Take A Chance With Me

5: mere confusion

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MAVEN

I dropped Cress off at her house a few blocks away, but the car ride had been anything but the usual.

Normally, we'd talk about everything—our dreams, books, even the weirdest things like the shapes of clouds or that one cat we kept seeing by the bookstore.

But today, it was different. It was just—short. Casual. And the silence between us felt heavier than it ever had before.

Bumalik nga kami sa dati, pero may tila may pader na sa pagitan naming dalawa.

"Salamat, Mavs." She said softly before stepping out of the car, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

I smiled back, giving her a tight nod. "Always, Cress" I uttered, she nod back bago naglakad papasok.

I felt foolish to expect a playful kiss on cheeks from her like she usually does. Palagi naman ganoon noon until it changes now with an unknown reason.

I watched her walk into her house, my chest feeling tight.

For a moment, I thought about calling her back, about telling her how much I missed our old times. But the words never came. Instead, I just sighed and headed home.

When I got back, I threw myself onto the couch, sinking into the cushions.

The silence of the house wrapped around me, but it wasn't comforting like it used to be. My mind kept replaying the look on my best friend's face earlier—tired, distant.

It wasn't like before.

"Ate Mavs, you're home!” Margaux's voice broke through my thoughts, and soon enough, she was bouncing into the living room with her usual energy.

Her big eyes were full of curiosity. "Ba't parang malungkot ka?" Her goofy smile faltered as she noticed my expression.

Before I could answer, Aidan and Mavrex came in, fresh from their basketball practice, sweat still clinging to their foreheads.

Aidan tossed his bag onto the floor, while Mavrex leaned against the couch, smirking at me.

“Uy, mukhang may problema si Ate” Mavrex teased, raising an eyebrow. “Who is it? Si Ate Jaimie ba 'yan o si Ate Crush?”

I rolled my eyes, throwing a pillow at him. “Shut up, Mav. Wala akong problema.”

But Margaux, being the observant one, wasn't convinced.

She hopped onto the couch beside me and gave me that knowing look that only a fourteen-year-old little sister could master.

"Really? Ang weird mo kanina pa eh. Hindi ka naman ganyan dati.”

"I agree" Mavrex chimed in.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. I hated how they could read me so easily. It was like living with a pack of detectives.

"Say it na, Ate" Aidan seconded, they're ganging up on me again. Kainis.

"Okay, fine" I muttered, slumping deeper into the couch. "I just miss Cress, okay? Parang ang layo na namin sa isa't isa the past few days. We don't hang out as much anymore, and even if we do, hindi na katulad ng dati."

Aidan and Mavrex exchanged a look, both of them clearly enjoying my misery.

"Aww, miss mo si Ate Ac” Aidan teased, leaning against the armrest of the couch. “Deserve manhid ka kasi.”