Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

02

—🦊🐶🐣—

The tension in the air feels almost tangible as Mikaela rolls her eyes at Jo, her expression somewhere between irritation and indifference. Jo, for her part, simply offers an easygoing grin, unbothered by Mikaela's sharp response.

"Friendly lang naman ako eh." Jo explains, leaning back slightly as if to put more distance between her and Mikaela's judgmental gaze. "Nicole's cousin is new here, and it's only right someone helps her settle in, diba? It's not like Nicole can be around all the time."

Mikaela lets out a short, bitter laugh, her tone thick with sarcasm. "Friendly? Sure. The next thing I know, you'll be courting her."

Jo's laughter falters for a moment, replaced by a nervous chuckle. She rubs the back of her neck, eyes darting toward Alana, who watches the exchange with growing discomfort. The heat between them, the simmering tension, is palpable, and Alana feels caught in the middle.

She steps forward, her voice calm but firm. "Kalma guys," she suggests, hoping to defuse the brewing conflict before it escalates further.

Mikaela shoots Alana a cold glance, her eyes narrowing slightly, before letting out a soft, dismissive scoff. "Sure" she mutters under her breath, barely loud enough for Alana to hear. Mikaela's eyes flick back to the front of the classroom, her arms crossed, signaling the end of the conversation—at least for her.

Alana sighs softly, the tension draining from her shoulders as she glances at Jo. Jo gives her a small, apologetic smile, her eyebrows raised in a silent gesture that seems to say She's always like this.

"Sorry about Miks," Jo says, her tone more relaxed now that the storm has passed. She leans in slightly, her voice lowered just enough for Alana to hear. "She can be a bit... intense sa mga bagong tao. Or baka kasi I'm with around you."

Alana feels her cheeks flush at the unexpected compliment, a soft laugh escaping her as she shakes her head. "Tumigil ka na kasi," she says, still smiling but a bit flustered by Jo's candidness.

Jo grins, tilting her head and giving a playful salute. "Yes po!"

As the class continues, Alana tries to focus on the professor's lecture, but her mind keeps wandering. She steals occasional glances at Jo, whose cheerful demeanor is a welcome relief, and Mikaela, who sits at the far end of the classroom, arms folded and face unreadable. There's something about Mikaela that keeps tugging at her thoughts, like an unsolved puzzle. She wonders why Mikaela's walls seem so high, especially when they're all in the same circle of friends. What reason could there be for such coldness?

But what truly unsettles Alana is the persistent feeling that she's being watched. Every time her eyes dart to the right side of the room, she catches a glimpse of Mikaela's gaze—quick, almost imperceptible, but always there. She can't shake the sensation, like a spotlight following her every move.

Eventually, the class comes to a close. The professor claps her hands, signaling the end of the day. "I hope you all had a good first day. Welcome to University life. Class dismissed."

Jo rises from her seat with a cheerful stretch, gathering her things. She turns to Alana with a bright smile. "Una na ako ah? May kailangan kasi ako asikasuhin sa council, but I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Alana replies, grateful for Jo's warmth.

With a quick wave, Jo disappears into the hallway, leaving Alana to pack up alone. She takes a deep breath and heads out of the classroom, feeling the buzz of students filling the corridors.

As she makes her way through the crowd, she spots Nicole waiting for her with Malia, Giselle and a few more unfamilliar faces. The sight of her cousin brings an immediate sense of relief, and she hurries over, her bag bouncing lightly against her side.

"Congrats on making through your first day." Nicole grins, pulling Alana into a quick, affectionate hug. "Do you have plans ba after school? Naisipan kasi namin gumala or kumain sa labas."

Alana bites her lip, feeling a twinge of guilt. "I'd love to, Cole. Pero nag-promise kasi ako kay Mom na uuwi agad ako kasi marami gagawin sa bahay."

Nicole's eyes widen in surprise, but before she can respond, Mikaela appears beside Alana, as if she had been standing there all along. Her presence is subtle yet commanding, and Alana feels a shiver run down her spine.

"Busy din ako later." Mikaela adds, her voice flat and disinterested, though she's now standing unusually close to Alana.

Nicole chuckles softly, exchanging a knowing look with Malia. "Busy pala lahat,"

Malia chimes in, "Bukas? Kaya ba?"

"I'll see what I can do," Alana replies, her voice uncertain. "But my mom might need me again tomorrow. I'll let you know."

Just as she speaks, Alana catches a glimpse of her mother's car through the window. "I've really got to go now," she says quickly, offering a brief, apologetic smile to the group. "We'll catch up soon, I promise."

Nicole hugs her again, squeezing her tightly. "It's so nice to have you here ulit, Lana."

Alana pulls away, her heart warm from the brief moment of connection, but as she turns to leave, her eyes meet Mikaela's. For a second, neither of them moves. Mikaela's gaze is unreadable, her eyes dark and intense, and Alana feels a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension wash over her.

Brushing off the moment, Alana waves to the group and hurries toward the exit, her bag slung over her shoulder.

The drive home is filled with chatter as Alana recounts her day to her mother, who listens eagerly. They arrive home to the warm scent of dinner being prepared, and Alana feels the comfort of familiarity seep into her bones as her stepfather greets them at the door.

"Lana, don't forget to change into something nice for dinner tonight," her mother calls out from the kitchen, her voice carrying through the house.

"Got it, Ma!" Alana replies, heading upstairs to change into something more fitting for their dinner guests. She chooses a simple dress, nothing too fancy, but enough to look presentable. The sound of the doorbell rings through the house as she finishes adjusting her outfit, signaling the arrival of their new neighbors.

Alana takes a deep breath, smoothing down her dress one last time before descending the stairs. The door swings open, and her mother's cheerful voice greets their guests.

But when Alana steps into view, her heart skips a beat. Standing at the door, just as shocked as she is, is Mikaela.

Their eyes lock, and for a moment, the world feels like it's tilting.

"Alana?" Mikaela says, her voice filled with disbelief.

"Mikaela?" Alana echoes, the surprise evident in her tone.

As the realization dawns on both of them, Alana feels her stomach flip. Of all the people to be her new neighbor, it had to be her.