Chapter: The Bite Back
(Jay's POV)
I was peacefully sitting on my chair.
Peacefully.
For once.
Notebook open. Pen in hand. Trying to look productive so teachers wouldn't suspect Section E of planning another disaster.
And then—
"Jaaay~"
Ci n's voice.
The human mosquito.
I didn't look up. "What."
He leaned over my desk dramatically. "If Keifer writes a song about you again, will it be called Miss Ulupong?"
The class snorted.
I kept writing.
"Or maybe Wall Pin Symphony?" he continued.
Blaster slapped the desk laughing. "STOP."
Ci n wasn't done. "Or maybe—"
I slowly looked up.
Very slowly.
He grinned like he had discovered comedy.
"Ci n," I said calmly.
"Yes, queen of profanity control?"
I smiled sweetly.
"Gago."
The class gasped dramatically.
Ci n froze.
"And," I added without blinking, "ulupong."
The room exploded.
"OH SHE SAID IT."
"TWO IN ONE."
"DOUBLE PROFANITY."
Ci n clutched his chest. "She attacked me in Filipino."
Blaster stood up immediately. "KEIFER."
Traitor.
Denzel pointed at me like a witness in court. "She clearly violated the rule."
I crossed my arms. "He deserved it."
Ci n dramatically fake-cried. "Bro, she called me a snake."
"You act like one."
The class screamed again.
And then—
Footsteps.
Slow.
Confident.
Oh no.
Keifer.
He had been sitting at the back, minding his business.
But now?
He stood up.
The class went silent like a documentary narrator just entered.
He walked toward me calmly.
"Repeat what you said," he requested casually.
I tilted my chin up. "No."
Ci n shouted, "She said gago and ulupong."
"Snitch," I muttered.
"That's not profanity," Keifer noted calmly.
Everyone paused.
Ci n blinked. "It's emotional profanity."
Keifer stopped right in front of my chair.
"You broke the rule," he said quietly.
"He started it."
"You responded."
"He's annoying."
"You swore."
I folded my arms. "What are you going to do?"
The class leaned forward.
"Do it."
"Wall rule."
"Justice."
Before I could react—
He gently grabbed my wrist.
Not rough.
But firm.
Pulled me up from the chair.
Gasps everywhere.
"CLASSROOM SCANDAL."
"WE NEED POPCORN AGAIN."
He turned me slightly and backed me toward the wall beside the windows.
My back hit it lightly.
My heart jumped traitorously.
"You said if I use profanity, you'll kiss me," I reminded, trying to sound brave.
"Yes."
"And?"
"And I keep my promises."
The class started chanting.
"KISS. KISS. KISS."
I glared at them. "All of you are dead."
Keifer leaned closer.
One hand lightly on the wall beside me.
The other at my waist.
"Last chance," he murmured softly. "Take it back."
I lifted my chin stubbornly.
"Gago," I whispered again.
The class lost control.
"ULUPONG BONUS ROUND," Ci n screamed.
Keifer exhaled slowly.
"You're testing me."
"Maybe."
And then—
He leaned down.
And kissed me.
On the lips.
Not slow this time.
Not teasing.
Firm.
Confident.
The class erupted into chaos.
Blaster fell off a chair.
Ci n screamed like he won a lottery.
Denzel shouted, "ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT."
But something in my brain switched.
Because I refused to lose this round.
So—
I bit his lip.
Not hard.
But enough.
He immediately pulled back.
Eyes widening slightly.
The class went silent in shock.
"DID SHE JUST—"
"SHE FOUGHT BACK."
"REVERSAL."
Keifer touched his lower lip.
There was no blood.
But definitely surprise.
I crossed my arms, trying to look unaffected even though my heart was racing wildly.
"That," I said calmly, "is penalty."
The class screamed louder than before.
Ci n was on the floor laughing. "SHE BIT THE CHAMPION."
Keifer stared at me for a few seconds.
Then slowly—
He smirked.
Dangerous smirk.
"You bite now?" he asked quietly.
"You kiss without warning."
"Fair."
He stepped closer again slightly.
The class panicked.
"ROUND TWO?"
"WE'RE NOT READY."
He leaned down near my ear.
"If that's how you play…" he murmured softly, "I might start swearing on purpose."
My stomach flipped.
"Don't you dare," I whispered.
He stepped back finally, satisfied.
"Profanity rule updated," he announced to the class. "She bites."
The class applauded like it was a championship match.
Ci n wiped fake tears. "Best class ever."
I sat back down dramatically.
Trying to regain dignity.
Keifer walked past me, brushing his fingers lightly against my desk as he returned to his seat.
And as he sat down—
He glanced at me once more.
Smiling.
Not annoyed.
Not angry.
Just amused.
Which made it worse.
Because somehow—
Even when I tried to win—
He still looked like he did.