Chapter Text
Colet had always been the one who noticed things first.
She knew when someone was hungry, even before they asked. She could tell when a member was tired, even if they smiled through it. She knew how to read the room — like a leader, even if she wasn’t officially given the title.
And Maloi…well, Maloi was the one she noticed the most.
It wasn’t intentional. At least, that’s what Colet tell herself every time her gaze lingered too long. Every time she found herself drifting toward Maloi in the practice room, or on the van rides, or even in the middle of chaos when the members were teasing each other. Somehow, she always ended up by her side.
“Colet, tubig.”
Colet turned her head instantly. Maloi had settled onto the studio floor, her ginger hair plastered to her forehead, chest rising and falling quickly after running the choreography three times in a row.
Without hesitation, Colet grabbed her own bottle and knelt beside her.
“Sa’yo na lang muna, inumin mo. Mas kailangan mo,” she said firmly, pressing it into Maloi’s hands.
Maloi smiled, breathless but warm. “Salamat, ha.”
Colet waved it off quickly. “Wala ‘yon.”
Across the room, Stacey elbowed Mikha with a mischievous grin. “O ayan na naman si Colet. Nurse mode activated.”
Mikha chuckled. “More like girlfriend mode.”
Sheena nearly choked on her water, while Aiah and Jhoanna shook their head, laughing quietly. Gwen, ever the calm observer, just smirked knowingly.
But Colet didn’t hear any of that. Her attention was fixed on Maloi, who tilted the bottle back and took slow sips like she always reminded her to.
“Dahan-dahan, Loi,” Colet said automatically. “Baka ma-samid ka.”
Maloi laughed, her voice light even in exhaustion. “Ikaw na talaga. Para akong bata sa’yo.”
Colet’s heart gave a little stutter, but she only rolled her eyes. “Eh kasi naman, kung hindi kita aalagaan, sino pa gagawa non?”
The words slipped out before she could stop them, and her face heated when she realized how it sounded.
She added quickly, “I mean… syempre, lahat kayo inaalagaan ko.”
Maloi tilted her head, an amused smile tugging at her lips. “Ah, ganun ba?”
“Y-yeah! Oo naman,” Colet stammered, standing quickly and brushing imaginary dust off her shorts. “Break’s over na yata, diba? Tara, balik na tayo.”
Maloi chuckled again, shaking her head. “Ikaw na.”
And just like that, Colet convinced herself she was just being a good friend.
--
By the time rehearsals ended, the girls were sprawled around the studio in varying states of exhaustion. Stacey was lying flat on the floor, arms spread wide like a starfish. Mikha was scrolling on her phone, humming under her breath. Gwen and Sheena were sharing a bag of chips, while Aiah was leaning against Jhoanna's shoulder with her eyes closed.
Maloi was adjusting her shoelaces when Colet appeared in front of her, holding out a towel.
“Maloi, punasan mo na ulo mo. Ayokong magkasakit ka.”
Maloi blinked. “May dala ka pang extra towel?”
“Para sa’yo,” Colet said simply.
Maloi’s cheeks warmed, though she covered it with a playful grin. “Wow, special treatment?”
Colet shook her head quickly. “Hindi ah! Lagi naman akong may dala, in case lang. For anyone.”
“Talaga?” Maloi teased. “Eh bakit ako lagi yung nabibigyan mo?”
Colet froze, opening and closing her mouth without an answer. Behind them, Sheena muffled her laugh with a chip, whispering, “Caught in 4k.”
“Ang dami niyo namang side comments d’yan,” Colet said sharply, shooting them a glare.
The room erupted in laughter. Maloi just smiled, patting Colet’s shoulder gently. “Salamat, Colet. Alam kong palagi kitang maaasahan.”
The simple statement sent warmth blooming through Colet’s chest. She swallowed hard, trying to bury the flutter in her stomach.
It’s just friendship, she told herself again. Friends help each other. Friends care. That’s all this is.
So why did it feel like more?
---
Back at the dorm, the girls were winding down. Some were on their phones, others were watching videos on the TV. Colet sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling absentmindedly, when a soft melody filled the room.
She looked up to see Maloi on her bed, strumming a guitar. Her voice was gentle, filling the space with a kind of calm that made Colet forget how tired she was.
The other girls quieted slowly, lulled by the sound.
Colet found herself watching, chin resting on her knees. Every note felt like it was weaving through her chest, tugging at strings she didn’t even know were there.
When the song ended, she spoke before thinking.
“Ang ganda.”
Maloi looked up, smiling. “Yung kanta?”
Colet swallowed. “Yung boses mo.”
The room fell silent for a beat. Maloi’s smile softened, her eyes shining with something Colet couldn’t name.
Colet’s cheeks burned. “I-I mean… both. Maganda yung kanta tsaka yung boses mo. Perfect combination.”
From across the room, Stacey whispered dramatically, “Kung ako si 'te Maloi, kinilig na ako.”
Mikha snorted. “Ikaw pa lang yan, marami ng kinikilig sa dalawa.”
Colet threw a pillow in their direction, her face on fire. “Matulog na nga kayo!”
Maloi laughed, strumming idly again. “Salamat, Colet.”
And though her heart hammered in her chest, Colet forced herself to smile back. “Wala ‘yon.”
But that night, lying in bed staring at the ceiling, she replayed Maloi’s voice in her head over and over again.
It felt dangerous, how much she loved hearing it.
---