Chapter: The Boy With Blue Eyes & The Idiot Who Carried Me
Jay's POV
I knew something was wrong the moment I stepped out of Kuya Angelo's house and didn't see Aries' bike waiting outside.
Usually, that stupid horoscope lover would honk nonstop until I came out.
But today?
Nothing.
The street was unusually quiet. The morning air felt colder than usual, and I hugged my bag closer to my chest.
"Great," I muttered. "Left by my own brother."
I checked my phone.
One message.
Aries:
Left early. Important matter. Go with Keif.
I froze.
Important matter?
Important matter means one person.
Ella.
I narrowed my eyes at the sky.
"HOROSCOPE," I whispered dramatically. "May your zodiac betray you."
He didn't even wait for me. Not even a goodbye. Not even a 'don't walk alone.'
I sighed and started walking toward school.
Our Section E building wasn't even connected to the main HVS building. It felt like we were abandoned children of the school system. So walking there alone felt… different.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
That's when I heard it.
A car engine slowing beside me.
I stiffened.
A black SUV stopped next to the pavement.
The window rolled down slowly.
And then I saw him.
Blue eyes.
Not the usual brown. Not dark. Not warm.
Blue.
Sharp. Curious. Calm.
He leaned slightly out.
"Hello, miss," he said politely. "Do you know where East Wood Street is?"
I blinked.
East Wood Street?
Why are people asking me for directions like I'm Google Maps?
I had absolutely no idea where that was.
But did I want to admit that?
No.
So instead, I pointed randomly.
"You go left," I said confidently.
He nodded.
"Then turn right."
Still nodding.
"Then go three times round and round and round—"
He paused.
"—and then you'll see a guard. Ask him, 'Guard, where is East Wood Street?' Then you will get your answer."
Silence.
The boy stared at me.
Then slowly…
He smiled.
Not a laugh.
Not mocking.
Just… amused.
"You're very helpful," he said, eyes shining.
I lifted my chin proudly.
"I try."
He tilted his head slightly.
"What's your name?"
My heart skipped.
Why did that question suddenly feel dangerous?
"Jasper Jean," I said quickly.
He blinked.
"Jasper?"
"Yes."
Jean.
Not Marion.
Not my real second name.
I don't know why I almost said Marion.
It just slipped.
I opened my mouth to correct—
And then—
HONK!
A loud, sharp horn blasted behind us.
I flinched.
The blue-eyed boy's eyes flicked behind me.
His expression changed.
He straightened.
"Well, Jasper Jean," he said softly. "Thank you."
And before I could react, the SUV drove off.
Fast.
I turned around.
And there he was.
Keifer.
Leaning out of his car window.
Looking annoyed.
"Why are you walking?" he demanded the moment I got closer.
I crossed my arms.
"Because horoscope left me at home."
He frowned.
"Horoscope?"
"Aries."
Realization hit him.
"…He left you?"
"To meet Ella," I said dramatically.
Keifer muttered a curse under his breath.
"That idiot."
I smiled.
"He's your friend."
"He's still an idiot."
I felt weirdly comforted.
Keifer got out of the car and walked to my side.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" he asked.
"I didn't know you were coming."
He clicked his tongue. "You think I'd let you walk alone?"
My heart did that stupid flip again.
I looked away quickly.
I stepped forward—
And suddenly—
Pain.
A sharp twist in my ankle.
"Ah—!"
The world tilted.
I felt my foot give up on life.
And before I could fully fall—
Strong arms caught me.
My hands instinctively grabbed onto his shirt.
My face was inches from his chest.
"Careful," he muttered.
I tried to stand.
But the pain shot again.
I winced.
He noticed immediately.
"Your ankle," he said seriously.
"It's fine," I lied.
He crouched slightly.
"Don't move."
"I said it's fine—"
I tried to step.
And nearly collapsed again.
He didn't even hesitate.
One second I was arguing.
The next—
I was in his arms.
Bridal style.
"KEIFER!"
"Shut up," he said calmly, carrying me toward the car like I weighed nothing.
"Put me down!"
"You can't walk."
"People are staring!"
"Let them."
I buried my face in his chest.
Why is he like this?
Why is he so calm?
He opened the passenger door, gently placed me inside, and closed it.
Then he walked to the driver's side and started the engine.
"Hospital," he said.
"It's just a twist!"
"And if it's worse?"
His jaw was tight.
He was actually worried.
The ride was quiet.
I looked at him from the corner of my eye.
He looked serious.
Focused.
Protective.
"You didn't see him," I blurted suddenly.
"See who?"
"The blue-eyed boy."
He glanced at me briefly.
"What boy?"
Oh.
So he really didn't see.
"Just someone asking for directions," I said casually.
His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
"And?"
"And I gave him wrong directions."
He stared at me.
"You what?"
"I told him to go round and round three times."
Keifer blinked.
Then shook his head.
"You're unbelievable."
"He smiled though."
He went quiet.
Too quiet.
"Don't talk to random guys," he said finally.
I scoffed. "He was just asking for directions."
"And you gave him a circus map."
I giggled despite the pain.
He didn't laugh.
Instead he muttered, "If something happened—"
His voice stopped.
Something inside me softened.
"Nothing happened," I said quietly.
"I'm fine."
He didn't reply.
We reached the hospital.
He came around and opened my door again.
Before I could even try to move—
He picked me up again.
"Keifer—"
"Quiet."
His heartbeat was steady under my ear.
Why does this feel safe?
The doctor said it was a light sprain. Nothing broken. Just rest and a bandage.
When we stepped out, I tried to walk again.
Pain.
He sighed.
"Get in."
I obeyed this time.
On the way back, I watched him.
"Why are you always saving me?" I asked softly.
He didn't look at me.
"Because you don't know how to stay still."
"That's not an answer."
He finally looked at me.
His eyes weren't teasing.
They were serious.
"Because I want to."
My breath hitched.
Silence filled the car.
My mind drifted back to the blue-eyed boy.
The way he smiled.
The way he left quickly after Keifer honked.
Why?
And why did I almost say Marion?
I shook my head.
Focus.
Beside me, Keifer reached over suddenly.
He adjusted the seatbelt properly across my shoulder.
His fingers brushed my collarbone accidentally.
I froze.
He didn't move his hand immediately.
"Be careful next time," he murmured.
"Don't walk alone."
His thumb lightly pressed against my shoulder before he pulled back.
My heart was acting stupid again.
When we reached school, he parked away from everyone.
Before I could protest—
He lifted me again.
"Keifer!"
"You want to hop on one leg?"
I shut up.
As he carried me toward Section E's separate building, I could already imagine the chaos waiting inside.
And I knew one thing.
Aries was dead.
Because when I see him—
I'm breaking his horoscope chart.
But right now?
Right now…
I just rested my head slightly against Keifer's shoulder.
And for the first time since morning—
I didn't feel alone.