Youth [MikhAiah] [Book #1]

11

—🦊🐶—

Aiah stands rooted in her place, her heart was starting to race as she faces Heather— or rather, the person she's always known as Heather. She can't believe that this is happening, that the friend she's spent countless hours, late at night playing video games with, is now finally standing just a few feet away.

Mikha watches the girl in front of her carefully, her own heart was pounding beneath her disguise. The cap and the mask may hide her face, but not the sincerity in her eyes.

She takes a slow step forward, trying to find the right time to finally touch Aiah. Then another step, until she's close enough to Aiah that she can feel the tremble in the air between them.

"Ikaw talaga yan?" Aiah says, her voice thick with disbelief and something close to joy.
"Heather and Janna..? So we've met nung sa BGC palang..?"

Mikha could only nod, her eyes never leaving the latter. She reaches into her pocket again and slowly pulls out her phone. With a quiet, deliberate movement, she turns the screen towards Aiah, showing her all the messages they've shared.

Aiah stares at the screen, her breath still catching up to her. She reads the messages once, twice, as if trying to convince herself that it's real. Slowly, the realization sinks in— Heather had sent the message.

Heather had been right there with her, throughout all the chaos.

The tension in her chest eases, replaced by a wave of warmth and safety she didn't realize she needed so badly.

Tears soon well up in Aiah's eyes, spilling over as she smiles. The panic and fear that had gripped her moments ago begin to dissolve, replaced by a sense of security she can't quite put into words.

"You're real.." Aiah whispers, her voice cracking as she steps closer.

"T-Thank you, akala ko sasaktan niya ulit ako—"

The prince's heart ached at the sight of Aiah's tears, but she nods as she pulls the girl into a warm embrace. Offering a reassuring smile beneath the mask. "Shh, it's okay, you're safe."

Aiah quickly succumbed to the embrace, allowing herself to be vulnerable, she sob but quickly got a grip, she wipes her tears, still caught between laughter and tears,
"Sorry, ganito pa yung first meetup natin na umiiyak ko sa harapan mo."

"You don't have to apologize." Mikha replies softly, the embrace coming to an end.

Aiah nods, her resolve strengthening as she looks at Heather— or Janna, or whoever she is under that mask. She doesn't know the full story yet, but right now, all that matters is the sense of safety that Heather brinfs. "I'll take you home." Mikha proposes again with Aiah quickly humming in response.

Mikha smiles, and together, they walk towards the car that Juno had left for the prince. The prince carefully attaches Aiah's bikes to the roof rack, her movements precise and thoughtful. Still wearing her cap and facemask, keeping her true identity hidden for now, but Aiah doesn't seem to mind.

She's content to let this moment be what is is— a quiet, unexpected reunion with someone who makes her feel safe.

As they settle into the car, Aiah glances over at the prince, her smile as soft but genuine.
"Thank you, Heather," she murmurs, restinf her head against he seat. "For everything."