Chapter: Worst Timing Ever
(Keif's POV)
Afternoons in this house were usually chaotic.
But that afternoon?
It was surprisingly quiet.
Too quiet.
Jay was sitting beside me on the couch, curled slightly into the corner with her legs tucked under her. A novel rested in her hands, and she looked completely absorbed in it.
Or at least she was pretending to be.
I watched her for a moment.
"You've been on the same page for ten minutes."
She didn't even look up.
"Maybe it's a very interesting page."
I leaned closer.
"Or maybe someone's distracted."
Now she finally looked at me.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Maybe someone keeps talking."
I smirked.
"Maybe someone likes the attention."
Jay rolled her eyes and closed the book with a quiet thud.
"You're annoying."
"And yet you're still sitting next to me."
She tried to move away, but my arm slid around her shoulders before she could escape.
Jay sighed dramatically.
"You are impossible."
"Still here though."
She shook her head, but I noticed she didn't move away again.
For a moment the house was peaceful. Sunlight came through the window and the air felt calm, like the world had paused for a second.
Jay leaned her head slightly against my shoulder.
"You know Percy is still mad."
I laughed quietly.
"He nearly screamed when he found out we're dating."
"He still thinks I'm five."
"He definitely does."
Jay groaned.
"I swear that idiot—"
I tilted my head slightly toward her.
"You're cute when you're angry."
Jay immediately looked at me.
"…Don't."
"Too late."
She tried to glare, but the moment didn't last.
Something softer replaced it.
She looked at me for a second longer than usual.
Then she leaned closer.
"…Don't say anything."
"I wasn't planning to."
Her hand lightly grabbed my shirt.
And then she kissed me.
For a moment everything felt quiet.
Just the soft rustle of the couch and the sunlight warming the room.
Jay pulled closer, and my hand moved to the back of her head without even thinking.
The house stayed silent.
Which should have been the first warning.
Because suddenly—
The front door slammed open.
"WE'RE BACK!"
Percy's voice echoed through the entire house.
Jay didn't hear it.
I barely did.
Footsteps.
Multiple footsteps.
Shopping bags rustling.
And then—
Percy walked straight into the living room.
Behind him were Aries, Ci n, and Keigan carrying bags.
They all stopped walking at the exact same moment.
Because Jay and I were very clearly—
Still kissing.
For two seconds nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Then Percy screamed.
"MY BABY SISTAAAAAA—"
Jay jumped back so fast she nearly fell off the couch.
I blinked and sat up straight.
Ci n dropped the shopping bag and doubled over laughing.
Keigan grabbed his head.
"BRO—"
Jay covered her face with both hands.
"Oh my god."
Percy pointed at me like I had committed a crime.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
Ci n was literally wheezing.
"They didn't even hear us come in!"
Keigan laughed.
"They were BUSY."
Jay grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it directly at Percy.
"GET OUT!"
Percy caught the pillow dramatically.
"I JUST WALKED IN AND SAW MY SISTER—"
"PERCY!"
Aries leaned against the wall watching the chaos unfold calmly.
"You guys really have the worst timing."
Percy shook his head in pure disbelief.
"My innocent baby sista…"
Jay grabbed another pillow.
"STOP SAYING THAT."
Ci n pointed at the couch.
"You two didn't even try to hide!"
Keigan nodded.
"In the living room is crazy."
I ran a hand through my hair and looked at them.
"You people don't knock?"
Percy looked personally offended.
"THIS IS MY SISTER'S HOUSE TOO!"
Jay groaned loudly.
"I hate all of you."
Ci n wiped tears from his eyes.
"This is the best thing I've seen all week."
Percy turned toward me again.
"You."
He pointed directly at my face.
"Stay away from her."
I leaned back into the couch.
"…Too late."
Ci n collapsed laughing again.
Keigan slapped the wall.
"BRO SAID TOO LATE—"
Jay buried her face into a pillow.
"Can the ground swallow me right now."
Percy shook his head dramatically.
"I leave for two hours and this happens."
Aries shrugged.
"Technically they've been dating."
"That doesn't mean I need to SEE IT."
Jay peeked up from the pillow and glared at everyone.
"WHY ARE YOU ALL STILL STANDING HERE?"
Ci n raised his hands.
"Okay okay we're leaving."
Keigan grabbed the grocery bags again.
Percy kept staring at me suspiciously.
"I'm watching you."
I sighed.
"Good for you."
Jay elbowed my side.
Hard.
And honestly?
Next time we were locking the door.