Hookup ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

🔸15🔸

—🐶—

AIRA's POV

"I like you, Aira."

Those words echo in my mind, over and over, like a broken record stuck in a loop. I've heard countless confessions before, more than I can even count, been through countless moments where someone's feelings were laid bare in front of me. But it was never in my cards to respond, to reciprocate. I've lost close friends, people I was close to—connections I made, then sacrificed in the name of my academic dreams. They all fell away, one by one.

What's the point of even entering a relationship when you're bound to hurt each other? 

When you turn your backs.

Betray each other's trust.

Gossip about insecurities.

And in the end, part ways like you never existed in each other's worlds? 

The very thought makes my head ache. That's why I never entertained the idea of liking someone. The vulnerability it requires, the emotional attachment that comes with it—it terrifies me. The power someone could have to dismantle your world, piece by piece, is too dangerous. I'm not sure I'd ever want that for myself.

But... how? How are you doing this to me, Miki?

Her lips press against mine, and I feel her warmth spreading through me, igniting something deep inside that I've kept locked away for so long. The way our tongues move, like a dance, both of us pushing and pulling, teasing and tasting each other. It's almost laughable how I helped her lie, claiming we were going to grab something from my dad's office. He's not even there. We both knew this was just an excuse. An excuse for us to be alone. For this.

It feels like we're both starving for each other's touch, our breaths mingling, our bodies pressed so close in the tight space of her car. So it's not just me...you feel it too, right, Miki?

I feel her hand slide to the back of my head, her fingers threading through my hair, tightening slightly as she pulls me even closer. Her touch is firm but gentle, almost like she's afraid I'll slip away. Why do you look at me like I'm going to run? Like you think I'll disappear if you don't hold on tight.

God, if this is a sin, then I'm willing to be a sinner.

I break away, gasping for air. The faint string of saliva between us catches the light as we part. My heart pounds in my chest, completely breathless, while Miki watches me with that calm, steady gaze of hers. Her eyes hold a question, but I can't answer it. Not with words. So instead, I move. My hand cups her cheek, pulling her closer again, my lips crashing against hers. 

I don't care if I'm losing control. I don't care if this is reckless. All I know is how she makes me feel, how her touch sets my skin on fire. Our kisses grow deeper, more frantic, and the world outside her car fades away. The sound of our lips meeting, the soft moans that escape in between... It's intoxicating. The heat between us is unbearable.

Our kisses grow deeper, the soft sounds of lips meeting, our tongues entwining, and the occasional groan filling the car. I can't think straight anymore, Miki.

How long can we keep doing this? 

How long before this secret of ours consumes us whole?

—🐶🦊🐺🐣🐨—

3RD PERSON

Outside the café, the sun hovers low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the street. Chase stands near the corner, her gaze scanning the rows of parked cars. Her fingers tap against the side of her car keys impatiently, eyes narrowing slightly as she catches sight of a familiar vehicle pulling up. Miki's car. Relief washes over her, and she pushes off the wall, jogging toward the two figures stepping out.

"Dapat hinintay na lang pala talaga namin kayo," Chase calls out.

Aira quickly waves her off, her smile unbothered. "Ay, okay lang naman."

Chase's eyes flicker to Miki, who is dabbing her lips with a tissue, wiping something away with more care than usual. A slight frown creases her forehead. "Okay ka lang, Miki?"

Miki pauses, blinking up at her, then smiles faintly. "Yeah, dry lang yung lips ko, thanks for asking tho."

Chase buys it, nodding as she leads them inside, still unable to shake the strange feeling. They step into the warmth of the café, the inviting scent of roasted coffee beans filling the air. Johanne and Gale are already settled at a round table near the window, waving them over.

"There you are," Gale greets, her smile wide and welcoming. "Akala namin naligaw na kayo eh."

The trio slides into the booth, Aira slipping into the middle seat between Miki and Chase. The table feels unusually cramped, and Chase glances between the two girls beside her, an odd tension hanging in the air. Before she can place it, Johanne perks up.

"So, order na ba tayo?" she asks, glancing at the others.

Aira shifts beside her, purse already in hand. "I'll go order for everyone," she offers, pushing herself up from the seat.

Chase rises almost immediately, eager to follow. "I'll come with—"

"I'll go with her." Miki stands abruptly, cutting Chase off mid-sentence. "Alam ko naman na order niyong lahat."

The words hang between them for a second, a beat of silence that makes Chase's stomach churn. She watches as Aira gives a small shrug and leads the way toward the counter, Miki close at her side. Chase, now left standing awkwardly at the table, feels the weight of something unspoken.

Reluctantly, she sits back down, nodding to herself as if that would smooth over the awkwardness. But the space between her and Miki feels different now, like something's shifted, leaving her feeling out of place. As she glances toward the counter, her eyes land on the delicate necklace Aira wears—the faint glint of silver catching her attention. The sight of it tugs at something buried in her memory.

That necklace... It looks so familiar. Her brow furrows slightly as her mind tries to connect the dots. The image of another necklace flashes in her thoughts—one worn by a long-lost childhood friend she and Miki once knew.