This or That?

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Mikha's POV

I am Mikhaela Janna Jimenea Lim, a junior college student. People think I'm just some dumb jock. I am the volleyball captain of our Mountain Peak International School's women's volleyball team. But there's more to Mikha than spikes and serves. I'm the queen of the court, the life of the party, and a notorious troublemaker, dahilan kung bakit palagi akong hinahabol ng away at gulo.

Academics? Not my strong suit. Books? Boring. I'd rather be out there, feeling the oval and volleyball court between my toes, the sweat dripping down my face, the roar of the crowd. That's where I shine. That's where I am known.

I've got this knack for getting into trouble. It's like a magnet or something. Drama follows me wherever I go. But hey, life's more fun that way, right? It keeps things interesting. Some see me as a troublemaker, but I prefer to think of myself as a free spirit. I do what I want, when I want. Rules are for the weak, right?

So yeah, that's me, Mikha. Volleyball captain, troublemaker, and queen of my own little world.

But then, there's Lindtsey Stacey Aubrey Arceta-Sevilleja. My kryptonite, my weakness. Kung ano nga naman ang angas ko sa court, ganoon din ako katiklop sa kanya. I am not embarassed, though. In fact, I am proud of what I feel for her. I even voiced it out last year when I got into broadcasting room with the help of Colet Vergara and Gweneth Apuli, my two best friends.

I've been drowning for years, not in water, but in a sea of unrequited feelings. The siren song that lures me deeper and deeper is Stacey, a name I whisper like a prayer. She's everything I'm not - smart, goal-oriented, serious when it comes to her dreams, and popular. Wait, I am popular too! But only when it comes to volleyball and troubles inside and outside the school. To them, she's approachable, a sunbeam on a cloudy day. To me? A distant star, unattainable and indifferent.

It all started when I got into detention room for sneaking in an alcoholic drink using my tumbler inside the school premises and forced my classmates to drink it. Nagkataon na magkaklase kami ni Stacey sa klaseng iyon at kung sinuswerte ka nga naman, siya pala ang Vice President ng Student Council. She reported me and my friends for it and that's when I started noticing her. She was this typical kikay na akala mo walang ambag sa school but when I got to know her, isa pala siya sa mga nirerespeto at iniingatan ng school na 'to.

And the next thing I know? I am crushing over her. Up until it developed into something much deeper.

"Dibs sa pinaka maganda ngayong school year!" Gwen said while fixing her rubber shoes. We're inside the gym, preparing for our training.

"Pass! Hindi pa nga ako pinapansin ni Maloi tapos maghahanap pa ako ng iba? Wag nalang." Colet replied, referring to her Senior crush. "Ikaw ba, Mikhs? Any plans? Umusad na ba kayo ni Stacku?" she asked.

"Malamang hindi pa! Magkakagusto na nga lang kasi si Mikhs doon pa sa mukhang straight na hindi magiging sa kanya." Gwen butted in but I slapped the back of her head.

"Still no progress. I'll throw a party later, pa-welcome sa mga freshies. I am expecting the two of you to help me organize shits." I simply replied while tying my red long hair.

I looked at the bench only to see some of the students who went to school early just to watch our training. Some were new and some were old fangirls. I saw Stacey's best friend, Jhoanna Robles, a Junior like us with her thick eye glasses. She is the school's publication writer and is currently here spotting over my best friend, Nicolette Vergara who seems oblivious of Jhoanna's existence. Paanong hindi oblivious? Eh, si Maloi lang naman ang nakikita niyan magmula nang pumasok kami rito sa MPIS.