My Last And My Only

Chapter 137: Cebu

Two days after their videocall, the girls were back on a group call, and the decision had already been made: Cebu.

Christine had practically declared it like a verdict.

"We are going to Cebu," she said, pointing at the camera with the seriousness of someone announcing a national holiday. "I need sun, food, and a reason to stop staring at my ceiling like it personally offended me."

Yves crossed her arms. "You say that like you won't spend the entire trip making documentaries."

"I will," Christine said without shame. "That's called being dedicated."

Francheska smiled from her square on the screen. "I'm not complaining. Cebu sounds nice."

"It is nice," Aiah said, smiling as she leaned back against her chair. The call was noisy in the familiar way their calls always were, but Aiah found herself listening a little more closely than usual, watching each face as they reacted. "And if we're really doing this, I'll ask my parents."

Nica's eyes lit up. "Wait, really?"

"Really," Aiah said.

Yves immediately leaned closer to her camera. "Are there beaches?"

"Yes," Aiah answered.

"Good food?"

"Yes."

"Then I'm in," Francheska said at once.

Lindtsey, who had been quietly listening while cleaning her camera lens, looked up. "If there's a good sunset, I'm also in."

Christine gasped dramatically. "See? This is why we're friends. We all have priorities."

"Your priorities are food," Yves said.

"And yours are schedules," Christine shot back.

"And yours are chaos," Yves replied.

Christine placed a hand over her chest. "I feel attacked."

"You are attacked," Gwen said.

Aiah laughed, watching them bicker with the kind of fondness that always came so easily when they were all together. Even through a screen, even with everyone scattered in different rooms, the warmth between them was the same. It settled over her like something familiar and safe.

Khae had been quiet for most of the call, but Aiah noticed the small smile on her face when Christine started talking about Cebu's food. She noticed the way Khae's eyes softened when Aiah said she'd ask her parents. She noticed everything, as she always did, and the awareness of it made something quiet and tender stir in her chest.

Christine suddenly pointed at Aiah. "You're smiling."

Aiah blinked. "I am?"

"Yes," Christine said. "That smile means you're already thinking about something."

"I'm thinking about asking my parents," Aiah said innocently.

"No," Christine replied. "That's not the smile."

Yves narrowed her eyes. "Christine, stop being weird."

"I'm not being weird," Christine said. "I'm being observant."

Francheska tilted her head. "About what?"

Christine grinned like she had just uncovered a great mystery. "About how Aiah looks at Khae."