Chapter: The Day I Walked Into Chaos – Keifer's POV
I didn't plan to come that day.
Actually, that's a lie.
I absolutely planned it.
Jay wasn't answering my texts since morning. Not in a bad way — she replied, but short. Suspiciously short.
When Jay sends one-word replies, something is happening.
So after class, I didn't even bother going home. I just got on my bike and headed straight to Angelo's house.
And yes — before anyone says it — I know I see her almost every day at school.
But seeing her in class and seeing her at home are two different things.
In class, she's composed. Focused. Calm.
At home?
She's chaos.
And apparently… today was full chaos.
Kuya Angelo opened the door when I rang the bell.
He raised an eyebrow when he saw me.
"Keifer."
"Kuya," I nodded respectfully.
"You just saw her in school."
"Yes."
"And you're here again?"
"Yes."
He stared at me for a few seconds.
"You children are exhausting."
"Is she okay?" I asked immediately.
He sighed lightly but stepped aside.
"Upstairs. Aries' room."
That made me pause.
"Aries' room?"
"Yes. Apparently it's now a refugee camp."
Before I could ask what that meant—
I heard it.
A loud scream.
"YOU CHEATED!"
"I DID NOT!"
"YOU THREW TWO PILLOWS AT ONCE!"
"That's called intelligence!"
And then—
Jay's laughter.
Not the small giggle she does in class.
Not the polite smile-laugh.
Full. Uncontrolled. Loud laughter.
I didn't even realize I was smiling until I was already halfway up the stairs.
I opened Aries' door without knocking.
And froze.
Ci N and Aries were in the middle of what looked like a full-on pillow war.
Feathers were literally floating in the air.
Aries was standing on the bed like a warrior king.
Ci N was holding a pillow shield like he was defending a castle.
And Jay?
Jay was rolled up on the bed, laughing so hard she was clutching her stomach.
Her hair was messy.
Her face flushed.
Completely carefree.
She looked… happy.
For a few seconds, none of them noticed me.
Then she looked up.
Our eyes met.
Her laughter stopped mid-breath.
Her smile softened.
And then—
She jumped off the bed and ran straight toward me.
"Keif!"
She crashed into me so suddenly I had to steady both of us.
I wrapped my arms around her instantly.
God.
I didn't realize how much I missed holding her until that second.
"You're smiling," I murmured into her hair.
"You're staring," she replied.
"I missed you."
"We just had class two hours ago."
"Still."
She laughed softly against my chest.
Behind us—
"Oh wow," Ci N's voice rang out. "Romance at 4PM."
Aries crossed his arms. "Should we leave the room?"
Jay pulled back but didn't let go of my hand.
"You two are disgusting," she told them.
"You're the one hugging him," Ci N pointed out.
I looked at Ci N properly now.
Same uniform pants as school.
Same messy hair.
Except now he was holding a pillow like a weapon.
"What exactly is happening?" I asked.
"Civil war," Aries said dramatically.
"Pillow war," Ci N corrected.
Jay groaned. "They started because Ci N found something."
My eyes narrowed slightly. "Found what?"
Aries immediately pointed at Jay. "Don't."
She grinned mischievously.
"Sunflower."
I blinked. "What?"
Ci N burst into laughter. "Aries dressed as a sunflower in elementary school!"
I looked at Aries slowly.
He looked betrayed by the universe.
"It was a school play," he muttered.
Jay leaned into me again, laughing.
"I need that picture," I said calmly.
"You will not get that picture," Aries threatened.
Ci N raised his hand proudly. "I have it."
"TRAITOR!"
I laughed.
This was not what I expected when I came here.
But I wasn't complaining.
Then something clicked in my head.
I looked at Ci N more seriously.
"Wait."
He froze.
"What are you doing here?"
The room's energy shifted slightly.
Jay's fingers tightened around mine.
"He's staying here," she said softly.
"For how long?"
Ci N avoided my eyes.
Aries answered instead.
"He ran away."
My smile disappeared instantly.
"From home?"
Ci N nodded.
"Why?"
Silence.
Jay stepped slightly in front of him without realizing it.
"His elder brother," she said quietly. "It's been bad."
I felt something dark settle in my chest.
"Bad how?"
"Control," Aries said. "Locking him in. Yelling. Physical stuff."
My jaw clenched.
Ci N is our classmate.
We sit in the same classroom.
We joke.
We complain about exams.
And he was dealing with that?
"You came here?" I asked him.
He finally looked at me.
"I didn't know where else to go."
Jay squeezed his hand.
"He's not going back," she said firmly.
I looked at her.
There was no hesitation in her eyes.
Only protectiveness.
"You're sure?" I asked quietly.
She frowned at me. "Of course I am."
Ci N suddenly spoke.
"I told my brother I like being here."
Aries snorted lightly. "He told him Jay feels like his mom."
"I DID NOT SAY MOM," Jay yelled immediately.
"Older sister then," Ci N corrected quickly.
I couldn't stop myself from smiling.
"You two are classmates," I said, looking at Ci N. "You can't call her mom."
"She scolds like one," he replied.
Jay grabbed a pillow and threw it at him.
He dodged dramatically.
Aries pointed at me. "See? Violent tendencies."
"I am surrounded by idiots," Jay muttered.
I pulled her slightly closer.
"Correction," I said. "You are surrounded by loyal idiots."
She looked up at me.
Her eyes softened.
And just like that, the noise in the room faded for a second.
"You're okay?" I asked her quietly.
She nodded.
"I am."
"Really?"
She smiled gently.
"Yes."
I studied her face carefully.
No hidden tears.
No forced smile.
She actually looked lighter.
Then Ci N suddenly pointed at me.
"Are you scary?"
"What?"
"My brother says you're dangerous."
Aries rolled his eyes. "Your brother says a lot of nonsense."
I looked at Ci N.
"Do I look dangerous?"
He stared at me seriously.
"You look like you'd punch someone for her."
Jay choked on air. "WHAT?"
I didn't answer.
Because honestly?
Maybe I would.
Aries smirked. "He would."
Jay looked between us. "You two need therapy."
"Group therapy," Ci N added.
Before I could respond, Ci N suddenly grabbed a pillow and threw it at Aries again.
It hit him perfectly.
Silence.
Aries slowly turned his head.
"Keifer," he said calmly. "Join my team."
Jay's eyes widened. "No."
Too late.
I picked up a pillow.
Ci N screamed dramatically. "He's armed!"
Jay tried to run.
I caught her around the waist gently.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Keif, don't—"
Aries attacked first.
Ci N tackled him onto the bed.
Jay tried to escape again.
I pulled her back lightly and shielded her from a flying pillow.
"Protect me!" she yelled.
"I am!"
"You're participating!"
"Same thing."
Within seconds, the room turned into chaos again.
Feathers everywhere.
Aries yelling about strategy.
Ci N screaming victory speeches.
Jay half-laughing, half-threatening us.
And me?
Watching her laugh so hard she nearly fell over again.
At one point she collapsed back onto the bed.
I leaned over her slightly.
"You okay?"
She nodded, breathless.
"I haven't laughed like this in days."
That alone made coming here worth it.
After a while, we all collapsed from exhaustion.
Ci N lay flat on the floor.
Aries was sprawled across the bed.
Jay was sitting beside me, still smiling.
"So," I said casually, looking at Ci N. "You planning to attend school from here too?"
He grinned. "Obviously. I'm not missing math just because I escaped."
Jay groaned. "You're insane."
Aries nodded. "Confirmed."
I looked at Jay again.
"You good with him staying?"
"Yes," she said without hesitation.
"He'll steal your snacks."
"I already did," Ci N admitted proudly.
"THAT WAS MY CHOCOLATE?" Aries shouted.
Jay started laughing again.
I leaned back slightly, watching the three of them argue about chocolate like it was a national crisis.
Three classmates.
One house.
One giant mess of feathers.
And somehow…
It felt right.
Before leaving, I pulled Jay slightly aside near the door.
"You sure you're okay?" I asked softly.
She nodded.
"I am."
"Yuri bothering you again?"
"No."
"Good."
She looked at me carefully.
"You worried?"
"Always."
She smiled softly and stepped closer.
"I like that you came."
"I'll always come."
She didn't reply.
She just hugged me again.
Not rushed.
Not embarrassed.
Just warm.
Behind us—
"HEY," Aries shouted. "If you're going to hug, close the door!"
Ci N added, "Or at least charge entry tickets!"
Jay threw a pillow at them without turning around.
I laughed against her hair.
This house was chaotic.
Loud.
Ridiculous.
But she was smiling here.
And that was enough for me.
Because if chaos is what keeps her laughing—
Then I'll gladly walk into it.
Every single time.