Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 9

"Can I drive you home?" Mackenzie asked softly, her keys already in hand as the team began packing up after the stream. Before Addison could respond, Clover cut in, her tone light but firm. "No need, we're all going the same way." 
“Ha? Akala ko may puntahan pa tayo, Ate,” Shan said, her brows furrowing. 
Mandy, noticing the glance Mackenzie and Addison shared, chimed in with a knowing smirk. “Baka gusto na magpahinga ni Ate Addison. Hayaan mo na sila mauna.” But Clover wasn’t ready to let it go. “Ode, ihahatid ko muna si Addison bago tayo gumala,” she insisted, stepping closer. Addison placed a hand on Clover's arm, her voice calm but resolute. "It's ok, wag na. Nag-offer naman na si Mackenzie." Addison hugged each of her friends goodbye. “Mauna na kami. Mag-ingat kayo sa lakad niyo,” she said with a small smile. Clover’s hug lingered, and she whispered softly, “Mag-chat ka pag may kailangan ka.”  Addison rubbed her back gently. “Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your time,” she said before stepping back and leaving.

“So, how was your first stream?” Mackenzie asked, her tone light as she glanced over, trying to start a conversation. “Oh, it was… good? I had fun! It felt like I was already learning and improving,” Addison said, her excitement bubbling over. “Yeah, yeah, I think you definitely improved,” Mackenzie replied with a small nod, a hint of pride in her voice. “Wehhh, hindi ka pa ba naiinis sakin? I’m such a noob, and you’re, like, this pro player,” Addison said, her cheeks slightly flushed as she explained. “You could never get on my nerves,” Mackenzie said softly, flashing her a sweet, reassuring smile. As they drove, Addison noticed the turn they missed. “Oh, uhm, you were supposed to turn right dun sa kanto,” she pointed out hesitantly. “I know. You’ve had a long day, so I’m taking you someplace you can relax,” Mackenzie said, her focus on the road ahead.  “Hmm?” Addison asked, her confusion evident as she glanced over.  “Don’t worry,” Mackenzie said, her voice calm as she reached over and held Addison’s hand. “I promise—you’re safe with me.”

“Mag-hiking ba tayo?” Addison teases as they step out onto the edge of the mountain overlook, the cool breeze brushing against her face. “What? No!” Mackenzie laughs, her tone defensive but playful, as she opens the trunk of her car. “Here…” she says, pulling out a blanket, her voice softening. “Watch the city lights with me?” She extends her hand, and Addison hesitates for just a second before taking it, her heart skipping as she sits beside Mackenzie at the back of the car.  “Why are you like this with me?” Addison asks quietly, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and caution, like she’s not sure she wants the answer. Mackenzie glances at her, eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean by this?” 

“Well…” Addison pauses, her gaze falling to her hands. “From what I’ve seen on streams… and what people have told me—you get angry or irritated easily. But with me, you’re… patient.” She looks up, searching Mackenzie’s face for something, anything. Mackenzie turns away for a moment, her eyes lost in the city’s shimmering skyline. “I don’t know,” she murmurs, almost to herself, before turning back and meeting Addison’s gaze, her voice steady. “I just know that I enjoy being with you.”

Addison’s breath hitched as Mackenzie’s words hung in the air, the weight of them filling the quiet night. She wasn’t sure if it was the cool breeze, the way the city lights danced in Mackenzie’s eyes, or the fact that her heart was pounding so loudly she was certain Mackenzie could hear it too. 
“Do you always say things like that?” Addison asked, her voice trembling just enough to betray the emotions she was trying to hide. Mackenzie tilted her head, a small, almost shy smile tugging at her lips. “Only when I mean them.” 
The space between them seemed to shrink on its own. Addison could feel her pulse in her throat, the warmth radiating from Mackenzie’s arm brushing lightly against hers. 
“I…” Addison started, but the words got caught in her throat. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say, but it didn’t seem to matter. Mackenzie’s gaze dropped to her lips for just a fleeting second, enough for Addison to notice—and to feel the courage stir in her chest. 
Mackenzie’s voice was soft when she finally spoke. “Can I…?”  She didn’t finish the question. She didn’t need to. Addison nodded, barely, but enough.  The kiss was gentle, tentative at first—like the start of something fragile but deeply wanted. But as Addison leaned in, her hands finding their way to Mackenzie’s arm, it deepened, slow and sure, the world around them falling away. 

When they finally pulled apart, breathless but smiling, Mackenzie chuckled softly. “So… does this mean you’ll watch the city lights with me more often?”  Addison laughed, the sound light and happy.

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PS,
Diet Pepsi is def Mackenzie and Addison's song. ❤️‍🔥