About You

18: The Leap

Nicka's P.O.V.

My mind was preoccupied, so I decided to take a walk. Her audacity to rub it on my face that she was really into that dustbin, huh? Really, Dahlia?

With heavy footsteps, I kicked a pebble out of anger. I watched as it accidentally hit someone in the back. A scoff escaped my lips when I realized who it was.

"Nananadya ka ba, Jimena?" Dustin snarled at me. I gave him a peace sign while keeping my expression neutral.

If sasadyain kita, hindi lang iyan ang aabutin mo.

What is he doing here anyway? He's with Dahlia, right? The thought made me roll my eyes as I turned in the other direction.

"Ang yabang mo ah," I heard Dustin call out, but I pretended not to hear. I wasn't in the mood to deal with that trash.

"Tomboy!"

I gave him an empty laugh and flipped him off. What a stupid weiner, couldn't even tell the difference between style and sexual orientation. Calling me a tomboy in a bikini?

Bobo ka talaga.

The group was huddled under a large palm tree. Mira was setting the table while Synth was chatting with Ate Phoebe, who was teaching Mike how to wash his hands properly. Tracey and Dahlia were nowhere to be found.

"Ang tagal mo, saan ka nagpunta?" Mira asked when I stood next to Synth.

"Naglakad-lakad lang," I replied shortly.

"Iba ka rin, eh. Tanghaling tapat naglakad-lakad," Synth commented, and I stuck my tongue out at her.

"Sina Tracey? Kakain na tayo," Ate Phoebe asked as the table was set. Just then, we heard Tracey from a distance. "Hi, guys!"

"Sorry, natagalan. Ito kasing si Lia nagpasama pa bumili ng dragonfruit," Tracey said, nudging Dahlia, who was holding a bag in one hand. Mira moved to take it from her, but Dahlia handed it to Ate Phoebe instead. "Ayos, buti nakahanap kayo. Hindi naman nito season ngayon. Tara, kain na tayo."

Third Person's P.O.V.

They savored the grilled meat and side dishes on a large banana leaf, gathered around the wide table. Dahlia, seated next to Phoebe, often stole glances at Mira, who kept pushing dishes toward Nicka. Her gestures were subtle, but not unnoticed by Dahlia. Her gaze then shifted to Nicka's other side, where her best friend, Synth, sat.

Dahlia couldn't help but admire her strength. If she were in Synth's position, she wouldn't be able to sit and watch the woman she loved try to win her best friend's heart. In Dahlia's eyes, that would be pure torture.

The group decided to head to an island later that afternoon. A breathtaking view greeted them before their boat reached the shore. The white sand was magnificent as they disembarked.

"Wow," Mike exclaimed, his awe mirrored by everyone else. "Tita, punta tayo doon!"

The little boy pointed at the huge rock formations towering above them, where some tourists were cliff diving. Nicka had never tried it before-she was afraid of heights. But today would be different. The pent-up emotions behind her calm facade were pushing her to let loose, to feel the adrenaline rush through her veins, to do something unexpected to distract her mind from overthinking.

"Bawal ang bata doon, Mike. Let me do it on your behalf na lang."

Everyone turned to look at Nicka after she spoke. Dahlia's eyebrows shot up, as though unsure if she had heard correctly. She knew about Nicka's fear of heights-one of the reasons she had abandoned various trips she'd planned before.