Chapter Text
For years, they have only existed online.
Every night, the same server lit up with chaos.
Ayara suddenly screaming during ranked matches.
Cole complaining about lag even when everyone knew she just missed her shots.
Gian teasing everyone like the older sister (She is not) of the group.
Shine trying to keep the peace while laughing too hard to actually help.
And Morgone — calm, skilled, impossible not to admire.
To outsiders, they were just online friends.
But to them, the server had become home.
-
The group has been friends for almost four years, bonded by online games, sleepless Discord calls, shared playlists, and late-night conversations that somehow turned strangers into family.
Despite how close they are, most of them have never met in person.
Only Gian and Shine have — mainly because they’re dating. Everyone else still lives behind screens and usernames.
Ayara (Aiah) and Shine (Sheena) live in Cebu, and they're cousins.
Gian (Gwen) lives in Manila.
Morgone (Mikha) lives in Pampanga.
Cole (Colet) lives in Davao.
And DJ, Morgone’s girlfriend, occasionally joins their calls and gaming sessions, albeit rarely.
And Ayara, has secretly liked Morgone for years.
Not because Morgone is good at games, but because she remembers things. The way Morgone notices when Ayara suddenly goes quiet. The way she stays after everyone leaves the call just to talk to her about random things at 3 a.m.
Ayara knows Morgone has a girlfriend.
And she’s tried — repeatedly — to move on.
But feelings don’t disappear just because they’re inconvenient.
The only person who notices is Cole.
Because Cole likes Ayara.
And unfortunately for her, Ayara only ever laughs a little louder when Morgone is around.
-
"Another day, another tili." Cole said, obviously teasing Ayara and Shine. Afterall, both of them shouts more than them giving info.
At this point, sanay na sila. Every time they play, the cousins scream, in basically everything.
"Ikaw ba naman mag whiff, titili talaga kami ni Ate." Shine answered.
"Grabe ka! Binuhat ka na nga, Gian yung jowa mo oh!" Cole complained to Gian. But of course, Gian sided with her girlfriend. "Totoo naman kasi, where's the lie?" she said smugly.
"Ay, lugi sa inyo. Yawa." Walang magawang sabi ni Cole, making Morgone and Ayara laugh.
They just finished playing and noticed that it's already 2 am. Today is Sunday so tomorrow back to work na naman sila, but it's not like it stopped them from playing and sleeping late.
"Oh, oo nga pala! Malapit na mag Sinulog dito, what if punta kayo?" joked Shine.
For four years hindi pa sila nag kikita kita, so she wasn't really expecting anything. "Hmmm.. I mean, if pupunta yung dalawa, pupunta ako." Gian said, pointing to Cole and Morgone kahit hindi naman nila nakikita.
"I'm G lang, I don't have much work naman this month. If I rush my current project, I can make it before Sinulog." Sabi naman ni Cole.
Ayara doesn't want to expect, but maybe this time magkikita ma talaga silang lahat. "You, Morg?"
"Yeah, sure. Baka ma-FOMO ako if I missed it."
Then chaos erupted, everyone cheered.
Ayara beamed in excitement, finally! After years of playing, magkikita kita na sila ng online friends niya.
The group talked more and planned their trip, despite having a few more weeks. Natapos sila halos 5 am na.
Ayara stretched and felt so tired, Shine and Gian left the call na, so yung natitira nalang is sila Morg and Gian, but then Morg excused herself saying that Dj is calling.
"Hey, Aya, are you gonna sleep na? Don't you have work later around noon?" Ayara smiled when Cole said that, she calls her Aya, and her name's Aiah so it's like the same, Ayara thought. Cole is the only one who calls her that, which makes her feel a little special.
"A little bit siguro, I am still stoked that you guys are coming here.. after years, Cole.."
Cole smiled, she loves being left with Aya like this, despite Aya not knowing it, despite her work starting at 8 am. "I know, see you soon, Aya. Can't wait.." she softly said.
They talked more for a few minutes, until Aya isn't responding anymore, all Cole hears right now is her soft and calm breathing and that's enough to make her fall asleep as well.
-
Within weeks, plans are made. Morgone, Cole, and Gian book flights to Cebu. Dj decides to come too, wanting to meet the people Morgone spends every night with online.
For the first time, usernames become real people.
And suddenly, everything feels different.
-
Gian, Cole, and Morgone planned to just meet sa Clark Airport, with Cole stopping there first kasi she needs to attend a project related to her work. Gian on the other hand doesn't want to go to Cebu alone, kasi she's nervous. It has been a year since she and Shine last met.
After meeting, they greeted each other first, it was quite awkward at the beginning, but they got comfortable with each other a few minutes later since they have started teasing each other.
Dj on the otherhand is just quiet. She had always been on her phone, rarely joining the conversation.
Gian and Cole noticed, but pretended not to. They wondered why she even came in the first place?
-
COLE's POV
The airport in Cebu is louder and hotter than expected.
Crowded. Humid. Chaotic.
But none of that matters to Cole because the second she steps outside the arrival gate, she sees her.
Ayara.
Real.
Not a blurry icon.
Not an Instagram clip reel.
Not a Discord icon lighting up during calls.
An actual person standing under the afternoon sun waving excitedly beside Shine.
And suddenly Cole understands why people write dramatic poetry. Cringe, but a lot of words suddenly came through her mind, and she still can't still explain what she's seeing right now.
Because Ayara is ridiculous in person.
She’s wearing loose denim shorts, a white cropped polo, and sunglasses pushed up into her hair while bouncing on the balls of her feet excitedly.
Beside her, Shine looks equally pretty — softer features, louder energy, dressed effortlessly in black with silver accessories.
They look like the type of girls people stare at accidentally.
Gian whistles low beside them.
“Damn,” he mutters. “Discord was catfishing us in reverse.”
Shine immediately laughs.
Ayara gasps dramatically.
“Excuse me? We’re like a lot more prettier in person?”
“WAY prettier,” Gian answers honestly.
Cole agrees in her mind, but says absolutely nothing because she’s too busy trying not to stare.
Unfortunately for her, Ayara notices first.
“Oh my god.”
Ayara points directly at her.
“YOU’RE COLE?”
Cole nearly malfunctions.
Because Ayara says it like she already matters.
“Uh— in the flesh?”
Then Ayara grins.
“You’re taller than I expected.”
And Cole’s brain stops functioning completely.
—
The hugs happen quickly after that.
Gian hugs Shine first like she’s finally breathing properly after being months apart.
The group collectively groans.
“Ew.”
“Get a room.”
“Yawa."
Then Morgone steps forward.
For a second, Ayara and Morgone just stared at each other.
And somehow the atmosphere shifts.
Not romantic exactly.
Just…
Different.
Like they already know each other too well despite never meeting physically.
Then Ayara hugs her tightly.
“You’re real.” she laughs against Morgone’s shoulder.
Morgone smiles softly.
“So are you.”
DJ notices the moment immediately.
Cole notices DJ noticing.
And suddenly she has a bad feeling.
—
Introductions happen while loading luggage into the van.
Because despite years of friendship, most of them only know each other through usernames.
“Okay,” Shine says dramatically. “Government names reveal.”
Gian points at himself proudly.
“Gwenneth, just Gwen tho.”
“Still insane that your IGN is Gian,” Ayara says.
“It’s branding.”
“Morgone?” Shine asks next.
“Mikhaela or Mikha/Mikhs.”
Ayara blinks once.
“…Wait that actually fits you so well.”
Morgone laughs softly.
Then everyone looks toward Cole.
She clears her throat awkwardly.
“Nicolette, but Colet will do.”
Ayara immediately lights up.
“That’s so cute.”
Cole had to look away before she combusts.
Then DJ introduces herself casually.
“Denise.”
Pretty.
Confident.
Sharp-eyed.
The type of girl who enters rooms already assessing everyone inside them.
When Ayara smiles warmly at her, DJ smiles back politely.
But it doesn’t fully reach her eyes.
And Ayara notices.
She just pretends not to.
—
The villa is beautiful.
Large enough for all of them with warm lighting, wide windows, and a pool overlooking the city lights.
Three bedrooms upstairs.
One for:
* Gwen and Sheena
* Mikha and DJ
* Aiah and Colet
Because Sheena and Aiah are cousins, they’d already agreed beforehand that Sheena would stay with Gian.
Which leaves Colet standing in the middle of the hallway holding her luggage while her soul exits her body.
Aiah beams beside her.
“Roomie!”
Colet nods too quickly.
“Cool. Nice. Totally fine.”
Everyone immediately notices.
Especially Sheena.
Because Colet becomes weird around Aiah instantly.
Not obvious enough for Aiah to catch.
But obvious enough for everyone else.
Like:
* standing awkwardly straight whenever Ayara gets close,
* fumbling her words,
* nearly dropping things when Aiah touches her arm casually,
* looking away too quickly whenever Aiah smiles directly at her.
Meanwhile Aiah remains completely unaware.
Because Aiah treats affection naturally.
She leans on people.
Touches shoulders while laughing.
Links arms casually.
Steals food off plates without asking.
For Colet, every interaction feels life-threatening.
For Aiah, it’s just Tuesday.
—
The first night in the villa is chaotic in the best way.
Music blasting downstairs.
Luggage half-unpacked.
Everyone talking over each other while ordering food.
Aiah sits cross-legged on the living room floor between Colet and Mikha while arguing passionately about Valorant agents.
“Reyna mains are annoying people,” Aiah declares.
“You literally main Jett,” Mikha replies.
“Exactly. I’m self-aware and alam ko ring I am good with Jett.”
Colet watches Aiah laugh so hard she falls sideways into her shoulder.
And for one dangerous second, Colet lets herself imagine what this could feel like if it meant more.
Then Denise speaks.
“You guys flirt a lot.”
The room quiets slightly.
Aiah immediately sits upright.
Mikha frowns, “Babe.”
“What?” Denise shrugs casually while scrolling through her phone. “I’m just joking.”
But she keeps glancing at Aiah afterward.
Tiny looks.
Quick observations.
Like she’s trying to figure her out.
And honestly?
She already has.
—
The next day, Sinulog preparations fill most of our time.
We roamed Cebu together:
* matching outfits,
* street food trips,
* karaoke,
* jeepney rides,
* crowded tiangges,
* rooftop drinking session.
And everywhere they go, people stare because the group is annoyingly attractive together.
Especially Aiah and Sheena.
They look effortlessly pretty in that Cebu-girl way that feels unfair.
Gwen on the other hand looks like a walking Vogue model.
Denise looks polished and intimidating.
Mikha looks calm and magnetic.
And Colet?
Colet feels like someone trying very hard not to fall apart every time Aiah smiles at her.
—
The jealousy starts subtly.
Denise dislikes how naturally Aiah and Mikha click.
Not because they’re doing anything wrong.
But because they understand each other too easily.
They have years of shared jokes.
Shared routines.
Shared comfort.
And physical distance used to make that easier to ignore.
Now it’s happening right in front of her.
Meanwhile, Colet notices everything too.
The way Aiah looks for Mikha in crowds first.
The way Mikha softens around Aiah unconsciously.
The way Aiah gets quieter whenever Denise and Mikha act affectionate.
It becomes painful to watch from both sides.
—
One night after Sinulog events, everyone gathers near the pool slightly drunk and exhausted.
Aiah's sitting beside Colet wrapped in an oversized hoodie while Sheena and Gwen bicker affectionately nearby.
Denise suddenly asks:
“So… who confessed first between you two?”
Everyone looks confused.
“Us?” Aiah laughs.
Denise gestures vaguely between Aiah and Mikha.
The atmosphere changes instantly.
Morgone sighs tiredly.
“Denise.”
“What?” Denise says. “I’m asking.”
Colet feels tension crawl up her spine.
Because Aiah's smile fades immediately.
And for the first time, irritation flashes across Mikha's face.
“You keep making things weird.”
Denise scoffs. “Because I have eyes?”
The argument escalates from there.
Not explosive.
Just sharp.
Too honest.
And the worst part?
Aiah blames herself immediately.
So later that night, Colet finds her alone outside the villa staring at city lights.
Quiet.
Guilty.
“I think she hates me,” Ayara says softly.
Colet sits beside her.
“She doesn’t know you.”
Aiah laughs weakly, “Maybe she knows enough.”
Colet wants to say: "She’s wrong about you."
Instead she says:
“You didn’t do anything bad.”
Then Aiah leans her head against Colet’s shoulder absentmindedly.
And Colet closes her eyes for one second too long.
Because this whole trip is slowly becoming unbearable.
Not because she’s unhappy.
But because being this close to Aiah feels dangerously close to wanting things she can’t have.
And that breaks her.