Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

03

—🐶—

ALANA'S POV

Jesus christ. I mutter in my head, realizing too late that Mikaela's name had slipped past my lips out loud. The dining room goes silent as our parents, and some of my classmates, turn to stare. It's one of those moments where you wish the ground would swallow you whole.

The silence stretches painfully until my mother, bless her, breaks the tension. "Oh, magkakilala na kayo?" Her tone is curious, happy even.

Mikaela's response is short and cold. "Just a classmate."

That familiar chill in her voice is enough to make me shrink in my seat, feeling every pair of eyes in the room still lingering on us.

"Well, that's wonderful!" My mom's cheerfulness doesn't falter. "It's great that you're both classmates. Makes this dinner even better, doesn't it?" She beams, oblivious to the awkwardness hanging in the air.

I force a weak smile. "Yeah... super."

We all move to the dining room, with me sandwiched between my parents. Mikaela, of course, ends up sitting directly across from me. Great. Exactly what I wanted—facing her for the next hour of small talk and forced politeness. I couldn't help but think that this was the absolute worst arrangement. Her sharp gaze flicking up every now and then, almost assessing me, wasn't making things any better.

Her father, however, seemed to ease into the situation with much more grace. "The food is delicious! Thank you for having us over." He compliments my mom's cooking, and soon the conversation shifts to safer, adult topics like work, school, and life in the city.

I start to relax a bit, just listening to the grown-ups. The tension from earlier begins to melt away, and for a brief moment, I think maybe the evening won't be as bad as I thought.

That is, until I feel a tap on my foot.

"Can I excuse Alana for a moment?" Mikaela's voice cuts through the chatter standing up as she walks towards my back, drawing the attention of the entire table.

Both sets of parents exchange glances before nodding with casual approval. "Sure, go ahead," my mom says, her smile still plastered on, entirely unaware of the dagger-like atmosphere between us.

Mikaela's grip tightens slightly as she leans in to whisper, "Lead the way, Lana." Her words send an involuntary shiver down my spine, though she flashes a polite smile at our parents.

I rise from the table, feeling Mikaela's gaze burn into my back as I lead her out to the backyard. The night air feels cooler out here, away from the strained politeness of the dinner table. For a moment, I feel more at ease—until I remember who's behind me.

Mikaela saunters over to the metal bench near the garden and sits down, crossing her arms. "Of all the neighbors... ikaw pa."

I let out a scoff, folding my arms across my chest as I lean against the brick wall of the house. "Yan lang sasabihin mo?"

She shakes her head with an amused chuckle. "Nah. Ang boring kasi nung pinag-uusapan nila eh. I figured you were dying for an excuse to get out too, so I saved us both."

Mikaela shrugs, her teasing expression makes it hard for me to stay annoyed. "So, pinsan mo pala si Nicole?" she asks, the words a little softer now, almost... casual.

I nod. "Yeah, we grew up together here in the Philippines before my dad took us to Canada. Nicole and I were pretty close, though."

Mikaela doesn't break eye contact, her gaze sharper than before. "Hmm, for a second I thought you were her ex-girlfriend or something."

I burst out laughing, shaking my head. "Huh?!"

She leans back, finally relaxing as she smiles. "You never know with Cole. May vibe kasi siyang ganun, y'know?"

I just laugh again, relieved that, for once, things between us don't feel so icy. Maybe this won't be so bad after all.

—🐶—

The next day, my mom drops me off at university, and I immediately spot Jo waiting near the entrance. She waves excitedly as I approach, and we quickly fall into step together, heading toward the library. We both spot Mikaela across the room, standing in front of a pretty girl and—stuttering?

Jo leans in, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "That's Judy."

I glance at the girl, who's laughing at something Mikaela just said, and then back at Jo. "Judy?"

Jo nods knowingly. "Popular girl here at the university. In case you didn't know, word is Mikaela's got a crush on her daw."

"Really?" I can't help but find it funny, considering how cold Mikaela usually acts around me.

Jo rolls her eyes. "Honestly,  hindi ko nga alam anong nakita ni Miks sakanya." She pauses, shooting a quick look at Judy before muttering under her breath. "Apaka pick-me-girl niya."

I hum softly, watching the scene play out with growing interest. Maybe this could be fun after all. A mischievous smile spreads across my face as a plan begins to form in my mind.

Oh, I'm definitely going to have to tease Miks about this.