The morning sun was already burning by the time I stepped out of my room and made my way toward the beach. The heat here in Boracay was different—seductive in its intensity, coaxing me to relax, to be distracted. It wrapped around me like the island was trying to pull me in, to make me forget about everything else. The usual stifling heat of Manila seemed far away, irrelevant in comparison. The beach was alive, a blur of motion, people lounging in the shade, some already in the water. Our group gathered in the middle of it all, the atmosphere thick with a promise of fun—and something else. Tension, maybe. Or maybe it was just me.
Kiel was already there, talking with a few of his classmates who'd joined the trip. His hair was still damp from a morning swim, and he looked like he hadn't even tried, which made him seem all the more... magnetic. Navy shorts, loose white tank top. Effortless. I hated it. I hated that I couldn't look away from him.
"Morning, Kei," he greeted me with that grin of his, the same one I'd seen a hundred times before, but this time his voice carried something sharper, like an edge meant just for me. His eyes held mine a moment longer than necessary, and my stomach twisted at the weight of his attention. It wasn't just casual. It wasn't nothing.
"Morning," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heartbeat had already betrayed me. Kiel had a way of looking at me that made me feel like the world around us had faded, like there was nothing else but him. It was frustrating. And worse, it was working.
"Kei!" Lincoln's voice broke the spell, drawing my attention to him as he approached from the shore. His easy grin was a contrast to Kiel's intensity, his whole demeanor lighter, warmer. He wore a plain black tank top and cargo shorts, his hair tousled by the sea breeze.
"Didn't think you'd be up this early," Lincoln teased, handing me a fresh coconut. "Thought you'd still be deciding if you wanted to come out."
I laughed despite myself, grateful for the reprieve. "What can I say? The island's working its magic."
Lincoln smirked. "Good. It suits you." His gaze flicked briefly to Kiel, then back to me, and something in his expression shifted—subtle but unmistakable.
Kiel, still standing nearby, didn't miss a beat. "Kei's always been an early riser," he said smoothly, stepping closer. "She doesn't need much convincing, right?" His tone was casual, but the way he looked at Lincoln, the slight quirk of his lips—it felt deliberate. Like a move on a chessboard.
"Depends on who's convincing her," Lincoln shot back, his grin unwavering. He turned to me, leaning just slightly closer, his voice dropping. "You coming for volleyball, or should I save you a spot under the shade?"
Before I could answer, Kiel cut in. "She's on my team. You don't mind losing, do you, Lincoln?" He threw the words over his shoulder as he walked toward the makeshift court, not even waiting for a reply.
Lincoln snorted, shaking his head. "Bold, isn't he?" he murmured to me. "You sure you're up for this?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly, though I wasn't sure I believed it.
The game started, and it didn't take long for the rivalry between Kiel and Lincoln to spill over onto the sand. I don't even know if I was just being delusional but it feels like they weren't just playing to win the game—they were playing to win me. Every spike, every dive for the ball seemed calculated, as if they were trying to outdo each other, to make sure I noticed.
Kiel's intensity was magnetic, drawing my focus whether I wanted it or not. He'd glance at me after every point he scored, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips, like he was waiting for my reaction. Lincoln, on the other hand, played with a kind of laid-back confidence, always throwing in a joke or a grin whenever he got the upper hand.
"Nice shot, Lincoln," Kiel said after one particularly well-placed serve, his tone polite but laced with something sharp. "Guess even a broken clock's right twice a day."
Lincoln laughed, unbothered. "Careful, Kiel. That ego of yours might not fit on the court." He turned to me, winking. "What do you think, Kei? Should we let him win so he doesn't pout later?"
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore the way both of them were pulling at me in different ways. "How about you both focus on the game instead of... whatever this is?"
"Whatever this is?" Kiel repeated, his smirk widening. "Come on, Kei. You're enjoying it, aren't you?"
I didn't answer, but the flush creeping up my neck probably gave me away.
By the time the game ended, with Kiel's team narrowly winning, the tension between the two of them had become almost palpable. As we gathered our things and headed to a beachfront café for lunch, I found myself stuck in the middle—literally. Kiel walked on one side of me, Lincoln on the other, and the silence between the three of us felt loaded.
At lunch, the rivalry only escalated. Lincoln kept the table laughing with his jokes, but every time he got a laugh out of me, Kiel would find a way to steer the conversation back toward himself, slipping in comments that were just personal enough to remind me how well he knew me.
"Kei," Kiel said at one point, leaning in slightly, his voice low enough that it felt like it was meant only for me. "You've got to tell them about that time in class—you know, the one with the debate and—"
"Or," Lincoln interrupted, grinning, "Kei could tell us about how she's going to beat me at beach volleyball later. Right, Kei?"
I glanced between them, my head spinning. It wasn't just that they were competing for my attention—it was how different their approaches were.
After lunch, someone in the group suggested we go on a banana boat ride, and everyone seemed eager to join. The energy was electric, though I couldn't help but feel that same undercurrent of tension—thicker now, like it had grown roots during lunch.
"You're coming, right, Kei?" Kiel asked, his voice casual, but his eyes locked on mine in that way that made it hard to breathe.
Before I could answer, Lincoln chimed in, a grin lighting up his face. "She's definitely coming. Kei wouldn't miss a chance to prove she's the bravest one here, would you?"
"Bravest? Please," I said, shaking my head. "You two better keep up with me."
From across the table, Mia let out an exaggerated laugh. "You guys are all so confident," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "But let's be honest, I'm the one who's going to steal the show." She turned her attention to Kiel, her smile just a little too bright. "Right, Kiel?"
He glanced at her, his smile polite but brief. "Guess we'll see," he said, his gaze flicking back to me for a moment longer than necessary.
Mia didn't seem to notice—or maybe she chose to ignore it. Either way, she was at Kiel's side as we walked to the dock, her laughter loud and flirtatious as she leaned closer to him. I tried not to notice how effortlessly she slid into his space, the way she tossed her hair or touched his arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.
We climbed onto the banana boat, and that's when things got even more complicated. Kiel made a point to sit right behind me, his knee brushing against mine as he got comfortable.
"Better hold on," he said, his voice low, almost teasing.
Mia, of course, wasn't far. She took the spot directly behind him, resting her hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Kiel," she said with a playful grin. "I'll make sure you don't fall off."
Lincoln, sitting in front of me, turned his head to glance over his shoulder. "Pretty sure Kei's the one who'll need the help," he said, grinning. "You've got this, right, Kei?"
"I've got this," I said firmly, though the tension between all of us was starting to feel unbearable.
The ride started, and the boat jerked to life, speeding across the water with a spray of waves hitting our faces. Laughter and screams filled the air, but even with the chaos of the ride, I couldn't shake the feeling of being caught in some unspoken game.
When the boat tilted sharply, I instinctively grabbed Lincoln's arm for balance.
"See?" he said, his voice teasing. "Told you I'd take care of you."
Before I could respond, Kiel's hand landed on my back, steadying me. "You okay, Kei?" he asked, his voice softer, almost too close.
"I'm fine," I said, though my heartbeat betrayed me.
From behind, Mia's laugh cut through the wind. "You guys are so dramatic! It's just water!" she called out, leaning forward to pat Kiel's shoulder. "Right, Kiel?"
"Yeah," he said, but his attention didn't leave me, his hand lingering on my back just a second too long.
Another sharp turn sent the entire boat flying, and we all tumbled into the water. Shouts and laughter erupted as we surfaced, everyone trying to regain their bearings.
Kiel was the first to swim toward me, his grin easy but his eyes serious. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," I repeated, waving him off as Lincoln swam up beside me, shaking the water from his hair.
"Good thing I'm here," Lincoln said, throwing me a teasing look. "Otherwise, who knows where you'd be."
Before I could reply, Mia splashed toward us, cutting through the moment with her loud, flirtatious laugh. "Oh, please," she said, flipping her hair back. "I'm the one who's keeping everything under control here." She looped her arm around Kiel's shoulder, her laugh ringing out again. "Right, Kiel?"
He gave her a small smile, but his eyes found mine again, lingering in a way that made my chest tighten.
Back on the banana boat, the ride continued, but the tension between the four of us was impossible to ignore. Mia leaned into Kiel every chance she got, her laughter exaggerated, her touches too frequent. Lincoln, on the other hand, kept glancing back at me, his steady presence grounding me even as I felt the chaos of the situation closing in.
As we sped through the waves again, I had to grip the sides of the boat for dear life. At one point, I felt a sharp tug on my waist, and I looked over to find Lincoln's hand there. His fingers brushed against my side, steadying me, but also sending a spark of something strange through my chest.
"Whoa, look at that!" Lincoln shouted above the wind, but I could see the playful glint in his eyes.
I turned to look at him, but before I could react, Kiel's voice broke through, sharp and possessive. "Kei, hold on tight," he said, reaching around me to grab the rope at the front of the boat. His hand brushed my arm as he did, the touch lingering just a little too long. I glanced at him, and for a moment, his eyes softened, the playful teasing replaced with something else.
And then Mia was there, once again sliding into the space between Kiel and me. She laughed loudly, the sound ringing out, and leaned into Kiel's side, just as Lincoln did the same with me. It felt like we were all playing some kind of game, a game I wasn't sure I wanted to be part of.
When the boat made another sharp turn, it threw us all sideways. Kiel, instinctively reaching out, pulled me into his arms to steady me. I froze for a moment in his hold, his hands firm on my waist as his face hovered close to mine. It was brief, but it felt too intimate, too much for my already rattled mind to process.
Mia's laughter rang out behind me. "You guys are acting like we're on a rollercoaster!" she said, leaning forward, her voice teasing. "Just wait until we hit the big waves. That's when the fun really starts."
Lincoln turned to look at me again, an unreadable expression on his face. He smiled, but there was something tight about it, like he was trying to hide something. Maybe it was jealousy, maybe it was something else entirely.
The ride was starting to lose its thrill, at least for me. Every time the boat jerked or tipped, I found myself glancing around, more aware of my position between Lincoln and Kiel than the waves crashing against us. Mia was almost constantly at Kiel's side, leaning into him, touching him in ways that sent a jolt of discomfort through me. Lincoln, too, seemed more interested in keeping me close than actually enjoying the ride.
"Kei, you okay?" Lincoln asked, his voice full of that teasing concern he always had when he was close to me.
I tried to shake off the feeling of his fingers brushing against my arm as I adjusted myself. "I'm fine, Lincoln," I said, trying to sound unaffected. But my eyes kept darting between him and Kiel, who had his gaze trained on me with an intensity I couldn't shake.
Suddenly, Mia's voice broke through the air again, too loud and too cheerful. "Oh come on, you guys! Stop pretending to be all serious! We're on a banana boat, not a boat of heartbreak!" She threw her arms wide in exaggerated motion, her head thrown back in a dramatic laugh.
I looked at Kiel, who for once seemed unbothered by Mia's antics. His eyes were still locked on me, a little softer this time. But just as I thought I caught a moment of connection, Mia's hand found Kiel's arm again, and her fingers lingered, tracing circles on his skin.
I could see the way Kiel stiffened, his jaw tightening for a second before he shot Mia a polite but distant smile. The shift was subtle, but it wasn't lost on me.
"That's it! You're about to fall off!" Lincoln suddenly shouted, causing me to snap my attention back to him.
I looked at him, confused. "What?"
"Hold on tight!" Lincoln's voice had a mischievous edge to it as he grabbed the side of the boat with both hands, preparing for another sharp turn.
I barely had time to react before the boat tilted dramatically again, throwing us all into the water with a massive splash.
"Ah!" I yelled, swallowing water as I surfaced, struggling to regain my balance.
Laughter erupted all around me, but I couldn't focus on the hilarity of the moment. My heart was still pounding from the brief, disorienting contact with Lincoln's side when he'd steadied me earlier. And Kiel. Kiel had been there too, pulling me in almost protectively when the boat tilted. His hand had been so close to mine that I couldn't quite figure out what it meant.
"Kei!" Lincoln's voice reached me first as I treaded water, looking for the boat. "You alright?" His grin was back, wide and playful.
"I'm fine," I said through clenched teeth, trying to calm the erratic beating of my heart.
Mia, however, couldn't resist making a show of herself. She swam over to Kiel, wrapping her arm around his shoulders like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Kiel, you look like you need saving!" she said, her voice dripping with faux sympathy.
Kiel, clearly trying to be polite, smiled tightly. "I'm good, Mia," he said, but I could tell the edge in his voice was genuine.
His attention was on me again, though. His eyes narrowed slightly, as though waiting for me to react. I could feel the weight of his gaze, and for a moment, the noise of the water and everyone's laughter faded into the background.
Before I could process it, Lincoln was right next to me again, swimming closer, his hand brushing against mine in what felt like a deliberate gesture. He gave me that grin, the one that always made my stomach do flips. "You seem a little distracted, Kei. You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," I repeated, but this time my voice wavered. "Just… trying to stay afloat."
Mia rolled her eyes dramatically, catching my attention once again. "Oh, please," she said. "It's just water, Kei. You're acting like we're on some dangerous adventure."
The tension in the water was unbearable now. Mia's presence was like a constant itch I couldn't scratch. She was practically draped over Kiel, her laughter too loud, too pointed. I caught a glance from him, but it was just a fraction of a second before he turned back to Mia, as if trying to avoid whatever unspoken thing was lingering between us.
"Right, Kiel?" Mia continued, oblivious to the way the air had shifted. "You wouldn't want me falling off, would you?" She flashed him an exaggerated wink, leaning in just a little too close.
I couldn't help myself. The words slipped out before I could stop them. "What, you think you're the only one who can save him?" I didn't even recognize my own voice, sharp and biting.
Mia straightened, eyes flashing with surprise before her usual smirk returned. "Oh, don't worry, Kei. I'm just making sure Kiel is taken care of." She turned her attention back to him, sliding a little closer, resting her head on his shoulder as if it was perfectly normal.
I glanced at Kiel, but he had already turned his head to look at me, his gaze softer than it had been with Mia. But it didn't stop the tightness in my chest.
"What's wrong?" Lincoln asked, sensing the shift in my mood. He gave me a sly smile, his eyes glinting. "You jealous, Kei?"
"Shut up, Lincoln," I muttered, but I couldn't stop the blush from rising to my cheeks. The teasing was almost too much.
And then, as if everything couldn't get any more complicated, we hit another huge wave, and the boat tilted again, sending us all sprawling into the water. This time, I barely had time to brace myself before I felt an arm wrap around my waist.
It was Kiel.
"I got you," he said, pulling me against him. His voice was calm, reassuring, and that warmth spread through me before I could think about it.
But then, I caught Lincoln's eye. His smile had disappeared, replaced by something more guarded. His lips pressed into a thin line as he watched us, his gaze flicking between Kiel and me.
This time, I didn't know what to say, what to do. I couldn't figure out if I was relieved Kiel had held me or if it made everything worse.
It was like a game I didn't even know I was playing, and the rules kept changing faster than I could keep up. All I knew was that I was stuck right in the middle of it.