Lily's POV
The final day in Baguio was upon us, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholic. We’d had an incredible time, beach outings, strawberry farms, and endless laughter. But something had shifted for me, and it was like a new feeling was quietly simmering under the surface, especially when it came to Khian.
We had started the day with a trip to a local market, enjoying the fresh air and the colorful stalls. Khian was a bit more relaxed than usual, which made him more approachable. He had this way of interacting that made everyone feel at ease, and I found myself observing him more closely than I ever had before.
---
We were walking through the market, Sophie and Ella busy sampling different local delicacies while Khian and I trailed behind. I was trying to focus on the interesting crafts and foods, but my mind kept drifting back to Khian. There was something in the way he smiled or the way he spoke that seemed different to me now. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.
“Lily, are you okay?” Khian’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I looked up, trying to hide my blush. “Yeah, just... thinking about stuff.”
Khian raised an eyebrow, but before he could say anything, Sophie jumped in with her usual exuberance. “We should try that fruit stall over there!” she announced, pointing excitedly.
---
The fruit stall was a hit. We sampled everything from exotic fruits to sweet pastries. Khian and I ended up chatting about the different fruits, and I noticed how easily the conversation flowed between us. He had this knack for making even the most mundane topics interesting, and it was as if I was discovering a new side of him.
“Did you know that some of these fruits are native to only a few regions?” Khian said, handing me a particularly juicy-looking fruit.
“Really? I didn’t know that,” I replied, taking a bite and savoring the flavor. “It’s amazing how diverse the world is.”
Khian nodded, his eyes meeting mine with a thoughtful look. “Yeah, it’s pretty incredible.” I can't help but steal a glance to him. He look so perfect.
---
As the day went on, the group decided to head to a small park for a picnic lunch. We spread out blankets and laid out our food, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. I tried to push away my growing feelings and focus on the fun, but it was hard to ignore the little spark of something new.
Sophie, ever the observant one, seemed to notice my distraction. “Hey, Lily, you’ve been awfully quiet. What’s up?” she asked, leaning in with a smirk.
I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Nothing much. Just tired, I guess.”
Ella, blissfully unaware of the undercurrent of our conversation, was too busy enjoying her food and chatting animatedly with Sophie. “You guys have to try this! It’s delicious!”
Khian and I exchanged a glance, and I noticed him looking at me with a mix of curiosity and concern. It was as if he was trying to understand what was going on with me. The way he looked at me, with those intense eyes and that slight, encouraging smile, made my heart race a little faster.
---
Later in the afternoon, we decided to visit a nearby flower garden. The garden was stunning, with colorful blooms and lush greenery. We wandered through the paths, taking photos and enjoying the tranquility. Khian and I ended up walking together, slightly apart from the group.
“So, what do you think of the garden?” Khian asked, breaking the comfortable silence between us.
“It’s beautiful,” I replied, glancing around. “It’s like a little paradise.”
Khian smiled, and for a moment, it felt like it was just the two of us in our own world. I realized that being around him felt different, comforting, yet thrilling. It was like discovering a new layer to someone you’ve known for a long time.
---
As the day wound down and we packed up to head back, I felt a mix of emotions. The trip had been amazing, but the new feelings I had for Khian were confusing. I wasn’t ready to admit anything, especially not to myself. I still had a lot to figure out.
Sophie, with her usual knack for picking up on things, gave me a knowing look as we walked back to the car. “You know, Lily, you’ve been acting a little strange today. Everything okay?”
I forced a smile, not wanting to give anything away. “Yeah, just had a lot on my mind.”
Ella, still in her carefree mood, was busy making plans for our next outing. “I can’t believe this trip is almost over. We have to make sure we come back here sometime!”
As we drove back, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. Maybe it was the way Khian looked at me or how easy it felt to talk with him. Whatever it was, it was clear that I had a lot of thinking to do.
---
The drive back to our town was filled with chatter and laughter, but my mind was preoccupied. I knew I couldn’t ignore these feelings forever, but for now, I was content to let things unfold naturally.
As we reached home, I glanced at Khian one last time. There was something there—something new and exciting, but also a little scary. I wasn’t ready to confront it yet, but I knew it would be something to think about in the days to come.
Sophie, ever the perceptive one, gave me a mischievous grin as we unloaded the car. “We’ll talk later, won’t we?” she teased, clearly eager to dive into whatever she thought was going on.
I laughed nervously, trying to hide my growing anxiety. “Yeah, sure. We’ll talk.”
As the trip came to an end and life slowly returned to normal, I knew that things wouldn’t be the same. The trip to Baguio had opened up a whole new world of feelings for me, and it was going to be an interesting journey figuring out what to do with them.
---
We finally got back to our town, the mood was perfect is we once land here, but I was still grappling with these new feelings for Khian. It felt like I had a secret that was just waiting to burst out, and Sophie was all too eager to dig it up. I could almost see the wheels turning in her head, plotting her next move.
We all helped unload the car, but Sophie kept giving me these side glances. “So, Lily,” she started with a grin, “how was your afternoon with Khian? Did you discover any new fruit flavors or...something else?”
I tried to laugh it off. “We just talked about the garden and stuff.”
“Oh, just talking, huh?” Sophie said, raising an eyebrow. “I saw the way you two were looking at each other. It was like a scene from one of those cheesy romance movies.”
I blushed, trying to focus on carrying our bags inside while hidding my face to her. I swear I'm gonna but a ducking tape all over her mouth to shut her off completely. “Sophie, stop it. You’re making it sound like something it’s not.”
Ella, who had been busy organizing the kitchen, looked up. “What are you two talking about?”
Sophie, ever the drama queen, threw her hands in the air. “Oh, nothing much. Just discussing Lily’s newfound appreciation for Khian. Apparently, he’s not just a walking encyclopedia of fruit knowledge!”
I felt my face turn redder. “Sophie, seriously. Can we not do this now?”
Ella looked between us, clearly confused but also amused. “I don’t get it. What’s going on?” She asked as she walk towards our director.
Sophie turned her attention to Ella with a devilish smile. “Oh, Ella, you know how Lily’s been all thoughtful and quiet lately? It’s because she’s been spending a lot of time with Khian. I think she’s found a new appreciation for him.”
Ella laughed. “Really? Lily, are you hiding something from us?”
I tried to keep my cool, but it was impossible with Sophie’s relentless teasing. “No, I’m not hiding anything. I just...feel different. It’s nothing big.”
Sophie, still grinning, decided to up the moment. “Oh, I get it. Lily’s got a crush on Mr. Perfect! Maybe we should start calling him Prince Charming.”
“Prince Charming?” I repeated, trying not to let my embarrassment show.
“Yeah!” Sophie said enthusiastically. “I can already see the headlines: ‘Local Girl Falls for Mysterious Prince. Will They Live Happily Ever After?’”
Ella burst out laughing. “Sophie, you’re ridiculous.”
I sighed, knowing there was no escaping Sophie’s relentless teasing. “Okay, fine. Maybe I’ve been thinking about Khian more than usual. But it’s not like I’m in love or anything.”
Sophie raised an eyebrow. “Oh, sure. It’s not like you’re secretly daydreaming about him or anything.”
Ella leaned in, whispering to Sophie, “I think you’ve really gotten to her. Look at her face.”
Sophie gave a dramatic gasp. “Oh no, poor Lily! We’ll have to make sure she survives this emotional rollercoaster.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help but smile at their silliness. “You guys are impossible.”
---
Later that evening, after we had settled back into our routine, Sophie was still on a roll. As we all sat around the living room, she decided to perform an impromptu “investigation.”
“So, Lily,” Sophie said, her voice dripping with mock seriousness, “how do you really feel about Khian? Do you get butterflies when he talks to you? Do you dream about him at night?” Here she go again.
I laughed, shaking my head. “No, it’s not like that. I mean, sure, I enjoy spending time with him, but it’s not a big deal.” That's right, Lily. Keep your cool.
Sophie’s grin widened. “A big deal? That’s exactly what someone with a crush would say. Admit it, Lily. You’re in love with Khian, aren’t you?”
Ella, who had been trying to follow the conversation, looked at me with curiosity. “Come on, Lily. If you like my brother, you should just say so.”
I sighed, feeling both frustrated and amused. “Okay, okay. I admit, I’ve been feeling something new. But it’s confusing, and I’m not ready to talk about it.”
Sophie, seeing my honest answer, softened her tone. “Hey, it’s okay. We’re here for you. No pressure.”
Ella nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’re just messing around. If you need to talk, we’re here.”
I smiled, grateful for their support. “Thanks, guys. It means a lot.”
---
As the night went on, we all relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. The teasing and laughter had been overwhelming, but it had also been a relief. I knew I had some feelings to sort through, but for now, I was just glad to be surrounded by friends who cared.
Sophie’s antics had definitely lightened the mood, and despite the teasing, I felt closer to everyone than ever. The trip had been full of surprises and emotions, and it had given me a lot to think about. 
As I finally headed to bed, I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of our time together, specialy with Khian. Gosh Khian, you're really messing in my head.