As the two continued their conversation, Aiah, was quiet focusing on whatever she's writing, but Mikha noticed Aiah’s subtle glances toward her and Maloi. At first, they seemed casual, but as time passed, Mikha couldn’t ignore the way Aiah’s eyes lingered whenever she and Maloi were laughing or leaning close to discuss something.
Mikha smirked inwardly. Is she jealous? Or just annoyed that her friend is getting too cozy with me? Either way, the thought intrigued her, and she couldn’t resist the urge to push the boundary a little further.
Leaning closer to Maloi, Mikha tapped her pen lightly on the table and said in a teasing tone, “You know, Maloi, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone pull off a messy bun as effortlessly as you do. You’re kind of rocking it.”
Maloi laughed, clearly amused. “Oh, please. This is what happens when you oversleep and forget to care.”
Mikha placed a hand over her chest, feigning dramatics. “No, really. You’ve got this whole ‘I’m effortlessly gorgeous’ vibe going on. It’s intimidating, honestly.”
Maloi rolled her eyes but grinned. “You’re ridiculous, Mikha.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Mikha caught Aiah glancing their way again, her expression carefully neutral but her fingers gripping her pen a little tighter.
Deciding to up the ante, Mikha leaned even closer to Maloi, her voice dropping into a softer, more conspiratorial tone. “I think we should hang out more. You’re fun to be around, smart and stunning? Total package.”
Maloi snorted, waving Mikha off. “If I didn’t know you better, I’d think you were trying to flirt with me.”
Mikha tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. “And if I were?”
Maloi laughed, but her cheeks turned a faint shade of pink. “Then I’d say you’re barking up the wrong tree, but I’m flattered nonetheless.”
Mikha chuckled, satisfied with Maloi’s reaction, but her real focus shifted back to Aiah. She glanced her way, noticing the faintest flicker of irritation in Aiah’s otherwise composed demeanor. Her jaw was tight, her gaze fixed on the table as if she were determined not to engage.
Smirking, Mikha decided to press just a little more. “What do you think, Aiah?” she asked suddenly, her tone casual but deliberate. “Don’t you think Maloi has this irresistible charm?”
Aiah’s head snapped up, her expression unreadable as she glanced between the two of them. “I think,” she began slowly, her voice calm but edged with something Mikha couldn’t quite place, “that you’re going to make Maloi too flustered to focus if you keep that up.”
Maloi laughed nervously, waving her hands. “Don’t drag me into whatever game this is, you two.”
Mikha leaned back, clearly amused. “Game? Who says I’m playing a game?”
Aiah’s gaze met hers, steady and unwavering. “Because that’s what you do, isn’t it? You push people to see how far you can go.”
The air between them grew heavier, the playful energy from earlier giving way to something more charged. Mikha’s smirk faltered for just a second before she recovered, her tone light but her eyes sharp. “And what if I do? Does it bother you?”
Aiah didn’t respond immediately, her fingers tapping lightly against the table. “Not really,” she said finally, though her tone suggested otherwise. “I just feel bad for Maloi having to deal with your... antics.”
Maloi raised her hands defensively. “Hey, don’t drag me into this. I’m fine, really.”
Mikha laughed, the tension breaking slightly. “Relax, Aiah. It’s all in good fun. You don’t have to be so serious all the time.”
Aiah’s gaze didn’t waver, but she said nothing, turning her attention back to her notebook.
Mikha watched her for a moment longer, her curiosity piqued. She’s definitely bothered by something. Whether it’s jealousy or something else, I’ll figure it out.
For the rest of their study session, Mikha couldn’t help but steal glances at Aiah, her mind racing with ways to tease her further while unraveling the mystery that was Aiah’s guarded demeanor.
Maloi chuckled to herself as she watched the dynamic between Mikha and Aiah unfold. She knew Mikha’s type: naturally flirty, effortlessly charming, and always the life of any room she entered. A part of Maloi had already accepted that Mikha’s playful teasing wasn’t personal. It was just who she was, and Maloi happened to be the current target of her antics.
Still, as the study session dragged on, Maloi couldn’t help but notice the subtle yet telling glances exchanged between Mikha and Aiah. Mikha’s smirks were sharp and deliberate, always timed to catch Aiah’s reaction, while Aiah’s seemingly neutral demeanor cracked just enough to show flashes of irritation..or was it something else?
---
Maloi rested her chin on her hand, hiding a small grin as she watched them out of the corner of her eye. Oh, these two are so obvious.
It wasn’t just the glances, either. There was an energy between them, something unspoken but undeniably there. The way Mikha leaned just a little closer when Aiah wasn’t looking, or the way Aiah’s fingers tapped against her notebook whenever Mikha got too playful, it all screamed of a connection neither of them seemed ready to admit.
They’re low-key crushing on each other, Maloi thought, biting back a smirk. And they don’t even realize it..or worse, they do, but they’re both too stubborn to say anything.
Meanwhile, Aiah tried to focus on her notes, but her thoughts kept spiraling, fueled by the irritation bubbling within her. She tapped her pen against the table, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from snapping.
Of all people, she thought, Mikha just had to come here and start flirting with Maloi, right in front of me, no less.
Her gaze flickered up briefly, catching Mikha leaning closer to Maloi again, her voice dripping with playful charm. Aiah’s grip on her pen tightened as her irritation grew. Why Maloi? she wondered. Wasn’t she just talking intensely with Denise earlier? If she’s so interested in someone, why not go back to her? Why come here and ruin my mood with her... presence?
The thought surprised her, and she quickly shoved it aside. It wasn’t like she cared what Mikha did or who she flirted with. But something about seeing her so openly playful with Maloi, her friend, made Aiah’s stomach churn in a way she didn’t want to analyze.
It’s just annoying, she told herself firmly. That’s all. Mikha’s antics are distracting, and Maloi shouldn’t have to deal with it.
Even as she thought this, a small voice in the back of her mind questioned her reasoning, but Aiah quickly silenced it. She had no intention of letting Mikha get under her skin, or worse, letting Mikha notice that she already had.
---
After testing Aiah’s reactions and watching her irritation steadily build, Mikha decided not to push any further. For all her teasing and charm, even she knew when to pull back, most of the time. The sharp lines of Aiah’s furrowed brows and the way she kept tapping her pen told Mikha she might have crossed the line.
“Okay, guys,” Mikha said, leaning back and flashing a casual smile as if nothing had happened. “Before I forget, I still have an assignment to finish. I’ll see you around.”
Maloi and Aiah exchanged a glance, a silent conversation passing between them in that brief moment.
“Oh, alright,” Maloi said finally, her tone light but curious. “Good luck with that assignment.”
Aiah gave a small nod, her voice steady but sarcastic. “Yeah, good luck.”
Mikha waved over her shoulder as she moved to another table, her easygoing demeanor intact. She set her things down and began working, though she couldn’t resist one last peek at the pair she’d left behind. Maloi leaned closer to Aiah, whispering something that made her shake her head, her expression still annoyed.
Mikha chuckled to herself as she turned back to her notebook. Mission accomplished..well,kind of.
