Hate That I Love You

15: reckoning chances

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MAVIS

Standing there, I felt frozen, my gaze locked on the spot where Ashi had just vanished into the crowd.

My friends were around me, chattering away, but their voices sounded distant, like echoes from another world.

All I could focus on was the painful twist in my chest, a sensation I had never felt before.

The noise around me faded into a dull roar as the weight of my actions crashed over me like a tidal wave.

I had been so caught up in my own game, my own amusement, that I hadn't even considered the consequences of toying with Ashi's heart.

It was as if ice-cold water had been poured over me, shocking me into a harsh reality: I had hurt Ashi, and it was too late to take it back.

My heart pounded in my chest as I forced myself to turn away, only to meet the knowing eyes of my friends.

Colen raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms, taking me in with a scrutinizing gaze.

Gian shook her head with a heavy sigh, and Sace remained silent, her look a mix of pity and disappointment.

“What?” I muttered, trying to sound indifferent, but the crack in my voice betrayed me. I swallowed hard, a mix of shame and frustration bubbling up inside.

Colen's tone was icy as she finally spoke. “You really messed this up, Mavis. All because of your stupid game.”

Gian nodded, her usual playful demeanor replaced by seriousness. “She was actually starting to care about you, and you just broke her.”

I clenched my fists, their words hitting me hard. “I didn't mean to” I started, but my voice trailed off.

The truth was, I had meant to. Caught up in the thrill of the game, I had ignored the signs of Ashi's growing attachment.

Somewhere along the way, I had felt it too—a real, terrifying pull toward Ashi that I had tried to bury deep inside.

“Well, now you're the one suffering” Sace said, her voice softer, but her words cut just the same. “The question is, what are you going to do about it?”

“Lahat, I want to be back in her life but not as a bully— Sace, I fell on her, nahulog ako kasama siya pero ang tanga ko kasi hindi ko iyon nakita—God, I can't believe I let her go" I said, covering my face using my palm.

Those words hung heavy in the air, igniting a strange, burning resolve within me. Yes, I had messed up, but I wasn't going to let that be the end of things.

I wanted to make it right—not just for myself but because Ashi deserved better.

She deserved someone who cared, truly and deeply, and I realized I wanted to be that person for her.

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The next day, I embarked on my quiet mission of redemption. I tried to be subtle, seeking every opportunity to be near Ashi.

When our professor called for volunteers for a new project in biology, my hand shot up instinctively, my eyes darting to see if Ashi noticed. She did, glancing my way briefly, her gaze unreadable.

During break time, I would casually place snacks on Ashi's desk, pretending to walk by, but inside, I was a ball of nerves.

I left little notes sometimes, folded neatly beside a juice box or a small pack of crackers.