Neighbor ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #2]

22

—🐶—

3RD PERSON

"Pwede pasend nung notes mamaya?" Alana asks her classmates as they pack up their things after the bell rings. Throughout the class, she's barely lifted her head from her desk, still battling a pounding headache from yesterday's alcohol.

"Sure, pero anong nangyari sayo?" one of them comments.

"Nalasing ako," Alana cringes as the memory flashes back—Mikaela staying with her, the vulnerability of that moment. Thankfully, her drunk self hadn't spilled anything about her feelings.

"Take care of yourself, Lana." The group exits the classroom, but someone who's been waiting approaches.

"Alana, right?" Judy's forced smile greets Alana, the girl she clearly despises. "Can I talk to you?"

Alana freezes for a moment, uncertain and uneasy about where this conversation might lead.

"I'll see you tomorrow then, Lana!" her friends call out, heading off.

"Bye, guys!" Alana waves them off, then turns back to face Judy.

"Ano yun?" she asks, tension building when Judy crosses her arms.

"This might sound rude, pero..."
Judy hesitates only for a moment before diving in. "Pwede bang layuan mo si Mikaela?"'

"Ha?" Alana can't believe her ears. Is Judy really asking her this?

"I'm sorry, it's selfish, pero maiintindihan mo naman siguro kapag may clingy sa taong mahal mo diba?"Judy's tone sharpens with jealousy, recalling the previous night—seeing Mikaela carry Alana upstairs and refusing to come back when she called.

"Mahal mo... siya?" Alana stammers, her mind spinning, unsure how to process it.

"I do. So, can you do me that favor?" Judy presses.

"We're just friends," Alana insists, though her heart races with uncertainty.

"Alam ko, but can you answer my question?" Judy's impatience flares, her gaze growing colder.

"No, I can't do that." Alana's voice is steady now. Even if Mikaela doesn't feel the same, Alana can't bear the thought of not having her in her life—friend, neighbor, anything.

"Gosh," Judy snaps, struggling to keep her composure. "Hindi ka ba marunong sumunod sa senior mo?"

"I'm sorry." Alana bows slightly, her voice soft. "Aalis na 'ko."

"Hoy, hindi pa ako tapos!" Judy calls after her, but Alana ignores the protest, walking away without looking back.

—🐶—

ALANA'S POV

Kailangan ko na talaga gawin yung assignment. I've been telling myself that since 5 p.m., and now it's already 9 p.m. Hours have passed, and all I've done is stare at the ceiling, thinking about Judy's words.

Judy has feelings for Mikaela. And Mikaela has feelings for Judy.

Should I tell Miks? What am I supposed to do now?

"Lana!" A loud voice calls out, followed by a banging on the door. Startled, I nearly fall out of bed. Sino ba yan at gabi na?

I rush out to open the door and stop the noise. "Miks?"

"Bakit hindi ka nagrereply sa text and calls ko? you always make me worry!" she scolds, her face scrunched up with frustration. Ay, naswitch ko ata yung dnd.

"I'm sorry," I mumble, hating how my heart races for her, even when she's mad.

"Since okay ka lang pala, do you wanna eat outside?" She smiles, that familiar twinkle in her eyes making my chest ache.

"No," I say firmly, though it hurts. "I'm tired."

"Hindi ka okay.. Asan si Lana? Hindi siya tumatanggi sa pagkain ah!" Mikaela jokes, though there's genuine concern behind her teasing.

"Are you okay?" she asks more softly now, her brow furrowing.

"I met Judy today," I blurt out.

"Oh? Sabi niya rin sakin, mag-uusap daw kami bukas." Mikaela raises an eyebrow. I know exactly what they'll talk about.

"Gusto mo ba talaga siya, Miks?" I ask, needing to know before I make any decisions.

"Ha? Bakit biglaan naman? she deflects.

Say no, Miks.

"Just answer me."

Please say no.

"Yeah." She nods, and my heart sinks. Ano ba ineexpect ko..

"Edi, Miks. This will be my last advice na." I say, trying to sound like it doesn't break me to say it. "She told me that she loves you."

—🦊🐶—

3RD PERSON

"You should ask her out," Alana finishes, her voice steady but quiet. The advice catches Mikaela off guard, leaving her speechless.

Part of Mikaela is happy—Judy, the girl she's liked for so long, loves her too. But another part of her feels conflicted. Something doesn't feel right.

The silence between them stretches, heavy and loaded with unspoken words, both girls lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Mikaela breaks the tension. "Do you want me to ask her out?" She doesn't know why she needs to hear Alana's answer, but she does.

No. Alana thinks. Kasi mawawala ka sakin.

But Alana knows better than to be selfish.

"Oo naman," she replies, her voice light despite the weight of the words.

Mikaela forces a smile, though disappointment flickers in her chest. Somehow, she had hoped Alana would say something else.

"Thank you," Mikaela says, her voice barely audible.

"You're welcome," Alana responds softly. "Goodnight, Miks. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Lana." Mikaela watches as the door slowly closes, leaving her alone in the hallway, conflicted and uncertain about everything.