Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

08

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ALANA's POV

I lie on the couch, sprawled out in front of the TV, mindlessly scrolling through Netflix. Nothing catches my attention, and I let out a long, frustrated sigh. With my parents away on a business trip in Cebu, the house feels too quiet, too empty. It's strange how quickly boredom can set in when there's nothing or no one around to distract you.

"Ano kaya pwede gawin today..." I mumble, absentmindedly twirling a strand of hair. A thought pops into my head—baka free si Miks today. The idea instantly perks me up. Maybe she can save me from this dull afternoon. I grab the remote and turn off the TV, already planning to head over to Mikaela's place.

Just as I'm about to reach for the front door, it swings open. I nearly stumble back in surprise as Mikaela stands there, her face stern as always.

"Ano ginagawa mo rito?" I blurt out, completely caught off guard.

She stares at me, her expression unchanging. "At saan ka pupunta? Diba sabi ko sayo kahapon, kailangan mo sabihin sakin ano next step?" Without waiting for a response, she steps inside, her shoulder bumping into mine as she strides into the living room like she owns the place.

"Wow, pasok ka kaagad ah." I mutter, watching her make herself at home. Not that I mind—after all, I was about to go to her place anyway. She's just saved me the trouble.

Mikaela flops onto the couch, sinking into the cushions like she's been here a million times before. "Dalian mo," she demands, stretching out and making herself comfortable.

I roll my eyes but can't help smirking a little. "Sinabi ko naman na sayo, diba? Tanungin mo how's her day, compliment her, tapos kapag dumating na yung tamang panahon, ayun, ask her out." I explain, my tone light as I head toward the couch.

Mikaela rubs the back of her head, clearly frustrated. "Apaka daling sabihin, pero hindi ko basta-basta magagawa yan," she mutters.

I can't hold back a laugh. "First love mo ba si Judy at parang hirap na hirap ka mag first move?" I tease, sitting down beside her.

"Correction," she says, her voice dry. "First crush." She pulls out her phone, and a mischievous glint sparks in her eyes. "Nag-google nga rin ako how to ask your crush out, pero ito lagi sumusulpot." She thrusts the phone toward me, the screen flashing a giant, bold headline: 

GIVE UP.

I burst into laughter, practically doubling over. Mikaela scoffs, crossing her arms over her chest, clearly unimpressed. "For god's sake, Lana, just help me ask her out!" she snaps, her tone more desperate than irritated now.

I fight to control my giggles, finally calming down enough to speak. "Okay, okay! Chill. Hindi naman sa porket sundin mo lahat ng sasabihin ko eh magiging kayo agad-agad."

Mikaela narrows her eyes at me, arms still firmly crossed. "Alam ko," she says flatly.

"So bakit parang madaling-madali ka?" I sit across from her, kicking off my shoes and turning the TV back on.

"Ayoko lang ng competition kay Judy," Mikaela says easily, leaning back against the couch.

I raise an eyebrow, skeptically. Competition? Who could possibly be her competition for Judy? I doubt anyone else even has their sights on her, let alone enough to make it a race. "Hmmm, okay. Right. Competition," I reply bluntly.

Mikaela shoots me a skeptical glance, clearly sensing my doubt. For a moment, the silence between us stretches, and I can tell something's brewing in her mind.

"Have you ever been in a relationship?" she asks suddenly, her voice curious but probing.

The question hits me like a truck. My mind freezes, and a flood of memories crashes through me, uninvited. Faces, moments, laughter—and then goodbye. I pause, trying to shake off the overwhelming weight of it all.

"Yeah," I finally answer, my voice smaller than I intend. As soon as the word leaves my mouth, I mentally slap myself. Why did I even say that? Now I've gone and exposed myself to her.

Mikaela clicks her tongue, the corner of her mouth quirking upward in an almost teasing smile. "Hmm, no wonder marami kang alam tungkol dito." She shrugs, her focus shifting back to her phone while I sit there, my thoughts still spiraling back to my past.

I stare at the TV, but I'm not really watching it. My mind is a million miles away, stuck on memories I haven't allowed myself to think about in a long time. Why did she have to ask? It's like the dam broke, and now all I can do is drown in the flood.

"Okay, come on, stop daydreaming na," Mikaela's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. When I look at her, there's a grin on her face—something I've never really seen before, not like this. Her eyes crinkle at the edges, and for the first time, I notice her eyes smiling.

I blink, slightly thrown off by it. Is this the same Mikaela I've been hanging out with?

She stands up, stretching her arms above her head before looking back at me. "Let's get to business," she says, her voice carrying that usual no-nonsense tone, but her expression remains relaxed.

As I watch her, something clicks in my mind. I can't help but think I need to mark this day on my calendar. Seeing Mikaela's smile—her real smile—feels like a rare moment, baka hindi ko na ulit ma-witness 'to.