Out of Reach | Mikhaiah

Chapter 13

Disclaimer: This is pure fiction. Any similarities to real people, places, or events are purely coincidental. Read, enjoy, and don't take it too seriously!

- ✦ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 ✦ -

Arisha's POV:

The past few days felt like a blur-one exhausting cycle of study, study, study. I drowned myself in textbooks, advance readings, and endless notes, practically living in the library. On top of that, student council work had been relentless. Meetings, reports, decisions-I barely had time to breathe.

And now, tomorrow is our midterms.

The pressure in my chest tightened.

No one was forcing me to be perfect. No one was telling me that I had to be the best.

Except me.

I had to stay ahead. I had to be top 1.

Because if I wasn't?

Then what was all this for?

I exhaled sharply, shoving the thoughts away as I made my way to the Elite Office. It had been a week since I last hung out here, and honestly? It felt weird.

The moment I stepped inside, Malisse immediately greeted me with a tight hug, her excitement buzzing like static in the air.

"Hey, what's up? Why do you look so happy?" I asked, exhaustion evident in my voice.

"I'm releasing new artworks after prelims!" she squealed, practically vibrating.

Ah. No wonder.

The room was filled with laughter and teasing. Jhoelle, Shezelle, and Stazia were locked in their usual banter, throwing sharp-witted comebacks like weapons. The others were either glued to their phones or lost in their own world, relaxed. Unbothered.

They were laughing.

Even though prelims were literally tomorrow.

My chest tightened even more.

I wanted to join them, but I couldn't.

Not when there were still things to study. Not when I wasn't prepared enough.

Not when I still wasn't good enough.

I swallowed hard, trying to shake off the feeling.

And then my gaze landed on Mikhazra.

Sitting quietly in the corner, flipping through a book, her fingers lazily tracing the edges of the pages. Unbothered. Elegant in the way she carried herself.

I quickly looked away.

But no matter how much I tried, the pressure wouldn't ease. The weight of **expectation-not from anyone else, but from myself-**clung to me like an iron chain.

I had to be better.

The hours passed, the sky darkened, and I had gone through countless chapters-each word blurring together.

Then Cyrain suggested we eat at her family's restaurant for dinner.

I was about to decline. I still had to review.

But then-

"Ohhh, ayaw lang sumama kasi andun si Mikhazra!" Stazia smirked.

I rolled my eyes, already exhausted. "Shut up."

But they only laughed harder.

I was jealous.

Jealous that they could still joke around.