Seasons

Give Me A Number

Anntonia's POV:

@porxild
Are you busy?
Haven't interacted with you the whole day.

I've been staring at the messages I sent to Michelle for a minute now. I sent it probably forty-five minutes ago, and she still hasn't replied yet.

@porxild
:(

Miss Laos was again nowhere to be found tonight. She just told me that she's going somewhere and that she wasn't sure if she'll stay the night here.

She has been so strange lately. I don't even know if Fabienne was able to fix their friendship or whatever they have because earlier in the morning, Fab just left me because she was about to talk with Miss Laos backstage, but it didn't even take her an hour before she came back to accompany me. She also never brought up Miss Laos to me and dodged my questions whenever I tried to ask.

Anyway, I looked back at my phone and stared at my messages. I tapped on the keyboard again, convincing myself that this is the last message I'll send, and then I'll sleep.

@porxild
I wanna see you.

I turned off my phone and stared at the wall. My eyes went to the clock on my bedside table; it was already past 10:30 p.m. I don't think there are still activities that have to be done by the candidates.

I was about to turn off my lampshade when my phone suddenly rang, and Fab's name appeared. I rested my head on the headboard and answered the call.

"Hello, hello!" Fabienne cheerfully greeted on the other line.

"Fab, please. I have seen you the entire day, and I'm growing tired of you," I lifelessly said. Her voice really irritates me. She's been so talkative the whole day, and my soul was too tired of dealing too much of her.

"And if it's Michelle you are with, you have no complaints?"

I just stayed silent because I am thinking that Michelle is probably in their room too. She might hear me if I responded to Fabienne.
"So..."

"You wanna see he--"

"You wanna see me?"

I got up from my bed when I heard a familiar voice cutting off Fabienne. I bit my lower lip to stop myself from reacting exaggeratedly.

"Can you.. I mean, if you're not busy."

"I'll be there."

I was refraining myself from squealing. Her voice was too deep, like she just woke up.

"Wow. Just wow. How could you have the guts to just use me?"

"You're too dramatic," I commented, hoping for Fab to just shut her mouth and choose silence.

I decided to end the call, realizing that I didn't even say bye to the two of them. I decided to text Fab and apologize for hanging up on her. Then, I heard a knock on the door.

I hurriedly ran towards the door, unable to wear my slippers. I opened it and saw the smiling Michelle in front of me.

I was about to open the door wider so that she could come in, but she immediately welcomed me with her warm embrace.

I was frozen on the spot. This is not the first time that she initiated physical contact, but this feels really different. She's bringing me to a realization that we're actually going apart after this competition.

"You're holding me like it's your last," I chuckled, soothing her back because she really is hugging me so comfortably tight.

"Did Janina call you?"

I withdrew from our hug and kind of pushed her a very little so that I could see her face. She seemed to disagree with us stopping the hug.

"No. Why? Something's up?"

I did not know what that was, but there was a vulnerable emotion that crossed her eyes for a second, and now she's not meeting my gaze.

I decided to let her rest. She's been so tired, for sure. There were a lot of media interviews for her today, and some nonsensically asked the same questions over and over again. I am actually very amazed that she can keep her queenly poise despite being so tired.

I jumped on my bed and spread my arms so that she could cuddle with me while we're comfortably lying on the bed. She immediately obeyed, resting her head on my chest and snaking her arms around my waist.

"Who's clingy now?" I teased her while tracing circles at the top of her head.

"There's a different energy in this room. It makes anyone in here be completely needy of attention," she reasoned out. I playfully hit her arm and laughed at it.

She literally found an excuse for the reasons why we are being like this—like too much of lovers but just friends.

"Can we sleep?" I asked. I know she's wanting to sleep by the looks of her very tired eyes and how she embraces me like she needs strength.

"As long as we can stay like this," she softly said. I sensed her jaw moving, so I assumed that she just yawned.

What a baby.

"Of course. Should I play music?" I asked while reaching for my phone to find some good music.

"Yes, so I would not hear you sleep talk."

"As if, Dee. It's you who does that," I fought back. She's been so persistent in insisting that I am not silent when I'm asleep.

"Give a number." I asked randomly.

"Thirteen," she quickly responded. I was about to play the thirteenth song on my playlist, but I saw the song by LANY titled 13.

I pressed it, and the song started to play on the speaker. I lowered the volume so we wouldn't be reported to the Miss Universe organization for disturbing the other ladies' resting time.

I put my phone on my bedside table and closed my eyes to seize this moment. It's just me and Michelle, after a long whole day of not being able to at least small talk with another, find our way back to one another's presence.

Like we always do.

I stroked her hair and took a chance to peek at her face, I smiled when I saw that she's about to sleep again. Her eyes are closed, and her body is warmly embraced by me.

I mouthed 'good night' and rested my cheek on her head.

This is my kind of night.

(Now Playing: 13 by LANY)

🎶 It could change,
but this feels like...

Like the calm before the storm~ 🎶

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