Worth the Shot - JENLISA collection

friendship goals (t) - 3

I started by showing up.

Everyone, maybe except Mino, was surprised to see me at our group hangout today.

"Sorry I've been gone," I sincerely told them despite the jokes and lashings I got as I entered the room.

I made eye contact with Lisa. Hindi siya nag-iwas ng tingin, pero she didn't look invested either.

I get it. I deserved it.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Sana who's sitting beside Lisa. I don't want Lisa to be uncomfortable by sitting directly next to her, but I want to be close enough to make her see me.

Kung pwede lang, I wouldn't stay away from her sight. I want to make up for my stupidity and make her see I won't go anywhere else.

It's hurting me that she seemed distant, but I'm grateful that she's not avoiding me. I can work on this.

Mayamaya, I helped Rosie in the kitchen. Nagsaing ako while she worked on the dish she's preparing.

"Need anything?" tanong ko nang pumunta si Lisa sa kusina, drying my hands with the hand towel.

"Someone's calling Rosie," sagot niya, hawak yung phone ng bestfriend niya.

"Oh shoot. Client. Thanks Lis," Rosie quickly came over Lisa, getting her phone to talk to her client inside her room. She looked at me over her shoulder, "Pabantay niluluto ko please!"

"Got it," I went over to the pan to stir the sauce.

"Need help?" tanong ni Lisa na hindi ko inaasahan.

Napangiti tuloy ako habang nakatalikod. Baby steps, right?

"I got this covered, Lis. Thanks though," I told her sincerely then bit my lip, "You smell nice."

"Hm?" she paused, "Ito yung favorite mo na gamit ko."

Exactly. She wore it more often because I demanded before.

I turned around and saw her leaning sa counter, her ankles and arms crossed, her eyes on me. "I heard you talk to Mino kanina."

Natigilan ako. "We were just talking—"

"No, I know. I just overheard you about the distance thing."

Nakahinga ako nang maluwag. "Ah, that..."

Kanina I pulled Mino away from everyone and talked to him.

"Hey, something wrong?" he asked worriedly.

"Um, actually... Can I ask you something?" I fiddled with my fingers.

"Kinakabahan ako ah," pabirong sabi niya. "Parang kahapon."

"Yeah, sorry you had to leave like that," I frowned. "And thank you for letting us talk."

He shrugged. "No problem. Sana maayos niyo kung ano mang problema. So, what do you want to tell me?"

"Yeah, about that... it's a bit awkward to ask but could you maybe tone it down a little?" my voice kept getting smaller. I just don't want to sound rude and unfair to him when he's been nothing but a good friend to me.

"Tone what down?" naguguluhang tanong niya.

I swallowed hard. "Just... everything? I just don't want it to look weird in front of our friends."

"Ah, you meant in front of Lisa?"

I looked at him, scared, expecting something like dismay in his face but instead he looked genuinely curious. I nodded quietly, hindi na alam kung paano ipapaliwanag, but thankfully it felt like he understood.