More Than This

Shiloah Maxine Diaz & Lucio Andres Montelibano III

In the ever-chaotic world of college life, 20-year-old Shiloah Maxine Diaz, a fiercely independent Fine Arts student at UP Diliman, is used to the mess: deadlines, studio stains, and the emotional rollercoaster of growing up. But nothing-nothing-compares to the emotional circus that is Lucio "Cio" Andres Montelibano III, her long-time best friend, loyal ride-or-die, and possibly the most confusing person in her life.

Cio is the definition of campus royalty-an Architecture major from Ateneo with a red Chevrolet, a trail of campus flings, and an effortlessly magnetic charm that everyone seems to fall for. Everyone except Shilo. Or at least, that's what she tells herself.

They've always had a rhythm: teasing, arguing, picking each other up at 2AM, being each other's person-nothing more, nothing less. Until it's not. Until every joke feels a little too personal, every glance lasts a little too long, and every silence is a question left unanswered.

As Cio dates around to distract himself from what he refuses to admit, Shilo finds herself caught between denial, jealousy, and the terrifying thought that maybe, just maybe, she wants something more than this.

But growing up means facing hard truths. And sometimes, falling in love with your best friend is the riskiest, messiest, and most beautiful thing you'll ever do.