Player 1 | MIKHAIAH AU

Part 21

Addison pulled her hand away gently. "I don't think that would be appropriate," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Bakit naman?" Mackenzie asked, a frown forming as she tried to understand. "You can have the couch, I’ll just sleep on the floor," she added, her tone light, attempting to mask her disappointment. 
"Why would you sleep on the floor?" Addison's eyes softened with concern. "You have your own room. Just stay there."  "Ah, ninakaw ni Sab eh," Mackenzie explained, scratching the back of her neck awkwardly, avoiding Addison’s gaze. "Oh…" Addison's expression shifted, her voice quieter now. "Then you should just stay with her. I’ll go na." Her words were rushed, as if she couldn’t wait to leave the awkward moment behind. "Addi, wait!" Mackenzie called, her steps quickening as she followed her. As Addison reached for the door, Mackenzie caught her wrist and gently but firmly pulled her back, closing the space between them. Their eyes met, the tension palpable. “I’m not letting you leave,” Mackenzie said, her voice low and unwavering. “Not this late. Not alone.” Addison froze, caught between resistance and the warmth of Mackenzie's resolve.

“Mackie,” Addison called softly, her gaze meeting Mackenzie’s with a mix of love and hesitation. “I’ll sleep outside if that’s what it takes to make you stay,” Mackenzie replied, her voice steady despite the faint crack of vulnerability. 
Addison let out a soft sigh, shaking her head. “Fine. But you should be comfortable in your own home… I’ll take the floor.” She stepped back, avoiding Mackenzie’s pleading eyes. 

Mackenzie busied herself fixing the couch, neatly folding a blanket and fluffing a pillow for Addison. She handed over a shirt and shorts for Addison to change into. While Mackenzie worked, Addison emerged quietly from the powder room, already changed, leaning against the doorframe. Her gaze softened as she watched Mackenzie moving around, looking every bit the caretaker Addison didn’t realize she needed. “I wish we lived simpler lives,” Addison murmured under her breath, her heart aching as she looked at Mackenzie. When Mackenzie finished, she plopped onto the floor with a pillow and blanket, stretching out with a satisfied sigh. 
“Uy, ako dyan!” Addison called, stepping into the room. “Ha? Ayoko sa couch, sumasakit likod ko,” Mackenzie argued, her tone playful but resolute. “Your back will hurt even more dyan,” Addison protested, leaning down to nudge her. 
“Sorry, can’t hear you. Asleep na ako,” Mackenzie replied, shutting her eyes and exaggerating a loud snore. Addison stood there for a moment, shaking her head with a faint smile before quietly sitting beside her, unwilling to disturb her any further.

The night was quiet, a blanket of calm enveloping them as they slept, just inches apart. Mackenzie stirred awake, her eyes drawn to Addison lying peacefully above her on the couch. In the soft glow of the moonlight, Addison looked serene, almost angelic, her chest rising and falling in rhythm. Mackenzie couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with an ache she couldn’t put into words. “I’d give up everything to have you, to show you how much I love you,” she thought, her gaze lingering with quiet reverence. Addison shifted slightly, her hand moving down as if searching for something. Mackenzie quickly shut her eyes, pretending to be asleep. Addison’s fingers brushed against hers, then clasped them instinctively, holding on as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Mackenzie’s lips curled into a small, silent smile. With their hands intertwined, she let the warmth carry her back to sleep.

"Bebe, bebe! May nakita ako sa labas, hindi ka maniniwala!" Gab whispered excitedly, shaking Shan awake. "Ang OA mo, hindi ako sanay," Shan mumbled, her morning voice still raspy as she buried her face deeper into the pillow. "Pag nakita mo 'to, promise, mapapatalon ka. Dali na, dali!" Gab urged, practically dragging her out of bed. Still half-asleep, Shan rubbed her eyes as Gab pulled her toward the window. Her breath hitched when she spotted the silhouette of someone laying on the floor, their black hair spilling down their back, unmoving. 
Her heart raced as she took a hesitant step closer, her jaw dropping as the scene came into focus. Gab, suppressing laughter, snapped a quick picture of Shan’s shocked face. “Priceless!” he cackled, breaking the eerie tension.

“Ate Addison?” Shan’s voice rang out, cutting through the early morning silence and stirring those sprawled on the floor. “Hmm?” Addison murmured groggily, barely opening her eyes. She ruffled her hair, the haze of sleep lifting as she realized she was lying next to someone. Panic shot through her, and she bolted upright. “Oh, shux,” she muttered, clutching her head as if trying to piece together the night before. 
“Ang aga, ang ingay niyo,” Mackenzie grumbled, her voice muffled as she turned over, clearly not ready to face the day. “Finally, you’re awake,” a voice called from the kitchen counter, cutting through the room like a spark. All eyes turned toward the unexpected presence, their grogginess replaced with sudden surprise.

"Sab?" Gab called out, her brows knitting together. "Ang aga mo naman yata gising ngayon." Sab approached the group, coffee in hand, her expression deadpan. "Ang ingay ng dalawang 'yon kagabi, ang likot pa. Sino bang hindi magigising?" she muttered, taking a sip. 
"Maingay? Malikot? Ate Addison?!" Shan blurted out, her face contorted in confusion. Her thoughts raced, overthinking every possibility of what could have happened between the three the night before.

"Ang aga-aga, ang ingay niyo," Mackenzie groaned, finally sitting up, her hair a mess. "How was your sleep?" she asked, turning to Addison, who looked utterly confused. "A-Ah… how did I get here?" Addison stammered, glancing at Mackenzie, then at the couch they were sharing. "You don’t remember?" Mackenzie grinned, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Ayan!" Shan chimed in, crossing her arms like a strict older sister. "Sinasabi ko na sayo, Addison Quinn Arceta, ‘wag ka na uminom ulit ha!" "No, no! It’s not like that," Mackenzie said, laughing. "She was moving around so much, she fell on top of me. I thought she’d wake up, but nope. She was out cold. I just let her stay there—didn’t want her hurting herself again if she rolled off." Addison’s cheeks flushed, and she buried her face in her hands as Mackenzie chuckled softly, clearly enjoying her embarrassment.