Chapter 14
Jayjay's point of view
I woke up in the morning. It was raining. Then Yuri called.
[Jayjay, I can't drop you off today. Sorry.]
"It's okay, I didn't want to go with you anyway," I said and ended the call.
I know what I did was rude, but she deserved it.
I got ready and went down for breakfast. Angelo wasn't there today. Tita, Gemma, and Aries were there. They were having breakfast.
I went over to them. "Good morning, enjoy your meal," I said.
"Good morning, sweetie. Come on, eat before it gets cold," she said.
I sat down next to Tita Gemma and started eating my breakfast. Shortly after, a car horn honked.
Wait a minute! Didn't Yuri say he wasn't coming to pick me up??
"Ahhh, I guess Yuri's here. I'll leave now. Goodbye," I said.
"Goodbye Jayjay. Take care," said Tita Gemma.
I grabbed my things and left the house. The person I saw really wasn't Yuri... it was Tripp.
"Hi, I came to give you a ride to school," he said.
"Hi. What a coincidence, I was looking for someone to take me to school," I said.
"Let's go then, before we're late," he said and opened the car door.
I got in. Tripp sat in the driver's seat and started the car. I was on my phone the whole way.
Tripp stopped the car. He got out and opened the car door.
"What happened? Why did you stop?" I asked, surprised.
"We're here, Jay," he said calmly.
"How did we get here so quickly?" I said, and he laughed.
We walked together towards section E. When we entered, the old chaotic section E was gone; everyone had moved to one side.
We sat down in our places. Shortly after, Sir Alvin arrived.
"Good morning, class!"
"Good morning, Sir Alvin!"
"Today we'll be doing a group project," he said.
I hope I'm not in the same group as Keifer...
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Keifer's point of view
When I arrived in class, everyone was quietly seated in their places...
Jayjay hadn't arrived yet. I went to Edrix and asked;
"Edrix, did you find anything about Tripp?"
"Yes, Keifer. Tripp only came here to study. His family lives in New York. Tripp came here because he was expelled from schools there."
"Okay, thanks, Edrix."
As I turned to leave, Edrix spoke;
"But there's something strange... He was born on the same day as you... And in the same hospital."
W-What!
I turned around and looked at him.
"You... are you serious?"
"Honestly, I was surprised when I heard it too. It's really strange, and you look very similar."
I didn't say anything more and turned around, walked to my seat, and sat down.
A short time later, Jayjay arrived... or so I thought...
Tripp entered the classroom after him...
Last night came to mind.
Jayjay wouldn't be with him, right?
A short time later, Sir Alvin arrived...
"Good morning, Class!"
"Good morning, Sir Alvin!"
"Today we'll be doing a group activity."
I hope I'm not in the same group as Jayjay...
"The groups are as follows:
Group 1: C-in, David, Felix, and Calix
Group 2: Drew, Rory, Blaster, and Edrix
Group 3: Kit, Mayo, Eren, and Josh
Group 4: Keifer, Yuri, Tripp, and Jayjay
No objections. Do the activity on page 47."
Damn it! I'm in the same group as Jayjay, and on top of that, I'm in the same group as this guy named Tripp!
Of course I want Jayjay, but I'm afraid I'll lose control and do the wrong things...
The tables were set. We sat at the table in the middle. Yuri and I sat next to each other, Tripp and Jayjay sat next to each other.
We started working on the project...
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Jayjay's point of view
Keifer was a very good leader, I can't hide that...
"Let's use the book," Yuri said, and Keifer and I touched the book at the same time...
Our hands were on top of each other...
I immediately pulled my hand back. Tripp and Yuri were silent, just watching what was happening...
We finished the project with the help of the book.
Sir Alvin came over and congratulated us.
"Well done, boys, it looks amazing 👏👏👏"
We thanked him. Shortly after, everyone finished their projects and showed them to Sir Alvin.
Everyone got high marks. Angelo will be proud of me!!!
My eyes involuntarily drifted to him...
And he was already looking at me...
He immediately looked away.
At that moment, the bell rang and the lesson ended.
Everyone went back to their seats.
It was lunchtime break.
"Guys, all afternoon classes are canceled. We can go home!" Edrix shouted, drawing everyone's attention.
All the Ulupongs cheered with joy.
Tripp said, "I want to take you somewhere."
"Just a minute, I need to get permission from my cousin," I said.
I went to the side and called Angelo. After a few rings, he answered;
[Yes Jay, is there a problem?]
"No Kuya, our afternoon classes are canceled, can I go out with my friend? I promise I won't be late."
[Okay Jay, keep your promise and don't be late, or you know what will happen. Goodbye] he said and ended the call.
I went back to Tripp.
"He gave permission, we can go," I said.
"Okay," he said.
*"Jay! Do you want me to take you home!"* Yuri shouted.
*"No need, I got permission from Angelo. I'm going with Tripp,"* I said.
He nodded. His face looked strange.
We grabbed our bags and left the classroom.
We got in the car. I had no idea where he was taking me. I just waited.
And it was definitely worth the wait...
The place he brought me to was a beach.
🌊
"A beach?" I whispered, but he heard me.
"Yes, you need silence. I understand..."
He hugged me like a bride and walked towards the beach...
I stayed silent and let him. Because he was right.
I needed silence...
He reached the shore but didn't stop. He went into the water.
"Heyyy! What are you doing!" I shouted.
"Shut up," he said and continued.
After going a little further, he let go of me.
I fell into the sea.
"Hahahahahhah!" he started laughing.
I surfaced and splashed him with water.
He was still laughing.
I turned around and walked towards the shore, but before I could get very far, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him...
Our faces were very close...
Tripp, are you doing this on purpose? Are you deliberately trying to make me fall in love with you? If so, I think you should stop...because...I think I've already fallen in love with you.
We started playing. We kept splashing each other. After a while, we got tired and sat down on the shore...
We were soaking wet...
We both looked at the sea. Unintentionally, I rested my head on his shoulder...
He didn't hesitate. We were silent until he spoke...
"Tell me..."
"H-huh?"
"I'm telling you, what is this sadness inside you?"
"Does it show?"
"Very much so...that's why I brought you here. Tell me, I'll listen..."
"I don't know...it feels like everything is overwhelming me...I want to leave...I want to leave everything behind...maybe someone will care about me...Maybe they'll feel my absence...Maybe they'll remember that there's someone named Jayjay in this life...but I'm really tired..."
"You're going through some really tough times...I look strong, but if I were in your place, I would have collapsed by now...you're really strong...you're perfect for me..."
I straightened up and looked at him.
Perfect for me?
Is this guy hitting on me?
Then it started raining heavily.
We immediately got up and ran to the car.
We got inside and quickly closed the doors.
"What are we going to do now?" I asked.
"It's best to go to our house," Tripp said.
I nodded. Tripp started the car and began driving.
Meanwhile, I texted Angelo;
To Angelo:
"Kuya, I got stuck in the rain. I'll be staying at my friend's place today, just so you know."
From Angelo:
"Okay, Jayjay."
A short while later, we stopped in front of a villa.
I couldn't take my eyes off it...
We got out of the car and quickly went inside.
We were soaking wet...
Tripp changed his clothes and gave me some, and I put them on and dried myself.
The air wasn't that cold, but I was freezing. Tripp seemed to notice...
He came over and asked:
"What's wrong, Jayjay?"
"I don't know, Tripp," I said, shivering.
Tripp checked my temperature and said:
"Jay! You have a fever!"
Now the reason was clear. I had a fever...
Tripp picked me up and carried me to the bedroom and put me to bed.
He took off my cardigan.
I couldn't remember anything... Because I had lost consciousness...
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Tripp's point of view
Jayjay lost consciousness. I couldn't take him anywhere in this rain...
I went to the bathroom and found a towel. I prepared some water in a bucket and went to Jayjay's side to try and bring down his fever.
Jayjay's shivering had stopped. When I checked his temperature, it had gone down.
I cleared the things out of sight and went to Jayjay's side.
He was so frail...
I sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his hair.
You'll be mine, Jay... I won't leave you in the hands of Keifer and Yuri...
Then a phone rang... it was Jayjay's phone... and... it was him calling...
Keifer...