Jay-Jay's POV
Percy and I were waiting near the park bench.
We were waiting for Aries because he had sent me a message: stay there.
I kept looking at my phone, my stomach tight.
Percy leaned against the tree. "You look nervous," he said.
"I'm not nervous," I said quickly.
"Then why are you checking your phone every few seconds?" he teased.
I rolled my eyes. "Just leave it."
A few minutes later, I saw him walking toward us.
Aries. HVIS uniform. White shirt. Blazer. Tie slightly loose. School bag on his shoulder. Lunch break. Straight from school.
He stopped in front of us. His eyes went to me first. Then Percy. He didn't say anything to Percy. Like it was normal that he was there.
Then he looked back at me.
"Jay-Jay," he said.
I slowly stood up. "Hi…" I whispered.
He didn't smile. He didn't look angry yet. He just looked calm and serious.
"You skipped school," he said.
I crossed my arms. "I just needed some air. It's not a big deal."
He glanced at the empty snack bag on the bench and then at the soda bottle. "You scared Mom," he said quietly.
"I didn't mean to," I whispered.
He was silent for a moment. Then he said, "I'm telling Kuya Angelo."
My eyes widened. "What?!"
"You skipped school. He should know," he repeated.
I stepped closer. "No, Aries! Please… don't tell him."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
"Because he'll overreact! It's not that serious!" I said quickly.
"But you broke rules," he said calmly. "And rules are rules."
I sighed. "Aries, please! I'll go back now. I promise!"
He studied my face carefully. "Promise?"
I nodded quickly. "Promise."
He stayed quiet for a few seconds. Then slowly put his phone back in his pocket.
"Fine. I won't tell him," he said. Relief flooded me immediately.
"But," he added quietly, "if you skip again… I'm telling everything."
I nodded quickly. "Deal."
Percy stayed behind, watching quietly the whole time. Aries glanced at him once but didn't speak.
Then he looked back at me. "Come on. Back to school."
I groaned. Picked up my bag. Followed him slowly.
Aries walked straight ahead. Calm. Confident. Like the responsible older brother he always was.
I knew he wasn't really mad. Not fully. He just cared.
And somehow, that made it impossible to argue.
My little escape from school was officially over.