Random Shots

Maybe This Time

A vibrant high school in the late 1990s

The sun shone brightly over the bustling campus of St. Mary’s Academy, where Josefina Remedy Marcos and Salvacion Lorna Regina Legarda navigated the crowded hallways. They were the epitome of best friends—inseparable, with a shared sense of humor and dreams of making a difference in the world. But beneath the surface of their friendship lay a tension that both felt but never addressed.

One afternoon, after school, they settled on the bleachers of the empty gymnasium, a favorite spot where they could escape the chaos of high school life. The echoes of laughter from a nearby basketball game faded into the background as they shared their hopes and fears.

“Do you ever think about what comes next for us?” Salvacion asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.

Josefina leaned back, gazing at the ceiling. “All the time. I want to be someone important. Maybe even a senator one day,” she replied, a dream she had held since childhood.

Salvacion turned to her, a hint of admiration in her eyes. “You would be great at it. You’re fearless.”

Josefina smirked, nudging her friend playfully. “And what about you? The next governor of
our town?”

Salvacion chuckled, the tension in her shoulders easing. “I could see that. But first, I need to figure out if I can even make it through this math test.”

They both laughed, but an undercurrent of seriousness lingered in the air. Salvacion’s gaze softened, and she leaned in closer.

“Josefina, what if we were more than just friends?”

Josefina’s heart raced at the suggestion, but doubt clouded her mind. “What do you mean? We’re best friends. We can’t risk that.”

“Why not?” Salvacion challenged gently, her eyes searching Josefina’s. “What if it could be something beautiful?”

Before Josefina could respond, the bell rang, breaking the moment. They both stood abruptly, the spell shattered. “Let’s not overthink it,” Josefina said, forcing a smile. “We’re just kids, right?”

As they walked away, the words hung unspoken between them. They continued to support each other through high school, but as graduation approached, life pulled them in different directions. Josefina pursued a degree in law, while Salvacion followed her passion for public service. Their paths diverged, and the thread connecting them frayed.

Many years have passed.

Years later, at a lavish political gala in Manila, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Josefina, now Senator Marcos, a last term senator, stood at the center of attention, engaged in discussions about pressing national issues. Her confidence radiated, and she had become a formidable figure in the Senate, respected for her intellect and tenacity.

Across the room, Salvacion, now Senator Legarda, mingled with other politicians. Apparently she won the 2022 national election, and there she was the Governor of Antique is now a Senator. She had built a reputation as a passionate advocate for environment and women’s rights, her charisma and eloquence drawing people to her.

As fate would have it, their eyes met from across the crowded room. Time seemed to freeze as they locked gazes, the years melting away. It was as if they had been transported back to that sunny afternoon in the gym, the unresolved tension still palpable.

Josefina made her way through the throng, her heart pounding as she approached Salvacion. “Lorna,” she said, a smile breaking across her face. “It’s been too long.”

“Josefina,” Salvacion replied, her voice warm, yet laced with a hint of nostalgia. “You look amazing. I’ve followed your career—you’ve done incredible things.”

“Thank you,” Josefina replied, a mixture of pride and humility filling her. “You’ve made waves too. I always knew you would.”

As they chatted, the laughter and music faded into the background. Their connection, once buried beneath years of separation, bubbled to the surface. The room felt smaller, their conversation charged with energy.

“Do you remember that day on the bleachers?” Salvacion asked, her gaze lingering on Josefina.

Josefina chuckled softly, her cheeks flushing. “How could I forget? We were so naive.”

“Naive or not, it felt real,” Salvacion said, her tone shifting to something more serious. “I’ve thought about it a lot since then. About us.”

“Me too,” Josefina admitted, her heart racing. “But we were kids. We had our futures ahead of us. It was complicated.”

“Maybe it still is,” Salvacion replied, stepping closer. “But we’re not kids anymore. We’re both senators now, and we can carve our own paths.”

The weight of their shared history hung in the air, a delicate balance of hope and fear. “What if we tried again?” Salvacion asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Josefina’s heart raced as she considered the possibility. “I want to. But… our careers are on the line.”

Salvacion smiled, her confidence unwavering. “What if we choose to navigate this together? We could be a force for change, both personally and politically.”

A wave of determination washed over Josefina. “Maybe this time, we can make it work.”

The evening wore on, and the gala’s energy swelled as politicians mingled and laughter echoed. But for Josefina and Salvacion, the world outside faded away. They found a quieter corner, the noise dimming as they faced each other.

“Let’s take it slow,” Josefina proposed, her heart pounding. “We can’t rush into anything.”

Salvacion nodded, her eyes bright with understanding. “Agreed. Let’s start with honesty. We’ve been friends forever, and I don’t want to lose that.”

“Me neither,” Josefina said, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. “We can figure this out together.”

As they talked, the conversation flowed easily, laughter spilling from their lips as they shared stories from their time apart. The spark that had always been there flickered back to life, stronger than before.

When the night began to wind down, Salvacion took a deep breath. “I’m glad we met again, Josefina. It feels like this was meant to happen.”

“Maybe it was,” Josefina replied, her gaze steady. “Whatever the future holds, I want to face it with you.”

They shared a lingering look, the air thick with promise. In that moment, they both knew that this time, they would not let fear dictate their choices. Together, they would navigate the complexities of love and ambition, their bond blossoming into something beautiful.

As they stepped back into the crowded room, hand in hand, they were ready to face the world anew—two senators united not only by their dreams for the country but by a love that had finally found its time.

___

Idk if there's any Lomee shippers out here HAEHEHEHE SO CUTEEE, don't get me wrong pilo is much more cuter but hey trying things out.