POTENTIAL: TWENTY-THREE

**ALEX POV**

"We'll just accompany Trisha outside, Ma!" Maica informed which her mother agreed to. We all went out of the door and headed towards Trisha's car.

"Are you alone?" I asked Trisha as she opened the driver's seat door.

Trisha nodded. "We don't have a driver ever since he found out what Papa did. He was probably scared that he might end up in jail because he was Papa's driver whenever he had appointments," she explained.

"Are you okay going home alone?" Maica added.

Trisha gave us her reassuring smile when she noticed our concern. "I'm okay, Maica. I'll be careful."

"Alright then. Take care!" Maica instructed her new friend.

"Thank you, Maica. You too!" Trisha replied and got into her car. The engine started along with the headlights. The car honked, signaling that she was about to leave. We waved goodbye as her car moved away from where we were standing.

Once she was out of sight, we quickly returned inside the house, where Tita was still waiting, her face filled with bewilderment after learning that five of our classmates died simultaneously. We all sat on the sofa, seemingly about to have a meeting. Everyone was silent because everyone in this house knew that what happened was not just an ordinary killing. I glanced at Sky, and he still had the same serious look on his face, contemplating.

So, I decided to beat him to it. "I know what you're thinking, Sky, and it's impossible for her to do that."

"Who?" Tita asked in confusion.

"You mean, Quinn? The transferee?" clarified Maica, to which I nodded.

"You heard them earlier, didn't you? Five will accompany Quinn, and now they're all dead," Sky accused emotionlessly, irritating me.

"Can you stop accusing and judging people like you know what happened? You have no evidence to accuse her like that! How can a girl like Quinn, single-handedly kill those five muscular guys?" I angrily asked.

"Maybe, she's not normal."

I furrowed my brows when I heard Sky's baseless reasoning. "Are you saying that Quinn is some kind of an extraordinary teenage girl who can do extraordinary things? Really? Do you know how crazy that sounds?"

"So you call me, yourself, and the 48 human samples crazy just because we're extraordinary?" he retorted, almost shutting me up.

"N-No! It's-it's not like that! That's not what I meant! You know what? I'll just go to sleep. I've had enough of this bullsh*ts," I reasoned and stood up from the sofa I was sitting on.

"Alex," Maica stopped me with concern.

"I'm sorry, Tita, Maica, but I need to rest. What's happening right now is giving me a headache."

"It's okay, Alex," Tita nodded sympathetically. "Go ahead, rest there."

"Thank you, Tita."

I left quickly and headed to my room. I closed and locked the door with my telekinesis and went to the bed. I lay down and started contemplating. An idea popped into my head, and I immediately acted on it. I sat down and meditated until I was brought to the place of my Alter.

"What brings you here?" my Alter greeted me while sitting in the only chair available. I sat on the floor facing my Alter.

"I just want to talk to somebody sensible."

"And you chose me?"

"Because you're my conscience. You know what is right and wrong."

"This has something to do with Sky, isn't it?" he asked, surprising me.

"What?! Why would you even ask that?"

Sky again? He's always involved in this?

"He's the only one doing this to you," he said. "Made you irritated and angry."

I sighed. "Well, it's because he's suspecting the new transfer student of killing our five classmates."

"And you're mad about that?"

"Isn't it obvious? Of course, I'm mad! Who wouldn't be angry when he's falsely accusing an innocent girl of a crime she didn't commit!"

"How sure are you that she didn't do it?" he asked, making me ponder.

"I-I don't know. I just feel it." I bowed my head, realizing how baseless my reason was.

"Maybe that's what also Sky wanted to say. Perhaps he also feels that this new girl had something to do with the killing." I was speechless hearing my Alter's point.

He's not bad for a conscience.

"You know what, A.J., you're not ba-"

"Excuse me? What did you just call me?"

"A.J.! Alex Junior!"

"Don't you ever call me that, again!" he threatened.

"Whatever. By the way, thanks for listening to me. See you soon, A.J."

"Hey!"

I closed my eyes, and when I opened them, I was back in my room. I stared at the door, weighing whether I should talk to Sky or not. It took me half an hour before I decided that I needed to talk to him.

I went out of the room and headed to the living room. When I arrived there, I didn't see anyone. The lights were off, and the only light was in the kitchen. I checked the clock and realized it was already ten in the evening. I thought of going to his room, but I figured he might be asleep. I sighed in defeat and decided to leave it for tomorrow. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to sleep well given the current situation.

I returned to my room, acting like I was about to enter when I noticed Sky coming out of the bathroom. Once again, I saw his wet body with just a towel wrapped around him. My eyes widened, and I quickly averted my gaze when I felt my cheeks warming.

"I thought you were already asleep," he suddenly commented, slightly startling me.

"I-I...uhh... I actually wanted to talk to you," I responded while still trying to glance at the ceiling.

"Go ahead."

"Maybe you should change first? I'll just wait in the living room," I suggested, looking away before he noticed my reddening cheeks. I quickly went to the living room and sat on one of the sofas. A couple of minutes later, Sky arrived in his sleeping clothes. He sat across from me comfortably.

How do I start this? Should I apologize? Or should I let him apologize first? Argh! Whatever!

"I'm sorry," I apologized, and he seemed to be waiting for a response, but I received none.

"Is that it?" he asked, irritating me. I was about to scold him again, but I stopped myself.

Relax, Alex. Calm down.

"I'm sorry for my actions earlier and for raising my voice at you." The room went silent, and the air turned awkward. Several minutes passed, but Sky still didn't respond. I expected him to apologize too, but it seems he has no intention for now. "Well, that's all. Goodnight," I bid farewell and stood up. Honestly, I was contemplating whether to leave him or not, but I still have an assignment to do. So, I continued walking until I reached the door of my room.

As I was about to enter, Sky called me. "Alex."

I turned to look at him, and he

had this stern expression. He walked towards me and stopped a few meters away. I expected him to say something, but I was surprised by what he did.

My eyes widened while my body seemed to freeze. All I could do was feel Sky's lips on mine. I was too shocked that I didn't respond immediately to his sudden move. I just stood there while someone else invaded my lips. This position lasted for about a minute, and it felt kind of nice. It's like I want this to last forever.

Sky withdrew his lips, and he looked me in the eyes. "I'm sorry too," he apologized in his deep and daring voice that sent shivers down my spine. My cheeks were already warm, and I knew they were blushing, but I had no intention of hiding it from him. I wanted him to know how he was making me feel. "Goodnight," he said and quickly left to return to his room. But before he could go far, I grabbed his hand to stop him. Sky stopped, and he looked back at me.

"Stay with me," I shyly requested, which made my face even warmer. I opened the door and entered first. I waited for him to follow, and he did. He looked around my room before entering. And from that moment, I am certainly sure that this night will be my longest night.

******

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock. I opened my eyes and squinted to see clearly whether I was still in my room or not. Once I confirmed that I was still in my room, I closed my eyes again. However, seconds later, my eyes immediately gaped. I suddenly remembered what happened last night.

Right. We just talked. Yes! That's right, Alex! That's right! You just talked! It was just a dream! Or was it?

It felt so real, especially his kiss. Until now, I can still feel the softness of his lips.

"Good morning," a familiar voice greeted me. I looked, and it was Sky. My eyes widened like lightning when I fully remembered what really happened last night. I closed my eyes and covered my face with a pillow because I was sure it was redder than a tomato.

Suddenly, I felt Sky's hand wrap around my waist. He pulled me close to his body, and I realized he wasn't wearing any clothes.

Something did happen last night!

I cried internally. I didn't know how to react—whether I should feel happy, angry, or embarrassed. My mind was not at peace. What a great way to start the day!

I tried not to act weird, fearing that he might notice. So, I got up from my bed and picked up the clothes on the floor. I was about to take a bath when Sky pulled me back to bed. I sat down, and he hugged me. His chin was on my shoulder, and our faces were close. I looked at him with still-closed eyes.

"Get up, Sky! It's almost 6:30. We'll be late for our class," I reminded him, shaking his shoulder to wake up his sleeping head.

"Fine." Sky let go of me, and I stood up again, heading to where my towel was. I moved my way toward the door, but before I could reach it, Sky said, "Let's take a bath together." My eyes gaped for the second time when I processed what he said. Along with it was the warming of my cheeks, which irritated me.

"No, Sky! Not because something... something..." I swallowed hard. "...something happened between us last night, you can join me in the shower. And besides, we're not official yet, so don't act like we're together."

He furrowed his brows. "So, what do you call last night?" My cheeks heated up more, prompting me to avoid eye contact.

"It's nothing. It's just a normal thing," my stupid argument that made me cringe a bit.

"So, are we like f*ck buddies, is that what're you trying to say?" he clarified.

"You know, Sky, if you're really that serious about your feelings, take action. Don't waste my time. It's too early in the morning for you to be a downer."

I immediately left, and Maica came out of her room, freshly showered. "Oh! Why do you look like that? Why are you in a bad mood so early in the morning? Are you sick?" Maica asked, thinking she wouldn't notice my face.

"I'm not sick, just in a bad mood," I replied.

"Are you sure? Your face is so red."

"It's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

One more question, Maica, and I'm really going to walk out.

"I'm sure, Maica. Don't worry, I'm fine."

"Okay."

Good.

We continued walking but Sky called my name. I looked at him, already at the door, peering out. "Did you see my shirt?" he asked. I was about to answer him when I was surprised to see Maica with widened eyes looking at Sky. Maica looked at me and then pointed to Sky.

There goes my luck.

I forced a fake smile to get Sky's attention. Sky looked at Maica, and I was amazed that I didn't see the surprise on his face. "Oh! Good morning, Maica!" Sky greeted the girl enthusiastically, surprising me even more.

And he even managed to greet her!

"It's indeed a good morning for you two," Maica replied, causing me to facepalm.

Why did this happen?