POTENTIAL: TWENTY-TWO

**ALEX POV**

We had just left the supermarket in the mall to buy some groceries. After Lola Vemine's incident, we headed to Maica's house. It was embarrassing, but we didn't have a choice. We needed to protect Aunt and Maica since they were already involved in the battle between Sky and Glias. The house that Sky bought? That was just a diversion for the black car that was following us before. And speaking of them, we no longer saw the black car, so we thought they might have been caught as well.

A question appeared in my head, triggering my curiosity. I wanted to know, but I had no one to ask. Maybe Sky knew.

"What is it, Alex? Spit it out," he suddenly said. I looked at him, thinking he was also looking at me, but he wasn't. His eyes were forward, and it seemed like he had no intention of looking at me.

"Spit, what?" I asked in confusion, avoiding eye contact.

"I know you have something in mind that you want an answer to. Spit it out. Maybe I can answer."

"What are you, Google?"

"Maybe I am," he arrogantly replied, making me sigh in defeat.

"It's about Glias." Maica and Sky both looked at me upon hearing the name of our sole enemy.

"What about it, Alex?" Maica asked with concern.

"Rick stated that Glias was right about me. Could it be-?"

"They already know about you?" Sky interjected. I nodded as he met my gaze. "Seems like it."

"Then why haven't they attacked me yet? They should have done that from the beginning before I learned about my abilities."

"You have a point, Alex," Maica agreed, looking up as if searching for a reason.

"I actually don't know," Sky replied, disappointing me. "I wonder about it too, but I can't find a solid reason why they haven't captured you yet."

"Maybe they needed some time," Maica speculated, and I couldn't understand.

"Need some time for what?" I asked in confusion.

"I don't know," Maica shrugged. "Maybe they're preparing something that will make it easier for them to attack you. I'm not sure," Maica claimed, gazing out of the car. I looked at Sky, who was looking at me. Judging by his expression, he seemed to agree with Maica's speculation.

I just looked down at the floor, contemplating Maica's words.

Something that would make their job easier. Something that would surpass me.

"Don't worry about it, Alex. If my speculation is true, I know you'll outsmart it." Maica smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back.

I hope so, Maica. But with the abilities I have right now, it's not enough. I need to become stronger. Stronger than before.

A hand was placed on my shoulder, startling me. When I looked, it was Sky. I glanced at him, and my mood lightened when I saw his smile again. That smile I've been missing.

I missed that.

We continued walking, trying to forget the conversation we had earlier. We reached the parking lot and quickly looked for Lola Vemine's car. It was the only memory we had of Lola, so we took good care of it. When we found it, we entered the car and headed home. After fifteen minutes of travel, we reached our destination. We all carried our bags of groceries and went to the house's door, entering immediately. Tita greeted us wearing her smile.

"How are you, Tita?" I asked while placing the groceries we bought on the table to store them in the fridge.

"I'm fine, Alex. Thanks for the concern."

"About your wound, Tita?" Sky asked, busy examining the CCTV footage on his tablet.

She jokingly replied, "Still nasty and gross, Sky."

"What's for dinner, Ma? I'll cook," Maica volunteered, looking into the freezer to see what she could cook.

"It's up to you, Maica."

"Okay."

Tita turned on the TV and watched her favorite series. Maica and I were busy slicing ingredients for dinner. Sky, on the other hand, was already in front of the laptop, seemingly doing something important. We all stopped when the doorbell suddenly rang. We all looked at the door, feeling the undeniable tension.

"It's Trisha," Sky announced while looking at his tablet.

"Right!" Maica suddenly exclaimed. "Please open it, Sky," she instructed him while still focusing on her work.

"What is she doing here?" I asked in confusion while peeling potatoes.

"We didn't push through with our lunch earlier because of an emergency. So, I just invited her to have dinner here instead." I nodded in response to her explanation. I looked at the door as Trisha entered, carrying a box.

"Trisha! It's great that you came to visit!" Tita cheerfully greeted her, standing up from her seat to welcome the new guest.

"I invited her, Ma, to have dinner here," Maica added while not diverting her attention from her work.

"Is that okay, Mrs. Cristavilla?" Trisha asked shyly.

Tita waved it off. "It's okay, Trisha! What are you talking about? And call me Tita instead."

"Thank you, Tita." Trisha gave Tita her sweetest smile, which also made me smile. "By the way, Tita, I brought a cake for later," she pointed to the box she was carrying.

"This girl really. You didn't have to."

"It's just a small thing, Tita."

"I won't refuse that. Maica!" Tita called out to the girl beside me.

"Yes, Ma?"

"Get this cake and put it in the fridge," Tita ordered, shouting at us and making Trisha and me laugh.

"Don't bother, Maica. I'll do it," Trisha suggested and walked towards the kitchen where we were. "Hi, Alex," Trisha greeted me when she saw me.

"Sup!" I replied cheerfully and continued peeling potatoes. Trisha reached the table and placed the cake she brought on it.

"Here, Trisha," Maica instructed while already holding the fridge door open. Trisha brought the cake into the fridge, and they closed it again.

"So, can I help with anything?" Trisha suddenly offered.

"Oh, Trisha, we got this. Just sit there and relax. Besides, you're our guest."

"Wow, you guys. I owe you for not being able to make it earlier."

I decided to give Trisha my task since I read her mind, and she seemed to want to talk to Maica. This might be what she wanted to say during lunch if it pushed through.

"If Trisha wants to help, then let her help. Here, Trisha," I said, handing her the peeler. Trisha quickly took it and went to my place. Before I left, I faced them. "Talk," I urged them, causing both of them to look at each other. I went to Sky's spot and observed what he was doing.

When I saw it, I was impressed. He was actually researching for our assignments due tomorrow. "Responsible," I commented while watching him write on his paper. I watched him write words from the source, and I was impressed by his handwriting. "Your handwriting is really nice."

******

**MAICA POV**

"Talk," Alex suddenly suggested, leaving Trisha and me puzzled.

What are we going to talk about?

Trisha and I exchanged glances. Alex left us wondering, and it seemed like he had no intention of saying anything.

"I never expected you to invite me to your house, Maica, after what I've done," Trisha started, surprising me. I paused in slicing potatoes and looked at her, peeling potatoes. "I just want to say sorry, Maica. For everything." Trisha suddenly burst into tears, taking me by surprise. Trisha looked at me, and I could feel the sincerity in her eyes. I couldn't help but shed tears as well.

"I mocked you! Cursed you! And even dragged you down. You have the right to be angry with me, and I accept that. But I want you to know that I regret everything. I really do."

I never thought I'd see Trisha like this. To be honest, I'm the kind of girl who doesn't easily forgive, especially if what she did to me was too much. But it was different this time. I knew Trisha did things to me that led to the point where I wanted to kill her, but witnessing her sincere apology washed away all the hatred I had toward her. The heaviness I felt whenever I saw her suddenly disappeared. I felt lighter.

Trisha just kept on crying, and I didn't want her to be like that. So, I approached her and hugged her. I felt her surprise at my actions, but she couldn't do anything about it. "I forgive you, Trisha."

Upon hearing those words, Trisha burst into tears even more. I was surprised when I felt her hug me back. "Thank you, Maica."

******

**ALEX POV**

We're now at the dining table, savoring the aroma of the delicious food in front of us. My mouth is watering as I see how delicious the dishes are. Even the appetizers are already filling.

"Let's start this dinner with a prayer," Tita suggested, which we all agreed to. Maica insisted on leading the prayer, and after a few minutes, she finished. We started indulging in the scrumptious food.

"So, Sky, do you have a girlfriend?" Tita asked, almost causing me to choke.

"Water," Sky handed me a glass of water.

"Tha-thank you," I weakly replied and took a sip.

"What now, Sky? Answer Mama's question."

I continued eating while waiting for Sky to speak.

"None, Tita," his brief reply in his stoic voice. Sky continued eating, and Tita and Maica smiled.

"That's because, Tita, he's always busy with books," I said between my chews, making them laugh. I continued eating, but I noticed Tita and Maica fell silent. I couldn't hear the clatter of their spoons. I wondered, so I looked at them. I was puzzled to see them staring at me. I glanced at Sky; he was the only one not looking and not lost in thought. He just continued eating.

What happened to these three? The way they're staring, it's like I did something wrong.

"What's wrong with you guys?" I asked, bringing them back to the meal. "Maica? What was that about?"

Maica looked at me with a full mouth. "Nothing," she lied.

"We just enjoyed the food," Tita excused herself and returned to eating. The three continued eating as if nothing happened, making me even more curious. I looked at Sky again and realized what happened.

"You said something to them, don't you?"

"Did you hear me say anything?" his philosophical response annoyed me.

"No, but maybe you forgot you can talk to them telepathically."

"Just eat, Alex. You're spitting nonsense."

"Tsk! Just wait for me later."

I continued eating, trying not to pay attention to the guy next to me. I did this for about an hour until I finished my meal. Tita, who had been silent and smiling before, finished at the same time. Whatever Sky said to them, I'm sure it's embarrassing. I tried not to dwell on what happened; I might make it worse.

"Should I get the cake?" I volunteered to break the awkwardness lingering above us.

"Yes, Alex, please," Tita replied, and I stood up to get it. When I reached the fridge, I quickly opened it and took out a box of cake brought by Trisha. I opened the box and revealed the chocolate cake.

I brought the cake to the table and placed it in front of them. All of their eyes lit up when they saw the cake wrapped in chocolate. I was about to sit when my phone vibrated. Not just mine but Maica's and Trisha's as well.

"It's from the School Bulletin," Trisha reported.

I opened it, and my eyes widened when I saw what was written on our School Bulletin page.

"Oh my god," Maica exclaimed.

I quickly went to the living room and hurriedly turned on the TV. Tita followed suit, leaving the dining table without hesitation. When I turned it on, there was just in time for breaking news.

"Fresh news has just come in. Five students from Delford University were found dead in an alley at around 8 PM tonight. They were identified as..." The reporter mentioned the names of the deceased students one by one, and Maica and I were shocked when we heard the names of our classmates. I looked at Sky, who was attentively watching the news, but I noticed his suspicion. And I'm sure whom he's suspecting.