The Great Escape

Prologue

This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, stories or events are fictitious. This is not affiliated with any of the given universities.

Errors ahead.

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“Shen, bilis!”

Cali’s voice came slicing through the hallway, all panic and urgency like may nasusunog.

I rolled my eyes so hard I swear I saw my own brain. Oh my God. She’s so mainipin, it’s actually insane. Why do I always have to rush getting my beautiful self ready? Like, sorry ha, I don’t just spawn looking good. Does she want me to go out there looking stressed and haggard?

I grabbed my bag and swung the door open. “Can you not?” I said, glaring at her. “Why are you so pressed? Is Jax there or something?”

Her head snapped toward me so fast I almost felt the impact. She shot me a look so evil it could’ve aged me five years.

I laughed.

She clasped her hands together dramatically, eyes lifted to the ceiling like she was calling upon every saint available. “Pinagdarasal ko po,” she said solemnly, “na sana makita mo ang hindi dapat.”

“Wow,” I deadpanned. “Love that for me.”

Before I could say anything else, Axel suddenly appeared out of nowhere—arms raised like he was summoning divine intervention, lips moving in whispered prayers.

I stared at them both, utterly unimpressed. “Okay, first of all—why are you both like this? Second, this is exactly why I need better friends.”

They burst out laughing like I’d just said the funniest thing on earth. “You’re actually insane,” I added, shaking my head. “Like, clinically.” That only made it worse.

Cali bent over, laughing. Axel clutched his chest like he’d been personally attacked. Their laughter echoed down the hallway, loud and careless and stupidly infectious. And somehow—somehow—I found myself smiling too.

We stepped outside, and suddenly everything shifted. Lights everywhere. Music humming in the background. People talking, laughing, networking. Actors. Actresses. Faces I recognized from screens and posters just casually existing in the same space.

This was Sab’s company anniversary party. Meaning everyone under their wing was here.

I immediately straightened, adjusted my bag, and put on my effortlessly rich and unbothered face.

Cali and Axel?

They had somehow armed themselves with water guns—don’t ask me how—and were already chasing each other like toddlers with no sense of shame.

“Hoy, Axel!” Cali yelled, firing straight at him.

“Hoy, ka din!” he shouted back, retaliating immediately.

I crossed my arms, watching them soak each other, shaking my head.
“Wow,” I muttered. “Very professional. Ten out of ten maturity.”

But then a stray splash hit my arm. Ice-cold water. I gasped, horrified. “HELLO?!” I looked up slowly. They froze. Their eyes shifted to me in sync.

And suddenly, I felt it—the itch, the impulse, the very bad idea forming.

I pressed my lips together, fighting a smile. “Okay,” I said quietly, “This outfit is not cheap! I was minding my own business. But now? You literally dragged me into this.”

I reached for a water gun. “So don’t get shocked,” I added, eyes narrowing, “if I go full competitive mode.”

Because honestly?