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ASHIANNA
After that night, I didn't know exactly what to expect. Mavis was still there, showing up in small ways that somehow felt big.
A cup of coffee here, a quick smile there. It was the steady presence of someone who was trying to earn a second chance, one step at a time.
Nakikita ko lahat ng effort at paggawa niya. The sincerity of every words she's spiting. Yung kalinga at pagpapahalaga niya sa mga bagay na alam niyang nais ko, napapansin niya lahat.
Habang ako? Well, I wasn't exactly making it easy for her.
Araw ng huwebes ngayon, we were paired up for a history project—of course.
I half-suspected she'd worked something out with the teacher gaya ng lagi niyang ginagawa to make sure na partner kaming dalawa, but when I asked, she just held up her hands in mock surrender.
“Believe me, Ashi, pure coincidence. Fate, maybe?” She teased, a glint of humor in her eyes.
I rolled my eyes. “Don't push it— alam kong binola mo na naman si Ms. Castro”
"Uy, hindi ah!" Agad na depensa niya, ngumunguso.
"Whatever, dalhin mo ito" I passed her some papers at naunang naglakad habang kasunod siya.
"Copy that my baby boss" Rinig ko pang sagot niya pero napailing nalang ako at kinagat ang labi upang pigilan ang mga ngiting nais kumawala.
We found a quiet corner in the library, and for a while, things were almost normal.
She actually knew a lot about the project's topic, much to my surprise.
I watched her explain something about ancient civilizations, her eyes lighting up with unexpected enthusiasm, and realized that there was more to Mavis than the girl who used to make my life a nightmare.
“Why didn't you ever show this side before?” I asked, curious and maybe a bit skeptical.
Mavis paused, her pencil twirling in her fingers as she thought. “Because I was too busy being someone else. Trying to be tough, you know? Trying to impress everyone.”
She glanced at me, an almost shy smile on her face. “But impressing you— it's different. Feels like I want to be better, not just seem better.”
Her words hit a nerve, and I looked away, feeling my cheeks warm. I wasn't used to seeing her so open, so honest.
It was new, and unsettling in a way I couldn't define.
As we wrapped up, Mavis cleared her throat, looking down at her notebook. “Hey, so there's this game night at the rec center tomorrow. It's open to anyone, and I thought maybe you'd like to go? No pressure, but I figured it'd be fun. Neutral ground eh, sama ka?” She added, a hopeful look in her eyes.
I hesitated, every instinct telling me to say no. But the way she was looking at me, with that mix of vulnerability and hope, made it hard to ignore the small voice inside that wanted to say yes.
“Alright” I said finally, not quite meeting her eyes. “I'll go.”
Her face lit up, and she quickly masked it with a nod, trying to play it cool. “Awesome. I'll see you there, then.”
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The next evening, I found myself at the rec center, my heart pounding more than it should've been.
I spotted Mavis by the snack table, chatting easily with some students. She looked up and noticed me, breaking into a warm smile that sent a shiver down my spine.
“Hey, you made it!” She greeted, handing me a drink. “Ready to lose?”
I raised an eyebrow. “Confident, are we?”
"Maybe, pero handa naman akong magpatalo para sayo" She wiggled her eyebrows that made me laugh.
"Yabang ah" I retorted "Tara na nga" I added.
She laughed, and I noticed how her face softened when she looked at me, like she was genuinely happy I was there.
We joined a few rounds of card games and board games with other students, the competitive tension between us keeping things interesting.
Mavis was funny, quick to joke, and—much to my surprise—surprisingly kind.
The night flew by in laughter and friendly rivalry.
At one point, we were playing a team game, and she reached out to high-five me after a win.
Her hand lingered on mine just a second too long, and suddenly, the noise of the room faded, leaving only the warmth of her touch.
My pulse quickened, but I didn't pull away. Mavis's smile softened as she gazed at me, her thumb gently brushing over the back of my hand, as if she were afraid I'd disappear.
“I'm glad you came” She whispered, so close I could feel her breath.
I swallowed, unsure of how to respond. For once, I couldn't hide behind sarcasm or indifference. I didn't want to.
“Me too” I murmured, barely trusting my voice.
We stayed like that for a moment, the world around us blurring as something new—something fragile and raw—settled between us.
Maybe it was hope.
Maybe it was forgiveness.
Or maybe, it was just the beginning of something I wasn't ready to name yet.
But whatever it was, I found myself letting go, just a little, and holding onto her hand just a little tighter.
"I really like you Ashi..." She mumbled
"Mavis" I uttered her name as she shook her head
"I'm just saying it because I mean it, no pressure Ash, hihintayin kita kahit gaano ka pa katagal maging handa" She whispered, caressing my cheeks.
"I really want it Mavs, pero hindi pa ngayon— trust me, gusto kita pero let me enjoy this phase first kasi hindi ako sigurado kung tatagal ka ba talaga o sa umpisa ka lang ulit nagpapakita" I said, pain drew her expression pero she quickly gave me a small smile.
"I understand, pero seryoso ako Ashi, even I have to say it hundreds of times— hindi ako magsasawa" She said, finally retreating her hand from my cheeks as she held my hand.
"Alam kong mahirap ibalik yung tiwalang nasira ko na but Ash, I hope you know that I wasn't part of any game anymore — my heart wants you Ashianna— she screams your name" Lintaya niya kung saan tanging tango lang ang naisagot ko.
Magulo at maingay ang paligid namin ngunit tila tanging siya at ako lang ang mayroon sa lugar na iyon, the only noise I heard was my own heartbeat that mirrored hers.
Siya lang ang nakikita ko lingid sa dami at humpa ng mga tao ng bigkasin niya ang mga salitang tuluyang gumiba sa mga pader na ginawa ko.
"Gustong gusto kita Ashi, lagi akong nandito — and ready to catch you if you're falling for me too"
"I know, thank you Mavs" I sincerely mumbled, squeezing her hand as we both smiled.
And with that, by just the look on her eyes, I already know that this unsteady phase we're at isn't just a journey instead a fuel for more experiences of our unsteady beginning.
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Hate That I Love You
FanficMIKHAIAH | WATTPAD Genre | Romance -mavis a well known bully met ashi, the girl that made her life tilted. "seems like a bully found a new target" "wrong, it's a bully found a bully"
