Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

16

—🐶—

ALANA's POV

"Hindi. Ako. Maka. Focus." I grumble under my breath for the hundredth time, slamming my pen down onto my notebook in the library.

Preliminary exams are coming up na, and yung dapat na group study namin, biglang naging circus party.. Seriously, nobody warned me that BINI could be this loud. Plus, half the library is here just to watch Jo and Malia pose for selfies. Can't blame them, though—they're pretty photogenic.

"Sienna, focus!" Cole scolds, her frustration breaking through the chaos. "Kailangan mo pumasa sa English prelims!"

"Ayeeee!" Sienna looks up from her epic ruler sword fight with Jo, a pout forming on her lips as she drops her "weapon" and reluctantly goes back to studying with Cole's hovering guidance.

Jo turns to me next, ruler still in hand. "Lana, Gusto mo maglaro—"

"Na-sstress na ako rito," I cut her off before she can finish. She gives me a look before roping Stella into her ruler battle instead. Honestly, bakit ba ako nandito?

"Hey." A groggy voice cuts through the chaos, making me jump slightly. Mikaela lifts her head off the table, hair disheveled and eyes still half-closed. "Kanina pa 'ko tulog?"

"Long enough na parang pwede na ako magplano ng funeral mo," I joke.
"An hour, Miks."

"Good nap," she mutters, stretching before lazily pulling out her notebook. "Aral time!"

Jo, apparently done with playing around, scoots closer to me, her eyes flicking to my notes. "Oh, question 20 ka na kaagad?" she says casually, before scribbling something down in her own notebook. Wait a second—

"Huy!" I snap, snapping my notebook closed. "Madaya ka!"

Jo doesn't even flinch. She just gives me that sweet, innocent smile. "Pleaseee, nakakatamad kasi aralin, libre na lang kita mamaya~" She's still holding my wrist hostage, and man, ang lakas pala nito?

"Bitawan mo 'ko!" I try to pull my hand free, but Jo just grins wider.

Suddenly, an eraser flies out of nowhere, smacking Jo square in the head.

"Sabing bitawan mo siya eh!" Mikaela's voice cuts through the air, and all eyes turn toward her.

"Aray!" Jo rubs her head, glaring at Mikaela. "Bakit ka naman nangbato ng eraser?"

"Do your own work kasi," Mikaela's tone is flat, but there's something more behind it—frustration, maybe? Anger?

"Weird mo, Miks. Dati pa ako nangongopya sa harapan mo tapos ngayon may pake ka na?" Jo pouts, clearly baffled. "Bipolar." Jo whispers,

What's with the sudden shift of mood, Miks?

—🐶🐣—

3RD PERSON

After what felt like an eternity of attempting to study, the group finally makes their way to the indoor basketball court. Alana sits on the sidelines, clearly uninterested in participating, while Jo mans the scorekeeping board.