The gymnasium was filled with chatters of excited students. The sound of sneakers squeaking on the polished floor, laughter echoing from the bleachers—everything seemed to pulse with the anticipation of the upcoming Holiday Fair. Holly, the president of Mystic Club, however, sat quietly at the far end, her black hoodie pulled low over her face as she doodled creepy bats and skulls in the margins of her notebook.
The headmaster stood at the podium, his authoritative yet warm voice echoing throughout the gym. “This year, we’re introducing a new twist to our annual Holiday Fair! Instead of individual holiday-themed booths, we’ll have a fusion booth.”
The crowd murmured in excitement, some intrigued while others exchanged curious glances. Holly rolled her eyes.
“The admin decided na Halloween x Valentine’s ang holiday theme natin. Mystic Club always handles our Halloween parties during October, so I’ll let them handle this activity. For Valentine’s, your Student Council president, Val, volunteered, so Student Council officers and Mystic Club members will work together. Let’s see creativity and collaboration at its finest, students!”
Holly froze mid-sip of her juice box. What? Not SSC…
She felt a nudge, making her nearly spill the drink.
"Holly, narinig mo 'yung sinabi ni headmaster? Tayo ang napiling mag-organize for Holiday Fair Fusion Booth this year! Team up daw tayo with SSC," Her friend and orgmate Libby grudged.
Holly groaned, slumping further into her seat. “Ate Libby, I heard nga. It’s too tiring na dalawang event ihahandle ng club natin this year.”
“Diba?”
“Yeah," Holly sat up straighter, irritation evident in her tone, "and you know how the student council are, super controlling nila. Gusto nila sila ang laging nasusunod.” She gestured vaguely towards the stage, where the Student Council members stood with their perfect posture and polished uniforms.
Libby chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, okay, I agree na controlling ang SSC. Hindi ko makakalimutan yung ginawa nila sa akin last year. Pero what could go wrong? Masyado kang nega. Just show them what’s up, na ‘di nila pwedeng basta-bastahin ang club natin.”
“Everything could go wrong, ate. I just know this will not end well,” Holly said firmly, crossing her arms. Her voice was louder this time, echoing faintly as the gym began to clear.
Libby was about to reply when her eyes darted behind Holly, widening slightly. Holly followed her gaze, her stomach sinking when she saw Val and the SSC secretary, Bonnie, walking directly toward them.
Val’s usual charming smile was gone, replaced by a sharp, raised brow and a perfectly practiced pout. Dressed in her crisp white student council blazer and pastel blue pins, Val looked like the poster child of perfection and authority.
“Wow. ‘Everything could go wrong,’ huh?” Val’s tone was dripping with sarcasm, her hands placed firmly on her hips. “Good to know na may tiwala pala kayo sa amin, Holly.”
Bonnie, standing just behind Val, raised a brow and crossed her arms. She looked like she was trying not to laugh but was failing miserably. “Uy, huwag kang mag-alala, Holly. Hindi kami gano’n ka ‘controlling.’ Minsan lang.”
Holly felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. She glanced at Libby, who looked like she wanted to disappear into the floor. Clearing her throat, Holly straightened her back and tried to keep her voice steady. “Wala naman akong sinabing gano’n exactly—”
“Actually,” Bonnie interrupted, tilting her head and smirking. “Yun na ‘yon. Word-for-word.”
Val stepped closer, her arms crossed. “Kung ayaw mong mag-work with us, just say it. Pero next time, sana you can be upfront, hindi yung binabackstab mo kami.” Her voice was sweet, but the sharpness in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Hindi ko naman—” Holly started but was immediately cut off.
Val tightly smiled. “Don’t worry. Kami na ang bahala to make sure this doesn’t ‘end badly.’ After all, we’re ‘super controlling,’ right?” With that, she spun on her heel, her ponytail swishing dramatically, and walked off, Bonnie following closely behind.
Holly sighed, running a hand through her short hair as Libby gave her a sheepish grin. “See? What did I tell you? This is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Libby raised her hands in surrender, but she couldn’t suppress her teasing grin. “May naramdaman ako kanina. Just saying, opposites attract.”
“More like opposites explode,” Holly muttered, glaring at Val’s retreating figure.
The following day, the Mystic Club officers reluctantly trudged toward the SSC meeting room. Holly, as usual, was dragging her feet, her leather boots clinking against the tiled floors of the school’s main building.
"Of all places, bakit sa SSC meeting room pa?" her co-member grumbled.
“Alam mo na, power play. Gusto nilang ma-feel natin na sila ang may control.”
Libby, walking beside her with a coffee tumbler in hand, laughed. “Dapat sa club house na lang natin gawin next meeting. Let’s see kung tatagal sila.”
Libby’s girlfriend, Clover, scolds the two. “Psst, salinpusa lang pero please magbehave kayo mamaya.”
“Love, behave naman ako. Si Holly nga dyan nagpapakaholly-maw nanaman.”
“Tumahimik ka, BB. Behave ka talaga kasi kilala ko ‘yang si Val. Kung ayaw mo lang namang dumalawa sa community service ng summer.”
Libby pouted, feeling defeated.
Holly rolled her eyes, “Astigin pero whipped. I could never.”
While she’s amused at the idea of having their second meeting, her mood sours the moment they reach the door. A glossy sign reading Student Council Officers Only stared back at her, as if mocking her club’s presence.
Inside, Val sat at the head of the long conference table, flipping through her organized planner, her trademark sky blue fountain pen in hand. Beside her, Bonnie leaned back in her chair, spinning a candy cane pen between her fingers.
“Welcome,” Val greeted with a polite, if frosty, smile. “Upo kayo.”
Holly reluctantly slid into a chair, flanked by Libby and other members of the club.
Clover waved at Val, “Hi, Val! I hope you don’t mind na nandito ako with Libby.”
“No, it’s fine! As long as wala ka namang klase.”
Holly snickered. Pati ba naman ‘yun? Ano, isusumbong niya kay headmaster?
As soon as everyone was settled, Val clapped her hands lightly. “Okay, let’s get started. We’ll begin with the theme. Since our booth is a fusion of Halloween and Valentine’s, I’ve prepared some ideas,” She gestured to Bonnie, who promptly laid out a stack of colorful sketches on the table.
The designs have heart-shaped tunnels adorned with glowing fairy lights, bouquets of pastel flowers, and tables with sweet treats. Holly’s eyes twitched.
“Parang wedding,” she muttered under her breath, causing Libby to stifle a laugh.
Val heard her. “What was that, Holly?” Her tone was sweet, but her eyes held a challenge.
“Ah, sabi ko lang… interesting.”
Val’s lips twitched upward. “I thought so. I want to create an atmosphere that blends romance and whimsy.”
“Whimsy? Sure,” Holly said, leaning back in her chair. “But where’s the Halloween? Hindi ba fusion ang theme? Bakit parang Valentine’s takeover na ata ‘to?”
Libby nudged her. “Holly…”
Val raised an eyebrow, unfazed. “Of course not. That’s why this is a collaboration. I was hoping Mystic Club would bring ideas to… complement ours.”
“Complement?” Holly echoed, sitting up straighter. “You mean like, throwing in a scary pumpkin here and there?”
The room grew tense as the two leaders locked eyes.
“Hindi naman nakakatakot ang creepy pumpkins,” Bonnie quipped, spinning her pen again. “They’re just… weird.”
Holly’s jaw tightened. “Weird? Okay. How about a zombie prom, then? With heart-shaped coffins for photo ops?”
“Zombie prom?” Val repeated, visibly appalled. “Horror picture ba ‘to?”
“Exactly! Halloween nga, diba?” Holly shot back. “ Or baka gusto mong maging floating heart na lang ang mascot natin? That’ll really scream fusion.”
“Mas gusto ko ‘yon kaysa sa zombie bride na may bloodstained veil!” Val retorted, slamming her planner shut.
“Guys, kalma,” Clover interjected. “Parang mas kayo ang fusion ng love and fear!” Her comment earned a few chuckles, breaking the tension slightly.
Bonnie leaned toward Val, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, “Mukhang mahirap talaga mag-collaborate pag may one-sided ideas.”
“Same, eh kasi naman, masyadong ‘perfectionist’ yung isa dyan.” Libby retorted, crossing her arms, which earned her a nudge on the side from her girlfriend, “Aray ko!”
The room grew silent again, both sides waiting for the next move.
“Okay,” she said, her tone clipped but professional. “Let’s make this productive. Holly, since you seem to have such strong opinions, why don’t you share your ideas for the booth?”
“You sure about that? Baka kasi masyadong dark for your taste.”
“Go ahead,” Val replied, her tone laced with challenge. “Impress us.”
Holly smirked, leaning forward. “Fine. Imagine this… a haunted ballroom. Shadowy figures roaming around, glowing pumpkins lighting the paths, eerie music playing in the background. It’s creepy but elegant—something that makes people feel intrigued and scared.”
Val blinked, clearly unimpressed. “So… a glorified Halloween party. Got it.”
Holly scowled. “Excuse me? This isn’t just a party, okay? It’s an experience. What do you have, Miss Valentine? A bunch of heart-shaped balloons and glitter?”
Val opened her folder, laying out her designs with a deliberate flourish. “Actually, may glowing heart lanterns, romantic arches, and pastel flower arrangements tayo. Something inviting and enchanting, unlike your haunted horror show.”
“Inviting?” Holly snorted. “You mean boring.”
“Boring?!” Val’s voice rose, but before she could retort, Bonnie tapped her pen against the table.
“Ladies, chill. Dapat nagcocollab tayo rito, not scare each other off or bore each other to death.”
Libby chuckled. “Kaya nga i-try nating magkasundo bago pa magkabatuhan ng fake blood at glitters dito.”
Bonnie exchanged a glance with Libby, who took the cue. “Okay, what if we mix both? Like… Holly’s haunted ballroom concept, but with softer, romantic lighting and maybe some heart-shaped decor integrated into the eerie stuff?”
Val frowned. “Romantic lighting in a haunted house? That’s ridiculous.”
“Hear me out, ate Val,” Bonnie said, leaning forward. “Imagine mo! Dim lights, but with some hearts hanging from the ceiling, blending with the spooky vibe. Parang magwowork naman.”
“I don’t know…”
Clover chimed in with a grin. “And black roses! Suggestion lang ha? Pwede kayong gumamit ng black roses with red accents. It’s creepy and romantic. Like… a gothic fairytale.”
Val paused, tapping her fingers against the table as she considered the idea. “Black roses, huh? That’s not bad. Okay lang.”
Holly raised an eyebrow. “Wow, ‘pag si ate Clover okay lang?”
Val rolled her eyes. “Don’t push it.”
As the discussion continued, Holly started absentmindedly sketching in her notebook while Val and Bonnie debated logistical concerns. The sound of soft pencil strokes caught Val’s attention, and her gaze drifted toward Holly’s notebook.
There, amidst half-finished notes, was a drawing of a heart wrapped in thorny vines. It was detailed, eerie, and strangely beautiful.
Val found herself staring, the edges of her irritation softening. She hated to admit it, but Holly’s creativity was undeniably impressive.
“At may time pa talaga magdoodle,” Val quipped, snapping Holly out of her focus.
Holly immediately closed her notebook, her cheeks slightly tinged with color. “Snooping now, are we? Typical SSC behavior.”
“It’s hard not to notice when you’re drawing right in front of me. Ano ‘yan, your latest ‘creepy’ idea?”
Holly shot her a glare. “It’s called art, thank you very much.”
Bonnie snickered. “Ooh, is this the part na icocomplement na natin ang isa’t-isa? Sweet naman.”
“Keep dreaming,” Holly muttered, though her grip on the notebook tightened.
Libby, sensing the shift in tone, cleared her throat. “Alright, bago pa magka-debate ulit, let’s summarize. Haunted ballroom with a gothic-romantic twist, black roses, and balanced decor. Happy na?”
Val straightened her notes. “For now.”
Holly leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. “Guess we’ll see if you can keep up.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Holly. We always exceed expectations.”
The meeting adjourned shortly after, but the energy in the room hinted that this was only the beginning of their unlikely collaboration.
The next day, the Mystic Club gathered in their dimly lit room, with its walls adorned by flickering candlelight and arcane symbols from past Halloween events. Holly sat at the center of the long table, a large sketchpad in front of her.
Libby walked in, balancing two trays. “O, your brain fuel. Empanada at black coffee.”
Holly grabbed one with a distracted nod. “Thanks, Ate Libby. I-finalize na natin yung side natin ng booth before those SSC control freaks take over.”
“You’re really making this a competition, huh? Hindi ba dapat teamwork ‘to?”
“Teamwork? With them?” Holly scoffed, flipping through her sketches. “Tingnan mo, we barely compromised kahapon. Ngayon, I bet Val will come in with another round of ‘let’s make everything pink and red and love and flowers.’”
“Wow, you’re really taking this SSC rivalry seriously.”
“It’s not rivalry,” Holly insisted, though the scowl on her face said otherwise.
A knock interrupted them.
Bonnie peeked in, holding her phone. “Meeting tayo ulit with ate Val. She wants updates. SSC room in fifteen minutes.”
Holly groaned. “Another meeting? Wala na bang tiwala sa team natin? Lahat na lang kailangan i-monitor?”
Libby sighed, placing a hand on Holly’s shoulder. “Chill ka lang, Holly. Malay mo, productive na ‘to.”
“Doubt it,” Holly muttered, grabbing her things.
The Mystic Club then filed into the pristine meeting room, where Val and the other SSC officers were already seated. A whiteboard in the corner was filled with neatly written to-do lists and timelines.
Val looked up, her expression unreadable. “You’re late.”
Holly didn’t reply. She just came out of Math class before lounging around her clubhouse and was too tired to argue.
Bonnie, sensing the tension, stepped in. “Okay, let’s start with updates. Holly, ano na ang finalized concept ng Mystic Club?”
Holly opened her sketchpad, revealing detailed designs of the haunted ballroom. “Ito. Shadowy figures, pumpkins, black roses with red accents, and fog machines to set the mood. We’ll handle the overall aesthetic and the haunting experience.”
Val nodded slowly but then pulled out her own sketches. “Pero kulang sa warmth. Here’s what SSC prepared—heart-shaped chandeliers, soft pastel lighting, and a small love lock corner for couples to interact with. We’ll handle crowd engagement and ticketing for this feature.”
Holly frowned. “So you’re just slapping on a love lock corner and calling it a day?”
“Hindi kami ‘just slapping’ anything lang. We’re enhancing what’s already there. Or are you saying hindi mo kaya mag-adapt sa ibang ideas?”
The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Libby kicked Holly under the table.
Holly sighed. “Fine. Let’s see how we can integrate this love lock corner without ruining the vibe.”
Bonnie smiled awkwardly. “Great! So... let’s talk logistics?”
As students hauled materials, sketched layouts, and tested decorations, the Mystic Club and SSC team gathered at one corner, their booth space marked with tape on the floor.
Holly stood with arms crossed, eyeing the SSC officers unloading heart-shaped lanterns. “Seriously? Heart-shaped lanterns?”
Val turned to her, holding a box of pink string lights. “Bakit? They’re festive and functional.”
“Festive? Mukhang proposal venue,” Holly muttered under her breath, earning a glare from Libby.
“Focus tayo, Holly,” Libby whispered. “Wala tayong matatapos kung ang dami mong side comments.”
Val sighed, putting the box down with more force than necessary. “Okay, let’s just start setting things up. Kami na sa lighting. You handle the props.”
Holly and Val begrudgingly nodded, muttering, “Fine.”
As they moved to adjust the setup, Libby accidentally knocked over a hanging skeleton prop. It swung down dramatically, its face inches from hers.
“AHHH!” Libby shrieked, stumbling backward into Clover who’s helping the club.
The room froze before erupting into laughter. Even Holly and Val couldn’t contain their giggles.
“Hala sorry, love!” Libby called, struggling to help her up.
“It’s okay, BB.”
“Kiss?”
Val smirked, leaning toward Holly. “Okay, I admit. That was funny.”
Holly smirked back. “Nah, ang corny niyo.”
Hours later, after the setup was mostly done, the students scattered for a break. Holly stayed behind, sketching in her notebook while sitting cross-legged on the gym floor. She was so focused she didn’t notice when Val walked back in to retrieve her bag.
When Holly stood up to run after her club members, Val paused when she saw Holly’s notebook left open on a bench. Curiosity got the better of her, and she peeked at the pages. Inside were intricate sketches of twisted vines forming hearts, pumpkins with shadowy faces, and a hauntingly beautiful ballroom scene.
Val stared at one particular drawing—a heart wrapped in thorny vines, its center glowing faintly. It was eerie but captivating.
“Not bad, Holly,” Val muttered to herself, pulling out a sticky note. She scribbled a message and stuck it onto the notebook:
“Not bad, but can you make it scarier? :P”
Smiling to herself, she left the gym quietly.
The following day, tensions flared again as they finalized the booth design.
Val frowned at the placement of the love lock corner. “Holly, this is too far from the entrance. It’s supposed to be an attraction, not an afterthought.”
Holly snapped back, “Well, maybe if you didn’t insist on it in the first place, ‘di tayo magkakaroon ng problema.”
“Excuse me? At least my ideas are practical. Ikaw, puro ka na lang horror. Wala ka bang ibang alam?”
“I’m trying to stay true to the theme, Val. You’re the one forcing Valentine’s into everything!”
“Because that’s my role!” Val shot back, her voice rising. “Alam mo ba kung gaano kahalaga sa mga tao ang theme na ‘to? Hindi lahat gusto ng fear. Some of them need something comforting!”
“And what about horror, huh?” Holly countered. “Do you think it’s easy to create something people are scared of but still enjoy? Hindi mo alam kasi lagi kang nasa safe zone!”
Their voices echoed in the gym, drawing the attention of everyone. Libby and Bonnie exchanged worried looks, unsure whether to intervene.
Finally, Val exhaled sharply, her tone softer. “Alam mo, Holly, maybe this isn’t about the booth at all. Maybe ayaw mo lang talagang mag-adjust. Parang laging ikaw ang tama.”
Holly flinched, the words hitting closer than she cared to admit. “And ikaw? You’re so used to being in charge, kaya feeling mo lahat ng bagay kaya mong i-control.”
The tension hung heavy until Bonnie clapped her hands. “Okay! Break time na tayo, everyone!”
As the students dispersed, Holly and Val stayed rooted, glaring at each other before turning away.
Val crouched near the half-assembled structure, examining the tangled vines. Her fingers brushed against the fake thorns, and she winced. “Who thought plastic thorns were a good idea? They’re sharp for no reason.”
“Here,” Holly said, handing her a pair of gloves without looking up from the glowing heart prop she was wiring. “Wear these. Baka umiyak ka pa mamaya.”
Val shot her a glare but slipped the gloves on. “Oh, thank you, Your Highness. May sasabihin ka pa po ba before I finish this mess?”
Holly smirked. “Yeah. Can you try not to make it look like my club made it?”
Libby and Bonnie, standing a few feet away, exchanged amused glances.
“Hay, nakakatuwa sila,” Bonnie murmured.
“Nakakainis sila,” Libby corrected, pinching the bridge of her nose.
As the centerpiece assembly progressed, the two found themselves accidentally falling into a rhythm. Val untangled the thorny vines while Holly carefully positioned the heart at the center.
“Lift mo ‘yung side na ‘yan,” Holly instructed, gesturing to the frame.
“Ang bigat nito,” Val muttered, pushing the vines into place. “How did you even think of using real metal for this?!”
“It’s called dedication,” the redhead shot back, adjusting the wires. “Ikaw kasi, puro ka reklamo. Gawin mo na lang.”
Despite their banter, the centerpiece slowly began to take shape.
“We're getting there na,” Val said, stepping back to inspect it. “Thanks to my glowing heart, of course.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “Ang kapal ng mukha mo. Kung hindi ko inayos ‘yung vines, mukha lang ‘yang oversized na Christmas decor.”
“Sure, Holly. Let’s pretend you carried this team,” Val teased, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
As they tidied up their materials, Val broke the silence. “You wanna know something?” she began, her voice softer than usual, “I actually volunteered kasi mom loves Valentine’s Day.”
“Share mo lang?”
“What the fuck?”
“LOL, sorry it just came out.” Holly chuckled which earned her a scoff from the girl in front of her.
“I said I’m sorry! Anyway, your mom?”
“Yeah,” Val smiled faintly. “She’s a nurse. Lagi siyang busy, pero every Valentine’s, kahit pagod siya, she’d always come home with chocolates and flowers for us. Para siyang walking Valentine’s card.”
Holly hesitated, then asked, “So... this booth is, like, your way of honoring her?”
“Something like that,” Val admitted. “Kaya siguro masyado akong attached. I just… want people to feel what I felt growing up. ‘Yung kahit isang araw lang, everything feels lighter.”
Holly shifted uncomfortably, glancing at the centerpiece. “I get it,” she said after a pause. “Halloween was my dad’s thing. He loved dressing the family up and attending family-friendly Halloween parties.”
“Wow, so horror runs in your blood nga talaga?” Val teased, though her tone was gentler now.
“I was literally named after Halloween,” Holly replied with a small smile. “After he passed, I kind of took over. It’s my way of keeping him close, you know?”
Val nodded, “As I was named too after Valentine’s Day.”
But their moment of peace didn’t last long.
A loud crash interrupted their thoughts as one of the centerpiece’s support beams collapsed, sending the glowing heart prop tumbling to the floor.
“Ano ‘yan, guys? Ano ‘yan?!” Libby shrieked, rushing over.
“Did you not secure it properly?” Holly snapped at Val, kneeling to inspect the damage.
“Ako?” Val shot back, eyes wide. “Ikaw ang may hawak ng frame kanina!”
“Stop blaming me! Just help me fix it!” Holly barked, tugging the vines away to access the broken beam.
Despite their frustration, they scrambled to repair the damage, working together as their teammates hovered anxiously.
“Holly, hold this steady!” Val called, holding up a replacement beam.
“I’m trying, okay? Baka gusto mong ikaw na lang gumawa ng lahat!”
“Believe me, I would if I could!”
Their orgmates stifled laughter at their heated exchange. Finally, after what felt like forever, the centerpiece was back in place.
Exhausted, Holly flopped onto the floor. “Never again,” she muttered.
Val leaned against the frame, arms crossed. “Agree. But admit it—it looks good.”
Holly glanced at the glowing heart now perfectly framed by the vines. “Yeah,” she admitted reluctantly. “It’s not bad.”
Val grinned. “Not bad? Holly, it’s amazing. You’re welcome.”
“Ugh,” Holly groaned, throwing a stray vine at her.
The gymnasium is dimly lit as the Mystic Club and SSC officers gather for the dry run of their booth. The centerpiece glows faintly in the middle of the setup, surrounded by decorations.
Holly adjusted a crooked pumpkin on the corner table, stepping back to examine the display. “Looks decent enough. Baka naman magustuhan nila kahit papaano.”
“Decent?” Val walked by, carrying a box of fairy lights. “Ang taas ng standards mo.”
“Easy for you to say, Miss Perfect. Hindi naman ikaw ang nagpatali sa fake cobwebs for an hour kanina,” Holly shot back, tugging at her shirt sleeve, which still had some stray cobweb strands stuck to it.
“Gano’n talaga,” Val teased, plugging in the lights. “Beauty is pain, Holly.”
Holly rolled her eyes. “And apparently, love is blinding. Seriously, these lights are way too bright.”
Val smirked, adjusting the dimmer switch. “Better?”
“...Fine.” Holly folded her arms but didn’t hide her slight smile.
As the team tested the booth’s haunted love maze, Holly and Val found themselves assigned to guide the first mock participants, Val’s friends, Nova and Noelle, with Holly’s friend, Grace, through the setup.
“Ate Elle, bilisan mo!” Nova shrieked, jumping at a fake bat that dropped from the ceiling.
“Chill ka nga lang, paniki lang ‘yon!” Noelle said, laughing as she pushed the girl forward.
“Ang O-OA naman nitong mga kasama ko! Pwede ba forward na? Ang dilim eh!”
Watching them, Holly snorted. “Sila pa ‘yung takot eh, they know exactly where the traps are.”
Val chuckled, leaning closer to Holly. “Imagine how real guests will react.”
For a moment, their laughter blended, and they exchanged a genuine smile.
But, as quickly as it happened, Holly looked away, muttering, “Don’t get used to this.”
“Who’s getting used to what?” Val asked innocently, though her grin said otherwise.
Their moment was cut off when Grace spoke, “Uhh, guys? Si Noelle tumama sa pader!”
The day before the festival, the team worked tirelessly on the final touches. Holly meticulously painted details on the walls of the maze, adding ghostly figures that seemed to move under the dim lighting.
“Uy, ang creepy nito,” Noelle commented, shivering. “Ang galing!”
Holly glanced at Val, expecting a snide comment, but instead, Val nodded approvingly. “Nice work, Holly. Talagang Halloween na Halloween vibes.”
Caught off guard, Holly blinked. “Uh… thanks, I guess?”
Val smirked. “Don’t get used to it,” she quipped, throwing Holly’s earlier words back at her.
Holly rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the faint blush creeping up her cheeks.
As the group packed up for the night, Val approached Holly, holding something behind her back.
“Hey,” Val began, her voice unusually hesitant.
“What now?” Holly asked, arching a brow.
Val revealed a small, intricately carved pumpkin with a glowing heart inside. The light flickered inside.
“It’s not much,” Val said quickly, “but I thought it’d match your vibe. Creepy, pero medyo sweet.”
Holly stared at the pumpkin, her usual sharp retorts failing her. “Ginawa mo ‘to?”
Val shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Well, tinulungan ako ni Bonnie mag-carve, but the idea was mine.”
“Peace offering ba ‘to?”
“Luh. Asa ka. Pwede bang magthank you ka na lang?”
Holly’s lips curved into a small, genuine smile as she took the pumpkin. “...Thanks, Val. It’s actually pretty cool.”
“Pretty cool?” Val feigned offense. “That’s it?”
Holly chuckled softly, the pumpkin glowing warmly between them. “Fine. It’s amazing. Happy?”
“Hmm.” Val grinned, her confidence back in full force.
The lively chatter of the students filled the air as the Holiday Fair officially opened. All eyes turned toward the Holiday Love & Fear Fusion Booth, a striking display of haunting shadows and romantic glimmers.
Holly stood behind the booth with Val, watching the reactions with an amused smirk. “Tingnan mo sila. Mukhang confused pero impressed.”
Couples laughed nervously inside the haunted heart tunnel, while others admired the eerie and elegant decor.
Bonnie approached them with a clipboard. “Guys, ang daming pumupunta! Tuwang-tuwa sila do’n sa ‘Fear & Love Fortune Cards’ station.”
Val gave Holly a quick glance, her smile softening. “See? Not bad for a zombie prom meets wedding proposal concept.”
Just as everything seemed perfect, a sudden gust of wind knocked over the centerpiece—a towering heart-and-thorns sculpture that was the highlight of their booth. Gasps erupted from the crowd.
“Oh my God!” Holly lunged forward, trying to catch the falling piece. Val quickly joined her, both of them grabbing the structure before it could hit the ground.
“Hold it steady. Girls, tulong!” Val grunted, her fingers brushing against Holly’s as they adjusted the weight together. Libby, Grace, and other officers assisted the two.
“I am holding it! Ikaw kaya, stop pushing!” Holly snapped, her voice more panicked than angry.
“Okay, okay, on three, we’ll lift it back. One... two... three!” They heaved the centerpiece upright.
As they caught their breath, Val turned to Holly with a playful grin. “Admit it, we make a good team.”
Holly rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her small smile. “Don’t push your luck.”
“Hello? Nandito kami, o.”
“Shh, moment nila ‘yan, ate Libby. Don’t ruin it.”
Later that evening, Val walked back from a break when she noticed something unusual– a small, glowing heart lantern hanging from the center of the booth.
She turned to Holly, who was waiting nearby, her expression unreadable.
“What’s this?” the girl asked, pointing to the lantern.
Holly patted her jeans, suddenly looking bashful. “I… thought the booth needed something extra. Something that blends our ideas perfectly.”
Val studied the lantern. A closer look revealed small carvings of thorny vines intertwined with glowing hearts.
“It’s… not bad,” Val muttered, her cheeks warming.
“Not bad? I’ll take that as a compliment.”
Val rolled her eyes but smiled back. “K, Miss Mystic Club President.”
They stood side by side, watching as the crowd continued to enjoy the booth. For the first time, their usual banter gave way to a quiet connection.
When the campus was finally quiet and the students had gone home, the core teams were left to clean up the remnants of the successful event.
Holly stretched her arms, exhaustion etched on her face but satisfaction glowing in her eyes. “Aaaand that’s a wrap,” she muttered, brushing some dust off her jacket.
Libby popped up beside her, grinning. “See? ‘Di naman katapusan ng mundo eh. Nagustuhan nga nila, lalo na yung mga freshies.”
Clover appeared with a water bottle, tossing it to Holly. “You mean they loved us. Great job, Holly-maw,” she teased, nudging her shoulder.
On the other side of the booth, Val was busy helping an officer pack up lanterns while Bonnie stacked leftover flyers. Their friends stayed behind too.
“Madam President,” Nova teased, leaning on a pile of boxes, “may I just say na ang ganda nung lantern-heart-thorns centerpiece. Pero yung kayo ni Holly… grabe, parang teleserye kanina.”
Val shot her a warning look but couldn’t hide her grin. “Hindi naman kami teleserye material.”
“Kaya pala halos magtalo kayo kung saan ilalagay ang vines kanina. Admit it, ate Val. Na-enjoy mo.”
Before Val could retort, Grace walked over with a bag of snacks. “Hey, girls. Gusto niyo sumama mag-huddle with us? Hang lang.”
“With who?”
“Ate Libby, Ate Clover, and Holly.”
“Sure! After maglinis?” Nova answered before Val could, earning stares from Bonnie and Noelle.
Grace noticed, but shrugged it off, “Of course.”
As everyone gathered around for snacks and shared laughs, Holly and Val found themselves standing side by side, both sipping from their drinks and watching their friends.
“I have to admit,” Val began, her tone unusually sincere, “working with you… it wasn’t as bad as I thought.”
Holly raised an eyebrow but didn’t look away. “I could say the same. You’re annoyingly persistent, but nag-work naman so...”
Val smirked, her voice dipping into a teasing lilt. “Careful there, Holly. Crush mo ‘ko no?”
Holly snorted, masking the sudden warmth on her cheeks. “Don’t flatter yourself. But, you’re not completely terrible.”
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
Libby clapped her hands, interrupting the moment. “Okay, photo ops! Tara na.”
The team gathered in front of the booth for a final photo. Noelle positioned everyone, her natural cheeriness making it easy to corral the tired group. Clover dragged Holly into the frame while Bonnie tugged Val closer.
“Smile!” Nova called out, holding up the camera.
As the flash went off, Holly and Val accidentally caught each other’s eyes. The brief exchange was a silent acknowledgment of everything unspoken between them.
Later, as the group began to disperse, Val noticed Holly lingering by the booth, running her fingers over the edges of the thorny lantern centerpiece.
“O, andito ka pa?” Val asked, walking over.
Holly shrugged. “Just making sure everything’s locked down. Ayoko na may masira, lalo na sa effort natin.”
“You know, for someone who’s all about fear and shadows, you care a lot.”
“And for someone who’s all about hearts and love, you’re surprisingly sharp.”
They shared a small laugh before Val took a step closer, lowering her voice. “By the way… your sketches? They’re amazing.”
Holly blinked, caught off guard. Her voice softened. “Thanks, Val.”
As the night grew colder, the two finally began to part ways. Holly turned back to Val, her voice cutting through the quiet. “Hey, Val?”
Val paused, her brows raised expectantly. “Yeah?”
Holly hesitated.
Beat . Seconds passed.
Beat . Holly shook her head then smirked.
“Next time, let’s skip the lanterns and go full haunted house na.”
Val was waiting, but she wouldn’t let Holly know that. She held her head and smiled, “Ewan ko sa’yo.”
As they walked away in opposite directions, a breeze carried the faint laughter of their friends. Unbeknownst to the others, a flickering lantern in the booth glowed brighter for just a moment, as if reflecting the spark of something new.
END