Chapter Text
If there was one word to describe Lewis Anastasia Autumn Sevilleno, it would be: confident.
Despite being extremely introverted, she had learned to own the runways during her King and Queen of Hearts era in elementary school, she was tapped to host a bunch of school programs because she rarely stuttered according to her teachers, at kahit nga MTAP pinasali siya kahit na gusto sana niya lowkey Math nerd lang siya, she was also a majorette who competed in almost every Drum and Lyre competition during fiestas, and she even joined a Chess Club kahit hindi naman siya marunong mag-chess! Her mom was concerned at first but Stacey had assured her she knew what she was doing, 1 month later she had 3 wins in her first Chess competition at a local university.
Confidence was what brought her those wins. In high school things were more serious; public speaking, an introvert’s worst nightmare, had become a common thing in her life, the biggest one was in Cebu where their research study had gained huge public recognition that their school paid for her and her team to fly to the Queen City of the South, and then came dance competitions, she could dance, not as great as others but she could follow a beat, this information was all Sheena needed “And confidence” the younger one had reminded her as she would drag Stacey to every Pop Dance competition out there.
So yes, Lewis Anastasia Autumn Sevilleno is confidence personified.
Pero hindi niya maintindihan kung bakit pagdating kay Jhoanna Calista Reyes para siyang malalagutan ng hininga. Composure? Out the window. Her heart? In medical terms you’d call her tachycardic. Her brain? Just like that one Spongebob episode where he keeps running around all over the place trying to get everything together.
Hindi naman sa intimidating si Jhoanna, quite the opposite really, si Stacey pa nga yata yung matatawag mong intimidating eh.
Jhoanna is a year younger than Stacey. Communication Arts Major. DSPC, RSPC and NSPC champion for Individual Writing (Editorial Writing), and TV Scriptwriting and Broadcasting. She’s an amazing host as well, if Stacey was chosen before simply because she didn’t stutter in front of an audience, Jhoanna is different, she owns the stage like it’s her playground, like it’s something she’s been doing since the age of 5. She would play around with the audience, crack a few jokes here and there, and overall? She’s a charming person. Really charming. Tipong campus crush, number one sa listahan ng mga head turners and eye catchers sa school paper, someone you’d admire from afar, yung crush na sure kang mahihirapan kang mag-move on kahit na ilang taon na ang lumipas.
Crush.
Oh God.
Halos gusto na lang ni Stacey ibaon sarili niya sa lupa because why is she crushing hard on a junior in college?! Buti sana kung si Lawrence na lang sana, yung Kuya ng best friend niyang si Mikhaela, or sana si EJ na lang, yung kapatid ni Gwen. But no. Both men were presented to her by her friends, and she amused them by going on one date with each guy. They were nice, gentleman pareho, halatang maayos ang pagpapalaki ng mga magulang nila sakanila, but they didn’t stand out to Stacey. Sheena teased her noon na baka kasi hindi naman knight in shining armor ang hinahanap ng isang prinsesa na tulad ni Stacey, baka kasi prinsesa rin ang nais. Stacey remembers snorting at the thought, waving it off and slapping Sheena’s arms. Straight ako.
Bading ako.
Was all Stacey could say the moment she laid eyes on Jhoanna.
It was freshmen orientation. The campus was filled with new faces, most of which were excited while some seemed nervous and literally lost. Stacey had lost count on how many freshmen students she had directed to the auditorium. Ate Aiah and Ate Lucky were the ones tasked to lead the orientation this year, which meant Stacey had to go too. “Because showing up matters, Staku” is what Ate Lucky would always tell her. That’s exactly why she had at least 5 freshmen behind her following her lead towards the University’s auditorium, but that’s not how she first saw Jhoanna though. No. Jhoanna wasn’t one of those lost first years running around trying to go somewhere or anywhere. Jhoanna was already at the auditorium when Stacey and her group of little ones arrived. Jhoanna was up on stage, a gray Snoopy shirt tucked in black baggy pants, her shoes looked brand new, Adidas, Stacey noted, yung kulay blue, and she wore thick black rimmed glasses. Her hair was long, jet black and silky. She doesn’t look like a freshman, Stacey thought. A professor then introduced her; “Let’s welcome our emcee for today, Jhoanna Calista Reyes from College of ComArts!” And then Jhoanna smiled. And Stacey lost it.
She smiled widely as she acknowledged the audience.
Emcee siya? How come I’ve never seen her around campus.
Then her voice filled Stacey’s ears.
It was sweet like honey. Almost melodic if you focused hard enough. Proper enunciation, beautiful diction, perfect intonation, and loud enough to keep you hyped up. Her voice sounded like a cup of coffee, something that’ll wake you up and keep you going. Sobrang klaro lahat ng mga salita na binibigkas niya, tapos full on Tagalog pa! which was weirdly attractive to Stacey na sanay makipagdate sa mga conyo at mga Englishero.
But her smile was what made Stacey weak in the knees. Hindi man siguro 20/20 yung vision ni Stacey pero kitang kita niya yung kinang sa mga ngiti ni Jhoanna, she could even see a small mole right above her upper right lip.
Parang perfect place siya to plant a ki—
Another thing is hindi naman si Stacey attracted sa mga taong naka-salamin. She actually prefers it if naka contacts eh, less hassle for them. Pero there’s just something about Jhoanna wearing glasses that makes her heart beat wildly inside of her chest.
Sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko.
Bakit ka ba kasi nakasalamin?!
Jhoanna’s long and slender fingers touched the frame of her glasses and quickly pushed her glasses up, preventing them from falling off, and something inside Stacey shifted.
What the hell. I’m gay.
Jhoanna scanned her eyes at the audience, stopping at each section, bowing a little as a sign of her acknowledgement, but then her eyes had stopped at where she was standing which was literally at the entrance of the auditorium. Students were passing by her, everything around her seemed to be moving fast, but as Jhoanna’s eyes stopped right directly at her, Stacey could feel everything slow down.
Ito na ba yung “Sabi nila kapag in love ka tumitigil ang mundo mo” na sinasabi palagi ni Sheena?
Because Stacey was convinced she had stopped breathing when Jhoanna looked at her, and when she smiled softly at her, Stacey could feel a tug.
Literally.
“Staks, kanina ka pa hinahanap nina Ate Aiah! Nasira yung prompter!” Sheena tugged her away from the entrance, and at the same time she was snapped away from whatever trance she was in.
That happened exactly one year ago.
It was then that Stacey found out that Jhoanna was a transferee, she had come from a small college in Laguna and was then transferred to Ateneo after the university scouted her for her journalism skills. She was offered to become the university’s courtside reporter, and Jhoanna had accepted it straight away, it was a stepping stone to her dream of becoming a journalist, as to what Stacey had heard.
And since then all Stacey could see was Jhoanna.
In the hallway of Liberal Arts where she often hung out because she was part of the theatre club, sometimes Stacey would see her in the Department of Engineering, hanging out with a rumored boyfriend, it had caused a breakdown on the university’s freedom wall, it was the last time Stacey ever opened facebook. She’d often see her at the gymnasium too, sometimes she was talking and laughing with some of their school’s athletes, other times she was just sitting down on the bleachers, always with a notebook and a pen in hand, always writing, always with that serious concentration on her face, always with her eyebrows crossed, her glasses always almost slipping off and her fingers always pushing them up from time to time, and it always made Stacey blush like crazy.
But that was all the interaction Stacey had with Jhoanna.
Her Ate Aiah called her strong.
Her Ate Lucky laughed at her.
Mikha looked at her dead in the eyes and shook her head.
Gwen looked at her with sympathy.
Sheena called her delusional.
Stacey groaned whenever her friends teased her.
She doesn’t even remember how exactly her friends found out about the crush she had been harboring for the junior, seeing as she never really told any of them, but her Ate Aiah had chuckled at her and told her how, like it was the easiest answer in the world and only Stacey did not know.
“Sobrang halata ka kasi kapag kinikilig”
Stacey would then come to deny this every time.
“First gig niya as courtside reporter halos mamula buong mukha mo dahil naka ponytail siya” Lucky had pointed out when Stacey first denied of the crush she had
“You finally watched a basketball game when you found out siya courtside reporter that day. Sabi mo lang nasaktohan na vacant ka, eh wala ka namang pake sa kahit anong sports maliban sa volleyball dahil kasali si Mikha eh.” Aiah teased her when Stacey complained as to why students were looking at her with wide eyes
“Team ko nanalo ng championship last year pero sa courtside reporter ka nakatingin buong game. Diba nga one time sa 3rd set ka na nakahabol dahil hindi siya yung nasa courtside noong araw na yon” Mikha gladly reminded her when she and Stacey argued that the latter was late to her game one time all because Jhoanna wasn’t the reporter that day because from what Stacey heard, Jhoanna had been sick.
“Alam mo bang rival ka ni bebe sa pagiging maingay? Pero pag nandiyan si Jhoanna, 10 feet away from you, mas tahimik ka pa kay bebe pag tulog siya” Gwen told her one day when Stacey had yapped for 10 minutes straight about how pretty Jhoanna looked sa TV
“Bading” Sheena had told her when Stacey laughed awkwardly at Jhoanna who had accidentally bumped into her when she was on her way to class.
Okay, so maybe her friends were a little right.
…
Stacey was on her way to MOA Arena, but she had to stop by 7/11 to buy something first. It was Mikha’s first game for the new season and as tradition they would all go to watch her, it didn’t matter if they were up against DLSU or Adamson, they had promised to always be present on the first and last game of the season. Stacey’s tradition was to always buy Mikha a bottle of blue Gatorade and a bar of KitKat, because it was Mikha’s go-to pre-game snack, it was something that even Aiah didn’t give Mikha because she knew it was Stacey’s thing. It was something she started doing since Mikha first joined volleyball back in grade school, and yes, they’ve been best friends for that long. And surprisingly laging nakakabili si Stacey ng Gatorade and KitKat, walang palya, lagi siyang may dala, so imagine her surprise when she reached the cold drinks section of 7/11 and could not find a single blue Gatorade drink on the shelves and in the refridgerators.
Her eyebrows were crossed, a frown was plastered on her face, nakapamewang pa nga siya, eyes still roaming the shelves and convincing herself that they probably hid it behind the numerous grape flavored gatorades. Mikha doesn’t like the grape flavored one.
Stacey sighed. Parang siyang tinetest ng mundo. Parang biglang uy let’s shake up your routine a little bit?
“Na offend ka ba ng Gatorade in your past life?”
Stacey jumped at the voice behind her. She turned around and saw siren eyes.
Nicolette Ventura. Engineering student.
“Ate Nicolette” Stacey said, her hand on her chest as she exhaled
“Ate Colet na lang. Stacey diba? Miss Fine Arts for the past 3 years.” she said, a hint of amusement in her eyes, Stacey nodded, a bit shy.
“So na offend ka ba ng Gatorade sa past life mo?” Colet asked
“No” Stacey laughed “Wala na kasing kulay blue” she said this like it was the obvious thing in the world, because it kinda is.
Colet scanned the shelves and nodded in agreement.
“Same kayo ni Jhoanna, favorite niya rin yung blue” Colet said, shrugging it off like this was information that should be shared to everyone.
Hindi favorite ni Stacey yung blue gatorade actually. Stacey doesn’t even drink gatorade that much, but seeing as Colet had mentioned Jhoanna, Stacey could not help but be giddy at the idea of her and Jhoanna’s name being mentioned in one sentence. Rare occurance yun.
Ang lala mo, Lewis Anastasia.
“Si Jhoanna?” Stacey asked, na para bang hindi niya kilala, stinalk sa twitter, instagram at pati na rin facebook before the freedom wall incident.
“Yung courtside reporter” Colet said “Hindi mo kilala?”
“Kilala” Stacey said honestly “Pero hindi personally. Nakikita ko lang siya sa campus tsaka tuwing games ni Mikha” she added
“Yeah well favorite rin ni Jhoanna yung blue na gatorade, dumaan nga rin ako dito para sana bumili rin para sakanya” Colet said “Nako, magmumukmok nanaman yun kapag mali ang binili ko” she added, chuckling a bit, probably imagining a pouty Jhoanna Reyes.
“May malapit yata na pharmacy dito, Ate. Baka meron sila doon” Stacey said
Colet sighed “Can you buy it for her instead?” she asked, she then digged inside her bag and took out her wallet and handed over a 100 peso bill
“Huh?” Stacey asked as she slowly grabbed the money
“May class pa kasi ako, humingi lang ng favor saakin si Jho na bumili ng Gatorade niya kaso baka mahuli ako sa klase eh strict yung next prof ko sa attendance” Colet said apologetically
Stacey looked at her weirdly.
Eh sana hindi ka na nag-aksaya ng oras na kausapin ako, instead dapat naghanap ka na lang sana ng Gatorade sa ibang store diba?
“Ibibigay ko kay Jhoanna?” Stacey asked instead
Malamang, beh.
Colet giggled “Oo, Stacey. Kay Jhoanna mo ibibigay” she assured her “Sige, mauna na ako. Thank you ha” she gave her a little wave and turned to leave.
Stacey stared down at the 100 peso bill in her hand.
…
Stacey gripped the blue Gatorade bottle in her hand like it was her last lifeline, and parang ganoon na nga because it was the last one sa pharmacy na pinuntahan niya. Literally the last one, the other one left was the lemon flavored one.
This placed Stacey in a dilemma.
Kanino niya ibibigay yung blue na Gatorade?
Kay Mikha? Her best friend since they were in grade school, the sole person who knew her inside and out, her one call away, her go-to-person, the person who gave her Ate Aiah as an apology for the person Mikha Lim was.
Or…
Kay Jhoanna?
Stacey weighed down her options. Like how she always did. Parang chess lang. Kung kay Mikha niya ibibigay edi walang magbabago, tradition nila yun eh, Mikha would thank her and smile and probably slap her arm and tell her wag nakawin si Aiah sakanya tuwing weekends. If kay Jhoanna niya naman ibibigay yung blue na Gatorade, they would have their first ever interaction. She could even have a conversation with the reporter, and she’d get to see Jhoanna up close. But if she doesn’t give Mikha the Gatorade, her best friend would give her the stink eye, and if she finds out she had been demoted to 2nd option sa pagbigay ng Gatorade, Mikha Lim would never let her live. Pero kung hindi niya ibibigay kay Jhoanna yung blue na Gatorade edi, like Colet said, magmumukmok yun, and Stacey does not want to be the reason of Jhoanna’s sadness.
Kasalanan sa Diyos kung magiging malungkot si Jhoanna dahil saakin.
“Staks?” Gwen called out. They were seated right behind Jhoanna and her crew. She was currently interviewing Mikha, asking her about today’s game, their strategy and the feeling of playing for the new UAAP season. Gwen sat on her right, Lucky on her left, Sheena’s loud voice was nothing but a echo to Stacey’s ears since she sat next to Gwen, how they became a couple despite being total opposites will always be a mystery to Stacey, while Aiah sat beside Lucky because it was the aisle seat and that meant she could easily reach Mikha if she wanted to, kasi she’s clingy like that.
“Staku huy” Gwen nudged her, Stacey looked at her, a frown on her face
“Sabi ko pumunta ka na doon kay Mikha, ibigay mo na pre-game snacks niya kasi in 30 minutes magsisimula na game nila” Gwen told her firmly
Stacey looked in front, properly this time, Jhoanna was done interviewing Mikha, she was heading towards them, well not really, she was walking towards the seat in front of them, specifically towards the direction of Gwen. Mikha was walking towards Stacey’s direction. Stacey sighed, silently cursing herself for even questioning her decisions in the first place.
“Pre-game snacks” Stacey told Mikha as she came closer to her, the latter grinned then knelt on the chair in front of her and grabbed the paper bag Stacey held out, she pulled out the blue Gatorade and the KitKat chocolate bar
“Thanks, Staks!” Mikha said as she blew air kisses at Stacey who smacked it all away, making her friends laugh at their antics. Mikha stuck her tongue out and made her way to Aiah.
In her peripheral vision she could see Jhoanna look at them, she was smiling, maybe even laughing a bit as she sat down on the chair in front of Gwen.
Stacey cleared her throat and scooted to the edge of her seat. She then leaned into Gwen’s space, and then she reached out slowly and tapped Jhoanna’s shoulder twice. Gentle. Two taps. Soft.
Jhoanna turned around to look at her.
Edi tumigil nanaman mundo ko.
Jhoanna was wearing a white polo shirt today, with the UAAP seal stitched on the upper left, a blue pen was tucked neatly into the collar, her hair wasn’t in a ponytail today, instead she had it down, in soft curls that made her look even more beautiful, she had light makeup on today, and she had her signature black rimmed glassses that was of course slowly sliding off her nose, to which she quickly pushed up again with those long and slender fingers of hers, Stacey caught glimpse of a silver watch, quartz, kasi mukhang hindi mahilig si Jhoanna magsuot ng mga smart watch. She looks really good. And Stacey should’ve stayed cool, like how she usually is, heck people admire her for her confidence, and how she carries herself, pero wala eh, bading lang talaga siya pagdating kay Jhoanna Calista Reyes, kaya the first words that came out of her mouth when Jhoanna locked eyes with her were...
“Mahal”
Silence.
Gwen was quiet, more than usual.
Lucky froze in her seat, she wasn’t even looking at Stacey and Jhoanna but she had heard it loud and clear.
Aiah had been laughing at something Mikha was saying but they both stopped and just looked at each other.
Sheena…oh Sheena.
“What?!” Sheena exclaimed, exaggerated movements and all
Stacey’s cheeks were scarlet.
“I-I mean hindi naman pala ganon kamahal yung Gatorade! Pero w-wala na silang kulay blue. L-Last n-na yung nabili k-ko para kay Mikha” Stacey breathed out fast, isang hinga lang talaga pero may kasamang stutter, something that doesn’t happen to her during public speaking stints.
She quickly showed Jhoanna the yellow gatorade. “Iyan na lang yung meron sila. Ito sukli” Stacey said shyly
Jhoanna stared at the drink in her hand and the change.
Sheena was looking at her with wide eyes, but there was amusement in those orbs, maybe even mischief too.
Jhoanna slowly took the bottle of Gatorade from Stacey’s hand, their fingers barely touching, but it still sent electric shocks to Stacey’s whole being, then she grabbed the coins from Stacey’s hand, which made Stacey’s breath hitch.
“Bakit mo ako binibigyan ng Gatorade? At ng sukli?” Jhoanna asked, she tilted her head to the right, curiosity and wonder evident in her eyes, she looked like a puppy.
“U-Uh ano kasi…si Ate Colet, she said may class pa raw siya k-kaya hindi niya mabigay sa’yo yan. Nagpabili na lang siya saakin since bibili rin ako ng blue na Gatorade p-para kay Mikha. 100 pesos yung bigay niya na pera saakin kaya ayan may s-sukli pa” Stacey said
“Over naman sa explain” Lucky muttered under her breath, but she was chuckling
“Ah” Jhoanna said “Salamat” she smiled at Stacey, medyo matipid nga lang yung ngiti pero okay na yun para kay Stacey kasi hello?! ngumiti siya!
Stacey nodded and scooted back in her seat. She could feel her friends vibrating from holding in their laughter.
“Ilabas niyo na yan, baka mautot kayo if you hold it in” Stacey said, rolling her eyes, and on cue her friends laughed out loud, lalo na si Sheena, wala silang pake kahit nasa harapan lang nila si Jhoanna.
3 sets lang ang itinagal ng laro nina Mikha. It was a quick game and POG si Mikha kaya she was still being interviewed by Jhoanna, which meant they also had to stay back and wait until they were done. It should’ve been a happy day for Stacey, because 1) She was able to give Mikha her Gatorade and KitKat, 2) She finally talked to Jhoanna Reyes and 3) Ateneo won their first game of the season, but somehow none of that mattered because all that was occupying Stacey’s mind was the yellow Gatorade that was left untouched on Jhoanna’s chair.
Hindi man lang binuksan.
Baka hindi naman siya nauhaw? Pero imposible, she had accepted the water that her cameraman gave her.
Baka tama nga si Ate Colet na magmumukmok talaga si Jhoanna kung hindi blue yung Gatorade.
Or baka allergic siya sa ibang flavor ng Gatorade?
Or baka hindi niya matolerate yung flavor?
Ayaw niya ba sa kulay na yellow?
Or baka ayaw niya lang kasi ako yung nagbigay?
Stacey’s thoughts were running wild. Her eyes were boring holes on the bottle of Gatorade. It looked so lonely there, it wasn’t cold anymore, she could tell. It looked sad. Stacey looked sad.
To be fair, Jhoanna was a bit busy. She was running around interviewing both schools, and in between that she was either writing on her notepad or focused on watching the game, pero may oras naman siguro to hydrate diba?
Stacey sighed quietly. Her friends were chatting among themselves as they waited for Mikha, the interview for POG had wrapped up and she was curretnly in a group huddle with her team, probably a few reminders lang before they head off to shower.
“Okay ka lang?” Gwen asked, there was a missing noise in their group and if si Sheena yung nakatoka sa headcounts, si Gwen naman yung nakatoka to notice the little things.
Stacey nodded “Medyo napagod lang. Bigla kong naalala na may on the spot sketching pala kame bukas kay Sir Cinco” which was true, Stacey hates on the spot sketching, lagi kasi siyang nablablanko o di kaya nagkaka art block kapag on the spot eh, nakakapressure kasi, which is why she usually spends the night sketching whatever topic she might get the next day, but since game day today and 9pm na natapos yung game, Stacey had less time to practice sketch. Hindi niya aaminin kay Gwen na nabobother siya na hindi ininom ni Jhoanna yung yellow na Gatorade na bigay niya.
“Malalampasan mo rin yan” Lucky said, she had been in Sir Cinco’s class last year and had passed Sir Cinco’s class with flying colors
“Kahit naman siguro trash bag ang isketch mo bukas matutuwa parin yung si Sir Cinco. It’s creativity!” Aiah said, remembering how enthusiastic their former professor was to them, making Stacey regret not taking the class last year with her Ates.
“Pagkatapos lang ni Mikhs pwede ka nang maunang umuwi kung gusto mo” Gwen assured her, always so concerned and understanding, which made Stacey appreciate her even more.
“Dalhan ka na lang namin ng dinner sa condo mo, Staks” Aiah said, reassuring her that it was okay to leave na, but Stacey shook her head, although she wanted to go home and rest and maybe umiyak kasi why naman hindi ni Jhoanna ininom yung lintik na yellow na Gatorade na yan, Stacey still wanted to be there for Mikha’s dinner celebration. It’s something that they’ve been doing since Mikha joined volleyball eh, mas exciting nga ngayong college kasi they also get to enjoy dinner with the rest of the team.
“Sasama ako sa dinner” Stacey said firmly
…
Sana pala umuwi na lang siya.
Stacey felt like that yellow bottle of Gatorade was haunting her.
Jhoanna had decided to join the team’s dinner celebration, which was something new, because Jhoanna rarely joined the volleyball team’s dinner celebration, from what they know Jhoanna usually joins the basketball team’s dinner, she seems closer to them eh, probably because nandoon rin yung rumored boyfriend na taga Engineering Department.
But now Jhoanna had decided to join the volleyball team’s dinner. Nasa Jollibee lang naman sila, yun kasi ang cravings ng buong team nila kaya, actually Stacey cannot even remember if they ever had dinner at fancy restaurants, Mikha’s team enjoyed Jollibee and carinderias, minsan nga nagpapa-deliver na lang sila tapos sa gym na lang sila kakain, sometimes naman sa food court lang sila, kahit pa puro conyo yung mga kasama ni Mikha sa team, they’re all just kids who want Jollibee kids meal (para sa toys) and homemade sinigang na gawa ni Nang Wilma.
“Jhoanna” Mikha called the reporter’s attention
Jhoanna was actually seated next to Stacey, pero imbes na kiligin si Stacey, her irritation won because she could still see the Gatorade on the their table, still left untouched.
“Pasensya na ha, I know the basketball team usually eats out sa mga fancy restaurants kapag post-game celebration, but kame dito kasi…we just enjoy Jollibee” Mikha grinned, gesturing to the jam packed fast food chain
“Baka lang kasi hindi ka sanay, or baka weirded out ka sa rituals namin” she added
Jhoanna quickly shook her head.
“Mas prefer ko ito. Tsaka I want to be able to join the teams talaga kapag may ganito, napadalas lang ako sa basketball team last year, pero ngayon I want to focus more on the volleyball team. Si Lizette na ngayon ang naka assign sa basketball team” Jhoanna said with a huge smile, it made Stacey’s heart do summersaults, but she pushed it away, huffing quietly, napakarupok naman, Lewis Anastasia, ngumiti lang tapos ganyan ka na.
“Believe it or not, sobrang awkward mag dinner with the basketball team sometimes. Ang mahal kasi ng mga dinner celebrations nila, umiiyak wallet ko sakanila eh” Jhoanna said, chuckling at the end
“Ah so nandito ka kasi nagtitipid ka?” Sheena asked jokingly
Their table erupted in laughter but Stacey wasn’t laughing.
“Bebe” Stacey called out, a warning tone.
Sheena understood right away. Tumahimik bigla yung table nila.
“Sorry, Ate” The youngest one mumbled.
Sheena rarely called Stacey “Ate” she only calls her that when Stacey’s mad, serious or if Stacey thinks Sheena has gone too far with her jokes, which is rare rin naman.
“Saakin ba magsosorry, bebe?” Stacey asked, still serious but it was gentle, hindi niya kayang magalit kay Sheena ever.
“Sorry, Ate Jho” Sheena smiled sheepishly “It was a joke pero I understand that it sounded offensive”
Jhoanna waved her off .
“Okay lang, Sheena” she assured her “Hindi naman ako na-offend, and I understand naman na katuwaan lang naman” Jhoanna said, she then turned to Stacey who was quiet but was still looking at Sheena with that serious look of hers, but the care and softness was also visible in her eyes, which made Jhoanna smile.
“Stacey, it’s okay. I promise po” Jhoanna told her, voice gentle and soft, a tone that Stacey was sure Jhoanna rarely used on other people.
Hala.
The amount of times Stacey blushed today was criminal. Because why did she blush so furiously after hearing Jhoanna say “po” to her?!
Bakit siya nag “po”?!
Baka mukha akong matanda?!
“Stacey?” Jhoanna said softly, trying to get her attention.
Softly.
So softly.
Melodic.
And hearing her name come out of Jhoanna’s mouth was something that made Stacey’s heart flutter.
“Hmm?” Stacey hummed, snapping back to reality, locking eyes with Jhoanna who seemed slightly scared but also amused.
“I’m okay” Jhoanna told her again, Stacey nodded.
“Yung Gatorade mo, drink it na” Stacey decided to finally tell her, a bit firmly. Like the lack of Gatorade drinking action from Jhoanna really did offend her (it did), and it had been gnawing at her throat.
Jhoanna blushed.
“Opo” Jhoanna mumbled under her breath
Why are you blushing?!
Stacey inhaled deeply, trying her best not to scream her kilig in front of her friends na kanina pa nakatingin sakanya ng nakakaloko. Stacey mentally notes to herself to mute the groupchat later, maybe she’d even leave and ask Aiah to add her back after a week or so.
Jhoanna then grabbed the sports drink, she was having trouble with the lid, Stacey stared the the muscles that flexed when she tried twisting the cap but still failed to open it. Jhoanna blushed again and looked at Stacey.
“Kanina ko pa hindi mabuksan” Jhoanna said shyly, her lower lip jutting out a bit.
She’s pouting.
Stacey swore she internally whimpered at the sight of Jhoanna’s cuteness.
So that was why Jhoanna didn’t drink a while ago during the game? All because she could not, for the life of her, open the damn sports drink?! Halos makalbo na si Stacey kakaisip kung bakit tapos yun lang pala, it makes Stacey want to smack herself for not pre-opening it for Jhoanna.
Stacey grabbed the drink from Jhoanna’s hands and tried with all her might to open it, and surprisingly it took her less than a second and zero muscles flexed to open it. Wala sa lakas, nasa skills lang siguro.
Jhoanna looked dumbfounded. Flabberghasted. Shocked. Impressed even. Stacey looked smug. Sheena snorted.
Stacey handed the drink back to Jhoanna.
“Drink na” Stacey told her, a smile now plastered on her face
She could feel her friends’ stare. Luckily, ignoring them was a skill she had mastered a long time ago.
Jhoanna blushed again but did as she was told. Eh ano naman kung C1 yung inorder niya pero Gatorade yung iniinom niya?
“Jho” Lucky called out this time “Type mo ba mga chinitang masungit?”
Murder is a sin and against the law. Is all Stacey thinks of as she looks at Lucky.
…
Jhoanna had joined the volleyball team 3 more times for their post-game dinner celebrations. In those three times Stacey only joined 2 because she was slightly drowning in requirements and art projects, isama mo pa na kailangan niya pa magpresent para sa Mr. & Ms. Fine Arts kaya halos tumira na siya sa Ateneo dahil sa neverending practice. So the 2 times she had joined the team dinner, it was because Mikha had threatened her (affectionately), and because she was starving after the pageant practice that lasted 4 hours. In both times kasama nila si Jhoanna sa table nila. In both times Jhoanna was still a bit shy, but was slowly loosening up especially kay Sheena and Lucky.
Was Stacey upset about that? A bit. She wanted to get to know Jhoanna more. Maybe even get to be friends with her, or mapunta sa level na ifollowback na siya ni Jhoanna sa IG at Twitter. But her academic responsibilities and extra curricular ones were holding her back. So when the Blue Eagles won their 7th match against DLSU, which was a big win, Stacey begged Coach Tine to let her out early so she could have dinner with Mikha and her friends, to which her coach begrudgingly agreed to as long as Stacey showed up earlier the next day to make up for the time lost.
And that’s how Stacey ended up in Nang Wilma’s carinderia at 10 in the evening, sharing a table with Jhoanna.
Yep.
Jhoanna and Stacey.
Just the two of them.
Mikha had decided to join her team doon sa long table na inihanda ni Nang Wilma for them. Gwen and Sheena couldn’t join the dinner tonight because they went home to Sheena’s hometown because her Mom was feeling a little under the weather. Lucky already had plans so she had told Mikha ahead of time. Aiah watched the whole game but decided to miss out on dinner because she had a test the next day and she planned on pulling an all nighter, which Mikha understood.
Kaya silang dalawa lang ni Jhoanna yung nandito.
“Madalas ba kayo dito?” Jhoanna asked, her eyes focused on the way Nang Wilma was joking around with the whole team
Stacey nodded, smiling as she admired the way Nang Wilma patted each player on the head. A sign of congratulations, and a silent “Proud ako sainyo”
“Lalo na kapag miss na nila yung lutong bahay” Stacey said “Dito mo makikita yang mga yan. Dito rin kasi sila dinala ng mga former seniors nila eh, tradisyon daw ito”
“Last week nag Greenwich kame eh” Jhoanna chuckled
“Kaya pala nagcrave sila bigla ng lutong bahay, nagsawa na siguro sila sa fast food” Stacey said
“Akala ko nga sa mamahaling restaurant sila mag-aaya tonight eh, seeing as they won against their long time rival” Jhoanna said
“Nako, you’ll never see them go to fancy restaurants talaga, kahit pa after ng championship game hindi yan sila pupunta sa Wolfgang” Stacey said, laughing at the thought of the team going to a pricey restaurant wearing their shirseys, spandex and running shoes
“Ikaw ba…”Jhoanna started, clearing her throat a bit as she looked at Stacey
“You come here often?” she asked
Na para bang nasa bar sila for her to ask that question. It still made Stacey’s stomach twist and turn.
“Madalas” Stacey said “Kasama sina Ate Aiah and Ate Lucky”
“Matagal na kayong friends?” Jhoanna asked as she then started scooping up some rice and placing it on Stacey’s plate, the latter looked away to hide her blush at the sudden action
“Since grade school pa kame best friends ni Mikha, tapos nung High School namin nakilala sina Ate Aiah, Ate Lucky, Gwen and Sheena” Stacey answered as she started slicing placing sisig on Jhoanna’s plate, to which the reporter thanked her for
“Si Ate Aiah and Ate Lucky ahead ng one year, tapos kame ni Mikha, Gwen and Sheena yung ka-batch, pero after high school, Ate Aiah and Ate Lucky decided to take the exchange program sa Switzerland, isang taon sila doon kaya when they got back sa Philippines nagkasabay na kame sa college”
Jhoanna thanked Nang Wilma for the pitchel of cold water, she took it from her and started pouring water into Stacey’s glass first, and then she grabbed the utensils from the plastic container and took out a tissue to wipe the spoon and fork before handing them to Stacey.
Pakshet naman oh. Kilig na kilig na nga yung tao tapos ganyan ka pa.
It didn’t help that naka ponytail nanaman si Jhoanna, her black rimmed glasses still a permanent feature in her face, something that Stacey loved, and Jhoanna was also wearing an Ateneo shirt rather than her usual courtside reporter polo shirt. She looked so soft, warm and really cozy.
“Tight-knit group” Jhoanna said
Stacey nodded.
“Ikaw ba? Any solid friendships here in Ateneo?”
Jhoanna nodded “Si Ate Colet”
Ate Colet. The Gatorade Tragedy mastermind.
“Engineering yung program niya diba? Paano kayo naging close?” Stacey asked
Subukan mo talagang sabihin na nagpapatulong ka kay Ate Colet para makipagclose sa kung sinumang lalake diyan sa Engineering Department, iiyak ako dito.
“Siya yung tumulong saakin para mahanap yung auditorium nung first day ko dito eh” Jhoanna chuckled, her eyes glistening as she seemed to be thinking back on the time she had met Colet.
“Kaya ka ba madalas tumambay sa Engineering Department?” Stacey couldn’t help but ask, she hoped it didn’t sound too nosy.
Jhoanna nodded once.
“Yep. Sabay kame kumakain ng lunch kapag tugma yung oras ng vacant namin. Hindi totoo yung may boyfriend ako sa Engineering Department” she laughed at the last part, but Stacey sighed in relief, already thinking of reinstalling the blue app on her phone na for sure ay ikakatuwa ng nanay niya.
“I do have friends naman sa Department ko pero naging mas close talaga ako kay Ate Colet. Maalaga rin kasi talaga siya” Jhoanna explained
Stacey involuntarily pouted. Gusto niya rin alagaan si Jhoanna :(
“Pero ngayon mukhang nadadagdagan na rin friends ko. Sobrang bait kasi ng volleyball team eh, tsaka kayo ng friends niyo” Jhoanna said, a small smile on her face.
“Tsaka yung basketball team” Stacey pointed out, Jhoanna shook her head
“All they wanted was my number” Jhoanna sighed “Para silang mga clown na sinusubukan akong patawanin tapos kung sinong mag-wagi akala nila free pass na yun to flirt with me”
Stacey snorted “Ang aasim nila” she muttered, Jhoanna heard it anyway so she laughed out loud. They started eating after that, the conversation flowing more naturally that Stacey had expected. In the short amount of time they had, Stacey had learned that Jhoanna was an only child too, just like her, and that her favorite color is blue kaya prefer niya yung blue Gatorade (Stacey takes a mental note of this and promised herself she’d buy 2 blue Gatorades on Mikha’s next game), and that she had dreamed of becoming a journalist since she was a kid.
“We should do this more often” Jhoanna said as she grabbed a tissue and handed it over to Stacey who accepted it right away, gently wiping her mouth as they stacked their plates together.
Stacey nodded at Jhoanna.
“Susubukan kong sumama sa next team dinner” Stacey said
“Wow bonding” Mikha suddenly popped up beside Stacey
Jhoanna laughed.
“Hi, Mikhs. Congrats ulit sa game niyo” Jhoanna said
“Hindi ka POG today? Kaya siguro hindi sumama si Ate Aiah eh. Gets” Stacey teased, Mikha rolled her eyes and punched Stacey’s arm which made the princess yelp, Mikha sometimes forgets she has an arm of a volleyball player
Jhoanna visibly jumped and you could see the concern in her face.
“Thanks for coming sa dinner, Jho, and I am so sorry that you had to spend it with my best friend here. Ang malas talaga” Mikha teased back
Jhoanna shook her head, but her eyes were still focused on the arm Stacey was still slowly rubbing.
“No worries, Mikhs. Thanks for letting me tag along” Jhoanna said, she gave her a small smile, and then she did something that none of them expected
It made Mikha’s jaw drop.
And it made Stacey’s world freeze.
Jhoanna stood up and sat beside Stacey, she grabbed Stacey’s hand, the one that was rubbing her arm, and placed it down on her lap as she then proceeded to rub Stacey’s arm.
It was gentle.
Not like she was scared to touch Stacey, but more like she was careful to not hurt Stacey even more. Stacey felt everything kasi naka sleeveless top siya. Jhoanna’s hand was soft, really soft, and it honestly felt soothing. Jhoanna focused on her arm, slowly rubbing, and whispering soothing words.
“Are you okay po?”
“Masakit pa ba?”
“Continue ko pa po?”
Stacey is about to malfunction.
That voice. So sweet like honey. So soft. Far from the tone she often hears when she’s on court reporting, far from the lively and energetic tone she uses when she hosts. This one was the same one Jhoanna used back when they first talked during the The Gatorade Tragedy.
This was dangerous.
Dangerous because Stacey couldn’t hear anything else but the loud and hard pounding of her heart. It was going so fast that Stacey was afraid she might pass out. Her hands were trembling, not terribly, but visible enough that it made Jhoanna hold it and trace soothing circles in the inside of her palm, and pressing slighlty from time to time, grounding her. The hand on her arm disappeared, both of Jhoanna’s hands were holding her hands now.
Tangina.
“Stacey” Jhoanna whispered “You’re breathing really hard”
Stacey saw Mikha walk to her left side and knelt down beside her.
“Staku?” Mikha asked, concern laced in her voice “What’s happening?” she asked
Shit.
Paano ba to?
Paano niya ba sasabihin kay Mikha na okay naman siya, kinikilig lang talaga siya kasi hawak ng crush niya yung kamay niya kaya para siyang malalagutan na ng hininga?
“You’re scaring me, Staks” Mikha said
Stacey shook her head “Okay ako” she assured her, trying to get her breathing to go back to normal, willing her heart to return to its normal pace, and praying her fingers stopped shaking
“I’m okay po” Stacey then told Jhoanna, she didn’t mean to say it so softly, but that was how it came out anyway
Jhoanna nodded, her hands still not leaving Stacey’s.
“Okay” Jhoanna said
“Okay” Stacey said back
“Okay?” Mikha stood up, a look of utter disgust (affectionately) plastered on her face as she finally realized na hindi naman pala medical emergency yung nangyari kay Stacey, kinilig lang pala.
Best day ever.
…
Ever since that dinner Stacey never saw Jhoanna again.
OA.
Pero totoo naman kasi!
She saw Jhoanna at court, during basketball games, volleyball games, pati nga nung softball match nakita niya to, but Jhoanna never lingered anymore. She had stopped coming to team dinners, whether talo yung Blue Eagles or panalo. Kahit pa nga nung natapos na yung UAAP season ng volleyball at nag champion sina Mikha eh, pagkatapos lang ng POG and MVP interview ay umalis na rin agad si Jhoanna. Worst part is that Jhoanna refused to look at Stacey in the eyes.
Tuwing nagkakasalubong sila sa hallway ng Fine Arts parang hindi nito kilala si Stacey, or kahit pa nung nag host si Jhoanna ng Mr. and Ms. Fine Arts last week tapos si Stacey yung nanalo, iwas tingin parin siya. Tapos tuwing lunch time naman at nasasaktohan ni Stacey na makita sila ni Colet na kumakain doon, parang may stiff neck si Jhoanna kasi hinding hindi siya lilingon kay Stacey kahit pa si Stacey na mismo yung lumalapit sa table nila to say hi.
Stacey is an overthinker.
She has her father to thank for that. Yung simpleng “I’m going out to grab some milk” had turned into 18 years of him never coming back to their lives. That is exactly why Stacey had created at least 3 stories and reasons as to why Jhoanna stopped hanging out around the team and her.
- Jhoanna was really just busy. Volleyball seasons just came to an end but that also meant basketball season was just beginning, which meant she had to split her time between two sports so she could cover them all since si Lizette ay graduating na and they have yet to find a replacement for her.
- Maybe she has other dinner plans. Jhoanna is close with Ate Colet, and that maalaga si Ate Colet, baka napansin niyang puro fast food ang volleyball team or baka wala siyang tiwala kung malinis ba yung mga handa ni Nang Wilma sa carinderia niya, kaya baka concerned siya sa health ng kaibigan niya.
- Umiiwas siya kay Stacey. Why? Stacey doesn’t have a single clue.
The first one was the most logical and reasonable one, the 2nd one seemed too out of character kasi mukhang hindi naman kasi judgemental si Colet, but the 3rd one was pure delusion because in the first place, there was not a single reason for Jhoanna to stay away from Stacey, unless…unless she was weirded out by Stacey’s mini panic attack (kilig) the last time they had dinner. Baka akala niya that happens often, baka it scared her or something.
Or baka ako lang nakakapansin sa paglayo ni Jhoanna? Hindi naman kame close talaga in the first place. Just two people who had dinner with the volleyball team because one was a courtside reporter and the other was the team captain’s best friend. Baka hindi naman talaga siya lumalayo, never rin naman siyang naging malapit saakin to begin with, pero para kasing papunta na kame sa friends level eh.
Stacey sighed. She walked towards the cold drinks section sa 7/11, her eyes scanned the shelves and focused on the last bottle of blue Gatorade that was hidden behind a stack of the yellow ones. Stacey pushed aside the yellow ones until she finally grabbed the blue one. Stacey doesn’t drink Gatorade often, only when she had an upset stomach or if she was too dehydrated, but never willingly, voluntarily, nope, but somehow she wanted to buy it tonight. It was alone eh. Nag-iisa na lang talaga. Kawawa naman.
“Na offend ka nanaman ba ng Gatorade?”
Stacey did not even jump this time, she simply turned to look at Colet who was smirking at her, eyes on the blue sports drink in her hand.
“Gusto mo? Para kay Jhoanna” Stacey held it out for the older girl to take
Colet shrugged. “Ask her if she wants it ba” she pointed behind her.
Stacey turned around and saw Jhoanna, in the very flesh. She was wearing a navy blue hoodie, her hair was damp, bagong ligo, amoy baby powder, she was wearing denim pants and her blue Adidas shoes, her eyebrows were furrowed as she scanned thorugh the nutritional contents of the bag of chips she was holding.
Stacey sighed.
Ang ganda niya parin.
She had not seen Jhoanna in so long that Stacey’s chest felt like it was squeezing her.
Breathtaking.
That was the word Stacey had in mind when her eyes landed on Jhoanna’s figure.
“Doon muna ako sa bandang Yakult” Colet said, leaving Stacey behind.
Stacey sighed again.
She walked towards the younger one.
Slowly.
Careful.
Like any loud noise would disturb the peace bubble that Jhoanna had formed around her.
When Stacey reached the junior, she held out the gatorade towards her. Jhoanna did not notice her right away, she was humming something as she placed the chips in the basket on the floor, she only noticed Stacey when the latter slightly bumped the drink against her arm.
Jhoanna locked eyes with the older girl.
“Uy” Jhoanna said
Uy.
Yun na yun?
“Nandito ka rin pala” Jhoanna said, a tight smile on her lips
“Last one na yan. Kunin mo na” Stacey said softly, her eyes looked away from Jhoanna’s. The floor was suddenly more interesting than anything else.
“No po, baka you want it” Jhoanna said as she pushed the drink away
Stacey wanted to cry.
Hindi ka na nga sumama sa dinner. Hindi mo nga rin ako kinakausap kapag pumupunta ako sa mga games noon tapos hindi mo pa tatanggapin yung lintik na blue na gatorade na last in stock na?
Oh Stacey really wanted to cry. She could feel the tears building up already. She was also on her first day of her period so it was definitely not helping that her emotions her already so high to begin with. Being kindly rejected like that felt like she had been pushed off a cliff.
Stacey sniffled quietly, she nodded and didn’t look back at Jhoanna. She turned around and placed the Gatorade back in the shelves. She could see in her peripheral vision that Colet was walking back towards her, a pack of Yakult in her hands, but Stacey turned around quickly and left. She was walking too fast, but she had to or else her tears would start falling, and nothing is as pathetic than a college student crying in the cold drinks section of 7/11. She bumped into a few people, muttered a few apologies and quickly nudged open the door with her shoulder.
The night breeze greeted her immediately. It was nearing 10 pm, there were little to no people out at this time except for the few students who just wanted a little more time for themselves. That was what Stacey wanted when she went out tonight, she had planned on buying a chocolate bar and maybe a Coke, but she found herself looking at the sports drink, and then all hell broke loose.
Stacey saw the first fall of her tears hit the pavement. She sniffled quietly, stepping aside when a few people opened the door behind her. The noise hit her next, students chatting among themselves about trivial things, completely unaware that the woman outside 7/11, the confident woman who represented her school at various pageants, the woman who swore she could play chess even though she didn’t know how to, the woman who excelled in Math kahit na ayaw niyang tawagin siyang Math nerd ng peers niya, and the woman who embraced public speaking like a 2nd home, was silently nursing her heart that seemed to be breaking just because her crush rejected the drink she offered.
“Stacey?”
Stacey didn’t look up, her eyes remained on the floor, looking at the teardrops falling down to the pavement. She checked her breathing and noted that it wasn’t heavy, not hard too, just deep, she wasn’t heaving even though she was crying, she was just…still. She stood still, letting the world around her go on.
Blue Adidas. That’s what Stacey saw next. She saw her tear drop on to those blue shoes.
They looked worn out, well loved from all those years of walking around in them, wearing them during games, during hosting events, during midterms and finals. They looked cozy, warm, and really properly loved.
The next thing she saw was a plastic bag from 7/11, inside it was a single blue gatorade drink. The bag fell down to the pavement next to the blue shoes.
The next thing Stacey felt were hands cupping her cheeks, making her look up at doe eyes, brown orbs, hidden behind thick black rimmed glasses.
Jhoanna.
Stacey could only hear the ringing in her ears. Like the world was still trying to come to a stop.
The next thing she felt was Jhoanna’s forehead slowly resting against hers.
“Stacey, I’m sorry. I bought it na po” Jhoanna murmured, eyes closed as she carefully wiped away Stacey’s tears
“You bought the Gatorade?” Stacey asked, her voice shaky
Jhoanna nodded in response.
“Why?” Stacey asked
Stacey was sure she wasn’t just asking about the Gatorade anymore.
Jhoanna opened her eyes and pulled away from Stacey, only a little bit because Stacey’s instinct got the best of her and she held the hem of Jhoanna’s hoodie, not allowing her to stray far away from her.
“Eh kasi you looked so sad po when I didn’t take it from you” Jhoanna said, innocence in her voice
Stacey cried harder at this, which made Jhoanna cry too.
Yeah, this wasn’t about the Gatorade anymore.
“Why are you crying?” Stacey asked, not caring anymore that she was a sobbing mess in front of her crush
“K-Kasi you’re crying eh” Jhoanna replied like it was the most obvious answer to her question
Stacey pulled Jhoanna and buried her face in the crook of Jhoanna’s neck, and there she allowed herself to cry. Loud at first, then quietly as she felt Jhoanna rub soothing circles on her back, cooing and soothing her. It was the safest place Stacey has ever been in, bonus points kasi Jhoanna smelled so good.
Para talagang baby.
Baby pogi.
“I’m sorry” Stacey mumbled against Jhoanna’s neck “My emotions are all over the place today” she admitted shyly
Jhoanna shook her head, goosebumps appearing on the back of her neck because of how close Stacey’s lips were to her neck.
“No need to say sorry” she assured her
“I just…I just missed—” Stacey could not finish the sentence, it would sound weird, she knew it, but Jhoanna seemed to understand.
“I’m sorry kung umiwas ako” Jhoanna pulled away and looked at Stacey’s now puffy eyes, this made Jhoanna tear up again
“Akala ko kasi baka hindi ka naging comfortable nung huling dinner natin. I held you without asking for consent. Basta basta na lang kitang hinawakan tapos bigla kang parang nagkaroon ng panic attack, I thought maybe it triggered something in you” Jhoanna sniffled, Stacey was quick to wipe away the tears that kept running down Jhoanna’s beautiful face
“I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable again so I gave you space. I reflected on my actions rin, pero look at me now, holding you again without asking first” Jhoanna sighed “I’m sorry. Pagdating sa’yo I really don’t know what to do, I can’t seem to function normally”
“Hindi naman ako naging uncomfy eh” Stacey “It didn’t bother me. It doesn’t bother me” she added
“P-Pero…”Jhoanna pouted
Stacey pouted too.
Ang cute, nakakainis!
Stacey blushed after realizing that she had to tell Jhoanna the truth.
“Kinilig lang ako that time” she mumbled
Stacey felt Jhoanna freeze.
Stacey bit her lower lip, she could feel her cheeks heat up, so she was sure she was red as a tomato. Her hands didn’t know what to do so she placed them on Jhoanna’s shoulders, her fingers playing with Jhoanna’s hoodie.
“Ako rin eh” Jhoanna whispered
“Huh?!” Stacey exclaimed, para siyang sinaniban ng kaluluwa ni Sheena
Jhoanna blushed.
Stacey realized Jhoanna looked like a little puppy, pouty and just adorable. She couldn’t help but bury her face in the crook of her neck again, she groaned and wrapped her arms tighter around Jhoanna’s neck, she felt Jhoanna’s hands wrap around her waist.
“Can I please kiss the side of your head po?” Jhoanna asked
Sino ba ako para tumanggi sa grasya?
Stacey nodded, and the next thing she felt was Jhoanna’s soft lips pressing gently on her temple, and soon enough that single soft press of the lips turned into soft pecks until they reached her cheeks.
Stacey pulled away slightly and looked at Jhoanna again. Her eyes were puffy now too, still hidden behind those thick black rimmed glasses that Stacey has fallen for, and somehow everything felt right.
Being in Jhoanna’s arms made Stacey feel safe, it felt familiar, like she’s been here so many times already before. It’s like their souls already know each other before they even met, because why is hugging Jhoanna the easiest thing to do? Why does Stacey not want to pull away? Why does it feel like there’s a magnetic force always pulling her towards Jhoanna? Why does it feel so right?
Ate Aiah would probably say she’s just smitten.
Ate Lucky would laugh at her.
Mikha would probably look at her dead in the eyes and shake her head.
Gwen would probably tell her the probability of spending different lifetimes with the same person was possible, and then proceeed to use herself and Sheena as an example to that theory.
Sheena would probably still call her delusional.
Stacey would ignore them all and just focus on Jhoanna and those pretty eyes, that mole right above her lip, those plump lips and blinding smile.
“So matagal mo na akong gusto huh?” Stacey asked, grinning widely at the now blushing Jhoanna Calista Reyes
Yeah, if there was one word to descrbibe Lewis Anastasia Autumn Sevilleno, it would be: confident.