Hey, stranger …

**

Max

Max wiped the sweat off her forehead as she finished a particularly grueling drill. Her teammates were scattered across the gym, some catching their breath, while others continued working on their serves or spikes. Volleyball practice had been intense, and the team was gearing up for an important match.

But Max’s mind wasn’t fully on the game right now. It was on her phone, which had buzzed during the drill. She had caught a glimpse of the message notification as soon as it popped up, and it made her heart race a little. It was from the stranger—the one she'd been texting, who seemed to have a little mystery about them. Her curiosity was getting the best of her, especially after the slightly playful reply she sent earlier, hoping it would make things a little more interesting.

As the whistle blew, signaling the end of practice for now, Max quickly made her way to the sidelines. Her teammates were talking amongst themselves, but she barely registered their chatter as she pulled her phone out of her bag. She sat down on the bench, eager to check if the stranger—had replied.

She unlocked the screen, and there it was, a message from her:

From: Stranger

“Let’s see :P”

Max couldn’t help but smile. It was the kind of playful reply she was hoping for. She immediately started typing back, her fingers flying across the screen as she tried to figure out how to keep the conversation going.

To: Stranger

Dayaaa!! :(  Lugi ako di kita kilala eh tskk

Max hit send, already feeling that familiar thrill. There was something about texting her that felt exciting—there was a connection, even though they’d never actually met face-to-face.

"Hoy Maxiene kanina ka pa tutok na tutok sa cellphone mo ah! Babae na naman siguro yan"  it was Cassidy .

Max laughed, rolling her eyes as she glanced up from her phone. Cassidy, one of her best friends and a fellow varsity teammate, had just caught her again. Max and Cassidy had been through so much together—training, victories, losses, and everything in between—and Cassidy had a way of reading her like an open book.

Cassidy was sitting across from Max, wiping the sweat off her brow after an intense set of drills. The two had always been close, and Max knew she couldn’t hide anything from her. But for some reason, today felt different. She felt that flutter of excitement every time her phone buzzed, and she didn’t want Cassidy to catch on.

Cassidy, being Cassidy, didn’t miss a beat. She leaned in with a sly grin, raising an eyebrow. “Confirmed babae na naman”

Max tried to keep her cool, but she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. She shook her head, feigning innocence. “What are you talking about?” she said, trying to sound casual, though she could barely hide the playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Cassidy wasn't fooled. She leaned back, crossing her arms, clearly enjoying herself. “I know that look. You’ve been acting all mysterious these past few days, and I’ve seen you glancing at your phone like it’s about to explode. Don’t think I didn’t notice.”

Max sighed dramatically, though she couldn’t stop the grin forming on her face. “Okay, fine,” she said with a small laugh. “There’s someone. But it’s nothing serious.”

Cassidy's eyes widened, practically jumping out of her seat with excitement. “Piskit ka talaga bai! Someone new? Spill it, Max. I want all the details!” Napaka chismosa talaga ng kaibigan niya. Actually trio sila, meron pa silang kaibigan si Glyniss but nasa class pa siya and hindi ito varsity kaya madalas sila lang ni Cass ang mag kasama.

Max chuckled nervously, trying to play it cool. “It’s... not like that. It’s just someone I’ve been texting. A stranger, actually. We’ve been talking for a little while, but the catch is i don't know who is she. Ang alam ko lang ay nasa same school kami. at eto pa malala erp kilala niya kung sino ako"

"HAHAHA hina mo naman bai, kala ko ba nagiging detective ka basta pag dating sa mga babae" Kala ko rin lol

"Actually si Jillian ang nag plug ng number na 'to sa X. I know na nasa circle of friends niya lang 'to. So sino dun sa apat na kaibigan niya, i'll know it soon ako bahala" I said with a tone confident but with a hint of curiosity. She knew Jillian’s tight-knit friend group was small, and it wouldn’t be long before she’d figure out.  There was no rush, though. She was determined to let things unfold naturally.

Cassidy listened, but instead of teasing her, she looked at Max more seriously, her gaze softening. “Basta careful ka lang, you don’t want to get hurt again.”

Max paused. She hadn’t been expecting that kind of response, but it was one that hit her right where it counted. Cassidy always knew how to bring her back to earth. She had been there through Max's past heartbreaks, and her concern wasn’t misplaced. Max had made her fair share of mistakes when it came to trusting the wrong people, and while this situation with Serafine felt exciting, it also felt a little like walking into the unknown.

“I know,” Max replied quietly, her voice taking on a more thoughtful tone. “But this... it feels different. I’m not diving into anything headfirst, I’m just talking to her. I’ll figure it out before I get too deep, don’t worry.”

Cassidy studied her for a moment before giving her a small smile. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt again. You deserve someone who sees you for who you really are.” She paused, her expression soft. “Just be careful, Max. You’re worth more than you know.”

Max felt a pang of emotion in her chest, surprised at how much those simple words meant to her. She hadn’t realized how much she needed to hear that, especially from someone who knew her better than anyone else. Cassidy was right, of course. She had to keep her guard up—especially when it came to matters of the heart.

But despite the cautionary words, Max couldn’t deny the excitement building inside her. She couldn’t stop thinking about the stranger, and there was a part of her that was eager to finally meet the girl behind the messages. Max had been in the game long enough to know when to be cautious, but this time? She was willing to take a small chance.

“I promise I’ll be careful, Cass,” Max said, her voice stronger this time, with a hint of determination. “But I’m not going to back down from this. I want to see where it goes.”

Cassidy chuckled and clapped her on the back. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”

Max just grinned, feeling the weight of Cassidy’s concern lift slightly. She had always trusted her, and she knew that even if things got complicated, Cassidy would be there, ready to catch her if she fell.

***

On the other hand, Serafine sat in the dimly lit corner of Mariano Hall, the soft echoes of bouncing basketballs and distant laughter filling the air. She was supposed to be focused on the club meeting, but her mind was elsewhere—on the upcoming sportfest.

She tapped her fingers against the wooden bench, debating whether she should even bother joining. It wasn’t the game that made her hesitate—it was the fact that Maxine was the team captain. Masyado naman atang awkward kung sasali ako dun tas bigla niya malalaman na ako pala ung nakakausap niya sa text? But she was also too desperate not too join. She wants to prove to everybody else that she's not just that kikay na maarte image at kaya niya rin maligo sa pawis ng hindi nag iinarte. Pero andun din si Hero, he's also an athlete at magtatagpo pa rin ang landas nila. Mas okay na siguro na wag nalang ako sumama at umiwas nalang?

Serafine let out a deep sigh, her fingers tightening around her phone. Nope. Not worth it. The risk of awkwardness with Maxine was bad enough, but throwing Hero into the mix? That was just asking for trouble. She could already imagine the uncomfortable glances, the forced small talk, the possibility that he’d still see her as the same girl she used to be—the one who cared too much about appearances, who was too afraid to mess up.

Mas okay na umiwas, she told herself. No drama, no stress.

Decision made, she shoved her phone into her bag and stood up, ready to leave the club meeting. But just as she turned toward the exit, she heard it.

“Guys, we’re still one player short for the sportfest,” the club president announced, with voice strong and commanding. “If we don’t fill the spot, we might have to forfeit a set.”

Serafine froze.

The club members murmured among themselves, but no one immediately volunteered. It would be so easy to walk away now. To pretend she didn’t hear.

Then—

“We could really use someone fast on defense,” she continued. “And someone who actually wants to prove themselves.”

Serafine’s hands clenched into fists. The words hit her like a challenge. She didn’t know if Maxine was speaking generally or if it was meant for her, but either way… it felt personal.

And then, just to make things worse, Anne’s voice joined in, isa sa mga kinaiinisan niyang tao sa campus. Bukod sa feelingera na napakalandi pa at mukhang siya ang pinapatamaan nito dahil titig na titig ito sakanya.

“I guess we’re really out of options, huh?” she said, a teasing lilt in his tone. “Unless someone surprises us.”

That did it.

Before she could second-guess herself, Serafine turned on her heel, marched toward the front of the group, and crossed her arms.

“I’ll do it,” she declared.

A few heads turned in surprise, raised an eyebrow.  Anne smirked, clearly amused.

Serafine’s heart pounded. She had no idea what she’d just gotten herself into.

But there was no turning back now besides magaling din naman siya sa larong ito.