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Chapter Text

“Ano ba kasi!! Ayaw mong umayos ha? Gusto mo itapon kita sa basurahan? Ha?! Tangina talaga. Wala kang silbi!” 

Ace stopped at the doorway, flowers in hand with matching gift bag, before deciding that whatever bad spirit had taken over her girlfriend should probably be avoided for the time being. One foot out the door, all she needed was one more step until safety from Jana, Beastmode Version , but alas - fate has other plans for the awkward middle blocker. 

“Aba-aba, saan ka pupunta?” Jana’s voice was low and gravelly. 

Ace pursed her lips then slowly turned with a smile on her lips. The effect was instantaneous, of course, Jana softening and melting in the face of the tall dork she called hers. 

“Hehe, ‘di ba sabi natin, fun-fun lang?” Ace’s thumbs shooting up, drawing attention to the blue gift bag swinging lazily with the motion. Flowers tucked into the crook of her elbows, baggy shirt plus her plaid button-down and the snapback worn in reverse - the picture-perfect baby sapphic. “Parang hindi ka naman ‘fun-fun’ mode ngayon.” 

“Eh kasi!” Jana growled while glaring at the black HP printer sitting innocently on her desk, “Ayaw gumana ng putragis na printer ko. Yung paper namin, due siya ng 7:30 am bukas. Napaka-war freak kaya ni Sister Beatrice. Kahit one-minute late ayaw niya na tanggapin.” 

Ace smiled, taking Jana’s hand into her own and finally, fully stepping into the room with Jana, not-so-beastmode version. “Dapat sinabi mo sa ‘kin, ako na lang magpaprint niyan bukas ng umaga. ‘Wag ka na mastress, tignan mo, lalo lang umaayaw yung printer pag naamoy niya na stressed out ka.” 

(The printer whirred softly as if in agreement, although it may have just been the ink cartridge hopelessly trying to print like Sisyphus with his rock.)

The volleyball captain groaned before crashing into Ace's arms. Stress finally melted away as she took a deep breath, once, twice of that Johnson's baby power Ace's mother insisted she wear. 

"What's that?" She muttered into the cotton fabric of Ace’s oversized shirt.

“Hmm?” Ace pulled back from the hug to look at her, “What’s what?”

“Yann. Ano yang dala mo?” She frowned when Ace stepped away to get the gift bag that she’d unceremoniously dropped when Hurricane Jana crashed into her. It was a distinct blue color with gold sparkly text on the front - Blue Magic. 

“Ah eto? Wala.” Ace toed the smooth linoleum of Jana’s bedroom floor, unable to meet the volleyball captain’s eyes, “Uhm. Diba kasi, uhm, stressed na stressed ka sa finals kaya naisip ko na bigyan ka flowers. Sabi nung ale na nagbebenta, this means 'I'm proud of you' and I am.” Their eyes met briefly before Ace cleared her throat, “And this na rin, binili ko para sayo.” 

There was a cute bear sitting in the bag, folded letter tucked under its arm. It's a deep brown with beady black eyes and a yellow necktie with matching white suit. Jana smiles at the dashing little bear, carefully scooping it and the letter out of the bag. She opens the letter. 

"Wait!" Ace spreads long fingers over the letter, "Di mo pa pwedeng basahin yan. Mamaya na!" 

"Ha? Bakit mamaya pa? Ngayon na." Jana tugs gently on the paper, "Gusto ko na siya basahin." 

"Mamaya na please." Ace flushes and re-folds the letter. She's not the best with words, especially romantic ones, but she still wanted to express herself to the captain. That didn't mean she wanted to be there when Jana reads it though. She tucks it back into the bag and places the bear in Jana's arms to placate her. "Eto na lang muna bigyan mo ng atensyon. Tignan mo, pogi diba?" 

Jana bit her lip, smoothing ruffled fur and then hugging it to her chest only to realize that the Bear was holding onto a cute sign that simply said 'Be mine?'

"Kala ko ba na-mine mo na?" Jana asked with a pointed look, "Bakit may ganito pa?"

"To make sure lang maalala mo." Ace shrugs. Jana gasps when Ace wraps arms around her waist, pulling her close. Their noses touch.

"Na?" Jana raises an eyebrow. 

"Mine." Ace whispered into her ear. She cups Jana's cheeks then places a small kiss on her nose, "Mine." on her forehead, "Mine." and on her lips. 

Tomorrow morning, Sister Beatrice will congratulate her for her punctuality and responsibility before scolding the rest of the class for submitting late. Jana will hide a smile while her classmates groan and bitch about how hardass the sister was being. Jana will smugly sit, feeling so thankful because Ace is simply the best. 

For now, Jana melts. Turning putty in Ace's arms, soft and vulnerable.

What was she angry about again?

Chapter Text

Jana grumbles under her breath. She cursed when a roll of cartolina falls from the carefully balanced pile on top of her arms. She bends over, slowly, to pick it up. As she's standing up, she overhears voices speaking over one another. 

"Sabi ni Ma'am Ava each class daw dapat may gagawin for Valentine's Day. Yung friend ko sa Grade 8 - Bonifacio sabi niya yung class daw nila may bake sale. Ano kaya pwede nating gawin?" 

Jana peeks into the room to see some Grade 9 students discussing in front of the blackboard. Cursive writing on the board showed brainstorming efforts for the upcoming Valentine's Day celebration (which according to the sisters should be strictly platonic - not that Jana would listen). Jana smiled at some of the ideas from flower selling to card making - these girls were taking this more seriously than the Student Government President expected. 

She's about to walk away, content to let the girls continue, when she stops. 

"Uy, diba si Ace marunong mag gitara? What if harana?" One of the students pipes up.

"Gaga, 'di nga daw pwede romantic valentines. Dapat platonic sabi nila Sister." Another one rebutts. 

"Oh, edi re-brand natin from Harana to…friendship dedications?" 

"Siguro pwede naman? Kalog yun si Ma'am Ava, agree siya for sure. Wait. Sino kakanta, eh ang panget-panget ng boses mo." One more voice teases.

"Pinanganak ka bang gago? Parang oo…tsk, si Ace na rin pakantahin natin, si Pat at si Agnes marunong rin magtugtog ng instruments. Pwede silang tatlo tapos tayo managers." 

"Great idea yan! Dami rin may crush kay Ace, lalo na sa lower batches. Daming kakagat kung mag offer tayo na si Ace kakanta. Magkano presyuhan? 150 isang kanta?"

Jana frowns, feeling annoyed at the outpouring support from the other girls about their brilliant plans. She fumes, deciding that the girls had enough brainstorming going on, so she tells them all to go home or be reported to the discipline office. She wanted to storm into the room and do something equally dramatic, but she decides to hunt down her girlfriend instead. 

She finds Ace sitting at their rooftop spot, guitar in hand. Ace is strumming to a song Jana doesn't know. Jana watches - fingers twitching with repressed desire - as a piece of hair falls into Ace's eyes forcing her to stop playing so she can tuck it back against her ear. It's frankly too attractive and too unfair given how the sun sets behind Ace. Ace who is unaware of the image she paints, beautiful and handsome and breathtaking , content to lightly nod her head to the song. 

Jana doesn't spare a moment thinking about where or how Ace got the guitar - her mind too focused on asking about important matters. 

"Marunong ka pala mag gitara?" 

Ace looks up with a bright smile, "Jana, hi! Ah eto, oo. Medyo, slight."

"At kumanta?" Jana asks. 

"Huh, sino nagsabi sayo?" Ace frowns, "Si Myka, 'no? Sabi ko naman sa kanya wag niya ipagkakalat eh." 

"Di na importante kung kanino ko nalaman, oo o hindi lang."

Ace does a pinching motion, nose scrunching, "Slight lang. Di naman ako masyado magaling." 

Jana crosses her arms. "Sample nga. Can't believe that I, your girlfriend , ang last na nakaalam na marunong kang kumanta at tumugtog ng gitara." 

"Ihh, nahihiya ako." Ace rubs the back of her neck, wincing slightly. 

"Sige na. For me?" Jana pulls her 'ace' out. She pouts. Like skyflakes at the bottom of the lunch box, Ace crumbles. 

"...hays, okay. Pero bawal tumawa ah. Matagal-tagal na rin akong 'di nag-gigitara." Ace clears her throat and spends a minute or so finding the right song, realizes none works, and decides to sing a personal song instead, one she hopes Jana would like. 

"Di magbabago ang isip ko, sinta

Ikaw pa rin ang pipiliin."

Jana tilted her head in question. She has never heard this song before, she confirms. It's plain and raw in a way that gives her the first clues as to why she's never heard this song before.

She blushes when Ace winks at her over the guitar when she sings that second line. Oh, that's not fair at all. Walking closer, Jana pulls herself up to sit beside Ace - placing one hand on the other's knee. She lets the lyrics sink in deep. 

"Kahit na araw-araw nang nasasaktan

Ikaw pa rin ang hahanapin."

Jana glares when Ace laughs over the word nasasaktan - it’s not Jana’s fault that as team captain she’s supposed to make the rest of the team do suicides! - laughing harder when Jana lightly pinches the skin of her knee. “Tama na, di ko matatapos yung kanta oh.” Ace bumps shoulders with her before continuing. 

"Bakit ganito?

'Di ko naman 'to ginusto"

Funny how Ace manages to summarize her life since coming to San Lorenzon in two quick lines. From volleyball, to having to move schools, to her papa - Ace has never wanted the cards she's been dealt with. But she's done more than enough to turn what used to be bad luck into something beautiful. 

"Pero sige lang

Ikaw pa rin."

Their eyes meet. Jana cannot help but press closer, closer still. 

"Sinta." Ace's voice curls over the syllables. Her eyes closing which is good because Jana's turning into a teary mess and that's not helpful for her tough girl persona.  

Ace trails off, finally opening her eyes to see Jana sitting there simply staring at her, "So, ano sa tingin mo? Okay lang?"

Jana absentmindedly nodded - her heart pounding with an emotion she's still unable to give a name to - before grabbing the collar of Ace's polo and dragging the taller girl closer. "Bawal ka kumanta, ever, in public. Akin lang yan, for my eyes and ears only."

Jana waited for Ace to nod - the taller girl's eyes disappearing overtaken by her smile - then softly, gently brushing their lips together in a kiss that tastes like cherry chapstick. 

Chapter Text

The 7-11 that stood halfway between San Lorenzo High School and San Sebastian High School was, by virtue of its location, a popular tambayan. Ace stood in front of the rows of tsitsirya, tilting her head this way and that, debating which one to buy. Finally coming to a decision, she gave a short nod and picked up a large bag of Tomi and Clover as well as two boxes of Pepero.

Jana, who was in charge of getting them drinks, was already waiting in line for her. Ace approached, taking the two bottles of apple C2 and tucking it all in her arms. 

"Uy, ako na lang hahawak sa drinks."

"Okay lang. Magaan lang naman." Ace smiled, dropping their stuff when they reached the counter. Jana huffed and reached into the pocket of her skirt for her wallet. 

They find a seat by the back of the store, near the GULP machines. Ace opens the Clover for Jana, cracking open her bottle of C2, before opening her own chips and drink. 

"May bagong song ako na-download." Jana whispers, taking out her ipod touch, "By Bruno Mars, kilala mo?"

Ace pursed her lips, "Siya ba yung kumanta ng Billionaire?" 

"Yes, tama, tumpak! Yung title ng song is Just the Way You Are, tell me if gusto mo siya." Jana grabbed one of the earphones, placing it gently on Ace's left ear then wearing the other end on her right.

Ace bopped along to the beat as she opened the silver-foil package of her pepero. Plain chocolate, just as she liked it. She nibbled on one as Bruno Mars serenaded them both. 

"Masarap ba yan?" Jana asked with a raised eyebrow, pointing with her lips at the pepero stick.

Ace chewed thoughtfully, imprinting on the sweet taste, "Eto? Okay lang naman." 

"Pa-try nga." Jana leaned into Ace's space. She bit the end of the pocky jutting from between Ace's lips, grinning internally at the wide-eyed look on her girlfriend's face, "Hmm, 'di ko masyado natikman. Isa pa nga."

She leaned closer, took another bigger bite, their lips brushing gently. Ace gasped. Jana pulled away with a smirk. She pulled another stick from the box and offered it to Ace.

"Kain ka pa isa. Gusto ko ulit ma-try." Jana grinned at the way Ace tried to look away, blushing and shy. 

"Bakit, bakit 'di mo na lang kainin?" Ace said, although she took the pepero between her lips regardless. 

"Mas fun-fun pag ganito." Jana claimed then leaned in and took one bite, two bites, then three until their lips were brushing once more. 

'Cause you're amazing. Just the way you are.' 

They continue eating, throwing pieces of chips at each other, listening to music and discussing everything they could. 

"Panoorin mo mga games ng DLSU - may magaling silang mga MBs don. Maraming ka matututunan sa panonood lang." Jana exclaimed, "Almost finals na nga, parang DLSU vs. UST ata magiging labanan. Exciting yun! Kung pwede lang, nanood na tayo ng personal."

Ace nodded along, content to let Jana rant about volleyball because every time she took another pepero, Jana would stop. Jana would stare then lean over to steal a bite (or two, or three).

"Never na ko kakain ng pepero." Ace admitted as they walked home. Their hands intertwined and swaying against the light wind that had picked up. Ace walked on Jana's left - shielding her captain from the flow of traffic. 

Jana chuckled, "Bakit naman?" 

"Basta." Ace grumbled, "Never na talaga." 

"Hihihi. Sabihin mo na~" Jana tugged on their conjoined hands, "Sabihin mo na."

"Kasi it doesn't taste the same. Di kasing sarap pag walang kasamang kiss mo." Ace mumbled it under her breath but still loud enough for Jana to hear. 

"Hihihi. Parang tanga naman Ace." Jana scolded with a blush, lightly hitting the taller girl on the arm. Ace only laughed and continued walking. 

Chapter Text

Ace saw the moment the setter committed to her opposite, following and timing her jump just right to execute a kill block. She made sure to angle her arms as Coach Jules trained her, ensuring the ball dropped inside of their opponent's court. 

She grinned the moment her feet were back on solid ground. She spun on her heels and roared,"Yes!", and in a move that shocked some of her teammates, stared down at their opponents with a smirk that screamed ‘ I did it, and I did it better than you.’ 

"Uy Ace!" Myka called, gesturing for her to come into the huddle. 

"Good job! Match point na tayo. Walang bibitaw, one more point. Good job Ace, tuloy mo lang yan." Jana encouraged with a smile although she sent the middle blocker a look that screamed We're gonna talk later!!

Ace only shrugged. 

She stepped towards her position waiting for the serve. It was 24-23 in their favor on the third set. The ball sailed from their opponent's, aimed at Patty who had a shakier reception than the rest of the team, but Patty was definitely ready. She passed the ball to their setter,

"Ace, sayo!" 

Ace was already running, taking advantage of the set for an off tempo drop ball into the hole of their opponent's floor defense. Their libero could not catch it in time, and the game was done. Ace laughed, shrugging her shoulders exaggeratedly as she walked backwards to their huddle making sure to do a Well, what can you do, eh? expression. 

The captain of the other team glared at her, but she only laughed and 'dusted' off her shoulders. The captain had been side-eyeing her team the whole game, especially whenever Jana scored a point, so it was only right that Ace gave as much as their rival captain threw at them. 

"Good job girls. Nice win. Congrats sa inyo! Sige, makipag kamay na kayo." Coach Jules pat them all on the back, "Ace! Galing. I see your confidence talaga in the court. Good job." 

Her teammates all said the same thing, praising their rookie for her contributions to their win. Jana, though, remained quiet. They walked to form the line, bowing before meeting their opponents at the net and exchanging " Good game !" 

Ace waits for Jana to bring it up as they change in the locker room, but she's noticeably quiet until they're leaving the gym and a group of girls - who Ace notes is from a well-known private school - approaches the team. Nope, approaches Ace. 

"Hi po." One of the girls, clearly the group's spokesperson, greets Ace. Ace awkwardly waved at the group. "Pwede po ba mag papicture? Hehe, ang galing niyo po kasi. At sobrang angas, sobranh swag niyo po." The girl raised a digital camera, and the rest of her group was immediately clamoring to be the first to get a picture. 

Ace looked over her shoulder when she heard her teammates giggling, except their captain who was frowning with her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently. 

"Uhm, okay. Sige. Pero quick lang? Hehe, kailangan pa kasi namin bumiyahe pauwi." Ace accomodated the girls but Jana has already reached the end of her short patience. 

"Excuse me, di pa ba kayo tapos?" Jana snapped, "Pagod na pagod na kami at gusto na namin umuwi." 

"Edi umuwi kayo?" One of the private school girls said with a raised eyebrow, "Si Ace lang naman gusto namin."

Jana's jaw dropped, together with the whole team and Coach Jules - who had just arrived. Ace looked at her feet, sort of wishing that the world would open up and swallow her whole. Myka, Patty, and Tin were already holding onto Jana who was fuming. Coach, sensing how close her captain was to really snapping, stepped in before things could get ugly. 

"I'm so sorry mga hija , pero we have to go na." Coach said with a smile, "Kailangan na magpahinga ng team ko."

The girls all whined and pouted, but finally relented and let Ace return to the safety of her team. She immediately seeks out Jana's hand. Jana twines their fingers before she glares at the group of girls and drags Ace towards their van. 

"Ace," Jela whispered, "Diba sila yung mga nanonood ng live-selling mo?"

Ace tilted her head, "Oo ata? Hindi ko masyado namukhaan." 

"May fanclub ka na pala, Ace." Patty said loudly, a pointed look sent to their testy captain, "Idol, pwede pa fansign? Pwede pa picture? Pwede pa-"

"Uwi na tayo." Jana gritted out, stomping her way to their ride, Ace's hand gripped tightly in hers.

She's silent on the two-hour ride back. Ace tries engaging in conversation only for the captain to glare at her as if she did something wrong. Her only solace was the fact that Jana never let go of her hand even when it got sweaty. That and Jana falling asleep on her shoulder 30 minutes into the ride. 

"Galit ka ba?" Ace asks as they walk home. Thankfully, Coach had decided that their usual after-game talk could be postponed until tomorrow's practice, so here they were with Ace walking Jana home. 

"Hindi." Jana replied.

“Parang galit ka.” Ace said. 

“Hindi nga.” Jana huffed, glaring at her. Ace thinks it looks more like a pout. 

“Galit ka eh.” Ace insisted. 

Jana spun on her heels, hair whipping, “Tangina, oo na. Galit ako, yun ba gusto mo marinig?” 

Ace placed her hands on Jana's shoulders, "Dahil ba 'to yung nangyari kanina?"

"May nangyari ba?" Jana sarcastically retorted. "Parang wala naman."

"Yung mga babae nagpapicture?" Ace asked, confused. It was the wrong thing to say. 

"So naaalala mo sila? Ha?" Jana demanded. "Bakit mo sila naalala? May gusto ka ba sa mga babaeng yon?"

"Di naman sa ganon!" Ace placated then she paused, "Teka lang, nagseselos ka ba? Picture lang naman yon, ayaw ko naman magmukhang suplada." 

"Edi doon ka na sa kanila. Hmph." Jana shrugged Ace's hands, pushing her away, "Sige, doon ka na sa mga babae mo." Jana huffed and started speed walking away. 

Ace smirked, shaking her head. So, Jana was jealous - that really shouldn't be so unexpected. She caught up to Jana and threw an arm around her shoulder. 

"Kala ko ba sabi ko doon ka na sa mga babae mo?" Jana glared. Ace couldn't help but find her adorable, especially since despite her clear annoyance Jana melted into her side. Jana tucked herself closer to Ace, though she refused to wrap an arm around Ace's waist like she usually does. 

"Oo nga, eto ako. Nasa babae ko." Ace wrapped her arm tighter, "Sumusunod lang naman ako sayo ah." 

"Ano ba, parang tanga." Jana growled. Ace looked over to catch a glimpse of the smile that Jana tried to hide from her.

"Okay, edi tanga. Basta tanga for you." Ace wiggled her eyebrows, "Tanga para sa nag iisang babae ko." 

Jana grumbled something Ace couldn't hear, "Ano yon? May sinasabi ka?"

"Sabi ko," Jana said with a raised voice, "Dapat talaga ako lang nag iisang babae mo. Na-mine mo na, wala ng bawian." 

Ace kissed her cheek, "Syempre no! Akin ka lang."

Chapter Text

The banner was misaligned. Two student government officers held up each end as they waited for their president's instructions. 

"Baba mo pa konti." Jana gestured to the officer on the left, "Konti pa. Ayan! Perfect. Kailangan niyo ng tape? Make sure gumamit kayo ng duct tape at masking para di mahulog." 

The two officers gestured to the roll of tape they each wore on their arms, "Okay na kami, presi! Baka may need pa gawin sa stage? Kailangan ata tulong ng mga class presidents sa pag-set up." 

Jana nodded, "Sige, check-in ko gawa nila. Good job, guys!" She walked towards the main courtyard, stopped every few seconds by a student or a teacher who had some minor issue they needed help with. It's always busy on Valentine's Day. 

The grade 7 students were busy running around selling flowers, bears, and chocolates, while the grade 8 had their bake sale going on. Jana knew her fellow grade 10 students were doing a "café" selling drinks and cooked meals out of their classrooms. The grade 9 students on the other hand…well, Jana wasn't too sure about what they were doing. She knew that friendly dedications were still on the table but exactly who was involved eluded her. She should probably ask. 

She's halfway to their courtyard when, “Cap, cap! May emergency!” 

It's Tin, Myka, and Patty, each one looking haggard and panicked. Jana raised an eyebrow. The seed of worry burrowing deep because this must be a pretty big emergency if three of her SL Angels were running around to find her. 

“Anong nangyari?” Jana asked, approaching the three. 

Their voices overlapped as they tried to explain what was going on but all Jana heard was Ace's name. The worry grew. 

"Pause! Di ko maintindihan. Anong emergency?" Jana snapped at the three, injecting all the authority she could to get them to focus. They all quieted down, looking at each other before Tin stepped forward. 

“Si Ace kasi. Sinabihan naman namin siya na delikado pero ayun, ang tigas ng ulo.” Tin said. The other two nodded rapidly, "Sabi namin, cap, na 'di niya kailangan gawin pero 'di nakikinig! Ayan tuloy." Patty added. 

The worry blossomed. 

“Ha? Anong nangyari kay Ace? Nasaan siya!?” Jana pushed past the three of them, ready to take off in a run despite not knowing where she had to run to. 

“Nasa classroom siya, Jana, bilis!” Patty exclaimed. The three ran behind their captain who rushed towards the grade 9 classrooms. God, what happened to Ace? Was she okay? She growled under her breath and swore that if anyone hurt Ace, intentional or unintentionally, that she would make them pay. 

When they reached the classroom, she instantly ran to where the rest of the SL Angels were crowded around someone. Upon approaching, Jana realized they were crowded around Ace. She slowed down, the worry making her hesitate but a gentle push from Myka got her moving closer. 

“Ace! Jusko, anong nangyari sayo?” Jana's about to shoulder her way through the team or maybe pull, who she realizes is Jela, away from the wall of people around Ace so she could see what was happening. 

Then, speakers hidden somewhere around the room came alive. Static noise grating on the ear before Tin's voice fills the silence. 

"Captain Jana Ramos, sorry we made you worry pero may gusto lang sabihin ang ating rookie sa'yo." 

Jana stopped, so confused, when the team suddenly moved as one to reveal Ace - perfectly fine, kneeling on the ground to keep herself hidden, with a guitar on hand. It takes Jana a while to realize that Ace was singing the song from the rooftop - the song she'd internally claimed as hers - but a longer version.

The rest of the team swayed holding banners that read messages like 'Jana, ikaw ang nambawan for me!' which made her cringe and blush in equal measure. To add to the ambience, someone - probably the team - had blocked out the windows of the classroom and turned off the lights so only fairy lights and the team’s phone flashlights illuminated the room. 

“Where did they even get that? Di naman ako nag-approve ng fairy lights ah.” Jana mused, before her attention was caught by the lyrics of the song and of Ace handing her a single rose. 

'di mo ba alam?

Halos 'di na makatulog

Kakaisip, ikaw ang dahilan, hah-hah-han

Ikaw ang pahinga, ang tanging ninanais

Kahit 'di ka naman sa'kin papunta

That was a nice thought, to be someone’s rest. Jana could scarcely remember the last time she felt safe enough to be vulnerable, not until the clumsy yet athletic (and hey, how is that even possible?) transferee literally crashed (she will hold it to the day she died; Ace crashed into her, she did not crash into Ace) into her life and gave her the space to be open and young, to rest. 

Sinong may hawak ng puso mong bulag?

Baka kasi ako ang papalarin

Oh, nag-iisip pa rin ng paraan

Para bigyan mo lang ng pansin

Jana suddenly remembers all the time that she ignored Ace back before the training camp, before that nighttime conversation smoking cigs and drinking beer. She hadn’t just ignored Ace then; she’d been downright hostile and unforgiving. Before “fun-fun” came about, Jana was pretty much on “angry-angry” or maybe “tired-tired” mode all the time. So, blind was a pretty apt description for her. It’s a good thing Ace had 20/20 vision, perfect enough for the two of them. 

Bakit ganito?

'Di ko naman 'to ginusto

Pero sige lang, ikaw pa rin

Sinta 

Jana laughed when the rest of the team let out collective “Yiee!” and started chanting their unofficial ship name, “Who decided on JanAce anyways?” once Ace finished the song. 

“Sabi ko sayo bawal in public ah.” Jana said blushing while clutching the rose tightly. She was tempted to smell it but that was something only lovestruck fools did, so she didn’t. (She would end up doing it in the privacy of her bedroom because she is, indeed, a lovestruck fool). “Diba for my eyes and ears only sabi ko?” 

“Siguro naman pwede magbigay exception?” Ace gave her signature sunshine grin, the yellow of her hoodie somehow overshadowed by the brightness of it. Thank God Valentine’s was a special, no-uniform day. Ace looked equal parts adorable and handsome in her cargo shorts and high-cut Jordan 1s. Jana wanted to pinch her or kiss her, she couldn’t decide. 

“Oo nga, Cap! Dami pinagdaanan niyan ni Ace para lang magawa to!” One of their teammates chimed in support. Ace laughed but there’s a wide-eyed look on her face which Jana decided required further investigation later on because, seriously, where did they get the fairy lights? For now though, Ace was waiting for her response. 

“Sige na nga. Lakas mo kasi sa’kin eh.” Jana teased before falling into Ace’s open arms, relaxing when she felt Ace wrapped around her tightly and kiss her on her temple.

Chapter Text

"Dapat ba talaga natin to gawin?" Ace whispered, "Sure ako mafifigure out din nila yan."

"Pano kung hindi? Gusto mo ba na malungkot silang dalawa?" Jana rebutted. They were seated in the classroom across from Jana's, peering through the frosted panes of the jalousie. It wasn't a very good view but Jana tried her best. 

"Pero kasi, di ba sila magagalit?" Ace said, although she had to admit that it was exhilarating. Like, they were spies trying to accomplish a mission. 

"Sus. Hindi yan. Lalo na if mag-end up sila together diba? Magagalit pa ba mga yan? May jowa na nga galit pa." Jana said with conviction. "Shhh, ayan na si Myka." 

Myka walked into the classroom they were watching, looking confused. They saw her bring out her phone probably checking if the message she got was correct. 

"At ayan na rin si Patty." Ace noted watching her fellow middle blocker approach the classroom with her signature smile which dropped, ever so quickly, when she noticed it was only her and Myka in the room. 

Jana quickly dragged Ace outside so they could sit out on the hallway, directly underneath the window of the classroom and beside the door so that they could listen better. 

"Oh, nasaan si Cap? Sabi niya may meeting daw tayo." Patty asked. 

"Huh? Eh si Ace ang nag message sakin na pumunta daw dito." Myka was clearly confused because they could hear the sound of typing before Ace's phone buzzed with the opposite's message. Jana gave her a look that warned her not to even attempt reaching into her pocket. 

"Hmm, 'di sumasagot si Ace." Myka muttered, "Siguro busy siya with cap, as usual." 

Patty did not reply. 

Jana frowned because she was betting (real money and her pride!) on Patty gaining the courage to say something about her very obvious pining, especially since the two were alone for the first time in a while. 

"Hays, prina-prank ata tayo nung dalawang yon eh." Myka grumbled, "Papuntahin ba naman tayo dito tapos wala naman pala sila." 

"Oo, nga. Pero try ko mag message kay cap, baka naman papunta na sila." Patty sounded…wistful which made Jana's romance-loving heart clench. Jana gripped Ace's hand on her own. Jana's phone buzzed with the message. 

Hi, cap. Nasan kayo? Nandito na kami ni Myka. - P. 

Ay, sorry Pat! Biglang nagka-emergency si tita kaya sinamahan ko si Ace - J. 

Ganon ba? Sige, siguro uuwi na lang kami. - P. 

Jana groaned before they both hurried over to the next room to stay hidden. Jana frowned but she was determined to help her friend (and get Myka's attention away from Ace). 

Diba malayo pa bahay ni Myka? Samahan mo kaya siya. Late na rin naman. - J.

Late? Eh 3pm pa lang? - P.

Sige na. Kawawa naman si Myka. - J. 

They overhead Myka and Patty leaving the room. 

"Myka hatid na kita." Patty offered. Jana fist pumped - there was still hope. 

"Hmm, sure. Thanks! Tagal na rin nating di umuuwi ng sabay. Namimiss ka na kaya ni mama, hinahanap ka palagi." Myka said. 

Jana peeked over to see Myka and Patty walking with their arms looped. 

"Ikaw kasi," Myka continued, "Para kang multo. Bilis mo mawala pag katapos ng practice. If I didn't know better, tinatakbuhan mo ba ko?"

"Hindi ah!" Patty exclaimed. 

"Weh, may ginawa ba ko sayo?" Myka teased. 

"Oo, may malaki kang kasalanan sakin." Patty said. There's a note genuine hurt in her voice. 

"WHAT? Huyyy, Patty anong ginawa ko ha?" Myka said in a high-pitched tone. 

There's silence, and oh my god, please Patty, just say it but Patty just laughs, "Joke lang kasi. Di ka na mabiro." 

Then they're walking too far away for the two to hear the rest of the conversation. 

"That was a bust. Kala ko talaga aamin na si Patty if they were alone na." Jana groaned into Ace's shoulder. 

"Pero alam mo ibig sabihin neto?" Jana continued, allowing herself to be tugged up so they, too, can start walking home. 

"Ano?" Ace said while fixing her bag strap. 

"Di ka nanalo sa bet natin." Jana said smugly, "Kaya susuot mo jersey ko, for the whole week.

Ace's eyes grew wide before she groaned out loud. Damn it, Patty! Ace wasn't normally a betting person, but she had faith in Patty. Misplaced faith it seems. Oh well, she liked wearing Jana's name anyways. 

Chapter Text

The mall was bustling when Patty and Myka arrived. They could spot several other girls wearing similar merch - shirts declaring themselves "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob", some wearing pendants with the Cullen crest on it or even sporting temporary tattoos of the werewolf pack's tribal symbol. 

Myka herself had a Team Jacob shirt on while Patty chose to go for a simple "Team Switzerland" with Bella Swan's pale face on it. If pressed, Patty would choose Team Jacob too, but only because Myka chose it - she was far more interested in Alice Cullen or Leah Clearwater anyways. 

"Andaming tao!" Myka complained after the fifth time getting shouldered by some mom dragging tween daughters to make it to the cinema on time. 

"Premiere kasi." Patty soothingly replied, "Kaya maraming tao. Sabi ko naman na next week na tayo manood."

"Di pwede! By that time, nakanood na buong school. Ma-spoil na tayo." Myka groaned, glaring at another pair of girls who Patty recognized as her batchmates. They waved at her and she waved back about to greet them but Myka's dragging them forward to the snackbar. "Ano ba yan. Andaming tao feeling close."

While waiting for the guard to let them in, they stood there chatting about school - Sister Beatrice was, once again, rampaging, and Miss Ava was, as usual, being extra sunshine-y - and volleyball - Season 76 was going as expected and their crushes on key players remained as strong as ever. It felt great to spend time with Myka again like they used to back in grade school before things like feelings and crushes got in the way. 

Patty stared as Myka ranted about the grade she got in her Filipino reporting, memorizing a face already chiseled into her brain.Because Patty's attention was always on Myka, she could see the moment Myka spots them because the smile on her face drops. Her attention caught on a pair of girls coming up on the escalator. Oh, it was Ace and Jana. 

They'd been spending a lot of time together, and really, Patty wouldn't be surprised if they're together. She had a sixth sense for these kinds of things. Patty bit her lip when she saw the dark cloud descend over Myka's pretty features. She had to do something - she never did like it when Myka was sad . 

"Oh! Order na tayo." Patty drags her towards the counter, "Party pack po ng white cheddar tapos dalawang mug root beer."

"Hmph, 'di mo man lang ako tinanong kung ano gusto ko. Pala-desisyon yan." Myka complained. 

"So, iba gusto mo?" Patty asked, already handing the payment. Patty was confident about a lot of things, up to and including Myka's go-to movie snacks. It was white cheddar popcorn and root beer. Myka would rather sit out a movie than NOT have her snacks. 

"...hindi." Myka pouted although secretly pleased that her best friend knew her so well. 

"Edi case closed. Oh, ikaw magdala ng drinks ako na sa popcorn." They walked into the cinema, Myka sufficiently distracted. But Patty's hard work cheering her up dissipated when they realized Ace and Jana were sitting a few rows below them. 

Myka's attention remained split between the movie and the two down below. Patty's attention was split between the movie and the girl next to her. 

"Ang tanga-tanga naman ni Bella." Myka grumbled the moment they're out of the cinema, after waiting to make sure Jana and Ace left ahead of them, "Di niya ba nakikita na better choice si Jacob."

"Pano mo naman nasabi yan?"

"Sino ba nasa tabi niya nung sinaktan siya ni Edward? Di ba si Jacob. Tapos sino yung supportive sa kanya? Si Jacob! Bulag ata yan si Bella eh." 

Patty had a very strong feeling that Myka was no longer talking about Twilight, and she's masochistic but not to a degree that she'd willingly bring it up. It doesn't help that Patty has somehow found herself in the same . exact . situation . 

"Parang may kilala ako na ganyan." Patty said under her breath. 

"Ha? Ano yon?" Myka looked at her with questioning eyes. 

"Wala, sabi ko dapat bading na lang si Bella. Mas cute naman si Alice." Patty distracted Myka from what would have been a long, long rant. 

Myka giggled, "Oo nga. Hays, sana Bella/Alice na lang talaga." 

Patty could only sigh and think to herself, "Sana Myka/Patty na lang talaga."

Chapter Text

Hell Week.

Once upon a time, Jana laughed when she heard that term. Surely, surely , it couldn't be that bad, right? But Jana now knows, it could be worse. Hell was a kind description for the sudden crush of deadlines, midterm exams, and unnecessarily difficult projects her sadistic profs have conceived in the depths of cruelty. On top of that, their semi-finals games were the same damn week and it was- 

It was overwhelming. Jana has felt pressure all her life but this is far different from anything she's ever felt. It was made worse because this time she's the rookie and she's all alone. Physically, at least. She misses San Lorenzo, she misses her coach and her SL angels, she misses her father, and by God, she misses Ace. 

She takes a deep breath. "Maangas ako. Kalma lang, kalma. Maangas ako."

But she looks at the picture of her and Ace pinned up on her bulletin board, and she's really, really not. Because all she wants now is to sit next to Ace after training, tease her until she stumbled on her words.

There were encouraging quotes printed and pinned around the picture - most of which Ace had sent through their daily texts and calls. And she's so soft , when did she become so soft? (She remembers a cool night sitting on a table, passing drinks and pains. Oh , that's when.)

Somehow, they're making this long distance thing work. It's harder than they both realized but they put effort into it. At the end of the day, effort is what gets them from one day to the next. 

She sighs but can't help the smile that finds its way to her face when another photo catches her eye. It was her graduation photo - in it were her father and Ace, both sporting wide smiles filled with pride for Jana. She's going to survive this week, come literal hell or flood water, because Ace and her dad believes in her. 

But before diving deep into homework, she decides a pick me up is in order. She makes her way out of their dorm and treks through Taft to get Good Munch which, as she proclaimed to Ace, was literally her savior because fuck that beef salpicao was God's gift to the Lasallian population. 

Wearing nothing but sweatpants, her jersey, and her slip-ons, she quickly finds herself in line at Good Munch, uncaring of the other students also picking up their early dinners there. There are some who recognize her jersey, but they don't approach. It might be the RBF she had somehow mastered in the three terms she's been here.

She finds a seat near the awning with her steaming bowl and her cup of coffee, content to dig into her meal. The chatter of parties and group projects, of boyfriends and cheating, and of shitty professors filter through the tired haze of her mind. She's almost dozing off, scrolling mindlessly through her social media accounts while eating when she receives a message from Ace.

Musta midterms? - A. 

Hayssssss. Eto. Sobrang drained na drained na ko. :(( Tapos miss na miss pa kita. - J. 

Buti na lang nandito ako, no? - A. 

Ha? Wdym? - J. 

Then, her phone starts to ring. She frowns but accepts Ace's call. 

"May sasabihin ako, pero wag ka magagalit." Ace starts without even dropping a 'Hello'

"Ano yon? Tyika anong ibig mong sabihin na nandito ka?" Jana asks, food forgotten. 

"Uhm, yun actually yung gusto ko sabihin. Hehe, talikod ka?" Ace says with a laugh. And for a moment Jana thinks she's being pranked, but then she realizes that she hears that familiar laugh through the phone and behind her. She stands up and whirls to come face-to-face with her Ace. 

"Hi." Ace says with a small wave. She has her yellow backpack and the white hoodie Jana gave her for her birthday, and she's here with her slightly shorter hair and her dimples digging into her cheek and she's somehow taller and-

She's breathtaking. 

Jana forgets her food and her harried appearance before throwing herself into Ace's arms. Ace who laughs as if she's done nothing, as if traveling all the way to Manila during Jana's hell week was nothing more than a walk to the park. Ace hugs her tightly, swaying gently. 

"Hi." Ace whispers. 

"What are you doing here!?" Jana asks once they've settled on the monoblock stools. Jana is a smidge embarrassed but it's not as if reunions in Agno are some sort of unique event. Every hour, at least five groups of people greet their friends as if they haven't seen each other in years so most of the people had just given a cursory glance then looked away. 

That was the best thing about this school. Jana can kiss her girlfriend and no one will bat an eye. Jana and Ace are just another couple having some hybrid late lunch/early dinner, that's it. Despite the shit Jana regularly goes through with her academics, she has to admit she wouldn't trade it for the world for the freedom to be so open in school. 

"Stressed na stressed ka na kasi." Ace says, "Kaya eto. Promise, di ako magiging sagabal sa pag-aaral mo! Gusto ko lang suportahan ka." 

Jana sends a prayer to St. John Baptist De La Salle for her university's trimestral calendar that meant her midterms week coincided with Ace's summer break. She buys Ace some potpots to snack on, followed by a late night walk in front of LS hall - conveniently lit up in rainbow colors in celebration of pride month - then rounds the mini-adventure with actual dinner at Robinson's. 

(It'll be a core memory a few years later that they somehow get lost in Robinson's Manila of all places, but Jana's only been there three times and it's confusing as fuck and it was Ace's first time and why the fuck is the food court next to the tech stores?) 

"Okay, so ipasok mo lang yung card tapos pasok ka, then kunin mo ulit yung card." Jana instructs. As part of being a good tour guide in preparation for Ace's move into the city, Jana decided that teaching the other girl how to take the train will probably be helpful in the long run. 

Ace follows the instructions and grins in victory when she gets through the turnstiles. Jana follows and they wait on the platform for the train to arrive. The train is not so full that they're reenacting sardines in a can but the seats are still all occupied so they stand off to the side near the door.

 Ace hurriedly grips the bar up top and Jana giggles, but her giggling is cut short when the train lurches and she stumbles on tired feet. Ace wraps an arm around her waist to keep her steady, and Jana's having a bizarre moment where the world falls away into muted tones because all the brightness seems to have been sucked into Ace's eyes.  

"Namiss kita." Jana whispers, keeping her voice low. Ace's reply was her signature sunshine smile. The I miss you too was silent, but Jana knows she can coax that out of her later. 

Jana has homework to catch up on, and training in the morning plus 2 exams, but she's content to let that all be Tomorrow Jana's problem. Tonight's Jana holds on, and wishes Ace would never let go. 

Chapter Text

"Happy birthday, dear Patty, happy birthday to you." The team sang, then Myka shouted "Dun-dunun-dun-dun, isa pa with energy!"

The team sang the traditional song with more gusto, clapping and laughing, because Myka was glaring at them while holding up the birthday cake as if saying, ‘ Kakanta kayo ng tama, o kakanta kayo ng tama!?’ 

“Salamat, angels!” Patty squeals the moment the song is finished. Myka brings the cake up, looking into Patty’s eyes. 

“Oh, make a wish, Gabby.” Myka whispered. Patty stared at her with naked adoration, the gentlest smile on her face. Myka couldn’t help but look away. There was just - too much emotion there for her to grasp properly.  Patty’s face falls the tiniest bit at Myka’s refusal to meet her eyes, but shrugs and smiles all the same. After all, it was Myka holding her cake.  

Their personal moment is ruined when Jana coughed from her spot next to Ace, “Make a wish daw, ‘di mag heart-eyes over the cake.” Which, brave coming from the couple who regularly stared at each other while in the court, across hallways, while falling in line at the canteen, during training, and basically, every other free moment. Ace only smiled quietly at the both of them, thumbs up for support, aware that she and Jana really weren't any better. 

"Tangina mo, Jana!" Myka rebutted. 

“Right, right.” Patty closed her eyes. Myka took the chance to stare at her best friend. Her bangs were a bit messy so she fixed it, causing Patty's nose to scrunch up but she refused to open her eyes, then Myka contently waited. When Patty opened her eyes, they were a bit teary but bright with excitement. She leaned over then blew the candles. 

The team cheered.

“Sino si Gabby?” Jela asked Tin.

“May teammate tayong Gabby?” Tomas asked aloud. 

“Mga bonak!” Myka shouted at them, “Second name kasi ni Patty, Gabrielle!” 

“Ahh.” The team collectively said. They walked ahead of the two discussing what they'll order once they arrive at the restaurant where Patty planned to treat the team. 

"So, anong birthday wish mo?" Myka looped her arm around Patty's. 

"Same lang as last year." Patty replied. Myka thought back to last year and couldn't remember if Patty ever told her what her birthday wish was. 

"Ano nga?" Myka lengthened her words, giving Patty space for a reply or an answer, but Patty shrugged. Gave her a pointed look, then simply tugged her forward to catch up with the rest of the team. 

Their arrival at the restaurant is loud, boisterous, and attention-grabbing. 

Patty's parents descend on their daughter and pull her into a hug, kissing her cheeks, before pulling Myka into the family group hug. 

"Myka, hija, we miss you!" Patty's mom exclaims, dragging her into another hug, this time complete with cheek squeezes and look overs. "Tagal-tagal mo nang hindi bumibisita. Na-miss ko nang ipagluto ka! Parang pumapayat ka na nga oh, pinapakain ka ba ng kumare ko?” Myka nods, “Mabuti naman! Kailan kayo ulit mag sleepover nila Patty? Last time si Jana lang kasama niya."

Which… hurt . They had a sleepover, just the two of them. Sleepovers were their thing. The three of them. Not just Patty and Myka, or Myka and Jana, or Patty and Jana. It was three or nothing. Jana didn't even invite Ace to their special sleepovers. 

Patty's eyes widened from where she stood under her papa's arm. "Mama, sabi ko naman secret lang yon eh!"

A secret. Jana and Patty were keeping secrets from her. Sulkily, Myka slipped away from tita’s arms to the exit. Patty following. (Patty always following.)

"Nag sleepover kayo ni Jana kayo lang?" Myka asked the moment they're a few steps away from the restaurant. 

"Hindi ganon!" Patty said with wide eyes, "May…gusto kasi ako. Crush, ganon." Patty admitted, "Kailangan ko lang kausapin si Jana about it."

"Ayun lang? Bakit di mo ko sinama?" Myka couldn't believe Patty at this moment. A little girl trouble? Patty knew that she could talk to Myka about anything. Anything at all. “Bakit si Jana pa kinausap mo? Eh bonak kaya yun, panget-panget pa magbigay ng advice.” 

She pouts, when did Myka become Patty’s second choice for advice? That’s not right. Myka should have been Patty’s first choice, the way Ace was always Jana’s first choice when it comes to opinions and thoughts. 

Patty nervously laughs, “Ah, kasi, kilala ni Jana yung babaeng gusto ko..kaya- kaya siya yung nilapitan ko.” 

Myka tilts her head. Jana knew who Patty’s crush was? Huh. Sure, Jana was popular around campus but not in the ‘ she’s everyone’s friend ’ way, more in the ‘she’s the captain of the volleyball team everyone is obsessed with’ way. Myka can safely say she knew more people personally than Jana did. 

She squints at her best friend, “Sino? Kilala ko rin?”

Patty's face twists, grimacing, before settling on "Pwede..?"

"Ka-batch mo?"

"Hindi."

"Ka-batch ko?"

"Oo."

"Maganda? Mabait? Mataray? Matangkad? Nasa team?" Myka asks rapid fire.

"Sobra pa sa sobra. Depende. Minsan. Oo. Pwede…?" Patty answers. Myka's frown deepens at the last answer. How can they maybe be on the team? 

"Tangina, nagsisimula na pala yung party games." Jana chimes, "Di naman kayo nagsabi pinoy henyo unang laro.” Their captain paused, seeming to sense something between them, before “Tawag na tayo ni tita. Mag-dadasal na para makakain na tayo.” 

“Right. Sige. Halika na, Myka!” Patty said with a smile, dragging Myka towards the restaurant. She thanked Jana with her eyes and all Jana did was mouth back, “Duwag!” 

All throughout dinner, one question rang in Myka’s mind making her unable to enjoy the lighthearted atmosphere. 

Who the hell was Patty’s crush? 

Chapter Text

The night is cold in the province, and Jana noticeably shivers when a breeze gently blows across the open court. Ace, ever the gentlewoman, wraps her up in her discarded blazer. For extra warmth, the rookie also wraps her arms around Jana's waist, pulling her close enough their noses touch.  

"Hatid na kita pauwi?" Ace offers. They were both still flushed warmth from their shared kiss just minutes prior, but it was getting late and as much as Ace desired to turn novel kisses into something more familiar, she knew that they needed to get home before their parents worried. 

"Saglit lang." Jana whispered, hand cupped around Ace's cheek. Her thumb brushed lightly across sun-kissed skin. "Maya-maya na tayo umuwi." 

Ace leans into Jana's hands, enjoying the rough patches of callous. She knew that Jana didn't like how her hands felt - skin rough, firm, and banged up from years of playing - but Ace absolutely adored how they felt, now. Heated against her windswept cheeks, gentle as if…as if Ace was precious. 

"Sige." Ace agrees because how could she not? But then Jana pulls away with a mischievous smile. She shrugs the jacket away then helps Ace wear it again, straightening her tie and tucking the ruffled edges of her shirt back into her slacks. 

"Maya na tayo umuwi, may gagawin pa tayo!" Jana takes Ace's hand and starts walking in the direction of San Lorenzo High School. Ace almost stumbles over her own feet but catches herself in time. 

Ace lets out a huff of breath as Jana takes off, feeling an actual click in her shoulder from the force of Jana's pulling, "Jana, wait! Anong gagawin natin?"  

"Basta." Jana replies. 

They arrive at the gates to SLHS. Prom had ended and the venue was dark and quiet already. 

"Anong ginagawa natin dito?" Ace tugged at Jana's hand, looking around just in case one of the sisters or the janitors were still there. Jana smirked before pushing on the gate. She gestured with her head for Ace to follow. 

"Jana…" Ace shivers at the stillness, suddenly remembering all the ghost stories her classmates had so (unhelpfully) shared. "Jana. Huy. Uwi na kasi tayo."

"Wag mo sabihin natatakot ka, Asuncion?" Jana laughs and keeps walking forward until they reach the open space where the prom was held only hours before. She turns some of the lights on but only enough for them to see. No reason to alert anyone they were here. 

"Don't worry." Jana winks at Ace, "Proprotektahan naman kita, kahit sa multo pa man yan." 

Jana leaves Ace at the edge of the dance floor, making a beeline for the sound system. As president, Jana knew that all of the decorations and equipment would be packed up tomorrow morning, so they were going to take complete advantage. 

"Naisipan ko kasi," Jana says aloud, scrolling through the different songs, "Na hindi tayo technically nakapag-prom. First prom mo 'to, kaya gusto ko bigay sayo yung full experience. We shouldn't have to suffer dahil lang homophobic 'tong SLHS." 

Finally choosing a song, Jana presses play. There was no response from Ace promoting Jana to look up. 

Oh. 

She gulps, feeling her breath catch and hitch. Ace leans against the wall, hands tucked into her coat pockets, and looking completely enthralled. There's a bible verse that goes, " my soul is crushed with longing" and Jana can't help but think, ' How accurate' because Ace stares at her with adoration reserved for wonders. Maybe that's what she is to the other girl - wonderful. 

Jana feels weak in the knees, her heart racing and pounding against her ribcage, as Ace pushed away from the wall to meet her in the middle. Her steps quiet and measured to close the meager distance between them.

"Di ko nabigay sayo 'to." Ace brought out the corsage, blue and yellow, and gently tied it around Jana's wrist. "Ms. Ramos, may I have this dance?" 

Jana could only nod. Her whole being caught in Ace's orbit. Ace circles an arm around her waist, holding her left hand with the other as they start a slow waltz. 

You could absolutely break my heart. 

That's how I know, we're in love. 

"Huwag muna tayo umuwi." Ace whispered. Their foreheads resting against each other. Her breath warm against Jana's lips. 

"Okay." Jana pressed closer, unable to resist. "Okay, dito muna tayo."

And then their lips are touching, slotting against each other. There's that awkward pause of trying to find the perfect angle but they laugh, breathless and giddy, before pressing kisses into each other's smiles. 

They dance until Jana has to step out of her heels. They dance until the playlist ends, and there is only their beating hearts to accompany them. They dance in this quiet space of just the two of them. 

Chapter Text

What challenge in your life do you believe have shaped you to be the leader you are today? Jana frowned, staring at the essay question she's been attempting to answer for the last 30 minutes. The words would not come, no matter how hard she tried to put her experiences into paper. It was for her application to the Ateneo. 

"Jana, Jana, psst." Ace called out from across the table. They're taking shelter from the heat of the day in their school library, sitting at a table as far away from their school's librarian as they could get.

"Ano?" Jana said, looking up from the essay she was writing. Her tone on edge, sharp, and tinged with frustration.

"Ang lakas ng chemistry natin." Ace said, brandishing her chemistry book with a cheesy smile. 

Jana's face was impassive, "Ayon lang?"

Ace pouted, then Jana broke into a small smile. She could never deny Ace's effect on her. 

"Tsk. Buti na lang mas malakas ka sa'kin." Jana said with a shake of her head. Ace's dimples dug deep into her cheeks with the grin she sported. 

The words come easier after. By the time their afternoon training is about to start, Jana's made good progress on her essay, choosing to reflect on her captainship of San Lorenzo's Angels. 

"Jana, hi!" Ace greeted during lunch time, squeezing into her seat besides Jana while the other senior Angels were talking about the recently concluded UPCAT. "May tanong ako."

Jana gave her a suspicious look, "Ano yon?"

"Fossil ka ba? Gusto kasi kita i-date." Ace said then waited for Jana's reaction. Jana slowly blinked, once, twice, then she turned back to Myka, who upon overhearing the cheesy pick-up line had laughed, unbeknownst to the junior that a certain graduating senior's attention had been caught by the laughter. 

"Myka, may narinig ka 'ba?" Jana asked with an exaggerated nod.

"Wala kap." Myka said, matching Jana's energy. "Parang ano, parang ihip lang ng hangin." 

Ace pouted at the two, poking Jana in the shoulder. "Gets mo? Gets ba?" 

Jana broke and turned back to Ace, "Cringey naman. San mo nakuha yan?" Jana laughs, although secretly pleased. 

Ace stared at someone from across the table, but she shook her head, "Secret." 

Jana rolled her eyes at the callback response then took Ace's hands into her own. 

"Rooftop tayo mamaya, ah." Jana says without looking at Ace. The squeeze to her hand is all the agreement she needs. 

"Jana, salo!" Ace shouted from down the hall. The bell had rung for their short 15-minute break and students had spilled into the hallway to share gossip, eat snacks, and go to the restroom. The most popular topic of the day being the upcoming results of UST's entrance exam with DLSU's soon to follow after. Jana, of course, was caught in the middle of it. Her fellow seniors equally excited and nervous to see who'd pass, who's actually get to play for their dream schools. Jana already had offers to play volleyball from majority of the UAAP schools, but those offers mean nothing if she couldn't pass the exams. 

Jana's head snapped to Ace's direction, only for the middle blocker to do a basketball shot, throwing…nothing at her. Other students look as confused as the volleyball captain. (Jana can't help but think, Ace, tumira ng tres. Akin ka lang, please. )

"Huh?" Jana said confused, "Anong sasaluhin ko?" 

"Yung puso ko." Ace said simply. Myka, who was standing next to Ace, rolled her eyes at her batchmate's antics and walked back into their classroom. 

Absolute silence from everyone in the hall, punctuated suddenly by a thunderous, "AYIEEE! SANA ALL!"

Jana bowed her head, hiding behind a curtain of hair.

Maangas ka, Jana. Maangas ka.

  "The United Kingdom is composed of England, Wales, Scotland, and the republic of Ireland." Jana's in the middle of her history and geography reporting, up front in class when a flash of yellow catches her attention. She's about to ignore it but it passes the door again, so she looks over.

"U.K is..." She trails off because Ace is standing in the hallway with a sign that read "Tiga U.K. ka ba kasi I want u, k?" 

Jana glared, stopping in the middle of her report. Ma'am Ava who was sitting at the last row behind the classroom looked up from the rubric she was grading, "Ms. Ramos, why did you stop?" 

The class giggled. Ma'am Ava stood up and finally saw Ace standing outside their classroom. Ma'am Ava laughed, patting Jana on the arm before addressing the troublemaker. "Ms. Asuncion, siguro next time wait for Jana to finish reporting ah bago ka bumanat?" 

Ace nodded rapidly. Ma'am Ava raised an eyebrow when Ace didn't immediately leave, "You may go now, Ms. Asuncion."

"Ay, yes po." Ace hurriedly walked back. Taped to the back of her school uniform was another sign that read, "Jana, I'm so happy U-Kame into my life." 

Jana groaned, hiding behind the folder she held. 

The whole class could see the red on her cheeks, regardless.

It all comes to a head that weekend. They’re sitting in Jana’s living room, earphones shared as they listen to a Paramore song. The afternoon sun scorches the earth, but they're both too pre-occupied by the unopened letters sitting on the coffee table to notice. 

“San mo ba kasi pinagpupulot yang corny pick-up lines mo?” Jana laughs after Ace tries to sell, unconvincingly, “Gusto ko palaging Paramore pakinggan natin, para more in love tayo.” 

She's grateful that Ace was here. In a few minutes, she'll build up the courage to open her results. In a few minutes, she'll determine how the next four years of her life will look. But that would be a few minutes from now. Now? Now she's listening to Paramore and teasing her girlfriend. 

“Naisip ko kaya.” Ace defends, “Orig yan.”

“Di mo naman kailangan mang-pick up pa.” Jana gently tucked the stray hair that fell over Ace’s eyes, “Na-mine mo na nga, diba?”

Ace grinned. “Palagi ka kasing tense dahil malapit na lumabas yung mga results ng CETs." Ace took her hand to gently rub her thumb on the back of Jana's hand, holding it to her cheek a moment later, "Kaya naisip ko i-distract ka na lang."

“Gamit…pick up lines?" Jana's whole face was scrunched up. It’s so…Ace, and Ace is so wonderfully hers.

"Gumana naman, diba?" Ace said with the same confidence she sports whenever she executes a kill block in their games.

Well, Jana can't deny that. 

"Sabi ni Patty madalas daw siya gumamit ng pick up lines, pero di naman daw gumagana." Ace added rather sheepishly. 

Jana rolled her eyes, "Gamitin niya kasi mga linyahan niya sa babaeng 'di manhid."

Ace shrugged. She knows it’s bad to speak ill of people who aren’t part of the conversation but, hey, Myka brought that upon herself for being too oblivious. 

“Sayo ba gumana?” Ace asked. She looked at Jana expectantly, and the captain could not help but sigh. She pinches the cheek so trustingly pressed up against her rough palm. 

“Ow!” Ace pouted, pushing Jana’s hand away. 

“Hay nako, ang cute-cute ng girlfriend ko.” Jana shook her head before dragging Ace forward by the collar of her shirt. 

“‘Wag na ‘wag mong sasabihin kahit kanino ‘to.” Jana threatened though there’s humor in her eyes. “Pero gumana…ng slight. Very slight.”

Ace fist pumped silently. She saluted, promising to keep it a secret between them. No one could know just how whipped San Lorenzo’s volleyball captain was for her girl. 

Jana leaned in to brush her lips against Ace’s. 

“Slight lang, Ace.” Jana murmured. Ace’s smile grows beneath her lips. 

The heat in her cheeks betray her but hey, no one will call her out for it.

They open the envelopes a few kisses later. Jana gets in her first choice. She gives Ace a few more kisses in celebration. 

Chapter Text

There’s a pretty girl standing next to Jana at court side when the team walks in for their after school practice. Jana and the stranger are standing so close their shoulders brush, talking rapidly, their hands gesturing wildly. 

When Jana sees the team walk in, they stop. The stranger smirks at Jana. She pushes at Jana’s shoulder and says something Ace couldn’t catch.  

“Si Nikki!” Myka squeals from beside Ace. Myka skipped towards the pair, “Nikki? Himala, napadpad ka dito.”

Ace followed slowly, taking the time to observe the stranger next to her girlfriend. She had black hair with an off-center split, tucked carefully behind delicate ears. The crisp white shirt she wears is partnered with a blue ribbon and skirt, a uniform that Ace recognizes is from the well-known private school from the town over. Chinita with chubby cheeks, cute. 

The rookie watched as Myka slammed into the stranger, wrapping arms and legs tightly around her. The stranger threw her head back with a cute laugh as she hugged Myka back. Ace couldn’t help but be starstruck as the filtering sun hit the stranger just right to turn black hair into a pretty light brown. 

Déjà vu..

“Hi Myka, long time no see!” The stranger spoke English with a slight accent and perfect inflection which weirdly reminded Ace of many of her mom’s avid live-selling watchers. 

“Sinabi mo pa. Parang last year pa tayo last nagkita.” Myka huffed. Ace’s classmate launched into a chatty spiral, jumping topic to topic as if trying to make up for a year of limited contact in one minute.

“Sino yun?” Ace whispered to Patty who was casually observing the scene next to Ace. 

Patty pursed her lips, “Si Nikki Lim. Tiga-San Nicolas siya, kababata ni Jana.”

Ace tilted her head, an unfamiliar emotion filling her chest. It felt uncomfortable. A twisting sensation in her chest followed by a squeezing in her stomach that made sweat bead lightly on her lip. Ace gripped the strap of her bag tightly, her walk towards Jana slowing to a crawl. 

Jana never told her of any childhood best friends. Ace hadn’t even known a 

Nikki Lim existed until this moment. The middle blocker couldn’t figure out what to do with the sudden jumble of thoughts in her head, so she opted for her favored strategy of keeping quiet. 

It was Jana that closed the distance between them. Their captain gave the rookie a brief hug and a kiss on the cheek. Ace couldn’t help but melt into the hug, her arms wrapping tightly to prevent Jana from pulling back.

“Hi?” Jana whispered with a laugh, “Clingy mo ata ngayon.”

“Na-miss kita.” Ace mumbled. 

“Hala siya.” Jana teased, but there’s a bright smile on her face. “Nagkita naman tayo nung lunch ahh.” 

“So? 5 hours ago pa yun…” Ace pouted. She hadn’t been lying when she said she missed her captain. 

“Cute-cute mo.” Jana pulled away, “Wait, may papakilala ako sayo.” 

Jana grabbed her hand and dragged her towards Myka, Patty, and Nikki. 

“Niks, eto nga pala si Ace.” Jana paused for dramatic effect, “Girlfriend ko.”

Nikki observed Ace, eyebrow raised before her whole face broke into a wide smile, “Oh my gee! It’s so nice to meet you, Ace! You know, pinagalitan ko yan si Jana. Sabi ko sa kanya, why didn’t you tell me? We’re BFFs tapos ‘di siya nagsasabi? So mean, no?”

Ace blinked and turned to Jana. Jana shrugged. Nikki has always been excitable.

“Ah. Oo, bago lang rin kasi kami kaya baka hindi pa nasabi sayo ni Jana.” Ace awkwardly explained in defence of Jana. 

Jana scoffed, “Ayaw ko lang talaga sabihin. Napaka-OA mo kaya, Niks. Baka matakot pa si Ace sayo.”

Nikki tsked before she stepped in between the two and dragged them forward with her. “No excuses, bff rules yon, Jana. Always be honest with each other.”

Jana raised an eyebrow, “Weh? BFF rules na bawal magsinungaling?” then she craned her neck to catch Patty’s eyes. “Rinig mo yon, Patty? Bawal daw magsinungaling sa BFF.” 

Ace bit her lip while the other angels muffled their laughter behind jugs of water. In the midst, Myka stood confusedly staring at Patty who was making her best effort to look away. Despite not being a member of the team, Nikki’s eyes had sparkled in realization. 

After all, there was no escaping the sharp wit of a natural gossip.

Nikki opened her mouth but Jana placed a hand to cover it before anything could be said.

“Wag.” Jana quietly said, “Yaan mo 'yan sila. Ma-fifigure out din nila yan.”

Ace wanted to rebut that Patty and Myka have been friends 17 years now and nothing has been figured out, but she was a bit distracted by Jana’s hand, still casually placed over Nikki’s lips. 

“Di pa ba niya tatanggalin kamay niya…” Ace looked away but the flash of irritation is there. 

Their afternoon practice is filled with moments of irritation. When Jana spikes hard, and Nikki claps wildly, cheers too loud. When Jana gets thirsty, and Nikki gives her water before Ace can. When Nikki teases Jana for a spike that goes out, and all Jana does is sigh in easy acceptance. 

It distracts Ace. She can’t block even the weaker spikes from their wingers, she can’t do her running attacks, she can’t even jump properly. Coach is shaking her head at Ace by the time practice ends, and her teammates all look a mix between confused and amused.

And Jana? She has a knowing smirk on her lips.

“Myka, ikaw na muna sumama kay Niks.” Jana softly orders her teammate, “Meet up na lang tayo sa may 7-eleven.” 

“Sige, sige. Okay lang ba si Ace?” Myka pointed with her lips towards their middle blocker who was hurriedly packing - no, shoving - her stuff into her duffle bag. 

Jana hums softly, “Wag kayo mag-alala. Off-game lang siguro, kakausapin ko muna kaya pinapauna ko kayo.”

Myka nods and bids their captain a “Ge, kitakits na lang.” before grabbing her best friend’s hand. Together, Patty and Myka drag Nikki - who was really enjoying her time around the team, especially with the easily flustered rookie - and the rest of their teammates away. 

Jana waits for Ace to finish. Once the bag is zipped up, the captain carefully approaches. 

“Wag ka na mag selos.” Jana bumped lightly into Ace. 

“Ha? Selos?” Ace’s head snapped up. She stuttered, “Selos? Kanino? ‘Di ako nagseselos ah.”

“Weh.” Jana teased. Jana can’t help it, Ace is adorable in her jealousy. She pinches Ace’s side lightly, “So bakit ‘di maipinta yang mukha mo, ha?” 

Ace looked at her but gave no answer. Never one to be comfortable talking about her feelings. 

“Huwag ka na mag-selos.” Jana repeated, softer and kinder. “Wala ka namang dapat pag-selosan ‘no. Kababata ko si Nikki, parang kapatid na rin turing ko sa kanya.”

For a moment, Jana thinks it won’t work and Ace will remain quiet for the rest of their walk to the convenience store, but like ice Ace melted. Ace pouted, “Pano naman ako ‘di magseselos…maganda siya, cute, mas matagal na kayong magkakilala..”

Jana's smile, once soft, turned deadly. Her eyebrow met her hairline, “Sa tingin mo cute at maganda si Nikki?”

Unseeing the trap for what it was, Ace answered truthfully, “Oo! Kaya ko nga siya pinagseselosan eh.”

“Anong cute sa kanya?” Jana asked, “Hmm?” 

“Yung buhok niya pang-sunsilk commercial. Tapos yung cheeks niya, para siyang chipmunk. Chinita pa, at magaling mag-ingles. Mabango.” Ace listed obliviously, counting with her fingers and not really looking at Jana.

"Tangina. Nasapian ba si Ace ng kaluluwa ni Myka? Manhid ampota." Jana’s eye twitched. Her smile turned brittle before disappearing completely. 

“Mabango pala? Paano mo naamoy?” Jana asked, threateningly. 

“Kanina nung naglalakad tayo, napansin ko.” Ace finally looks at Jana, “Uhm…Jana, okay ka lang ba?”

“Maganda, mabango. Kayo na lang kaya ni Nikki mag-jowa!” Jana ranted at her girlfriend. She pressed her index finger into Ace’s chest, glaring up at the taller girl. 

Unlike Ace who was more of a “keep my cards close to my chest” kind of girl when it comes to her emotions, Jana’s always been “here are my cards, deal with it” with hers. 

“Diba ako nga dapat yung nagseselos…?” Ace asked. Dazed by the quick turn of events, Ace could do nothing but laugh, loud and free. 

“Anong nakakatawa?” Jana huffed. 

“Ikaw, alam mo naman sayo lang ako nagkagusto ng ganito tapos magseselos ka.” Ace put her hand over Jana’s, pressing their hands to her chest where her heart beats fast. “Ramdam mo yan? Sayo lang gumaganyan puso ko. Sobrang bilis, ‘no?”

“Parang ewan ka kasi. Kung ano-ano sinasabi tungkol kay Nikki.” Jana turned away. Her hand remained firmly planted on top of Ace’s chest. It really was beating fast.

“Tinanong mo ko diba kung bakit ako nagseselos. Nagsabi lang naman ako ng totoo. Pero alam mo naman na ikaw lang gusto ko. Ikaw ang pinakamaganda, pinakamabango, at pinaka-cute para sa ‘kin.” Ace declared. 

Jana glared. One, two, three seconds. 

“Nako ayus-ayusin mo lang, Asuncion.” Jana threatened jokingly, “Only child lang ako, ‘di ako marunong mag-share.”

“Never mo naman ako need i-share kahit kanino.” Ace replied back with a smoothness that belied how much she believed in what she was saying.

“Fine. Halika na, hinihintay na tayo ng mga angels.” Jana intertwined their hands, swinging it gently on their way towards the 7-eleven. 

Upon their arrival, the angels and Nikki all greeted the pair with teasing smiles. Nikki’s smile carried with it a hint of apology that Ace could recognize. Ace nods, accepting the apology without fanfare.

Ace takes a seat next to Patty while Jana goes off to buy a box of Pepero. There’s red dye on Patty’s shirt which matches perfectly the red on her cheeks.

“Anong nangyari sayo?” Ace asked beneath her breath.

“Ah wala, wala. Nasamid lang ako kanina.” Patty nervously replied. 

Patty is saved from any further questions by Jana’s arrival, Pepero in hand. 

Chapter Text

Myka was excited. The poster pinned by the school entrance was long-awaited. Tryouts for the San Lorenzo Angels would be held on the weekend, and girls from all levels were actively encouraged to showcase their skill and earn a coveted spot in the team. 

“Finally!!” Myka squealed. She jumped around, uncaring of the groaned complaints from her best friend whose shoulder made an audible pop! from Myka’s jostling, “Magiging Angel na rin ako, Gabby. Makakalaro na ulit kita, at si Jana!”

It had sucked last grade 6 when Jana and Patty moved up to high school and left Myka alone. Sure there were some familiar faces still left in the grade school team, but Myka wasn’t as close to those girls as she was to her Gabby and Jana. So she’s been actively counting down the days until Coach held tryouts for the Angels. 

“Sure ka ba makakapasok ka?” Jana said, stepping up next to the pair of best friends to also look at the poster. As usual, the three of them had walked together to school. Myka was making up for the year where she had to walk alone since the grade school was on the opposite side of town to San Lorenzo, and demanded that Patty and Jana walk with her everyday. 

“Wala ka bang tiwala, Jana?” Myka huffed, “Excuse me ah, 2nd best scorer ako ng team natin non??” 

Jana raised her hands with a smirk. “Kalma, kalma. Nag-jojoke lang eh.”

The bell rings. 

“Patty, I’ll see you in class.” Jana gave a small nod to the middle blocker. She turned to Myka with a raised eyebrow, “At ikaw?”

“Ano?” Myka glared. 

“Good luck sa tryouts.” Jana said. She walked off with a hand tucked into the pocket of her skirt. Myka couldn’t help but be a tiny bit jealous of how effortlessly cool Jana could be. 

“Wag mo pansinin si Jana.” Patty said, leaning down to catch Myka’s eyes. In the year they spent separated, Patty’s anticipated growth spurt had finally arrived resulting in her standing almost half-a-head taller than Myka. 

Patty’s hand came up to fix Myka’s bangs. “Kayang-kaya mo makapasok sa team.”

“Talaga?” Myka hesitantly locked eyes with her best friend, afraid to see if Patty was lying, reassuring her only because they’re best friends and not because she actually believed in Myka. 

“Talaga. Pustahan, pag nakapasok ka sa team lilibre mo ‘ko.” Patty teased. They start walking towards Myka’s classroom. 

“Ha? Diba ako nga dapat ilibre mo kung ma-accept ako sa team?” Myka pouted when Patty only laughed.

“Gabbyyy.” Myka whined, “Dapat ako ilibre mo!” 

“Sige na nga.” Patty gave her a smile. It’s her Myka-only smile. The one reserved for Myka, and Myka alone. “Libre kita…yung swak lang sa budget ah.”

Myka’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Thank you, thank you! Gagalingan ko talaga sa tryouts.”

Then, 

“Labyu, Gabby!” Myka squealed. She gave a frozen Patty a hug before hurriedly walking into her classroom, “See you later!!”

Myka plays her heart out that weekend. She gets to be a reserve opposite, slotted to take over their senior opp next year once she graduates. Her Gabby treats her to kwek-kwek. It tastes like little balls of happiness. 

“Panget ba ‘ko?”

Patty looked up from the book she was reading to stare, uncomprehending, at her best friend. Myka was laying down on the wooden floor of Patty’s bedroom, earphones in, sadness dripping from every pore.

“Panget?” Patty couldn’t even think of that word alongside Myka’s name. Myka was undeniably pretty. The sophomore was popular in school with many younger and older girls having a crush on her, and the boys from the nearby all-boys school actively waited under the heat of the sun to catch a glimpse of Myka. 

“Hindi.” Patty answered simply because it was a simple, easy fact that Myka was not ugly. “Sino nagsabi sayo na panget ka?” 

“...kilala mo yung De Leon? Yung palaging assigned na mag-picture sa ‘tin pag may game tayo?” Myka said hesitantly. 

Patty knew her. She was a cute girl with bangs, always with her camera in hand and an easy smile that had lower batches calling her “Ate Ganda.” 

“Yeah.” Patty set the book aside to give Myka her full attention. “Kilala ko siya.”

Myka murmured under her breath, something Patty couldn’t catch.

“Ha? Ano yon? Myka Marie Mae Labro, speak up. ‘Di kita marinig.” Patty scolded lightly.

“Sabi ko, crush ko siya!!” Myka huffed. “Tapos nalaman ata niya? ‘Di ko alam kung paano pero sabi niya flattered siya pero ‘di niya ko type.” 

There’s a pause as Patty tries to absorb that bit of information. Myka has never been shy of her interest in girls, but she’s also never talked about crushes on any girl. Patty wrangles the green eyed monster back into the closet to focus on cheering up her best friend. 

“Nukaba.” Patty got out of bed, standing over Myka’s prone body. She rolled her eyes and grabbed hold of Myka’s pajama sleeve - pajamas Myka had stolen from her closet - and lifted the other girl up into a sitting position. 

“Ang ganda-ganda mo kaya.” Patty declared. “It’s her loss, Myka.” 

“Eh bakit parang ako yung talo?” Myka grumbled. She scooted towards the edge of the bed, grumpily climbing over then completely under the blanket. 

“Never pa ko na-reject nang ganito.” Myka said from beneath the thin sheet.

With a wince, Patty sat at the edge and blindly sought out Myka’s face. Feeling the deep frown and smoothing it over with her thumb, “Yaan mo siya. Marami naman may gusto sayo, kasi maganda ka, mabait…madalas, magaling mag volleyball, matalino. Kung ayaw niya at hindi niya makita worth mo, edi bakit pagpipilit mo sarili mo sa kanya?” 

There’s no response from the other girl, but that’s okay. Patty can feel the frown melt away. Myka won’t say thank you for Patty’s words, not yet. Tomorrow, when she’s well-rested and ready to bounce back, she will. But tonight, Myka will sulk and pout until she falls asleep. 

Myka sighed before she finally dragged the blanket away to meet Patty’s eyes. “Never na ulit ako magkaka-crush. Pramis.”

That prompted a laugh from Patty who knew her best friend too well to take that statement seriously. Myka will recover from this rejection, and one day, she’ll be okay and back to making Patty feel all sorts of twisted with little effort.

“Sige, sure.” Patty agrees. She checks her clock, the moon themed one Myka got her last Christmas. It’s 11 pm. “Tulog na tayo?”

Myka glances at the clock too, “Okay, gisingin mo ko bukas ah?”

“Yes po, Ms. Myka Mae Labro.” Patty slid under the blanket. “Anong oras nga ulit training?”

“6 am.” Myka sleepily said. She waits for Patty to settle into her spot on the right side of the bed. 

“Labyu, Gabby.” Myka murmured into her ear, tucking her head into that warm spot below Patty’s ear. Moments later, soft snores fill the quiet of Patty’s room.

Patty laid there, staring at her ceiling. It takes her a few minutes before her whole body shudders and she relaxes into Myka’s arms. 

11:11 pm. 

“Love you, Myka.” She whispered so quietly, afraid of waking up the other girl to hear a response that was a little too close to confession.

They make a pretty sight as they walk down the poorly lit street towards Myka’s home in their prom dresses. Their dates left back at the venue hours ago, so it’s only them. 

They talk about nothing, about everything. They talk about the upcoming college entrance exams, Myka’s newly-discovered oil blotting sheets, Tin’s crush on the star player of their rival team, and inevitably, Jana and Ace’s budding romance. 

“Bad luck lang ata ako sa lahat ng crush ko.” Myka grumbled, she swung their joined hands with the well-practice motions of childhood friendship. 

Patty nudged her with her shoulder, “Magka-crush ka kasi sa taong babagay sayo.”

“‘Di ba kami bagay ni Ace?” Myka pouted. Her face scrunched from the perceived insult. 

“Hindi.” Patty replied because really, Ace wouldn’t fit with Myka, and it wasn’t Patty’s crush talking. “Tyika obvious naman sa simula pa lang na may gusto na si Ace kay Jana. Kahit ikaw, napansin mo rin.”

“Hays.” Myka deflated. It was true. In fact, Myka clocked that puppy-like attention Ace had for Jana before anyone. But Ace had a natural charm that girls like Jana and Myka found irresistible to a fault. “Bakit kasi di na lang ako nagka-crush sayo eh?”

Patty stumbled over her heels. There’s an audible snap! before she’s falling to her hands and knees. 

“Gabby!” Myka shouted. She tried to catch Patty but the momentum and the darkness worked against her. 

“Oomf.” Patty sat there on the dusty, dirty street, knocked down physically, mentally, and emotionally because how? How does Myka say stuff like that with so much ease? 

“Okay ka lang?” Myka grabbed her, helping her up. “Yung heels mo, hala.”

Patty looked down and realized that the heel of one of her heels had snapped off. 

“Halika.” Myka was weirdly bent over, looking at Patty over her shoulder. 

“Ha?” Patty tried to make sense of Myka’s words but her logic had been scrambled by ‘Bakit kasi di na lang ako nagka-crush sayo eh?’

“Kargahin kita dali.” Myka gestured with her hand, ready to piggyback carry Patty. 

“Ano ka ba. Maglalakad na lang ako.” Patty tried to brush the offer off, but Myka was unconvinced. 

“Malayo-layo pa bahay ko, Gabby. Ano, maglalakad ka nang walang sapatos?” Myka rebutted. 

“...Oo?” Patty said. 

“Hindi. Ano pang silbi ng pagiging best friends natin? Tyika, strong girl ‘to no? Sisiw lang buhatin ka hanggang bahay.” 

And to emphasize just how easy it would be, Myka jokingly showed off her right bicep, giving it a pat.

Well then.

Patty slowly climbed onto Myka’s back, arms wrapping around her broad shoulders. She can’t do anything about the internal squealing or the heat of the blush on her cheeks. Her smile is wide, crazy enough no one will attempt to rob them in the middle of the night.

Myka grabbed her beneath her thighs, the heat of her hand branding Patty.

“Love you, Myka.” Patty uttered softly against hairspray-smelling hair. 

“Labyu, Gabby.” Myka crooned back with soft affection.

And yeah, Patty will never be Myka’s crush. She’ll remain the best friend, forever and ever. Those “labyus” will never be “love yous.”

That’s okay, though. 

She’ll take what she can get.

Myka will get a stiff neck, she was sure of it. She’d spent more time with her eyes glued to the entrance of the auditorium than on the actual stage, using her height to her advantage to look over a sea of caps and gowns, hoping against all hopes that her best friend would walk in and make this monumental day perfect. 

Patty had called last week, remorse and apology wrapped up in a sweet voice, to tell her that she was unsure if she’ll be able to make it for Myka’s graduation. The uncertainty was what Myka clung to. Patty said she’ll try her best, and Patty has never let her down in their entire friendship. 

Instead of Patty’s intelligent brown eyes, she finds herself locking eyes with her coach who raises an eyebrow at her before gesturing back towards the stage. Myka’s head snapped back, though she couldn’t help but glance back a few more times. 

The ceremony passes by in a blur of tears and smiles. She gets to go up on stage and claim her medals, but even the weight of it could not match the weight lodged into her throat. She sings the farewell song through sobs, and she hugs all her friends tightly. 

When the ceremony is done, Myka, Ace, and the other seniors are surrounded by the younger Angels. It’s a wall of noise, of so many squeals and tears that Myka could barely feel the ache of a missing best friend. 

“Congrats, Myka!” There’s a familiar voice. One that used to guide her in the court, one who shouted encouragement from the sidelines, one that she heard over the phone - calling because she didn’t know if she could be the captain the SL Angels needed. 

It’s Jana. Ace, cap sitting wonkily on her head, has an arm wrapped around Jana, both looking so giddy and in-love it makes Myka green with envy because Jana made it, so why not Pa-

Myka shook it off, she knows how hard the last year has been for the two with the LDR and Jana being so busy, trying to make it into the first six of the Lady Spikers.

“Thank you, Jana.” Myka couldn’t help but fall into Jana’s offered hug. 

“Wag ka na magtampo.” Jana whispered into her ear. “May naghihintay sayo sa labas.”

Myka jerked in Jana’s arms, but Jana tightened her grip. “Wait lang.”

“Jana, what-” Myka said, frustrated. Patty was here? Patty? Her Gabby?

“Alam ko palagi ko kayo inaasar, pero kayo talaga manok ko.” Jana whispered, “Kaya please, umamin ka na?” 

Myka swallowed, “Wala yung gusto sa ‘kin. Siguro dati, pero naka-move on na siya.”

“At paano mo naman nasabi?” Jana pulled away with a confused look. 

“Sinabi niya sa ‘kin. Nung pasko, tinanong ko siya. Meron na daw siyang gustong iba.” Myka tried but she couldn’t keep the hurt from her voice.  

“Sigurado ka ba?” Jana frowned, “ Sure yan? Kasi kausap ko..”

“Myka!” 

Myka gasped when she felt Patty’s arms wrap around her, spinning her out of Jana’s arms and into a smoky-scented hug. 

“Gabby!”

Myka wrapped herself around Patty. “You made it!”

“Syempre no.” Patty sighed into her ear, “Syempre, grad ng best friend ko, di ako aattend?”

“Lab na lab talaga kita, Gabby.” Myka crushed the words into Patty’s chest. Tears flowed down her cheeks because her best friend is here . Her best friend came home for her graduation. Her Gabby travelled hours to celebrate this day with Myka. 

“Labyu. Labyu. Labyu, Gabby.” Myka repeated, again and again because she needs Patty to understand. To know , even if Patty likes someone else, that Myka loves her.

Patty let out a choked laugh, “Love you rin, Myka.”

Jana stares hard at her over Patty’s shoulder, but Myka could only smile. Her chance to have Patty as more than her best friend has long passed. The regret aches, but it doesn’t ache as much as the potential of losing her Gabby. 

She’ll survive. 

She does not survive.

Applying, passing, then choosing to go to UP had seemed such a great idea a year ago, but she was deeply regretting it now. She should have gone to a different school, or went to a university closer to home and farther from Patty . 

Patty, who was laughing prettily as a girl flirted with her. Patty who had bloomed, truly, 2 years into college. Her confidence combined with her good looks and styling meant she attracted girls, boys, and everything in between with too much ease.

It was frustrating for Myka who was trying hard to move on from the feelings she’d unearthed that Christmas before graduation, but apparently, it was easier said than done.

“Ganda niya no?” Jana muttered sourly. She grips a bottle of beer, frowning down at the amber liquid. Unlike before, there’s no Ace to tease her, no Ace to smooth frowns into smiles.There’s no Ace now, there hasn’t been an Ace in their get-togethers since the pair broke up. 

“Sino?” Myka asked. She had shots of vodka lined up because she’s not going to survive a night of watching Patty smile that special smile at anyone else but her. 

“Si Patty.” Jana said, “Sino pa ba?”

“Malay ko ba.” Myka grumbled as she took one, two, shots. The burn felt great, distracting her from the sting behind her eyes, the twinge in her heart.

“Tangina, hinay hinay naman. Parang mas broken-hearted ka pa sa ‘kin kung maka-inom.” Jana pushed against her shoulder. Myka shrugged her hand away, eyes catching Patty who was now dancing. Even in the midst of all the people, Patty stood out. 

“Sinabihan kasi kita, umamin ka na. ‘Di mo pa rin ginawa.” Jana scolded, “Tapos ngayon nagpapaka-sad girl ka dyan?”

“Amin? Para san pa. Wala ng gusto sa ‘kin si Patty.” Myka took one more shot. Three down, how many more until she’s black out drunk? 

“San mo ba kasi napulot yan?” Jana rolled her eyes, frustrated. “Alam mo ba ilang years na yang nagpakatanga para sayo. Tapos nung narealize mo na gusto mo siya, ikaw naman ngayon naging tameme.”

“Whatever.” Myka took one more shot. She’s reaching that more than fuzzy feeling. 

“Sana alam mo na nakakairita kayong parehas.” Jana shook her head before turning back to her drink. The pair was more hopeless than her and Ace, and that was saying something considering there was no more...her and Ace.  

Unbeknownst to the two that Patty was constantly looking over, checking up on Myka and Jana to make sure they were still there. Patty frowned in disapproval because they’ve only been in the club 2 hours, and Mykas was already well on her way to being wasted.

She lets herself be distracted for another hour, but by the time the struck midnight her anxiety over Myka had her saying quick, shouted goodbyes. 

“Patty, do you want to go for coffee sometime?” 

“Patty, isang song pa!”

“Patty, you’re too pretty to leave this party.” 

The tall girl simply shook her head, breaking away from the group of friends and strangers to make her way to where her best friends sat. 

Jana was miserable, drunk, but not wasted. Myka though? Could barely keep her head up from the table where empty shot glasses sat. 

“Ano bang gagawin ko sa inyong dalawa.” Patty was luckily spared, having only drunk 1 bottle before being dragged to the dance floor.

She placed a hand on Jana’s arm, “Jana? Uwi na tayo. Kaya mo pa ba maglakad?” 

Jana grumbled in agreement, standing on slightly unsteady feet. Patty thanked God they were crashing in Jana’s condo tonight, just a few minutes walk from the bar they’re in. She didn’t know how she'd be able to get herself and Myka back to their dorms all the way in Katips safely. 

Together, they hefted Myka’s nearly deadweight back to the condo. 

“Puta, Myka.” Jana growled, “Ambigat?!

Patty grunted, wrapping her arm tighter around Myka’s waist. Her fingers dig lightly into the curve of her waist to prevent her from slipping. Slowly, they manage to get back to the condo tower, into the elevator, and up the room. 

“Next time, iiwan ka namin sa bar.” Jana muttered, struggling with her keys to open the door. Once Myka was safely deposited onto the couch, Jana huffed a sour “Good night.” before going into her room and leaving Patty to take care of Myka.

Patty sighed.

Myka was slumped over the length of the couch, eyes closed and eyebrows furrowed. Patty took a step towards the bathroom, but a hand wrapped around her wrist prevented her from going anywhere. 

“Gabby…” Myka whimpered, “Gab…”

“Myka?” Patty knelt beside the couch, hands reaching out to cup Myka’s cheeks. “Okay ka lang? Ano nararamdaman mo?”

Myka’s eyes open slowly. Her features were sad, stricken with undeniable grief as tears welled up and spilled over her cheeks. 

“Myka?” Patty was worried now. “Huy, okay ka lang?” 

“Gabby, labyu.” Myka whispered. Patty almost snapped her fingers beside her ear to check her hearing because it sounded…different. There was a weight behind labyu that Patty’s never heard before.

“..ah, love you too, Myka.” The words are tinged with confusion, “Okay ka-”

“Wa-” Myka struggled up, gripping Patty’s shoulder and causing the taller girl to stumble onto the couch so that she was kneeling by Myka’s hip, their faces close. “Wag ka ma-in love sa ibang tao please?”

“Huh?” Patty stopped breathing.

“Wag, wag mo sila piliin, please? Ako na lang. Ako lang, Gabby.” Myka sobbed. She buried her face into Patty’s chest, her last words muffled and soft but a shot to the chest with its impact, “Sakin ka na lang please? Kasi ako, sayong-sayo lang.”

Patty felt her lungs burn, nearly as much as the hot tears building up in eyes. Felt her whole body shake, never more than the pounding of her heart. The raw, desperate hope that bloomed in the face of Myka's words so difficult to wrangle into logic, into reason.

She's just drunk. She doesn't know what she's saying. She'll forget this tomorrow morning.

But hope, oh fragile hope, refuses to bow, to be bent into reality.

“Tangina naman, Myka. ‘Wag mo gawin sa ‘kin yan. ‘Wag mo ko paasahin ng ganito.” Patty whispered, her lips against Myka’s hairline. Myka who, after confessing something life-changing, was now snoring softly away in Patty’s arms. “Please, please, remember this tomorrow. Don’t let this be a drunken mistake.”

She wanted to sob, though all she could do was hold Myka tighter, “Alalahanin mo to, Myka Marie Mae Labro, kung ‘di magagalit talaga ako sayo.” 

Chapter Text

The world is warm. 

That’s the first thing Myka feels upon waking up. It’s warm, soft, and it smells like home. She groans, burying herself harder into her pillow. She tightens her arms around it, intending to sleep off the headache induced by her drinking, but a pinch to her side has her opening her eyes.

“Owww.” Myka squirmed away, finally realizing it was her best friend she was cuddled up to. It wasn’t a hard pinch, but it was unexpected. 

“Gising ka na? Great. Mag-usap tayo.” Patty declared. Her voice was firm, eyes staring straight up towards the ceiling. Myka couldn’t help but notice how haggard she looked, with dark bruises beneath her eyes indicating a sleepless night.

“Tungkol san? Di ba pwede mamaya na lang, tulog muna tayo, Gabby.” Myka tried to go back to snuggling, but Patty was resolute. She sat up forcing Myka to sit up with her.

The world whirled, making her wince. 

“Sure ka ba di yan makakahintay?” Myka asked while clutching at her head. 

“Hindi.” Patty said. 

Myka waits patiently for Patty to say more. They breathe together in the silence. One trying to gather enough courage, enough strength to ask. One trying to ignore the sinking pit, the fear. 

Patty finally meets Myka’s eyes. Her eyes alight with devastating hope. It makes Myka’s heart stutter step, makes her want to turn back time to when she was asleep because Patty’s looking at her with raw honesty, the kind Myka knows she can’t run away from.

“Do you remember last night, Myka?”

One of Myka’s biggest pet peeves? When their opponent executes a drop ball and her and her team does nothing but watch. No one moving, no one reaching for the ball. Patty had dropped that question into the unprotected hole in Myka’s heart, and Myka could do nothing but sit, watch, despair .

What happened last night? 

Myka had that horrifying moment where she quickly glanced down to double check that she was wearing clothes. She loves Patty, would fucking die for the chance to be with Patty that way, but she wouldn’t want to have a one night stand with her best friend. She wanted weeks and months and years with her Gabby, not just one night.

She almost sighed in relief when she realized she’s wearing Jana’s shorts and Patty’s sweater. She did sigh when she saw that Patty was too preoccupied to notice where Myka’s thoughts went. 

Myka tried to remember. She arrived at the bar, Patty and Jana were there. Was Ace? No, of course not. Jana and her talking, Patty…Patty with a pretty girl. Patty danced with someone who isn’t Myka. Patty smiling, Patty laughing. The burn of alcohol. Jana’s voice. Then, nothing? A blur, mostly. Snaps of color, of sound. The last she could recall with any level of reliability was Patty’s perfume.

“No, Patty.” Myka said, and she would swear on her mother’s life, it was like she shot Patty straight to her chest with how she flinched away from Myka. In panic, she asks, “Ano bang nangyari kagabi?”

“Wala. Wala.” Patty murmured. There’s devastation on her shoulders, mourning in her gaze, sadness in her voice. And it’s all wrong, Myka did something wrong.

“Well obviously may nangyari. May ginawa ako?” Myka asked with frustration. Patty shook her head, “May sinabi?”

Patty hesitated then shook her head. 

“May sinabi ako? Nainsulto ba kita? Nasaktan?” Myka reached for Patty’s hand but the other girl pulled away. 

“Hindi mo talaga maalala?” Patty looked at her with one last shred of hope, nearly on her way to begging. 

“Maalala ang ano?!” Myka almost shouted Equally frustrated at herself for forgetting something clearly monumental, and at her best friend for being so hesitant to share. 

“Wala, kalimutan mo na lang.” Patty sadly pulled away, ready to shift gears back into safe, sure territory, but Myka grabbed her face. Their eyes locked. 

Myka recalled 8th grade Patty, staring at her from outside the classroom. 9th grade Patty during a sleepover, reassuring her she’s pretty, that she deserved better. 10th grade Patty, dancing at the edges of prom, carried on her back on their way home. 

Myka remembered how every Labyu was followed by a soft, affectionate, Love you. And in that moment when Patty pulled away, Myka remembered Freshman Patty who was home for Christmas. Remembered how Patty had described her crush, the girl she liked, with eyes that were mirror images to this Patty. 

And maybe Myka’s slow on the uptake, after all it took her years to figure out she loved her best friend more than just friends. She always had been slow, but Jana’s words from last night makes a lot more sense now. 

There’s a split-second when a winger takes flight to decide - a hard hit? Fast? Slow? Down the line or cross court? It’s experience and deep awareness of your opponent’s positions and the holes in their defense that has you committing to an attack. Myka has 1, maybe 2 seconds to decide. 

Confess to Patty and potentially ruin their 19-year long friendship? Or allow Patty to lead this conversation away, back to where they both know their roles in each other’s life? 

Myka knows Patty, though. Sometimes, it felt like she knew Patty better than she knew herself. How long has Patty been waiting with her heart held in her outstretched hand? How long has Patty been hurt, hurt , by Myka’s obliviousness? 

If Myka was any less selfish, she’d say Patty deserves better. Deserves someone who saw the literal weight of her emotions that she carried so carefully on her shoulders. If Myka was less selfish, she’d choose the second option, let Patty go find someone better.

But Myka is selfish. She always has been when it comes to her Gabby. Wants Patty’s attention, her smiles, her laughs, her hugs and her kisses. She wants all of that from Patty, and more. 

So she chooses.  

She won’t hurt Patty this time, hopefully. 

“Di ko man maalala mga sinabi ko kagabi pero,” Myka swallowed, she held Patty’s cheek, refusing to allow the other girl to hide from her, “Pero sana sinabi ko sayo na gusto kita.  Sana sinabi ko na gusto ko ako lang yung tinititigan mo, tinitignan mo, nginingitian mo. Na gusto ko ako nagpapatawa sayo. Na gusto ko ikaw lang at ako.”

Myka breathed deep, one last bolster to her heart before, “Sana sinabi ko na I love you. Mahal na mahal kita, Patricia Gabrielle Gabo.”

Patty simply stared at her, weighing her words as if trying to determine if Myka was being honest, before she cracked a smile, “Full name ba dapat pag nag-coconfess?”

“Parang ewan naman, Gabby eh!” Myka whined, “Seryoso ako dito oh?!”

Patty laughed, and Myka marveled at the transformation. And maybe Myka should have played it cool - as cool as one can be after confessing long-held feelings to your best friend of 19 years while dealing with a hangover - but she doesn’t. She squeezed the cheek still cradled in her palm, and asked, “Can I kiss you?”

Patty froze mid-laugh. 

And for a moment, Myka feared the worst. 

Oh, masyado mabilis, Myka!! Ampota, kakaconfess mo pa lang tapos-

“Mmhm.” Myka moans softly. Her eyes widened in surprise before falling shut as her lips slotted perfectly over Patty’s own. Eagerly, she kissed back. 

Forget sparks, forget fireworks, there must be bombs blowing up somewhere because what the fuck, Patty’s such a good kisser and combined with the fact that HEY? I’M KISSING MY BEST FRIEND? MY GABBY? it was already shaping up to be the best kiss of her life. 

Patty pulled away, only to giggle against her mouth, “Myka…”

That cute sound, the joy in it, together with Myka’s name only made Myka more eager. She lightly pushed Patty so that she was fully reclined over the couch, settling over her so that they were chest to chest.

“Gabby, you kiss so good.” Myka said, unable to resist leaning down to kiss her again. This time, with more pressure, more heat. They moved against each other, Patty lightly grabbing her behind the neck then tangling her fingers in Myka’s hair to subtly direct their kiss.

Patty’s tongue traced her top lip. Myka eagerly opened, hesitating only for a second before meeting Patty’s tongue with her own. They stay locked like that, unable to pull away for longer than the seconds they need to take a lungful of breath. 

Myka’s just about to do something crazy stupid, like kiss down Patty’s neck, when 

“Sanaol good ang morning.” A rough voice said, surprising the pair.

“POTA!” Myka pushed away, falling from the couch and onto the floor. There’s pain that radiates from where her back hits the floor, but it’s nothing compared to the pain of being separated from Patty’s awesome, beautiful, amazing lips. 

“De, wag niyo ko pansinin.” It’s Jana, hair a mess and dried drool on the corner of her mouth, sipping a cup of coffee by the small kitchen counter of her condo. “Go, tuloy niyo lang. Tagal rin namin lahat hinintay yan, kaya go. Act like I don’t even exist.”

Dazed, Patty stared at Jana then down at Myka then back up again at Jana before breaking out into loud laughter. For the first time in a long time, Patty felt weightless. Her mouth is still warm, tongue still singing with the taste of Myka. Her heart, Myka’s most willing victim, was calm. 

She was so happy.

Myka clearly sensed how happy Patty was, because she only flipped Jana off, rather than starting an argument, and slid back into place besides Patty. She curled up in Patty’s arms, intent on following Jana’s orders and ignoring the all-knowing smirk she wore.

“I love you, Gabby.” Myka whispered straight into Patty’s heart, healing little scars inflicted over years and years of pining. Myka kissed her on the corner of her lips, a subtle promise for more later when they’re not crashing Jana’s place.

“I love you too, Myka.” Patty replied. “I love you too.”

…

“Edi kayo na in-love.” Jana muttered.