christmas ball ‘24

As the school's Christmas ball approached, the hallways of the school were full of students talking about their outfits for the ball or who they were going with the ball— everyone was excited 

Jhoanna was not one of those people, she preferred to be on her own world, at the corner of the library, her nose stuck into her studies

And this was one of those times 

It was a quiet afternoon in the library, and Jhoanna was fully immersed in her schoolwork, her pen gliding smoothly across the page. The hum of students in the background was faint, like white noise, until it was broken by a voice that made her heart skip a beat.

"Jhoanna!"

Looking up, she saw Stacey standing by the doorway, her figure illuminated by the soft sunlight streaming in. Stacey, the famous campus crush, had an effortless charm about her that made everyone stop and stare. But today, Stacey wasn't looking at everyone—she was looking at Jhoanna.

Jhoanna, a simple name, a name reflecting to the personality of the woman Stacey admires

In all the years she knew Jhoanna, Stacey had never seen the other woman in a make-up nor did she wear  cute outfits, she was always stuck with the same look— hair hat on top of her head, a simple tee, a pants and a black converse 

It was (maybe) one of the reasons why she fell in love and decided to court the girl, because she was her and doesn't care about what anyone thinks

Jhoanna blinked, confused and slightly flustered. "Oh, Stacey? Bakit?"

Stacey stepped closer, her usual confidence softened by something more vulnerable. "May date ka na ba sa ball?" she asked, her voice casual, but her gaze intense.

Caught off guard, Jhoanna hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. "Wala pa," she replied. "And, I don't think I'm gonna go." Her tone was firm as she returned her attention to her notes, hoping to mask the fluttering in her chest.

"Sigurado ka?" Stacey pressed, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Yes, hundred percent," Jhoanna replied, not looking up from her book. "Hindi ako pupunta."

There was a brief silence between them, and Jhoanna could feel Stacey's gaze lingering, as if searching for something in her face.

"Pag nagbago isip mo, tell me," Stacey murmured, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.

Jhoanna shrugged, barely glancing up. "I won't."

"Sure?"

This time, Jhoanna looked up, her curiosity piqued by Stacey's persistence. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Stacey. "Bakit? Why do you want to know?"

Stacey took a deep breath, and for the first time, Jhoanna noticed the faint nervousness in her demeanor. Stacey's usual air of confidence seemed to falter as she stepped closer, her hands fidgeting slightly.

"Jhoanna..." Stacey started, her voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "Will you be my date sa Christmas ball?"

The question hung in the air, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Jhoanna's eyes widened in surprise, her lips parting slightly as she processed what Stacey had just said.

"You're serious?" Jhoanna finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Stacey nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes. Gusto kitang maging date. Not just dahil wala kang kasama, but because gusto ko talagang makasama ka."

Jhoanna felt her cheeks heat up, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never expected this—not from Stacey, of all people. She lowered her gaze, feeling uncharacteristically shy, before finally nodding.

"Yes, Stacey," she murmured, her voice soft but filled with sincerity. "I'll go with you."

A slow, genuine smile spread across Stacey's face, lighting up her features in a way Jhoanna had never seen before. The vulnerability in Stacey's expression melted into something warmer, more confident, as she let out a quiet laugh of relief.

"Salamat," Stacey said, her voice barely above a whisper, but her tone was full of emotion.

Jhoanna looked back up, meeting Stacey's gaze. For a moment, everything around them disappeared—the books, the students, the world itself. It was just the two of them, standing in the golden glow of the afternoon sun, their hearts silently speaking the words they couldn't yet say aloud.

"Stacey..." Jhoanna began, her voice faltering slightly.

"Hmm?"

"I'm glad you asked."

Stacey's smile widened, and without thinking, she reached out to tuck a stray strand of Jhoanna's hair behind her ear. The simple gesture sent Jhoanna's heart racing.

"So," Stacey said, her voice lighter now, though her eyes were still filled with warmth. "It's a date?"

Jhoanna nodded again, her lips curving into a small, shy smile. "It's a date."

As Stacey walked away with a spring in her step, Jhoanna sat back in her chair, her heart still pounding. She couldn't stop the smile that lingered on her face, the thought of the Christmas ball now filling her with a sense of anticipation she hadn't felt before.

"Stop smirking," Jhoanna sighed, shoving her hand to the bowl of chips, clearly trying to avoid the smug energy radiating from her friend.

A low chuckle sounded from her side. "Stacey asked you out," Maloi said, her tone dripping with mischief. The teasing lilt in her voice was impossible to miss.

Jhoanna rolled her eyes, but a faint blush betrayed her indifference. "Maloi, it's nothing," she defended weakly, though the pink tinge on her cheeks screamed otherwise.

Maloi snorted, leaning back in her chair as if preparing for a full-blown roast session. "Nothing? NOTHING? Girl, it's everything!" She pointed her fork at Jhoanna for emphasis. "Stacey freaking Sevilleja—the Stacey—asked you to be her date for the Christmas ball. Do you even understand the gravity of that?"

Jhoanna groaned, dropping the bowl of chips with a clatter before collapsing dramatically onto the couch. "I don't even know what to wear," she whined, her voice muffled by the cushion she'd buried her face into.

"Wala akong makitang suot," Jhoanna huffed, throwing her arm over her face as if the universe itself had betrayed her.

Maloi burst out laughing, her teasing now sharper. "Well, yeah, you do suck at picking your own clothes."

Jhoanna's head shot up, her jaw dropping in mock outrage. "How rude!" she huffed, but the indignation was short-lived as she quickly swiped a piece of chicken from Maloi's plate and popped it into her mouth with a triumphant grin.

"Hey!" Maloi protested, reaching for her plate but quickly giving up with a smirk. She crossed her arms, shifting gears effortlessly. "But seriously, cous," she said, her tone softening for a moment before reverting to a wicked grin. "You're lucky you're related to a fashionista with a fashionista girlfriend."

"Whatever your crisis is," Maloi declared with exaggerated flair, patting Jhoanna's shoulder as she stood up, "I've got it handled. Just trust me."

With that, she sauntered out of the living room, her steps confident as she made her way to Jhoanna's bedroom, leaving Jhoanna blinking after her, half-embarrassed and half-grateful.