"What?! You two fought?!"
"You're unbelievable! You picked today—your anniversary—to argue?"
Everyone had something to say after I told them what happened with Kevin. We were out on the field now, killing time during our two-hour break.
I sat quietly, frowning, my chin propped on one hand. I'd already tried calling Kevin a few times, but he hadn't answered—not once.
Now the guilt was creeping in.
I knew I'd made the right choice. I had class—a major one at that. But the weight in my chest didn't seem to care.
We'd just come from the cafeteria but ended up here instead. The breeze was stronger out in the open, even with the afternoon sun blazing overhead.
Absentmindedly, I fixed my hair, which had slipped loose from its tie, as I stared out at the students practicing football. Despite the heat, they looked like they were having the time of their lives.
I sighed again, heavier this time.
"Okay, enough with the sighing," Susmita said, eyes still on the book in her lap. "You're practically exhaling your soul." She gave me a quick glance. "Besides, if I were you? I would've done the exact same thing."
Yashina nodded. "No way I'd skip class—especially if it's Attorney's."
I didn't answer. Just let out another sigh, longer, deeper.
Part of me wanted to go find Kevin, talk to him, maybe fix things. But he was still in class. And there was no way I was going to stand outside his room like some desperate idiot, waiting for him to come out.
It was only 2 p.m. His class wouldn't end until 5. By then, I'd already be in my Taxation lecture—which lasted till 7.
Basically, no chance of catching him today. Not unless I skipped.
...Which I could do.
But if I even hinted at that, my friends would probably clobber me. I looked at them again.
Yashina and Susmita were both studying—of course. They always squeezed in review time during every vacant period.
Jhay was lying down, head resting on Mia's lap while she flipped through a novel. Jersey was tapping away on her phone, brows furrowed in concentration.
"I'll be back. Comfort room," I said, standing up.
My lunch still sat untouched on the table. I wasn't hungry anymore. If my appetite didn't come back soon, I'd just give it to Jhay—he was always hungry anyway.
I headed toward the old building where the nearest restroom was. It was quieter here, less crowded. Most students were still in class, so only a few lingered outside, probably also enjoying their break.
The quiet was both calming and too loud for my thoughts.
I stepped into the restroom and went straight to the sink, splashing cold water on my face. The summer heat was relentless, and my makeup was already starting to melt. I grabbed a tissue and gently dabbed my damp skin.
I glanced at the mirror and adjusted my hair. Just as I turned to leave, a strange sound caught my attention.
I froze, brows furrowing, and scanned the empty restroom. No one else was here.
Just me.
Instead of fear, curiosity sparked.
I slowly glanced at each cubicle one by one until my eyes landed on the last stall. It was shut—and the noise was definitely coming from there. I tilted my head, listening.
Soft giggles. The unmistakable sound of kissing.
Loud kissing.
Loud enough to hear clearly, even from where I stood at the sink.
I stepped closer. That's when I noticed a pair of shoes sticking out from under the door. My brows furrowed. The brand and design looked oddly familiar. Where had I seen those shoes before?
But I shook my head. What was I doing? Getting suspicious over a pair of sneakers? I already had enough weighing on me. I wasn't about to add someone else's bathroom hookup to my list of problems.
Without another thought, I turned and walked out.
Back at the field, my friends were gathered around the wooden round table, laughing over something. Just seeing them lightened the heaviness in my chest.
"What's going on?" I asked as I approached.
They turned to me in unison. Jhay handed me his phone, and the moment I saw the screen, I burst out laughing.
They'd filmed a TikTok while I was gone—and it was absolute chaos. Such clowns.
It was the last class of the day, and I was itching to go home. More than anything, I wanted to surprise Kevin. He still hadn't replied to any of my messages, but maybe a small gesture could ease the tension between us.
The thought that he might still be upset made my chest tighten. But I couldn't give up on today. Not yet.
I kept stealing glances at the clock on the wall, silently willing the hands to move faster.
"Relax," Jhay muttered beside me. "You're way too eager to leave." He leaned closer, smirking. "Don't worry. You'll get some action tonight."
I shot him a glare, praying no one else had heard him—or misunderstood.
I didn't have the patience for his jokes today, so I fixed my gaze on the clock again, silently begging time to hurry up.
Two more minutes. I started packing my things in a rush, shoving papers and notebooks into my bag so fast that half of them nearly slipped to the floor.
Then—the bell rang.
The moment the professor stepped out, I shot from my seat, already halfway down the aisle before my friends could even call after me.
I waved quickly over my shoulder but didn't slow down. I had to hurry—if I still wanted to catch him.
I sprinted down the long hallway, heading for the other building, the one with the gym. Kevin should still be there. And if he wasn't? I'd go straight to his condo.
By the time I reached the gym, I was winded, breath shallow and chest heaving. A few players turned their heads, clearly startled by my sudden entrance.
I ignored them and scanned the room.
No Kevin. He wasn't here. I pulled out my phone and called him again. Still nothing.
Another sigh pushed past my lips, heavy and sharp. I turned and walked back through the hallway, the afternoon breeze brushing against my skin—not enough to cool the sweat trailing down my neck.
By the time I exited campus, my legs were aching.
As I waited for a jeepney, my phone buzzed over and over—SMS messages from my friends flooding in, each one a burst of encouragement. Since I wasn't online, they'd decided to text me the old-fashioned way.
Even though I didn't get to see Kevin, I knew I had to head home and get ready. I couldn't show up at his place still in uniform—especially not drenched in sweat.
I reached home and was just heading up the stairs when I ran into Dad. I tried to walk past him, but his voice caught me.
"Do you have time for dinner with your Tita Cheska later?" he asked, his tone weighed down with exhaustion.
I turned to face him. "I'm busy," I said flatly, then kept going—until his voice shifted, sharper this time.
"Mace." The way he said it—it was a warning. I stopped in my tracks.
I was so tired. Too drained to argue.
It always felt like the air got sucked out of the room right before we fought. And honestly? I was sick of it.
"I don't think my presence is needed there, Dad," I muttered, shaking my head. "It's fine. I've got a lot to do, so I won't be joining."
I walked past him without waiting for a response. I didn't have the energy to fake a smile for Tita Cheska. We both knew she didn't like me—her face always said it all. Every glance was loaded with that thinly veiled distaste. And truthfully? The feeling was mutual