JhoCey Imagines

Where Waves Meet Airwaves (Sports AU) #8

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Chapter 8: The Morning After
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The first thing Stacey felt was warmth-an intense, uncomfortable kind of warmth that made her blink awake in confusion. Her eyes slowly opened, and she realized that Jhoanna was lying on top of her, their bodies pressed close together on the couch. Something felt off.

Jhoanna was burning up.

"Jhoanna?" Stacey whispered, panic surging through her as she gently shook Jhoanna's shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?"

Jhoanna stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she let out a soft groan. She blinked up at Stacey, her expression dazed but firm.

"I'm... I'm fine," she mumbled, though her voice was weak. "Hindi naman ako wala sa kondisyon..."

Stacey pressed a hand to Jhoanna's forehead, wincing at the intense heat.

"Jhoanna, you're burning up. I think you need proper rest," she said firmly, her worry clear in her tone. "Let's get you to bed, okay?"

But Jhoanna shook her head, frowning slightly as she tried to sit up.

"Hindi, Stacey," she protested, brushing off Stacey's hands.

"It's good you woke me up... may klase tayo, diba?"

Stacey bit back a smile, raising an eyebrow. "Class? Ms. Robles, it's the weekend. You don't have to be anywhere but in bed,"

Jhoanna squinted at her, her feverish brain taking a moment to process the information.

"Weekend?" she repeated, a bit of doubt in her voice. "Sigurado ka ba?"

Stacey nodded, a teasing smile on her lips. "Super sure. Hindi mo na kailangang magpanggap na okay ka lang para lang pumasok."

Jhoanna huffed, attempting to pull away as she struggled to sit up straighter.

"Hindi ako nagpapanggap," she insisted, looking determined as she swung her legs off the couch.

"Kaya ko maglakad... ng mag-isa."

Stacey crossed her arms, watching with amusement as Jhoanna wobbled, her balance clearly off.

"Oh talaga, Miss Independent?" she challenged. "Go ahead, lakad ka."

Jhoanna shot her a defiant look, pushing herself up and taking a shaky step. "Kaya ko pa... see?"

But before she could go any further, her legs buckled, and she began to sway dangerously. Her eyes widened as she lost her balance, unable to steady herself.

"Jhoanna." Stacey reacted instantly, catching her just before she could fall. She held Jhoanna securely, a mixture of exasperation and fondness in her eyes.

"You're really stubborn, huh." she said, her voice both teasing and affectionate. "Ano, kaya mo pa?"

Jhoanna let out a small, embarrassed laugh, clearly flustered. "Fine...maybe medyo mahina ako ngayon," she admitted, finally leaning into Stacey's support. "I'm only admitting kasi di mo ako tatantanan."

And cause it's you.

Stacey grinned, gently patting Jhoanna's shoulder.

"Took you long enough," she stated, guiding the other girl to the bed in her bedroom and tucking her in carefully.
"Kahit may lagnat ka, ayaw mo pa rin magpatalo. Napaka-pasaway."

Jhoanna sighed, a tiny, tired smile tugging at her lips. "Oo na, oo na... you don't have to rub it in," she mumbled, finally surrendering.

Stacey shook her head with a smile of her own.