Chapter: The Roast Session on Wheels
(Jay's POV)
If they think they can tease me the whole morning and get away with it?
Big mistake.
Huge mistake.
The bus was already shaking from Josh's terrible singing.
"STOPPP!" I shouted. "Josh, even the driver uncle is reconsidering his career because of you!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Josh clutched his chest. "Betrayal."
"Not betrayal," I said sweetly. "Public safety."
Blaster stood up dramatically. "Jay, why are you so aggressive today?"
I slowly stood up too.
"Oh, I'm aggressive?" I pointed at him. "Blaster, you brought snacks for a two-day retreat like you're preparing for winter hibernation."
The whole bus screamed.
Mayo slapped his seat. "SHE STARTED!"
Blaster gasped. "At least I bring food! Mayo eats from everyone's bag like a raccoon!"
Mayo froze. "That was ONE TIME."
"Yesterday," Rory added calmly.
Everyone: "OOOOOOOOH."
Target: Ci N
Ci N leaned over the seat. "Jay, careful. Remember you're a mother of three in the play."
I turned slowly.
"Ci N… you're my son in the play but in real life you can't even find your socks without asking your mom."
The boys started banging the seats.
"FAMILY ISSUES EXPOSED!"
Ci N pointed at Felix. "At least I'm not marrying Aya for screen time!"
Felix stood up. "It's called acting!"
I smirked. "Felix, relax. You practiced saying 'Yes, my love' in front of the mirror."
Felix sat down immediately.
Dead.
Erdix & Freya
Erdix tried to look innocent.
"Jay, you're being mean."
"Erdix," I said sweetly, "you're playing Freya's boyfriend in the play but you blush when she says your name."
Freya started laughing loudly.
Erdix turned red.
"Sit down," Calix said. "She's unstoppable."
Calix the Cameraman
I pointed at Calix.
"And you! Mr. Documentary!"
He froze.
"You record everything but when it's your turn to talk, you say 'I forgot.'"
The bus shook with laughter.
Calix sighed. "I should've never charged my phone."
Kit & Rory
Kit flipped her hair. "Jay, you're bold because Keifer is next to you."
I gasped dramatically.
"Kit, please. You and Rory argue like a married couple but refuse to admit you care."
Rory choked on air.
Kit threw a pillow at me.
Score: Jay – 7, Bus – 0.
Mayo & David
Mayo crossed his arms. "You're safe because Keifer will protect you."
I looked at David.
"David, you sit quietly judging everyone but laugh the loudest at the drama."
David nodded slowly. "Fair."
"Also," I added, "Mayo, your flirting skills are so bad even auto-correct changes your messages."
The entire bus lost control.
Mayo covered his face.
Drew & Josh
Drew pointed at me. "You're confident today."
"Drew," I said calmly, "you shout 'I don't care' but care the most."
The boys went silent.
Josh whispered, "That was deep."
I turned to him.
"And Josh, you sing like you're fighting the song."
Even the driver laughed.
The Final Boss – Keifer
Then suddenly—
Blaster shouted, "ROAST KEIF IF YOU'RE BRAVE!"
The whole bus went quiet.
Keifer looked at me.
Calm.
Dangerously calm.
I crossed my arms.
"Why not?"
Everyone leaned forward.
I looked at him slowly.
"Keifer…"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You act cool. Mysterious. Silent."
He tilted his head slightly.
"But the same boy who said 'I'm sitting next to Jay because she's my girlfriend' five minutes ago?"
The bus exploded again.
Keifer tried not to smile.
I continued.
"You glare at everyone like a villain but can't even win an argument with me."
Gasps.
Blaster whispered, "She chose violence."
I leaned closer to him slightly.
"And this 'strong boyfriend' secretly saves my seat and holds my hand when I'm stressed."
The teasing noise softened.
Some of them went, "Awwww."
Keifer looked at me.
Not embarrassed.
Just staring.
Then he leaned closer and murmured so only I could hear—
"You're brave because I let you be."
My heart skipped.
I narrowed my eyes. "Excuse me?"
He smirked slightly.
The boys screamed again.
"PRIVATE CONVERSATION!"
"WE CAN SEE THE TENSION!"
I threw my scrunchie at them.
"Mind your business!"
The bus kept moving.
The laughter didn't stop.
Even Yuri, three rows behind, looked irritated.
But I didn't care.
Because today—
I wasn't the girl getting teased.
I was the queen of chaos.
And Section E?
They just got roasted.
Retreat hasn't even started yet.
Poor them.