Out of Reach | Mikhaiah

Chapter 18

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:

I don't know why I was looking for her.

Maybe because I wanted to hand her this small gift-a simple thank you, nothing more.

Or maybe because something in me felt uneasy.

But the moment I heard voices in the distance, I knew I shouldn't have come.

I recognized Gwenora first.

"How about Arisha?"

I frowned, my grip on the small paper bag tightening.

Then Mikhazra's voice followed, quiet yet firm.

"She'll forget me anyway."

I stopped breathing.

Forget her?

What kind of person did she think I was?

A bitter taste filled my mouth. My fingers tightened around the bag as my chest burned with something unfamiliar-anger, disbelief, hurt? I wasn't sure.

I wanted to step forward, to let them know I was there, to demand an explanation-

But then-

Footsteps.

Someone was coming.

My heart pounded as I turned away, forcing my legs to move before they could see me.

I didn't know where I was going, but I kept walking, the words still replaying in my head.

"She'll forget me anyway."

For the longest time, she was just a rival to me. That was all she ever was.

So why did it bother me so much?

Why did it feel like something was shifting?

And why the hell did she think I'd just forget her?

By the time I reached the table, everyone else was already seated.

"Upo ka na, Arisha!" Jhoelle whined. "Gutom na gutom na 'ko!"

The table erupted in laughter.

Even Cyrain, who was usually so cold, joined in, throwing sarcastic remarks that fueled the teasing even more.

"Akalain mo 'yon, Cyrain? Nakikipag-asaran ka rin pala," Shezelle smirked, taking a sip of her drink.

Cyrain gave her a blank stare. "Tinitingnan ko lang kung kaya mong kumain ng hindi nagsasalita."

Laughter exploded around us.

Jhoelle clutched her stomach. "ANG SAMA! Pero tama, bakit ang daldal mo habang may laman 'yung bibig mo?"

Shezelle scoffed. "Tama na 'yan, lalo na ikaw Jhoelle, parang wala ka nang balak tumigil kumain."

"Eh kasi gutom ako!" Jhoelle huffed, before turning to me. "Ano, Arisha? Ba't tahimik ka?"

I blinked.

I hadn't even realized I wasn't joining in.

"Pagod lang," I said, offering a small smile.

Stazia frowned slightly. "Pagod o may iniisip?"

"Yeah, parang hindi ikaw," Jhoelle added, chewing loudly.