Out of Reach | Mikhaiah

Chapter 22

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:

This is it-the finals.

After that gala in Cebu, I got to know Mikhazra even more. She's always been distant, but I've seen how gentle she is with her lola and how thoughtful she can be. Especially with me. She never leaves me out of anything.

It's Monday. Finals start tomorrow. And I'm stressed as hell.

I've been studying since 12 AM, and it's now 3 PM. My brain feels like it's about to explode, but stopping isn't an option. I can't afford to mess up-not even one mistake.

I've been in the library since 7 AM, barely moving. I'm running on nothing but sheer willpower and the pressure of not failing.

Then suddenly-

Thud.

A bottle of water and a slice of cheesecake land on my desk, placed on top of my open books.

Zuzu.

I look up, only to see Mikhazra Kamizaki standing in front of me. Her usual calm expression is there, but her eyes-those damn soft, knowing eyes-are watching me closely.

"Have some rest muna, Grimmy," she says in that smooth, gentle voice.

I frown. "I don't need to rest."

She sighs like she expected that answer, then-without another word-she reaches for her hoodie and casually pulls it off.

I freeze.

Oh.

She's wearing a simple fitted tank top underneath, but God help me-I can't look away.

Her movements are so effortless, so graceful-like she's not even aware of how mesmerizing she is. The way her toned arms flex slightly as she pulls the fabric over her head, the way her collarbones are visible just enough to make my brain malfunction-

I quickly look back down at my book, gripping my pen like it's a lifeline.

What the hell.

Mikhazra, of course, acts like nothing happened. She folds the hoodie neatly and places it on my lap.

"Kanina pa kita pinapanood," she says casually, like she didn't just ruin my focus for the next hour. "You're shivering. Wear that."

I glare at her, pretending I'm not completely thrown off. "I'm fine."

She leans in slightly, voice dropping. "Arisha, your lips are literally turning blue."

I scoff but pull the hoodie over my head anyway. The fabric is warm, and it smells exactly like her-clean, fresh, and unfairly comforting.

"Whatever," I mumble.

She smirks. Smirks.

"Good girl."

I almost choke on air.

Before I can murder her, she casually sits across from me, pulls out her books, and puts on her specs like she didn't just make my entire soul leave my body.

"Nag-study ka na ba?" I ask, hoping to move on before I combust.

"I did na," she hums, flipping through a page. "Ikaw, you should stop na. I know you can do it. It'll all be worth it, Grimmy, I swear."