The Space Between
It’s been weeks, but Maloi still couldn’t quite place the strange feeling that had settled in her chest. It wasn’t exactly something she could pinpoint, but it lingered whenever she was around Colet. She’d been trying to ignore it, brushing it off as just another passing thought. But today, during their Coca-Cola commercial shoot, it felt almost palpable.
The theme for the shoot was intimate and sultry, pairing each member with their OG ships: Maloi and Colet, Jho and Stacey, Gwen and Sheena, Mikha and Aiah. Maloi had done this kind of shoot a thousand times before, but this time felt different. The poses were meant to be seductive—close, yet not too close. But with Colet, the lines blurred.
"Okay, let's try something new," the photographer called out, guiding them into position.
Maloi and Colet were instructed to lean in close for a shot, their bodies barely touching. The air between them felt charged, the tension thickening with each passing second. Colet glanced at Maloi, their faces just inches apart, and Maloi could feel the heat radiating off her.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Maloi whispered, half-teasing, half-nervous.
Colet’s lips curled into a small smirk. "What? You’re the one leaning in so close," she said, her voice low, almost a challenge.
Maloi chuckled nervously, trying to maintain her composure. "I’m just following the instructions."
But Colet didn’t break eye contact. The intense gaze was unrelenting, and for a moment, Maloi couldn’t look away. She tried to fight it, to challenge Colet to a staring contest, but her heart raced, and before she knew it, her eyes shifted away, and she let out a soft breath.
"Gotcha," Colet muttered, her voice laced with amusement, but there was something else there too—something that made Maloi’s cheeks flush deeper than before.
"Stop it!" Maloi laughed.
The shoot continued, and though the other members laughed off their playful exchanges, Maloi couldn’t help but feel the weight of what had just happened. She thought Colet might say something, but Colet just shrugged and pulled out her phone, scrolling through it with disinterest.
When Maloi returned to her room that night, she pulled up Twitter to unwind. Scrolling absentmindedly using her dump account, her thumb froze as her eyes locked onto a tweet—a fan-made edit of her and Colet from the shoot. It was a slow-motion video, capturing the exact moment their eyes met and locked in that intense gaze. The way Colet had looked at her, her dark eyes piercing through her eyes, and the way Maloi had quickly looked away—it was all so... intimate.
The video was paired with dramatic music, the soft violins building in the background, heightening the intensity of the moment. Maloi’s heart skipped a beat as she watched herself in the video, her cheeks flushing as the realization hit her: that look had felt so much more than just a fleeting moment.
She felt a sudden wave of heat rise to her face, her heart thumping erratically. “Ano na naman ‘to, Maloi?”, It was just a shoot—just another day of work—but why did her pulse race every time she thought about that gaze they shared? She quickly closed the app, but her mind refused to settle. Her cheeks still burned, and she couldn’t shake the image of Colet’s eyes, so focused, so intense. "Ang galing mo lang talaga siguro umacting, Col," Maloi tried to reassure herself.
Trying to calm herself, Maloi tossed the phone onto the nightstand and rolled over, but the unease in her chest didn’t subside. She grabbed her phone again, hoping to distract herself, but nothing could take her mind off the shoot. The video kept replaying in her head, the soft, slow music echoing in her ears.
It was late, and everyone else had likely gone to sleep. After two long weeks, the Star Magic prom will finally be held tomorrow, a night full of excitement and distractions. Yet, all she could think about was that look from Colet—how it made her feel both nervous and excited in a way she couldn’t quite explain. She groaned quietly, sinking further into her pillow. Why was she even thinking about this now?
Trying to shake off the swirling thoughts, she tapped on Viber and opened Colet's contact. Without giving it much thought, her fingers moved quickly across the screen, typing out a message:
“See you tomorrow, my date! 😊💖”
She stared at the message for a moment, trying to make sense of what she was feeling. It was just a casual text, the kind they always exchanged.
She pressed send, then tossed her phone aside, trying to quiet her racing thoughts. But they wouldn't stop. What was going on with her?
Her phone buzzed almost immediately with Colet’s reply: “See you tomorrow, loi! 😁🫶”
Maloi smiled at the message. She stared at the ceiling, the weight of it all making her feel restless. Normally, she would have just brushed it off, but tonight, it was different.
With a sigh, she turned off the light, trying to get some rest, but as her eyes closed, she couldn't help but wonder: Ano ‘bang nangyayari sayo Maloi?
The next day, the excitement of the upcoming Star Magic Prom filled the air. Everyone was buzzing about their outfits, the event, and who would be paired with whom. Maloi didn’t think too much about it—she wasn’t looking for a date or a romantic moment. All she needed was to enjoy the night with her friends.
But as she prepared herself, she couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the strap of her gown. It was an angelic, soft pastel dress that shimmered in the light. The bodice was embroidered with delicate silver thread that hugged her torso just right, and the skirt flowed elegantly to the floor. It felt like something straight out of a fairytale, and she couldn’t help but feel both magical and vulnerable in it.
Colet still hadn’t texted her to say she was outside, so Maloi found herself pacing, trying to calm her nerves. The butterflies in her stomach were impossible to ignore.
Finally, her phone buzzed. “Dito na ko.”
She gasped, her heart racing. “I’m coming!”, she quickly grabbed her purse and hurriedly ran out of her condo, taking the elevator down to the lobby. Her nerves were on edge, the anticipation of seeing Colet making her pulse quicken.
When Maloi stepped out into the cool night air, she scanned the area, searching for Colet. She didn’t see her at first, but then, from a sleek black car, Colet stepped out—and she was stunning.
Her tuxedo dress was the complete opposite of Maloi’s gown. It was black, with sharp angles that gave Colet an almost dangerous allure. The gold accents along the dress made her seem even more untouchable, and her makeup was bold, with dark eyeliner and a fiery lip that complemented the whole vibe. She looked like a character out of a noir film—a perfect contrast to Maloi’s ethereal angel.
Maloi’s breath caught in her throat. "Colet?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Colet smiled softly, her eyes shyly glancing away before meeting Maloi's gaze again. "Hi, Loi," she said quietly, her voice tinged with nerves but with a tenderness that always made Maloi’s heart flutter. "Ready to go?"
Colet took a small step forward, her hand hovering near Maloi’s, as if unsure. Maloi’s gaze dropped to Colet's hand, feeling a surge of warmth. "You... you look really beautiful," Maloi stammered, her cheeks flushing.
Colet blinked in surprise, her cheeks turning a soft shade of pink as she looked down for a moment. She adjusted the cuff of her tuxedo dress nervously before offering a small, hesitant smile. "Thank you," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper, her shyness palpable. "I, uh... I’m glad you like it."
A few beats passed in silence before Colet looked back up at Maloi, her gaze soft but slightly uncertain. "You’re sure you’re ready?"
Maloi grinned, trying to calm her nerves. "Yeah, just—" She paused, her heart racing. "’Di lang ako sanay, I guess."
"It’s okay," she said quietly. "Ako rin." She gave a small chuckle, and Maloi couldn’t help but laugh along, the tension between them lifting as they shared the moment.
They made their way to the venue, where the other members were already mingling with friends and fellow artists. The room was filled with glitz and glamour, but Maloi found herself gravitating back to Colet.
After an hour of dancing and talking with their friends, Maloi felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. The laughter and music had been fun, but her energy was beginning to fade. The constant mingling, the flashing lights, the upbeat atmosphere—while exhilarating at first, was now starting to feel like too much. She needed a break.
She glanced across the room and spotted Colet sitting at their table, looking down at her phone. The stark contrast between Colet’s usually reserved demeanor and the liveliness of the event stood out to her. Colet was always the one who managed to hold her own in a crowd, but she rarely let herself get too caught up in the noise.
Maloi smiled to herself, silently thankful that she had Colet by her side tonight. She weaved through the crowd and made her way over to the table, her heels clicking softly against the floor.
"You good?" Maloi asked, plopping down beside Colet and leaning back against the chair, stretching her legs.
Colet didn’t look up immediately, but Maloi noticed the faintest smile tug at her lips. Her usual calmness made the energy of the room feel more manageable. Colet always seemed like the kind of person who was content in their own space, even in a room full of people.
"I’m fine," Colet said, finally putting her phone down and meeting Maloi’s gaze. "Tired, but that’s nothing new."
Maloi grinned and let out a tired sigh. "I’m kinda drained too. But I’m glad I’m here with you," she said, her voice soft, a little less lively than before. "Thanks for being my date tonight."
Colet snorted lightly, her eyes gleaming mischievously. "It’s not like you had any other options," she teased, her voice playful but affectionate. "But you’re welcome. Someone’s gotta keep you out of trouble."
Maloi laughed, nudging Colet with her elbow. "You’re lucky I’m so patient with you," she teased back, her tone light, but there was warmth in her words that only Colet seemed to understand.
Colet rolled her eyes but there was affection in the way she looked at Maloi. "I might even agree with that," she said, leaning back in her chair and folding her arms across her chest, still looking a bit weary but content.
Maloi stared at Colet for a moment, the earlier feelings she’d been trying to shake now creeping back up again. Her gaze softened, her heart fluttering slightly as the strange sense of longing returned, even though she didn’t quite understand it.
Suddenly, the music in the venue shifted. The loud beats of the upbeat dance music were replaced with something slower, more sensual. The mellow sound seemed to linger in the air, soft and smooth, almost inviting. The change caught Maloi off guard. She had felt the tension in the room before, but the slow melody seemed to add a different kind of energy—an intimacy that made everything feel quieter, more personal.
Maloi’s heart skipped a beat as the realization hit her: this was the perfect moment to ask Colet for a dance.
"Hey... do you want to dance?" Maloi asked, her voice just above a whisper as she looked over at Colet, her eyes bright with the suggestion. She wasn’t sure why she had suddenly felt so bold, but the slow music seemed to be coaxing her, urging her to take the chance.
Colet raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the request. "Dance? Are you serious?" she asked, her voice light, but there was a hint of uncertainty there, as if she wasn’t sure what Maloi meant.
Maloi smiled, trying to sound confident. "C’mon, just one dance. It’ll be fun," she said, hoping to convince Colet. The idea of dancing with her felt... different, more meaningful than just going through the motions like the other dances of the night.
Colet hesitated, glancing around at the people on the dance floor. "I don’t know, Maloi... hindi ba nakakahiya?" Her voice softened, the shyness creeping through despite her usual confidence. She didn’t do things like this easily, especially not in public, not with so many people watching.
Maloi smiled warmly, her heart doing an unexpected flip. "Bakit naman nakakahiya?" she asked gently. "You’re my date. It’s just us. Come on, let’s do it."
Colet’s hesitation was almost endearing. She shifted in her seat, her eyes darting to the floor, before letting out a resigned sigh. "Fine, one dance. But just one," she agreed, standing up slowly, her reserved nature still evident but the smallest hint of excitement in her eyes.
Maloi stood as well, smiling to herself. She could feel the nervous energy in Colet’s movements, though Colet tried to mask it. It was the same shyness that appeared whenever they were at events with other people, the same shyness that Maloi had grown so used to. But underneath that, Colet was a joker, the one who’d always lighten the mood with her humor.
They walked to the dance floor, and as they stepped into the space, the slower tempo of the music wrapped around them. The beat was soft and calming, the perfect rhythm for the two of them to sway together. Colet stood a little stiff at first, unsure of how to move. She glanced at Maloi, her face a mixture of hesitation and curiosity.
Maloi tried to meet Colet’s eyes, but both of them kept looking away, the awkwardness settling between them. Neither of them had expected this, but now that they were here, neither of them wanted to back out.
Then, after a few seconds of swaying with the beat, Maloi found herself glancing up. Her eyes met Colet’s, and for a split second, everything else seemed to disappear. Colet’s gaze was softer than usual, and there was something more vulnerable in the way she looked at Maloi.
The space between them felt charged with an energy that neither of them knew how to handle. Maloi could feel her heart racing in her chest. She reached out for Colet’s hand, gently pulling her closer. Their hands met, and for the first time all night, they stood face-to-face, moving slowly with the rhythm, neither of them saying a word.
It was a moment neither of them had planned for, a moment that neither of them knew they needed until it was happening. They danced close, their bodies moving in sync with the music, but their eyes were the real connection.
Maloi couldn’t stop looking at Colet, noticing the way the dim lights cast shadows on her face, how her eyes glimmered with an emotion Maloi couldn’t quite place. It was like they were both seeing each other for the first time, in a way that went beyond friendship.
Colet’s hand tightened around Maloi’s, and Maloi felt her pulse quicken. There was something intimate about the way they moved together, the way they couldn’t pull their gazes away from one another. For that brief moment, everything around them—everyone else—faded into the background.
The music played on, but for Maloi, it was as if time had stopped. They swayed, closer than they had ever been, and in that quiet, intimate space, something unspoken passed between them. Neither of them dared to break the spell.