C7 - You like her, don’t you?

"Allison, those three guys are so handsome," Kara, her coworker manning the counter, said while nudging her with a slight blush.

"They're just showing off," Allison replied, trying to hide her smile.

Ethan, Zion, and Leio were goofing around at the side table. They had dropped her off earlier and promised to wait until her shift ended. The three kept taking turns ordering different things, making it seem like they were just trying to pass the time.

"Seriously, which one of them is your boyfriend?" Kara teased.

"None of them," Allison said, almost tasting the bitterness of her words.

"You're so bitter. Okay, if you won't admit it, I'll just have to guess."

Allison rolled her eyes.

"The one in black."

"Huh?" She tried not to blush, knowing Kara was referring to Ethan.

"He's been glancing at you all night."

There was no stopping it. She was blushing now. Was it true? Was Ethan really looking at her? But every time she glanced their way, he wasn't looking.

"Am I right?" Kara teased further. "You two look good together. He's got that prince charming vibe, girl!"

"Kara, they're just my friends," Allison insisted.

"Whatever you say," Kara shrugged and got distracted as more customers arrived.

Zion approached the counter again to place another order.

"Aren't you guys full yet?"

"Ally, for a friend, you'd overeat just to keep them company," Zion answered with a teasing smile.

"That's unhealthy," she turned around to hide her blush.

"Two more hours," Zion checked his expensive wristwatch.

"I already told you, you don't need to wait for me."

"We're fine, Ally."

She smiled faintly. The truth was, she was touched that they were staying up late for her.

"Your choice."

Zion nodded before heading back to his friends, who continued their antics to pass the time.

Allison couldn't help but smile. Maybe she should consider herself lucky. Even if Ethan never asks her out, at least she's close friends with him. She now had an excuse to be around him often.

"Just a hunch, but I think that guy likes you," Kara whispered when Zion walked away.

"Zion? No, he's just being nice."

"Why do you deny it when it's Zion, but not when it's Ethan?" Kara teased.

"I don't know what you're talking about!" Allison replied, realizing she might have given herself away earlier.

"Alright, fine. By the way, the raffle draw is tonight. I hope I win. Instant house and lot. That would be a big deal."

Allison just smiled. Deep down, she hoped she'd win, too. Even if it wasn't fully furnished.

Her mom and sister Kyla would be thrilled. She knew how cramped their small house was. It was hot, insecure, and a fire hazard. Thankfully, there hadn't been a fire in their area yet.

"Are you sure you're going to tell Ally she won a house and lot tonight?" Leio whispered to Ethan again.

"Yes, I am," Ethan replied, annoyed. Leio must have asked him about ten times already, showing his impatience.

"It's taking so long. I have a date with Cindy."

"Cindy?" Zion repeated. "I thought you were dating her sister Caren?"

"Sisters? Are you playing them both?" Ethan asked in disgust.

"Of course not!" Leio denied. "We're not like that, bro. I'm really dating Cindy. I don't know where Zion got that idea."

"I'm kidding," Zion said with a chuckle, his shoulders shaking.

"You better be," Leio checked his watch again.

"Are you worried Cindy's getting impatient?" Zion teased. "Has Leio Rivera finally fallen for someone?"

"Shut up. That girl is just amazing in b—!" His words were cut off when there was a small commotion.

"Really?!" They all turned to see Allison, excited and in disbelief. "I won? I won?"

"Yes, Ally. I told you not to be so negative," Ms. Pam said. "And guess what? You won the fully furnished one!"

Ethan couldn't explain the joy he felt when a crying Allison hugged her store manager. It was undoubtedly a huge thing for her.

"You made her cry, bro," Leio said, patting Ethan on the shoulder.

"This calls for a celebration," Zion added. "Hey Ethan, don't get too emotional, or Ally will figure out you're behind this."

Only then did Ethan look away from Allison. Zion was right. He was getting emotional. But he wasn't crying. He just felt like his heart was about to burst. He was happy to make Allison happy, even if she didn't know he was behind her win. And he had no plans of telling her unless she became a part of his life where honesty would matter so much.

"Do you ever plan to tell her?" Zion asked.

He paused, considering the question and what he'd been thinking earlier.

"You like her, don't you?" Leio said.

Ethan remained silent.

No. He just wanted to help Allison and make her happy. That was all. She was his friend.

His two friends smiled at each other when he didn't respond. They stood up and asked Allison what she was crying about. Ally happily told them how she won a house and lot.

Ethan watched them for a moment before joining in.

The last time he cared this much for a girl was three years ago, with Felicity.

"Ethan!" Leio called his attention. "Ally won a house & lot!"

He was forced to join the celebration and pretend he knew nothing about it.

"Ally, you have to invite us to your new house, okay?" Leio told the still teary-eyed Allison.

"Of course," she agreed happily. "You three," she glanced at Ethan, and he wanted to envelop her in a hug. "I'm starting to believe you guys are my lucky charm," she joked.

"You just realized that now?" he teased. "Come here," he couldn't resist anymore and hugged her.

"Ethan—" she gasped.

'Say my name again, Ally... I love it when you say my name...'

"Congratulations," he said as he released her.

"Thanks," she looked away to hide her pink cheeks.

She was really cute when she blushed. And he loved the idea that he was the reason for her blushing.

If he could, he would do more than just hug her, maybe even kiss her? The thought made him glance at her lips.

He was momentarily stunned when he realized how kissable her lips looked. He quickly shifted his gaze to her eyes before he could think of anything else. He found her looking at him with questioning eyes.

He smiled and almost laughed at how his smile made her blush again.

"So, when can you move into your new house?" Zion asked, sensing Allison's slight discomfort.

"Ms. Pam said next month," she replied.

"In that case, we'll help you move," Ethan said. "And before you try to refuse, don't even think about it. I won't allow you to move without our help."

"Okay," she didn't argue anymore.

They waited for another hour before Allison clocked out. And as Ethan suspected, she tried to give them the wrong address again.

"Ally," he sighed. "I followed you the other night. You took a jeepney again."

Torn between telling the truth or continuing to lie, Allison chose the former.

"First of all, I'm not ashamed of where I live. I just know you guys would insist on helping me," she said after giving her real address. "Secondly, you wouldn't all fit there," she chuckled at the thought of the three tall men entering her house.

"Whatever, Allison," Ethan shook his head.

"It's true."

On the way there, they discussed how they would help her move next month.

"I'll handle the truck," Leio offered.

"Truck?" she repeated.

"Yeah? Duh, the moving trucks—I think I can ask someone to find one," Leio rolled his eyes.

"I know," she laughed. "What I mean is, there's no need for that. We don't have much stuff."

"Seriously? What about the sofa, TV, bed, cabinet—"

"Perhaps my car will do?" Ethan suggested, referring to his pickup.

"Yeah but, look, you really don't have to bother yourselves guys—"

"It's settled then," Ethan said, as if he hadn't heard her.

Allison braced herself for their reactions when they reached her place. Surprisingly though, her friends didn't say anything negative.

Even when they reached her house, the three remained silent.

"Hey guys, look. This is where I live," she said as she opened the gate.

"Allison, you should really leave this place," Ethan said, putting a hand on her right shoulder, his voice full of concern as he looked at the wire they used as a gate lock.

"Well, I can't till next month," she said with a smile, somehow feeling the need to assure him she was okay.

"Hey Ally, who do you live here with?" Zion asked.

"My mom and my sister," she approached the door of the apartment her family rented. "They're already asleep at this hour, so I can't invite you guys in."

"Can we just take a look? I'm curious about what your home looks like," Leio insisted.

"Leio, Ally needs to rest now," Ethan scolded him before turning to her. "Good night, Ally."

"'Night, Ally," Leio reluctantly said.

"Good night, Allison," Zion added.

"Good night too. Thanks for dropping me off. Take care," she smiled at them.

"Go on inside," Ethan said, not leaving until he was sure she was safely inside.

She was still smiling as she entered the house.

"Who were they, Ally?"

She almost jumped in surprise. Kyla was awake, and it seemed like she had been waiting for her to come home.

"They're my friends," she answered. "Why are you still up?"

"Mom's out of medicine."

"You could have told me in the morning, Ky. Why did you stay up late?" she asked, hugging her sister.

She realized it had been a long time since she had hugged her. She was always in a hurry—school, work. She hadn’t even had a proper conversation with her, except for their quick check-ins before she left in the morning.

"The rent here is going up," Kyla added, looking up at her with sympathy. "Ally, Mom can manage on her own. I'll help you with work."

"Don't worry about that," she smiled, remembering they would be moving to a new house. "I'll handle everything. Just take care of Mom since there are still things she can't do by herself."

"But you're struggling."

"Ky, I'll be graduating in a few months. Are we going to give up now?"

"I just want to help you."

"Believe me, taking care of Mom is already a huge help to me. I can't do that while I'm at work and school. So don't think you're not helping, okay?"

Her sister just nodded and went back to sleep. Allison stayed up a little longer. She had just received her salary, so she needed to do some calculations to budget it.

"Just a little more, Allison," she encouraged herself.

One day, they'll rise above this.