frantic as she looked at her best friend. "Gee, you have to relax okay. I know you don't like putting yourself out there and that's the more reason why you chose designing over modeling but Gee think about this as an opportunity to embrace your fears and finally accept that you're beautiful and so talented and the world needs to see that not for validation but for them to realize you're a rare gem and gems are not meant to be hidden," her speech brought Gianna to tears and she strode to her best friend and engulfed her in the most bone breaking hug ever. "Thank you," she sniffled, burying her face on her shoulder. Sometimes she knew exactly what to say to lift her spirits. She was a rare gem herself and she hoped she realized that. "Now that's about all right. Let's get you ready to be a model," they broke apart and Tiana's statement had them both laughing.

Everything was set for the shoot and after a few 'oous and ahhhs' from the admirers and the photographer practically breaking her muscles for everytime he had to correct her posture they were finally done and Gianna heaved the loudest of sighs. "You did great Gia," as always her best friend was her biggest cheerer. "Thanks to you," and it was true because if it wasn't for Tia she would have faltered for every time she had to look at anyone she didn't know from the many pairs of eyes that were gawking at her. "What are best friends for," she interlocked their fingers and they smiled at each other. "Thank you for your cooperation miss. It was a real delight," the manager showed his gratitude, smiling at the gorgeous lady his eyes had been blessed to see. "For that there will be a 25% discount for everytime you shop here," the girls eyes widened and they both stared at the manager in shock. This was a high brand mall known for their expensive and quality things and for them to give them a discount, that was wild. "Thank you Mr. Salvatore. We really appreciate it but it isn't needed at all," Gia politely declined and Tiana nodded. We'll also pay for what we bought today," She added and the attendants didn't know whether to cry or be impressed at their rejection of the discount. Even them who worked here would die to get even 2% of that discount and these two other worldly ladies had smoothly declined without batting an eyelid. They bought took out their black cards at the same time and everybody stared at them in shock. Only filthy rich people had these limited edition black cards and for these two barley adult girls to each have one? Who were they? No wonder they didn't accept the discount. They could practically afford anything in the mall. "I told you I was going to pay," Tiana turned to Gianna with raised brows. Did you? I don't remember that," she smiled sweetly back and the others couldn't stop looking from one person to another. At the end they both paid separately for their things since no one was agreeing to let the other pay. Their bodyguards made their presence known and carried their things to the cars and everyone stared at them as if they couldn't believe such people existed. They even had freaking bodyguards for crying out loud. It meant they weren't mere rich people but those royalty kind of rich. As they exited the mall it took their disappearance to snap the others out of their trance. Well, they got to glimpse a little of the life of two princesses. What next. Two princes?! The world may never know.