Chapter Text
It was the first day of high school when Avery met Jamie. It wasn’t anything dramatic or life-changing—just two girls crossing paths in the crowded halls of their new school. Avery, quiet and reserved, had found her way to the back of the room during their first homeroom class, hoping to stay unnoticed. But fate, as it often does, had other plans.
Jamie, on the other hand, was the opposite—confident, outgoing, and already laughing with the people around her. Her energy was infectious, and her eyes immediately caught Avery’s attention. It wasn’t like Avery wanted to be noticed, but something about Jamie’s presence made her feel less invisible.
It was during a lunch break a few days later when they properly met. Avery was sitting alone at the far end of the cafeteria, as usual, when Jamie approached her table with a grin.
"Hey! Avery, tama?" Jamie asked, her voice warm and friendly.
Avery looked up, startled, and nodded. "Yeah, that’s me."
"I'm Jamie," she said, sliding into the seat across from Avery without waiting for an invitation. "Pansin ko na mag-isa ka lang. Mind if I join you?"
Avery blinked, unsure if she was dreaming. In her experience, no one ever made the effort to reach out like this. But something in Jamie’s eyes—something genuine—made her feel at ease.
"Uh… okay," Avery said, finally allowing herself a small smile. "Thanks."
From that moment on, they were inseparable. Jamie was the social butterfly who somehow managed to pull Avery out of her shell. They spent countless hours studying together, talking about their dreams, their insecurities, and their favorite bands. Jamie made Avery laugh like no one else had before, and Avery’s quiet strength helped Jamie stay grounded when her own world felt like it was spinning out of control.
"Jamie, bakit minsan hindi kita mahagilap sa campus?" Avery asked one afternoon as they walked home together.
Jamie shrugged, flashing a lopsided grin. "Tinatamad lang ako pumasok minsan. Alam mo na, masarap matulog."
Avery narrowed her eyes. But before she could press further, Jamie slung an arm around her shoulders, changing the subject with a joke that had Avery laughing despite herself.
It wasn’t long before Avery started to realize that Jamie had a knack for reading her moods. If something was bothering Avery, Jamie would know—even if she didn’t say a word.
But high school wasn’t just about friendship. It was about experiences, some of which were painful.
Avery had never been the kind of person to fall for someone easily. But when she met Alex—someone she thought was different, someone who made her heart race—she couldn’t help but feel drawn to him.
Alex was charming, witty, and seemed genuinely interested in her. They’d study together, share lunch breaks, and talk about everything under the sun. To Avery, it felt like they had a connection, something real.
One afternoon, after a particularly great study session, Alex invited Avery to the park. She was nervous, but in a good way. Maybe this was it. Maybe they were on the brink of something beautiful.
But when they sat down on the grass, Alex’s words hit her like a ton of bricks.
"Avery, I like you… as a friend. And I don’t think I’m ready for anything serious. I’m not looking for a relationship right now."
The air seemed to vanish from Avery’s lungs. She blinked rapidly, trying to process what he just said.
"Wait, what? Akala ko—" Avery’s voice faltered, the lump in her throat choking her words.
Alex looked genuinely apologetic. "I’m sorry, Avery. You’re amazing, I just… don’t feel the same way. Ayokong paasahin ka."
Avery’s world seemed to collapse in on itself. She had tried so hard to be brave, to put her heart out there, and now it felt like she had been crushed under the weight of his indifference.
She managed a weak smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "Okay. I get it."
As Alex stood up to leave, Avery felt a wave of humiliation wash over her. She had never felt so small, so invisible.
That night, Avery barely spoke a word to anyone, including Jamie. But Jamie, always attuned to Avery’s moods, noticed right away. As Avery sat on her bed, staring at the wall, Jamie knocked lightly on the door before entering.
"Avery? Kumusta? Can we talk?" Jamie asked gently.
Avery didn’t look at her, keeping her eyes fixed on the wall. "I’m fine," she muttered, her voice hoarse.
Jamie wasn’t buying it. She sat silently for a moment before pulling Avery into a tight hug.
"You know, I’m really sorry, Avery. Hindi alam ni Alex kung ano 'yung pinakawalan niya."
"Akala ko gusto niya rin ako, Jamie," Avery whispered, her voice trembling. "I thought it was something real."
Jamie squeezed her tighter. "Alam ko. And it sucks. Pero Avery, you're worth so much more than someone who can’t see that. You’re amazing, okay? Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re not."
The tears came then, hot and fast. Avery buried her face in Jamie’s shoulder, allowing herself to finally let go of the hurt, the confusion, and the disappointment. For the first time, she let herself feel everything—the heartbreak, the rejection, the fear of being alone.
And Jamie was there, holding her together with nothing but her presence.
"Lagi mong tatandaan, Avery," Jamie whispered, "I’m always here. I’m always going to be here."
The weeks following Avery’s heartbreak were difficult. She’d put on a brave face at school, pretending like everything was fine, but Jamie could see right through her. They spent more and more time together—whether it was talking about school, their futures, or just enjoying each other’s company. Jamie had a way of helping Avery laugh again, making her forget, even if just for a moment, the pain of her first love lost.
One afternoon, after a long study session, Jamie surprised Avery by taking her to the park.
"Naisip ko na baka need mo ng ibang view, hindi ‘yung puro ceiling ng kwarto mo at ng classroom yung tinititigan mo," Jamie said, her grin teasing as she nudged Avery’s arm.
Avery looked around, noting the familiar surroundings. "Date ba 'to?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jamie laughed. "Sira! Hmm.. well, if it is, I think it’s a pretty good one."
Avery chuckled, a sense of warmth flooding through her. "Di ko sure ha. You’re kind of a terrible date."
"Ah talaga ba?" Jamie smirked, nudging her again. "Well, you’re lucky I’m the best at making people smile."
As they sat on the grass, Jamie turned to Avery with a serious expression. "Alam mo, Avery, sometimes the right people come into our lives when we least expect it. And minsan, it’s okay to not have everything figured out. You’ll find someone who sees you for who you really are—someone who won’t make you feel like you’re not enough."
Avery met her gaze, her heart swelling with gratitude. She had spent so much time questioning herself, questioning her worth, and for the first time, she felt like she didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.
"Thanks, Jamie," Avery said softly, her voice steady. "I think… I think I’m going to be okay."
Jamie smiled, her eyes full of warmth. "Syempre naman. And nandito lang ako, right beside you, kahit anong mangyari."
As they sat in comfortable silence, Avery realized that the real love she needed wasn’t from a boy or a fleeting crush—it was the love from the people who truly cared. And Jamie was at the top of that list.
No matter what happened, Avery knew that as long as Jamie was by her side, she could face anything the world threw her way.
When college began, Avery felt like a whole new chapter of her life was opening up. The freedom, the possibilities—it was a fresh start. But it was also overwhelming. New environment, new people, and the pressure to keep up academically. It was different from high school, and Avery wasn’t sure if she was ready for it.
Jamie, however, seemed to thrive. From the first day of orientation, she had already made new friends and joined clubs, chatting with anyone and everyone. Her confidence was as strong as ever, and for the first time, Avery felt a little... lost.
“Jamie, grabe. College is huge!” Avery said to Jamie one afternoon while they were sitting in the campus café.
“Sobra! Pero 'wag kang mag-alala, you’ll get used to it. It's actually pretty chill pag nasanay ka na,” Jamie replied, tossing her hair back and sipping her iced coffee.
Avery wasn’t as convinced. She spent her first few weeks trying to keep up with the work and the new environment. Her major wasn’t easy, and balancing assignments with trying to make new friends was exhausting. But no matter how much she struggled, there was one constant: Jamie
They met up every week, catching up over coffee or studying together. When Avery felt like quitting, it was Jamie who would push her to keep going.
“Hindi ko na alam gagawin ko, Jamie. Wala nang pumapasok sa utak ko. Ang dami pang projects na hindi ko pa nasisimulan. Parang hindi ko na kaya,” Avery confided one night, after a particularly tough week of exams.
“Hey, stop that,” Jamie said, pulling her into a tight hug. “I know it’s hard, but you’ve got this. You might not notice but I really admire how much effort you put into everything. Laban lang, Avery.”
Despite Jamie’s words of encouragement, Avery still felt the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was trying her best, but the pressure was getting to her. It didn’t help that a few weeks into the semester, Avery met someone who would change everything—again.
It was at a college party. Avery wasn’t really the party type, but Jamie dragged her along, insisting it would be fun. “Minsan lang ‘to, Avery! Let loose, please,” she begged, practically pulling Avery through the front door of a crowded frat house.
At first, Avery was out of place. The loud music, the flashing lights—it was a whole new world to her. But Jamie, being Jamie, quickly found her way into the center of the party, leaving Avery to figure out what to do with herself. She wasn’t antisocial, but crowds like this made her nervous.
It was then that she met Ryan. Tall, dark hair, a smile that could light up the whole room—Ryan was the kind of guy who could make anyone feel special. He was funny, charming, and made Avery laugh like she hadn’t in a while.
For the next few weeks, Ryan and Avery hung out often. They’d study together, talk about their majors, and share casual conversations about life. There was an undeniable chemistry between them, and for the first time in a long while, Avery allowed herself to feel something.
But things didn’t turn out the way Avery had hoped.
One night, after a movie date, Avery asked Ryan about their relationship. “Ryan, ano ba tayo?” she said, her voice slightly nervous.
Ryan paused, looking down at his phone. “Ah… yeah, Avery. I like you. I do,” he said, and Avery’s heart skipped a beat. “But I think I’m not ready for something serious. I’ve been talking to someone else and I don't want something exclusive right now.”
Avery felt her chest tighten. "So, you’re... seeing someone else aside from me?"
Ryan nodded, looking almost apologetic. "Yeah, it’s complicated, but I don’t think we’re on the same page."
Avery sat there, stunned, trying to process what he was saying. It was as if the world had come to a halt.
“You know, I really thought…” she started, her voice shaking, "I thought we had something."
Ryan sighed. “I know, Avery. I’m sorry. You’re really great, pero right now, nag eexplore pa ako. Hindi pa ako ready for commitments.”
And just like that, the connection she thought was blossoming, the one she allowed herself to believe in, crumbled.
Avery was heartbroken, but she didn’t cry. Not right away. Instead, she sat in silence in her dorm room, staring at her phone screen. She was angry at herself for letting her guard down again, for trusting someone who wasn’t ready to give her what she needed.
Jamie, however, was already on her way over. She had been texting Avery nonstop since the night of the breakup. When she knocked on the door, Avery couldn’t hide the sadness in her eyes.
“Okay ka lang?” Jamie asked, stepping into the room and sitting next to Avery on her bed.
Avery looked at her and forced a weak smile. “Yeah. I’m fine. It’s just… I don’t know. I feel like I’m always messing things up.”
“Hey, stop that,” Jamie said, her voice stern but full of love. “Hindi mo kasalanan 'to. People can be complicated. Ryan was a jerk for not being upfront with you earlier.”
“I know,” Avery whispered, but the ache in her chest didn’t go away.
Jamie wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in for a hug. "That bastard. You deserve someone who sees you for everything you are. Pero sa ngayon, habang wala pa, ako muna. I’m here for you. Don’t ever forget that, okay?"
Avery sniffed, holding back tears. “Why are you always here for me, Jamie? Why do you always have my back?”
Jamie gave her a small smile, her eyes soft, but there was a fleeting hesitation before she spoke, as if weighing her words carefully. "Kasi best friend kita, Avery. And no matter what happens, I’ll always be here."
As the weeks passed, Avery slowly healed, though the wound from the breakup was still fresh. But she wasn’t alone in it. Jamie was there for every step of the way, whether it was late-night talks, helping Avery with assignments, or just distracting her with impromptu outings to the local diner.
Throughout their college years, Avery’s life was filled with milestones—some joyous, some painful. But through it all, Jamie was there. Whether it was something as simple as late-night study sessions or something monumental, like Avery’s thesis defense, Jamie’s presence was a steady force in Avery’s life.
Avery didn’t expect much for her birthday that year. It was a week before finals, and she was buried under a mountain of textbooks, trying to cram as much information as she could. But Jamie, as always, had other plans.
That night, after a long day of studying, Avery walked into her apartment to find it filled with balloons, a huge cake, and a room full of friends. Jamie stood in the middle, grinning like she had just won a prize.
“Surprise!” Jamie yelled, her face beaming with excitement. “I know na sinabi mong you didn’t want anything, pero I couldn’t let your birthday pass without a little celebration noh!”
Avery blinked, overwhelmed by the sight of her friends and the decorations. “Jamie... I can’t believe you did all this.”
“Of course! Deserve mo 'to, Avery. You’ve been studying so hard. I’m just here to make sure you know how much you’re loved.”
The night was filled with laughter, games, and heartfelt toasts. As Avery blew out the candles on her cake, surrounded by people who truly cared, she realized how much she appreciated Jamie for always making sure she had something to look forward to, no matter how stressful life became.
When Avery’s thesis presentation came around, it was one of the most nerve-wracking days of her life. She had spent months working on her research, pouring over data, and writing endless drafts. But no matter how prepared she felt, the pressure was still immense.
Jamie, as usual, showed up early, sitting in the back of the room with a supportive smile on her face. She had offered to help Avery practice countless times and had even stayed up late to help her fine-tune her slides. But more than the preparation, it was Jamie’s unwavering support that kept Avery grounded.
Before Avery stepped in front of her panel, Jamie gave her a quick hug. “Kaya mo 'to, Avery. Just remember to breathe and be yourself. Makikita nila kung gaano ka kagaling.”
Avery smiled nervously but was comforted by Jamie’s words. She stepped into the presentation room, and although she was shaking with nerves, she knew Jamie was there watching. And in that moment, it made all the difference.
After the presentation, Jamie was the first to greet her. “I knew you’d nail it. See? Told you!” Jamie said, pulling her into a tight hug.
Graduation day was bittersweet. The past four years had flown by in a blur of late nights, coffee-fueled study sessions, and countless hours spent working toward this very moment. But as Avery stood in her cap and gown, ready to receive her diploma, she felt a pang of uncertainty. What came next? Was she truly ready for the world beyond college?
Jamie, of course, was right there with her. Sometimes Jamie’s presence felt like it came out of nowhere, appearing when Avery least expected it, yet always just when she needed her most. They walked across the stage together, side by side. Avery felt a sense of relief wash over her when she spotted Jamie in the crowd, smiling and clapping, cheering her on, as though no matter how unpredictable life got, Jamie would always be there.
After the ceremony, as they stood together taking photos, Jamie’s voice cut through Avery’s thoughts.
“Avery, we did it. Graduate na tayo!” she said, her voice filled with excitement.
Avery smiled, feeling the weight of it all. “Thanks to you, Jamie. You’re the reason I made it this far.”
Jamie shook her head, teasing. “Please, I just showed up to help with your thesis and your coffee breaks. You did all the hard work!”
They laughed, but Avery knew deep down how much Jamie had been there for her—through every challenge, every triumph. Jamie wasn’t just her best friend; she was her constant.
Not all of Avery’s memories during this time were filled with happiness. Toward the end of college, Avery’s world was shaken when her parents announced they were separating. It hit her harder than she expected. She had always admired their relationship, their seeming stability, but now it felt like her entire world was crumbling.
Her mother took the news hard, retreating into herself. Avery found herself becoming the emotional anchor for her family, trying to hold it all together. But it wasn’t easy. She felt torn between her parents, and the weight of it all was overwhelming.
As always, Jamie was there for her.
When Avery found herself crying in the middle of the night, unsure of how to navigate the emotions and the changes, Jamie was right there to offer comfort. She didn’t have all the answers, but she never made Avery feel alone.
“Avery, I know this is tough. But you’re not alone in this,” Jamie said, holding Avery as she cried. “I’ll always be here, okay?”
Even in the darkest moments, Jamie’s presence never wavered. Avery realized that no matter what life threw at her, Jamie was the one person who always had her back.