Inside the astronomy club's room, the members gathered to discuss the upcoming meteor shower viewing scheduled for Friday. The air buzzed with excitement as everyone anticipated the rare celestial event.
According to Ms. Reyes, the club's advisor, this meteor shower would be the most visible one in 80 years, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. She wanted her students to fully enjoy the magical moment under the stars.
"Ito'y sobrang liwanag na makikita ng buong Maynila, kaya iniimbitahan ko kayong manood kasama ako dito sa school," Ms. Reyes said joyfully, her enthusiasm lighting up the room.
Sheena, leaning nonchalantly against a pole in front of the meeting table, suddenly spoke up, her tone flat as always. "Kung makikita naman pala sa buong Maynila, bakit hindi na lang sa bahay manood?"
The room fell silent for a moment. Ms. Reyes let out a small sigh before responding, clearly used to Sheena's bluntness. "Okay, let me finish first because there's a reason for that kasi—ayon sa sabi-sabi, kapag nanood daw ng meteor shower ang magkasintahan dito sa school, mabibiyayaan sila ng 'lucky love life.'"
The students exchanged knowing smiles and flustered glances.
Sheena, however, remained quiet. Her gaze shifted subtly toward Stacey, who was seated at the table directly in front of her.
If there was one person Sheena wanted to watch the stars with, it would be Stacey.
Sheena didn't understand why. She had never felt this way about any human before. She often found people difficult to connect with, their emotions and actions perplexing. But Stacey was different. Around her, Sheena felt... a pull. A fascination.
The thought of asking Stacey to watch the meteor shower together flickered in Sheena's mind. But how could she even start the conversation? How could she, who struggled to communicate with humans, possibly express something as complicated as this?
For now, she simply watched Stacey from afar, her heart quietly beating in rhythm with the stars she loved so much.
Sheena sat beside her cousin Gwen on the bed, her expression as neutral as ever.
"Ate Gwen..." Sheena said nonchalantly, catching Gwen's attention.
"Hmmm?" Gwen hummed in response, curious about what Sheena had to say.
Sheena hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. Her eyes darted around the room, avoiding Gwen's gaze. "Paano... paano magtanong sa tao kung gusto niyang manood... kasama ka?" she asked shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Gwen raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into an amused smile. It wasn’t often that Sheena showed interest in anything remotely social, let alone something involving another person. "Wait, are you telling me you want to ask someone out? Sino 'to? May crush ka na pala?"
"Hindi crush!" Sheena blurted out, her cheeks and ears turning faintly red. She looked down at her lap, her fingers still fiddling. "Gusto ko lang... kasi Stacey likes stars. Tapos, I think she'd like to watch the meteor shower. Pero ang awkward magsabi"
Gwen smirked knowingly. "Ah, so si Stacey pala. You always mention her when you talk about school. Sigurado kang wala kang crush sa kanya?"
Sheena shrugged, her expression unchanged. "She’s just... interesting. But humans are hard to talk to"
"Fair," Gwen said with a nod. "Pero kung hindi mo siya tanungin, hindi mo malalaman. Just be straightforward. Wala nang pasikot-sikot, no overthinking. Sabihin mo lang, 'Stacey, gusto mo bang manood ng meteor shower?' Simple lang"
Sheena frowned slightly, her eyes now fixed on her fingers. "But what if she thinks it’s weird? What if... she says no?"
"Sheena, listen to me," Gwen said gently, her tone soft but firm. "Okay lang kung hindi siya pumayag. Hindi mo kontrolado ang reaction niya. Pero at least alam mo na sinubukan mo. And honestly? Stacey will probably appreciate na in-invite mo siya."
Sheena nodded slowly, still looking hesitant.
Gwen laughed and reached out to ruffle Sheena’s hair. "Kailangan mo lang maging matapang, bebe. Kaya mo 'yan!"
Sheena glanced at Gwen, her expression unreadable, before muttering, "Salamat."