BINI IMAGINES

Maloi

Do i look like him? (2/3)

THIRD PERSON POV

1 month later, after eating their snack, Maloi and Lauren strolled back to their classroom. The hallway was filled with the faint buzz of students chatting, the occasional burst of laughter echoing through the walls. Maloi walked in silence, her hands tucked into the pockets of her blazer, but her eyes couldn't resist drifting toward Lauren.

She wasn't sure what it was—maybe the way Lauren's ponytail swayed with each step or how her profile seemed effortlessly elegant in the glow of the afternoon sun. Maloi's gaze lingered a little too long, scanning Lauren's features. Her soft lips, her sharp nose, the faint blush dusting her cheeks..

"Maki..." Maloi thought, the name echoing in her mind like a faint whisper of a long-lost melody. There was something hauntingly familiar about Lauren, the way she carried herself, the way her voice dipped in casual conversation. She had that same quiet confidence that Maki once had, the same spark in her eyes that flickered between challenge and warmth.

It made Maloi's chest tighten.

Lauren suddenly turned her head, catching Maloi mid-thought. "Stop staring," she said, her tone flat but her lips quirking slightly, as if she found it amusing.

Caught off guard, Maloi blinked and straightened, the wrapper crumpling in her fist. "I-I wasn't," she stammered, her voice betraying her usual calm.

Lauren raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Right. Sure," she said, turning away and walking towards their seats.

Third Person POV

The rooftop was buzzing with energy as usual, the sound of laughter and teasing filling the air. Maloi and Lauren stepped through the door, trays in hand, greeted by the lively chaos that was their group of seven.

"Finally, nandito na kayo!" Sheena exclaimed, dramatically throwing her hands in the air.

"Ang tagal nyo," Mikha added with a playful shake of her head, clearly enjoying the opportunity to scold them.

"Sorry ha," Maloi said, scratching the back of her neck sheepishly. "Si sir kasi eh. Hindi niya binantayan yung oras."

"Kaya pala," Colet teased, arching an eyebrow as she leaned back against the railing.

Meanwhile, Aiah was seated off to the side, her attention fully on her phone. Her fingers moved quickly over the keyboard as she exchanged messages with Fonz, her brows furrowing slightly in curiosity.