Forbes series 1: Forever To Be Your Moon

12

Athena Pov

I slowly awoke in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains of my room. The events of the previous evening came rushing back in fragments. 

The party, McKenzie's unexpected kindness, and the soothing melody of her voice that had lulled me to sleep. I stretched lazily, glancing at the clock on my bedside table. It was already late in the morning—I had clearly overslept, which was unusual for me.

As I got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, my thoughts remained preoccupied with McKenzie. I wondered what she was doing now and how she was feeling after such a busy day. The echoes of her voice lingered in my mind, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. Her song had been so gentle, so full of emotion, and it made me feel... safe.

Habang ginagawa ko ang aking mga gawain sa umaga, may isang bagay na patuloy na bumabalik sa aking isip. Yung bulong na narinig ko bago ako tuluyang nakatulog, ang mga salitang, "I've loved you ever since." I paused, letting the memory of those words wash over me. Ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ni McKenzie doon? Was she talking to me? Or was she singing those words for someone else?

"Siguro," sabi ko sa sarili ko habang nagmumuni-muni sa harap ng salamin, "ang kantang iyon ay para sa kanyang mahal sa buhay."

Napailing ako ng kaunti, forcing myself to push away the pang of jealousy that rose in my chest. "That person is so lucky to have her," I murmured to myself, trying to focus on brushing my teeth and getting on with my day.

But I couldn't stop the thoughts from swirling. McKenzie... she's always been there for me. Kind, patient, understanding. It never crossed my mind that she might have feelings for me, especially not after all the time I've spent waiting for Philip. The thought lingered as I continued with my morning routine.

And yet, here I was, still waiting for Philip. Still holding on to a love that seemed to be fading more and more with every passing day. As much as I wanted to believe he would come back, that we could fix things between us, I was starting to feel like I was holding on to a dream. And dreams... they don't always come true, do they?

I sighed heavily, glancing at myself in the mirror. "Unlike me," I whispered. "Still waiting for someone who may never return."

My thoughts wandered back to McKenzie. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to start looking at what was right in front of me, rather than chasing something that was no longer there.

McKenzie's face lingered in Athena's thoughts. She found herself recalling the ease with which McKenzie had engaged her in conversation, the sense of reassurance that came with her presence. Unlike the lingering ache from Philip's absence, McKenzie brought a new kind of warmth—one that didn't feel tied to old wounds but rather to something fresh, something comforting.