Jay-Jay's POV
I sat on the bench in the park quietly.
The wind moved the leaves above me.
The sunlight was warm on my face.
But my mind still felt heavy.
I looked down at the snacks I bought from the mini mart.
A sandwich.
A small pack of chips.
And a cold drink
I opened the chips slowly.
The sound of the packet tearing felt loud in the quiet park.
I took one chip and ate it.
Crunch.
Then another.
For a moment, everything felt normal
Just the quiet park.
And me.
I leaned back on the bench and looked up
Then suddenly—
"Jay-Jay?"
I froze.
That voice.
I slowly turned my head.
Percy was standing a few steps away from me.
Looking slightly surprised.
And slightly amused.
"Wow," he said.
"You actually skipped school."
I stared at him.
"How did you find me?"
He shrugged casually.
"You're not very hard to find."
I frowned.
"What does that mean?"
He pointed at the mini mart bag next to me.
"You always buy the same chips."
I blinked.
"That doesn't explain anything."
He laughed softly.
Then he walked over and sat beside me on the bench.
Like it was the most normal thing in the world.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The wind moved gently around us.
Kids were playing somewhere far away.
A dog barked in the distance.
Percy leaned back slightly.
"So," he said.
"Bunking school?"
I looked down at my chips.
"Maybe."
He smiled.
"Bold move."
I shrugged.
"I just didn't feel like going."
He nodded slowly.
"I figured."
I glanced at him.
"You figured?"
He looked at me calmly.
"Yesterday was a lot."
I didn't respond.
Because he was right.
Yesterday was a lot.
Too much.
Too fast.
Too loud.
I took another chip and ate it.
Percy looked at the snack bag.
"You gonna share?"
I rolled my eyes.
"You literally just sat down."
"And you're already asking for food."
He held up his hands.
"Hey, I'm just asking."
I sighed and pushed the chips toward him.
"Fine."
He took one.
Then another.
Then another.
"These are actually good."
I smirked slightly.
"I know."
For a few minutes we just sat there.
Eating chips.
Drinking soda.
Watching people pass by.
No pressure.
No awkward silence.
Just quiet.
Then Percy spoke again.
"You feel better?"
I thought about it.
Did I?
Maybe a little.
Not completely.
But enough.
"Yeah," I said quietly.
"A little."
He nodded.
"Good."
I looked at the trees again.
The branches moved gently in the wind.
I suddenly realized something.
I hadn't thought about the chaos at home for almost ten minutes.
That felt like a miracle.
Percy stretched his arms behind his head.
"So what's the plan now?"
I blinked.
"What plan?"
"You skipped school."
He said it like it was obvious.
"So what's next?"
I looked down at the ground.
Honestly…
I hadn't thought that far.
"I don't know," I admitted.
He chuckled.
"Bold strategy."
I elbowed him lightly.
"Hey, I didn't plan this."
"Clearly."
We both laughed quietly.
And for the first time since yesterday—
My chest didn't feel so tight.
Maybe bunking school wasn't the best idea.
Maybe Aries would find out.
Maybe Kuya Angelo would scold me later.
But right now?
Sitting on this bench.
Eating chips.
Talking with Percy.
The world felt a little lighter.
And for today…
That was enough.