Hookup ✓ [MikhAiah] [Book #3]

29

—🐶—

AIRA's POV

Leaning back against the cool wall, I lose myself in the glow of the crowd. A sea of swaying hands holds up cell phones like stars against the night, their flashlights flickering with the beat, casting a surreal light over everything. The music pulses, a living thing, weaving itself into the cheers and clapping, the pure energy of it all wrapping around me. I've never been to anything like this—just an endless wave of strangers, yet we're all bound by the same melody, finding comfort together in every note.

The current song shifts into something somber, a deep sadness that pulls on my heart as though it were plucking guitar strings. It's a heartbreak song, raw and tragic, and it carries a weight that feels strangely soothing, like I'm exhaling pain I didn't know I was holding. I can't help but think about Chase, wondering if she's behind lyrics like these. Every song they've played has been about loss, a bittersweet story of love and aching. I find myself lingering on the idea that each song is a piece of her, maybe some hidden pain etched into every line.

"Babe, I'll go muna with Cole, okay?" Mikaela's voice cuts through, pulling me back to the present. Alana waves her off with a nod. "Sure, I'll be here lang with Aira. I'll catch up with you guys in a bit." Mikaela sends us a warm wave and heads off into a small group of friends.

"So, Aira," Alana says, leaning in and raising her voice over the rising tide of the music, "Close ka sakanila, hm?"

"Yeah," I reply, still watching the band on stage, the intensity in each of their expressions as they play in sync, lost in their own world. Alana nods, giving me a playful nudge.

"You're lucky, you know, to be friends with rockstars." She laughs, and I chuckle with her, feeling the weight of a secret about to slip.

"Actually, since you saved me earlier, I'll let you in on something," I say, lowering my voice as I lean in conspiratorially. "I'm their temporary manager."

Her eyes widen, lips parting in surprise. "No way!" she exclaims, her voice rising. "Holy shit, that's amazing!" She claps her hand over her mouth, apologizing with a quick, "Sorry for cussing, pero grabe."

I wave it off, laughing with her. "Just keep it between us, okay?" I say, and she eagerly nods, moving closer to me.

"Don't worry; your secret's safe with me." She looks back at the stage, her eyes lighting up as she takes in each of the band members, from Chase to Gale to Johanne and to Miki. "They're all so...attractive," she sighs, smiling dreamily. "And so talented. The voices, the energy, everything."

My gaze lands on Miki, the girl with vibrant red hair who seems to command the stage, her fingers flying over the guitar strings, lost in the moment. There's something mesmerizing about watching her perform; it's hard to look away.

Alana's voice cuts in again, softer this time, thoughtful. "You know, Aira, I've seen that look before."

I turn to her, a slight frown creasing my brows. "What look?"

"The in-denial look," she replies, her smile shifting into something more knowing. "Trust me, I've been there. That phase of not quite admitting it to yourself, but everyone else can see it." Her gaze lingers on my face for a second before she adds, "My advice? Don't let it fester too long; it just gets more complicated if you don't tell them."

My eyes drift back to Miki as Alana's words echo in my mind. Am I really in denial? I don't know. I've never felt anything like this before, and the confusion is frustrating, like I'm trying to figure out a song without knowing the chords. Alana waves and slips back into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts, her words still ringing in my ears. Don't let it fester too long.

—🦊—

MIKI's POV

My fingers hit the last notes, letting them linger in the air before fading into the final beat. As the music dies down, the crowd roars, and relief surges through me, along with a hint of pride. A grin spreads across my face as I take in the audience, but my eyes drift, searching for someone specific in the sea of faces. A flicker of anxiety catches in my chest—Aira. Is she okay?

And then, I spot her. Standing by the far wall, leaning back with that small smile of hers that's somehow both quiet and radiant. My pulse steadies as I watch her, feeling a familiar warmth at the sight of her.

Chase steps forward, grabbing the mic. "Thanks for having us, everyone! We're Girls Dead Monster! Hope you had a great time with us, and don't forget to catch our concert next week along with Yves!" The crowd erupts again, and we all bow, hands intertwined, taking in the final cheers and applause as we exit the stage.

Backstage, Aira's waiting for us, her smile bright and welcoming. "Congrats, guys! That was one hell of a performance!" she cheers, clapping her hands as she exchanges high-fives with Gale and Johanne. She turns to Chase and me, holding up a fist, and we bump it with a shared grin.

"Thanks, Ai!" Gale says, adjusting her piano bag. "Where'd you end up watching from pala?"

"I was way at the back. It was amazing seeing you all from there," she replies, eyes still shimmering from the excitement of the show.

As the next performers take the stage, we finish packing up, securing our instruments. I sling my guitar case over my shoulder, the weight a comfortable, familiar thing, and we slip out the back door of the venue, stepping into the cool night. Aira walks between Gale and Johanne, chatting with them as they recount their favorite moments from the gig, laughter spilling into the night air.

Just as we reach the cabin, Chase's hand closes around my wrist, halting me mid-step. She clears her throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Mag-uusap lang kami ni Miki, guys. We'll catch up in a bit." They nod, casting each other curious glances as they slip inside, leaving us alone by the cabin steps.

Chase leads me a little way into the woods, stopping by an old tree. Her expression is serious, her eyes fixed on mine with an intensity I haven't seen in a while. "Miki, I'm not sugarcoating this anymore," she says, voice steady but loaded. "Aira has to be Aria."

I stare back, a sigh following up, feeling a twist of frustration mixed with something like dread. "Chase...that's impossible. If she were Aria, she'd remember us by now."

"Just hear me out," she says, reaching for my hand, but I pull back, crossing my arms. I need her to see reason, to understand. "Chase, that was years ago," I say, keeping my voice calm. "Aria disappearing? It was awful, but it's in the past. We both need to move on."

Her face falls, but she doesn't break her gaze. "But these connections, the little coincidences—they're too strong to ignore," she says, her voice almost a whisper, like she's clinging to a memory. I want to understand, but part of me knows I can't.

"Chase," I say, keeping my tone gentle, though my words are firm. "I get it. Aria was your.... But sometimes, coincidences are just that—coincidences." I watch the pain flicker in her eyes, but it's the only way to help her let go of this impossible hope.

As we stand in silence, her expression shifts, softening with resignation. And in the quiet, one thought resonates in my mind.

I get it, Chase. After all, Aria was your first love.