untouchable

10

Jillian is a little antsy. The team is now complete except for you and your circle. She trusts you won't miss the flight, though you've always been punctual but today.

...Or she's nervous about seeing you again after a whole day of being away from you.

It took everything in her power to not message you yesterday to not seem clingy. She missed you! But she didn't act on it "para cool lang". Though she kept coming back to your message thread, wanting to greet you a good morning, or a good afternoon, or a good evening; the usual openings for small talks. She wanted to remind you to stay hydrated or not skip meals, then pass it off as friendly concern when she's really trying to flirt. She almost wanna ask ridiculous questions like, "ano'ng fave number mo sa electric fan?", or say "kung ang English ng 'ginoo' ay 'mister', hi miss, I miss you." But again, she held back para cool lang.

It's actually ridiculous how she's holding back with you considering Jillian has always been straightforward in expressing how she misses hanging out with friends. She often comments "miss you", "loooove/love you", or "hangout din tayo :(" on her friends' socials. But then again, you aren't just a friend for her.

Jill stalked your social media to get signs of life at least, but you must've forgotten that you have an IG again. She camped on your Twitter, but there's nothing as well. Not even your friends posted anything! So she's partly worried because she has no idea what you were up to. Jill reminded herself to calm down and you owe her nothing at all, but she just can't help it.

She toyed with the hair tie around her wrist to alleviate her nerves. It's still 40 minutes before boarding time so you're not late yet. Jill also picked on her fingers, another nervous tick of hers. Shortly after, the sounds of running footsteps and rolling luggage wheels tore through the silence of the airport. You've arrived! And Jill tried to cover up her excitement by putting on a friendly indifference.

"Hi, hello, good morning. Sorry late po kami. Nalate ng gising ang mga badet," you huffingly explained. You then checked your wrist watch as you gasp for air. "Shet, buti na lang 30 minutes pa before boarding. Buti binilisan ni Kuya Grab."

Jill bit her lip to stop it from grinning and pretended to be listening to music, luckily she has her airpods on. You and your friends conversed with the rest of the team and settled on the vacant seats. You then patted her thigh twice to get her attention. Jill looked up, feigning nonchalance as she raises her brows in acknowledgement. "Hello, Jing. Good morning," you smilingly said.

"Morning." She replied. "Na-late kayo ah."

"Oo nga, e. Sensya na."

"Okay lang, ano ka ba. Wala pa namang boarding." Jill reassured with a small smile.

You nodded and left her to her devices as you talk with your friends. You're now arguing amongst yourselves about your plane seats, asking who got a window seat as you three would occupy a whole row. Jill is eavesdropping, of course.

"32F ka ba, beh?" Shein asks you.

"Oo yata? Check ko." And checks your ticket to confirm. "32F nga."

"Hala palit tayo, beh! Gusto ko window seat!" JD negotiates.

Shein protests. "Sa 'kin na lang yarn, beh! Para makapagpicture-picture ako. Sige na!"

"Ay badet, nauna ako makipagpalit." JD argues.

You rolled your eyes at your friends, patience already wearing thin and the sun hasn't even risen yet. "Alam niyo bahala kayo sa buhay niyo. Mag-agawan kayo kung gusto niyo. Aisle seat na lang ako," you said, not really caring what your seat is.