Jay's POV
The hot water ran down my shoulders as I stood under the shower.
I stayed there longer than usual.
Not because I needed it.
But because my mind was still replaying everything from today.
Freya's voice.
Matilda's slap.
The way everyone stared.
And the moment I grabbed her neck.
I closed my eyes.
Water continued running over my face.
I almost lost control.
I turned the shower off and grabbed a towel.
A few minutes later I stepped out of the bathroom wearing comfortable home clothes. A loose grey hoodie and soft shorts.
My hair was still damp when I opened the door to my room.
And immediately froze.
Dad was sitting in my study chair.
My desk lamp was on, lighting the room softly.
On the table beside him…
A tray of food.
Rice.
Grilled chicken.
And a glass of juice.
Dad looked up and smiled.
"Well look who finally decided to stop destroying gym equipment."
I rolled my eyes slightly and walked over.
"Luke exaggerates."
Dad raised an eyebrow.
"You destroyed two punching bags."
I sat on the bed.
"One and a half."
He chuckled.
"Eat first."
I walked over and sat at the desk, picking up the fork.
For a few seconds we stayed quiet while I ate.
Then Dad leaned back in the chair.
"So…"
I sighed.
"You already know, don't you?"
He nodded.
"Aries told me everything."
Of course he did.
Traitor.
I stabbed my chicken with the fork.
"They started it."
Dad smiled slightly.
"I never said you started it."
I looked at him.
"But…"
He continued gently.
"You almost finished it."
I stopped eating.
My grip on the fork tightened slightly.
Dad noticed immediately.
His voice softened.
"Jay."
I looked down.
"You know what happens when your anger takes control."
My chest felt tight.
Dad continued quietly.
"After what happened before… you wouldn't want that again, right?"
I shook my head slowly.
"No."
The room stayed silent for a moment.
Then Dad leaned forward and tapped my forehead lightly.
"Good."
I looked up at him.
"But I also understand something."
"What?"
Dad shrugged.
"You're my daughter."
I blinked.
"And?"
He smirked.
"You inherited my temper."
I couldn't help it.
I laughed.
"Mom would disagree."
"Oh your mother has the worst temper in this house."
"That is a lie."
"Complete truth."
We both started laughing.
Dad leaned back again.
"But seriously, princess."
His tone became calmer.
"You don't have to carry everything alone."
I nodded slowly.
"I know."
He gestured toward the tray.
"Also you should eat faster."
"Why?"
"Because if your mother sees you skipped dinner she will blame me."
I laughed again.
"That sounds accurate."
We talked for a while after that.
About school.
About the boys.
About how Luke would probably cry when he sees the broken punching bag tomorrow.
And by the time I finished eating…
The heavy feeling inside my chest had mostly disappeared.
Then suddenly—
Bzzzt.
My phone vibrated on the desk.
Dad pointed at it.
"Someone popular."
I picked it up.
And blinked.
Messages.
A lot of them.
From the boys.
I opened the chat.
Immediately I saw the chaos.
David:
"Yo JayJay are you alive?"
Ci-N:
"Jay did you go home safe???"
Felix:
"If Matilda is still breathing that means Keifer saved her."
Ci-N :
"Ignore Felix."
David:
"No seriously are you okay??"
Rory:
"You almost strangled someone."
Endrix:
"Legend."
Yuri :
"DON'T ENCOURAGE HER."
Another message popped up.
Keifer:
"You alright?"
Short.
Simple.
But somehow the one I stared at the longest.
Dad noticed the smile slowly forming on my face.
He leaned over slightly to peek.
"Oho."
I quickly tilted the phone away.
"Privacy."
Dad raised both hands dramatically.
"I saw nothing."
He stood up from the chair and stretched.
"Well."
He started walking toward the door.
"Looks like you have friends waiting."
I nodded.
"Yeah."
Then Dad paused at the door.
Without turning around he said casually,
"You should have fun this time."
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Follow your heart."
"Toward who?"
Dad opened the door.
Then he finally looked back with a grin.
"You know… him."
I blinked.
"Who's him?"
Dad walked out into the hallway laughing.
"Your president."
Then he disappeared.
The door closed.
I sat there frozen for a few seconds.
Then suddenly it hit me.
"…Keifer?"
I grabbed a pillow and threw it toward the door.
"DAD!"
No response.
Just distant laughter from the hallway.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands.
Then I looked back at my phone.
More messages had arrived.
Ci-N :
"If you're dead send a ghost emoji."
David :
"Ignore him."
Felix:
"Jay if you come tomorrow bring popcorn. I want drama."
Yuri:
"Felix shut up."
And then another message.
From Keifer.
Keifer:
"Answer your phone, Marino."
I smiled.
These idiots.
I typed slowly.
"Relax. I'm alive."
Then another message.
"But if anyone throws water at me again…"
"I'm bringing a fire extinguisher tomorrow."
Within two seconds—
The chat exploded.
David:
"SHE'S BACK."
Felix:
"THE QUEEN RETURNS."
Ci-N:
"that my Jayjay ."
I leaned back in my chair laughing quietly.
For the first time today…
Everything felt lighter.
And somehow…
Tomorrow didn't feel so bad anymore.
End of Chapter 21 📱✨