Teenage Dirtbag (Opposites Attract-JhoCey Spin-Off)

EPILOGUE

The soft murmur of voices filled the art gallery, blending with the gentle clinks of champagne glasses and the hum of a string quartet in the background. Jan adjusted the collar of his navy blue polo. Today, though, it felt different—lighter. He stood next to Stacey, who was admiring a painting of Maloi and Nick at Enchanted Kingdom, the vivid fireworks in the background casting a warm glow over the memory captured on the canvas.

"Grabe, ganda ng gawa ni Maloi, no?" Stacey said, squeezing Jan's hand gently. "Para talagang buhay si Nick sa mga paintings."

Jan nodded, his gaze lingering on the painting, feeling a lump form in his throat. Maloi's art had always been breathtaking, but this exhibit—it hit differently. Every stroke, every color seemed to carry Nick's presence. It was as if Nick was still there, standing beside them, smiling that playful, easy grin of his.

"Parang nandito lang siya," Jan mumbled under his breath, his voice thick with emotion.

"Hoy, 'wag kang iyakin diyan, ha!" Stacey teased, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears as she nudged him lightly. "Ikaw pa naman, Mr. Tough Guy. 'Di bagay sayo."

Jan chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Mahal, hindi tough guy, nerd nga ako, 'di ba? Naging tough lang ako kasi—kasi si Nick..."

Stacey turned to him, her teasing expression softening as she took in the look on Jan's face. She knew this wasn't just an ordinary exhibit for him. Nick wasn't just a friend. He was the one who helped Jan grow into the man he was today. From the awkward, bullied nerd to the confident, self-assured man standing next to his wife.

"Sabi ko naman sayo, nerds make the best hubbies," Stacey said, her voice low and filled with affection. "Si Nick kasi, siya yung unang naniwala sayo, 'di ba?"

Jan swallowed hard, remembering how Nick had always been there for him, pushing him to step out of his shell. Back in high school, Jan was the typical guy you'd find hiding behind thick glasses, always a target for bullies. Nick was the cool friend Guill introduced to him, the one who never made him feel small or less than.

"Oo," Jan whispered, his gaze fixed on another painting—a side profile of Nick, wearing his signature backwards black cap. The first time they met. "Kung wala si Nick, siguro hanggang ngayon, nagpapa-bully pa rin ako. I wouldn't have had the guts to—"

"To get the girl of your dreams?" Stacey finished for him with a playful wink.

Jan laughed, the sound bubbling out of him unexpectedly. "Oo nga. Kung hindi niya ako tinulungan mag-gain ng confidence, paano kaya kita niligawan noon?"

"Hay nako," Stacey rolled her eyes but smiled warmly. "Good thing Nick was there to give you pointers."

"More like binatukan niya ako, 'pag sobrang awkward ko!" Jan snorted, recalling the times Nick had pushed him to go out of his comfort zone. Whether it was making small talk at parties or standing up for himself, Nick had been there, encouraging him, nudging him, giving him those tough-love pep talks.

They moved to the next painting—a simple image of a single long-stemmed sunflower. It was Nick's signature gift for Maloi, a tradition that never changed, no matter the occasion. Jan smiled faintly, remembering how Nick would often tease him about the little things in life that meant the most.

"Bro, di ba sabi mo dati 'simple lang, basta sincere'? Edi ito, simpleng bulaklak para sa simpleng moment, pero yun yung pinaka-special," Nick's voice echoed in Jan's memory.

As they approached the last painting in the exhibit, Jan felt a strange tingle run down his spine. It was a side profile of Nick again—this time in more detail. His black sunglasses, his backward cap, the exact way he looked when they first met at MJ and Aiah's engagement party.

Jan stood frozen for a moment, his hand tightening around Stacey's. "Babe, tingnan mo..." he whispered, his voice shaky.

"What is it?" Stacey asked, turning to look at him.

But before Jan could respond, they both saw it.

Standing by the exit door of the gallery was Nick.

His cap was still backward, the same old sunglasses perched on his nose, and his smile—God, that smile—was exactly how Jan remembered it. It was as if Nick was there, watching over them, still that guiding presence in his life.

"Jan, are you seeing this...?" Stacey whispered, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Jan nodded slowly, his heart pounding in his chest. It felt surreal—like a dream he didn't want to wake up from. Nick, standing there, glowing softly like he had been waiting all along.

The air felt thick with emotion as Jan stepped closer to the doorway, his gaze locked on Nick's form. Then, without thinking, Jan mouthed the words, "Thank you, Nick."

For a second, it felt like Nick smiled a little wider, as if he understood everything Jan was trying to say. Then, in one fluid motion, Nick raised his hand, waving goodbye.

Jan's breath caught in his throat. "Goodbye, bro," he whispered under his breath, blinking back tears.

As Nick ascended towards the light, a warmth filled Jan's chest—like the final chapter of a book that had been waiting to close. The weight of the years without Nick, the pain of his loss, it all seemed to dissipate in that moment.

Then, Jan's phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him back to reality. He fumbled for it, his hands shaking as he unlocked the screen. A message flashed before his eyes.

**"Jan, makakapahinga na talaga si Nick. Sumuko na siya."**

It was from Nick's parents.

Jan's heart clenched as he read the message, tears slipping down his cheeks. Beside him, Stacey wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Justice has been served," Jan whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Nick... Nick can finally rest."

Stacey lifted her head and looked up at him, her eyes filled with warmth and understanding. "He's always with us, Jan. Lalo na sayo."

Jan nodded, his heart full, as they both turned back to the gallery, the memory of Nick's presence still lingering around them. For the first time in years, Jan felt like he could breathe freely, like he had done right by the man who had always been there for him.

"Grabe, babe, ang drama natin ngayon," Stacey said with a watery laugh, wiping her eyes quickly. "Pero alam mo, Nick would've been proud of you. Nerd ka man noon, pero ngayon, you're a total—"

"Cool nerd?" Jan cut in with a grin, wiping his own tears.

Stacey laughed, the sound ringing out softly in the gallery. "Cool nerd na pogi! Pwede na!"

Jan chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in years. The gallery, the paintings, the memories—it all came together to remind him of one thing: Nick's love, guidance, and friendship had shaped him into the man he was today. And now, Nick could finally rest, knowing that he had done his part.

As they walked out of the gallery, Jan held Stacey's hand a little tighter, whispering softly, "Thank you, Nick. Thank you for everything."

And somewhere, deep in his heart, he knew Nick heard him.