Michaels in Love (BoyXBoy) English

Chapter 24 - Season 1: Valentine's Eve

February 13, 2012

The wind carried a biting chill as it swept through my window, its icy fingers brushing against my skin. I perched on a stack of worn tires resting precariously on the rooftop, staring out at a world shrouded in gray. The sky hung low and heavy, pregnant with the promise of rain, the horizon blurred by an ominous, somber haze.

From the basketball court below, Kaloy's voice sliced through the stillness.

"Michael, bro!" he called, his voice ringing with energy. Even without seeing him, I could tell he was ready for a game.

"Not today, bro," I shouted back, my voice carried by the wind. "I need some rest."

Leaning back against the cold metal behind me, I let out a slow sigh, my breath fogging in the crisp air. My eyes drifted to the clock inside my room, its hands frozen in the dim light—5:00 PM. Time had slipped past me unnoticed, lost in the stillness of the moment.

I reached for my diary, tucked safely in my bag. The urge to write overtook me, a need to spill the thoughts swirling in my mind.

"Uncle, I'm heading to my spot next door," I called out as I swung a leg over the window frame. Uncle Jerry appeared in the hallway just as I was slipping out, giving me a knowing nod as I climbed onto the makeshift ladder secured by years of trust rather than stability.

The rooftop of the neighboring dorm was my sanctuary—a place that belonged only to me when the landlord was away. As I climbed higher, the wind grew stronger, tugging at my clothes, howling its secrets across the cityscape.

I settled beneath the looming water tank, its shadow casting a protective cloak over me. From this perch, the world unfolded like a living map. Rows of rooftops stretched into the distance, their monotony broken only by the shimmering tracks of the train as it snaked toward the LRT Legarda station. The rhythmic hum of city life below provided a strange comfort, a melody I'd learned to love.

The sky deepened as twilight painted its hues across the city, and then my phone buzzed. Mike's name lit up the screen.

"Let's watch a movie at Gateway Mall," he said, his voice rich with excitement.

I chuckled, unable to resist teasing him. "You've got some nerve. Of all places, why there?"

"It's the only cinema I like," he replied with confidence. "VIP, of course."

By the time we met, the day had surrendered to night, and the world had softened under its dark veil. Mike stood waiting for me, his red shirt a bold splash of color against the muted tones of the mall. My heart skipped when I realized we'd both unknowingly chosen red—a coincidence so cliché it felt stolen from a romantic comedy.

The last full show was about to start, and the tension between us felt electric as we approached the theater entrance. Mike walked slightly ahead, his steps purposeful, his eyes scanning the area. I trailed behind, glancing nervously over my shoulder.

"Too many eyes," he whispered, his voice low, almost conspiratorial. He gave me a quick side glance and added with a smirk, "Especially Liza's. She's everywhere in this mall."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "You're being paranoid," I teased softly, though my heart raced just the same.

Inside the cinema, the world seemed to shrink. The air felt heavy with anticipation, and the dim glow of the screen flickering in the near-empty theater offered a sense of anonymity, a cocoon where it was just the two of us.

Mike led us to the farthest corner, away from prying eyes, away from the rest of the world. We sank into the plush seats, and as the movie started, I felt him shift slightly closer.