Reaching You

cinco

-AFTER 5 MONTHS-

MAVEN

For five months, Ali and I exchanged glances that lingered just a little too long, whispers that danced flirtily on the edge of friendship and something deeper. Those stolen moments-like when we'd meet back at the old oak tree after school, away from prying eyes-were a bittersweet escape. She was magnetic, her laughter easy and reassuring, and our friendship had gradually morphed into something undeniably gripping, yet frightening. I cherished those moments, even as I knew the implications haunting them.

Every day, it was the same: we'd share glances that lingered a beat too long and private jokes that kept our friends rolling their eyes. The clinginess was comforting in its own chaotic way, like a snug blanket in the middle of a chilly winter. Yet there was always a shadow of unease lurking in the background. I cherished our friendship, but I feared we were treading into territories neither of us had explicitly charted. My mind was a flurry of thoughts: Was this just her way of being friendly? Did I harbor any feelings, or was I merely swept away by the attention? All those questions swam in the back of my head as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, a gesture that sent my heart racing.

I never intended to become the focal point of a college drama, nor did I expect my lunch breaks would become a crucible for tension. But here I sat, at our usual spot-Ali and I along with Maloi, Sheena ang Gab-surrounded by laughter and a haze of adolescent chatter. As the school council president, Ali wore authority like a crown, but with me, she felt different. She was warm and vibrant, always leaning into conversations a little too close, her laughter ringing out like music each time I cracked one of my notoriously cheesy jokes. To the casual observer, we were a dynamic duo, but to me, it felt like a line was blurred; she was acting like my girlfriend without any labels, and I hadn't done anything to correct that misconception.

"Nga pala, next week na yung grandball" Ali announced. Napatingin kaming tatlo sa kaniya.

Next week??!??! I need to rehearse how to ask her to be my partner sa grand ball na 'yan.

"Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi, Ate Al!" gulat na sabi ni Maloi.

"Kayo nga una nakaalam eh." sabi ni Ali na ikinairap ni Maloi.

"Kami partner ni Bebe!" saad ni Sheena at niyakap nang mahigpit si Gab.

Hindi mo talaga maagaw si Gab kay Sheena . Grabe mang-bakod.

"Pwede bang trio na lang tayo, Shee." Hindi ko alam if nagbibiro si Maloi dahil bakas sa mukha nito na seryoso siya, ngunit dinilaan lang ito ni Sheena.

"No! What mine is mine." seryosong saad ni Sheena na ikinangiti ni Gab.

Whipped

Should I ask Ali na ba ngayon? Right in front of our friends?

With the sunlight pouring in through the massive cafeteria windows, I felt hopeful. I rehearsed the words in my head, trying to make sense of the fluttering butterflies in my stomach. She was sitting across from me, her golden hair falling in waves and those bright blue eyes sparkling. It was the perfect moment-a moment that could launch us into a different kind of relationship.

I'm getting nervous

Our little lunch hour shattered like glass on concrete when, out of nowhere, a new faces appeared, flanked by two of his friends. They strode across the courtyard as if they owned it, laughter bellowing from their mouths, blissfully unaware of the impending disruption. I felt my skin prickle uncomfortably as I watched Ali's expression shift from delight to confusion, and finally to something that mirrored panic. I had loved the intimacy we'd built over our unspoken bond, but in that moment, reality rushed in to dampen the vibrant atmosphere. Ali's face lit up with an exuberance I could only describe as electrifying. She darted out of her seat, flinging her arms around him as if by instinct. My heart plummeted into the depths of my stomach. Who was this guy? Why hadn't she mentioned him?