The next day came as if nothing unusual had happened. Zee and her friends moved about their routines, masking the anxiety lingering from yesterday’s events. They had agreed to act normal, kahit na hindi maalis sa isip nila ang nangyari.
Zee sat with her friends in the school courtyard under the shade of an acacia tree. She was doodling absentmindedly in her notebook when a familiar voice called out.
“Good morning,” Migs greeted, his warm smile making her heart skip a beat.
Zee looked up, startled. “Oh, good morning,” she said, her voice slightly higher than usual.
He handed her a cup of iced coffee. “Thought you might need this. You seemed stressed yesterday.”
Nagkatinginan sina Aria at Kalli, parehong may pilyong ngiti.
“Wow, Migs, you’re making moves, huh?” Aria teased, leaning on her elbow with a smirk.
Migs laughed, scratching the back of his neck. “I just thought I’d help a friend out.”
“Sure, friend,” Kalli chimed in, raising an eyebrow.
Zee felt her face heat up. “Guys, stop it.” She tried to sound annoyed, but her friends’ teasing only made her cheeks burn more.
Migs chuckled. “Mind if I join you?”
“Of course—” Aria began, but Zee cut her off.
“Sure,” Zee said quickly, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
Migs sat beside her, and soon, they were chatting about their classes and school events. His presence was both comforting and nerve-wracking for Zee, who couldn’t help but feel like she was walking on thin ice.
Hannie, meanwhile, was in her Literature class, her pen idly tapping against her notebook. She wasn’t paying much attention to the discussion about classic Filipino literature. Her thoughts were elsewhere—on the dream she had and the strange visions she saw when she looked at Migs.
“Hey, you okay?” a voice interrupted her thoughts.
Hannie turned to see Lucian, her seatmate, looking at her with concern.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m fine,” Hannie replied quickly, sitting up straighter.
“You’ve been spacing out the entire class,” Lucian said, his voice low enough not to attract the teacher’s attention.
Hannie sighed. “Just... tired, I guess.”
Lucian raised an eyebrow. “You? Tired? That’s new.”
Hannie chuckled lightly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “There’s a first for everything.”
Lucian leaned closer, his tone softening. “If you need someone to talk to, I’m here. You know that, right?”
For a moment, Hannie hesitated. She didn’t know why, but there was something about Lucian that made her feel like she could let her guard down.
“Thanks,” she said finally. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Lucian gave her a small smile before turning back to his notes. Hannie glanced at him from the corner of her eye, wondering if she should tell him anything. But for now, she decided to keep her secrets to herself.
After school, Zee and her friends decided to regroup in the library. It was their safe space for brainstorming and planning, away from prying eyes.
YOU ARE READING
The Storms Within
Fantasy"When the world shatters, their powers awaken. But can they control the storm inside?" In a quiet town surrounded by lush mountains, Zariah "Zee" Torres and her close-knit group of friends embark on what should be a peaceful break from their chaotic...
