Jay Jay's pov
I entered the house with a heavy heart.
Keigan's words kept echoing in my head.
Am I really breaking their relationships?
Does Keifer really care less about Keigan and Keiran because of me?
Did I make myself Keifer's priority when I shouldn't have?
I shook my head hard.
Stop it, Jay.
Pushing the thoughts away, I went to my room, freshened up, and changed my clothes. Then I rushed downstairs because emotional breakdown or not, hunger was still a serious threat to my life. I need fooddddddddd.
I went straight to the kitchen and grabbed food from the fridge. Manga was busy cooking dinner, completely unfazed by my existence.
Just as I was about to sneak back to my room with my food
That horoscope appeared.
"Didn't you just come after eating?" he asked suspiciously.
I ignored him and kept walking.
He followed.
"How can you eat this much?" he asked, staring at my plate like it personally offended him.
"I didn't eat anything," I replied.
"Didn't you say you were going to eat with your friends?" he said, narrowing his eyes.
"The restaurant was closed."
"So why did it take you so long?" he asked, yelling "Where were you?"
I raised my hand in front of him, signaling wait, and took a big bite of my food.
He stared at me like he was reconsidering my existence.
"Are you done?" he asked. "Now speak."
"Okay, first sit," I said.
He sat.
"So," I began dramatically, "we were going to eat, but the restaurant was closed."
"You already said that," he snapped.
"Let me finish!"
"That's why we decided to go to Keifer's house—"
"You went to that jerk's house?!" he yelled.
I covered my ears. "AHHH let me finish!"
Before continuing, I took another bite. Slowly. Calmly. Like there was no angry horoscope in front of me.
He glared at me like he might explode.
"Don't test my patience," he warned.
After chewing properly, I continued my tragic romantic food story.
"We were going to his house obviously for free food," I said.
"That's the only thing you and your dumb classmates think about," he muttered.
I ignored that. "When we were near his house, we saw Keigan and Blaster fighting. Elixera was trying to stop them—"
"Now who the hell is Blaster and Elixera?" he interrupted.
"AHHHH," I said loudly. "BLASTER IS MY FRIEND AND ELIXERA IS—AHHH DON'T SPOIL MY STORY. LET ME JUST FINISH."
I took another bite.
He leaned back, annoyed but listening.
"Elixera is Blaster's best friend," I explained.
"And she's also Keigan's girlfriend."
His eyebrows rose.
"But," I added quietly, "Elixera and Blaster love each other."
He went silent.
"That's why everything exploded," I continued. "Blaster told Keigan the truth. That Elixera was scared of him. That she didn't love him."
I swallowed.
"Keigan lost control. Completely. They started fighting. Section E tried to stop them. Elixera was crying, begging them to stop."
I looked down at my food.
"Keifer came later because he was on call. He tried to stop Keigan. Things got worse before they got better."
Horoscope didn't interrupt this time.
"Keigan locked himself in his room," I finished.
"You," he said slowly, "are a walking disaster."
I smiled sweetly and took another bite of my food.
"Anyway... now for what I actually came for," he said.
I looked up and nodded, already tired.
"Tell your mom not to interrupt my life," he said flatly. "And tell her to stop pretending that she cares."
Before I could say anything, he turned and left.
Just like that.
The room felt colder after he was gone.
At dinner, Mom didn't come.
Tita said she wasn't feeling well, her voice careful in that way adults use when they don't want questions.
I nodded. Ate quietly. Didn't argue.
But I knew.
Something had happened.
Something had gone wrong between them something heavy enough to keep her locked away in her room and him walking out with words sharp enough to cut.
-----
I woke up to Aries shouting like the house was on fire.
"GET UP! Or I'm leaving without you!"
"Why do mornings even exist..." I muttered, trying to open my eyes. They refused. Betrayal.
Somehow, by pure survival instinct, I dragged myself to the washroom.
I looked in the mirror.
Hair? Flying in seventeen directions.
Face? Puffy.
Eyes? Red from last night.
I looked like a witch who cried over math homework.
I splashed water, tried to fix myself, and before I could even wipe my face properly—
BANG BANG BANG
Horoscope started knocking on my door like he was the police.
I opened it.
"Are you trying to break the door?" I asked, irritated.
"I have to go early today," he said quickly. "Go by yourself. And be careful. Don't get involved in another mess."
Then he left at the speed of helicopter.
Helicopter helicopter.
Anyway.
I got ready, grabbed my bag, and rushed downstairs. I sat at the dining table and started eating like time was chasing me.
"No one is stealing your food," Kuya Angelo said calmly. "Eat like a human."
Ignored.
I was late.
I ate a little less than usual
which hurt me emotionally.
I grabbed a sandwich, said goodbye to Tita, and started walking while eating.
Multitasking queen.
On the way, I noticed a group of girls standing near the gate. They looked familiar... but I didn't think much about it.
Food first. Society later.
Then
BUMP!
I crashed into someone and fell straight onto the road.
My sandwich flew dramatically through the air.
And landed...
Under someone's shoe.
I stared at it.
"My baby..." I whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
The girl lifted her shoe slowly.
Crushed.
Murdered.
I looked up.
One of them crossed her arms. "Watch where you're going."
I slowly stood up, brushing dust off my uniform.
I looked at my fallen sandwich again.
And narrowed my eyes.
"I will take revenge," I said quietly. "For the innocent life you ended today."
Thay burst into laughter
"Aww, see her, SOPIEA you didn't do it right. Why did you murder that innocent life?" one of them said.
They all burst into laughter again.
"Elyanna, what should I do now? I murdered someone. I don't want to go to jail," said the one standing on my fallen soldier.
"What is the problem of you all?" I asked, already tired and it's not even 9 AM.
"Ohh problem? Jhulia, please tell her about our problem," Elyanna said, flipping her hair like it's a shampoo ad.
One of them stepped closer. "Do you want to know our problem?" she tapped my arm lightly.
...That was the weakest tap I've ever felt.
Girl, eat food.
She leaned closer. "Our problem is you."
Another one joined. "For you he left me. The beautiful and only daughter of my father, Diana."
Wait.
Who is he?
"About whom are you even talking about?" I snapped.
They stared at me like I just asked what oxygen is.
"Now you're acting innocent? Like you don't know that for you Eren left us."
Ahh that ulupong's girlfriends.
What collect like Limited-edition cards?
"Excuse me?" I said.
"Now you'll regret becoming his girlfriend," Sopiea said, raising her hand.
She tried to slap me.
I caught her wrist.
Silence.
"First," I said calmly, "I'm not his girlfriend."
She tried to pull her hand back.
"Second," I added, tightening my grip slightly, "even if I was, that's between him and you. Not me."
One tried to pull my bag I shoved her back.
Another grabbed my hair I grabbed hers too.
If we're doing this, we're doing this equally.
She screamed, "LET GO!"
"YOU FIRST!"
Someone tried to kick me I stepped aside and she kicked her own friend.
Friendly fire.
I pushed one away and she stumbled dramatically like she was in slow motion.
Another came charging I dodged and she collided with SOPIEA.
Honestly? I didn't even have to try that hard.
But then Elyanna managed to yank my hair from behind.
Rude.
I turned and gave her a solid shove.
One of them lunged again and we both stumbled. My bag fell. Papers everywhere.
"Crazy girl!" someone shouted.
"You started it!" I yelled back.
One tried to kick me I stepped aside and she almost lost balance.
I pushed another one away when she grabbed my sleeve.
Hair pulling matches. Shouting.
Finally I broke free, picked up my bag quickly, and stepped back.
"Are you all done?" I asked, breathing hard. "Because I'm late for school."
They glared at me.
One of them tried to swing again.
I blocked it and pushed her back hard enough to make space.
"Next time," I said breathing slightly heavy, "solve your relationship issues with Eren. Not with me."
They glared.
Hair messy.
Makeup ruined.
Egos shattered.
What a peaceful morning.
I swear if I see that asshole today I will him for sure.
-----
I entered the classroom like a tornado.
"EREN!" I shouted.
Everyone looked up.
Eren stood slowly, confused.
I grabbed the nearest book from someone's desk and threw it at him.
THUD.
"AHH!" he yelled. "What did I do?!"
"What did you not do?" I snapped. "Because of you, your so-called girlfriends attacked me on the road!"
"What?!"
"They murdered my baby!"
"...Baby?"
"My FOOD!" I yelled. "They crushed it! Under a shoe! Do you know how painful that is?!"
The class started laughing.
"And for you they pulled my hair, tried to punch me, kick me— I will take revenge for all of it! I'm not letting you go that easily!"
I threw another book.
"Jay, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Eren shouted, covering his head.
"And feed your girlfriends something! They're so weak!" I added.
More laughter filled the room.
I grabbed another book but flinched.
My palm stung.
"Jay, my books!" Ci-N cried from behind.
Suddenly—
"What are their names?"
The whole room went quiet.
The King.
I was about to answer when—
"Jay, don't," Eren said quickly.
I looked at him.
"Names" the King repeated calmly.
"I'm sure Keifer will make their lives hell," Eren muttered.
And I understood.
Yeah.
That king doesn't forgive easily.
"Anyway," I huffed, glaring at Eren, "that doesn't mean you're free from your punishment."
I threw another book but this time my palm hurt more.
Before I could grab anything else, Keifer came closer and caught my wrists.
"What?" I snapped.
"Your hands."
"It's just a little scar."
"Come."
I knew that tone.
No arguing wins against that tone.
Before leaving, I pointed at Eren.
"You're buying me food today!"
Then Keifer dragged me to the clinic.
-----
The nurse looked up. "Do you need help?"
"We're fine," Keifer replied calmly.
He grabbed the first aid kit and made me sit on the bed.
Then he knelt in front of me.
"Lift your skirt a little."
I blinked.
WTF
"Huh? What are you—"
"Your knees," he said flatly. "They're scraped."
Oh.
Right.
I lifted it slightly, just enough to show my knees.
Both were red and scratched.
He opened the antiseptic.
"This will sting," he warned.
"It's fine—"
I hissed when it touched my skin.
"Liar," he muttered softly.
He cleaned both knees carefully, slow and gentle. No rush. No teasing.
Then he stood and moved beside me on the bed.
"Hand."
"It's really nothing—"
"Jay."
I gave him my hand.
There were small cuts across my palm and knuckles. Some reopened from throwing books.
He held my hand steady.
When the antiseptic touched the deeper cut, I flinched.
His fingers tightened slightly around mine not hurting. Just steadying.
"Stop fighting like that," he said quietly.
"They started it."
"I know.That's why i will make them regret that."He said jaw tighten.
"You will not do anything to them."I said
This time he looked up at me."Jay they hurted you."
"They are too weak to hurt me much.They didn't hurt me that much,infact they got more hurt.So please don't do anything."
He chuckle "Ok as MY QUEEN says"
He applied medicine to my knuckles, thumb brushing lightly over my skin to spread it evenly.
For a second, it didn't even hurt.
Then he wrapped a small bandage around my palm.
When he finished, he didn't immediately let go.
Instead, he lifted my hand and pressed a kiss against my knuckles.
"You're literally kissing a bandage."
He sighed dramatically, then looked up at me. "What can I even do when my queen doesn't let me kiss her lips?"
"WHAT THE—" I cut myself off because I already knew he'd say something outrageous next.
"Jay," he murmured, softer now. "Let me kiss you.Passionately. Please."
I looked at his face for a few seconds. The teasing was gone. This wasn't a joke anymore.
So I nodded.
He leaned in slowly this time. Our lips met in a soft, deliberate kiss. My hands slid around his neck while his settled at my waist, pulling me closer.
At first it was gentle.
Then something shifted.
The kiss deepened no longer careful, no longer polite. His grip tightened slightly. My fingers tangled in his hair. Heat sparked between us, building fast.
He nipped at my lower lip, and before I could even react, he tilted his head and the kiss turned hungry. Not rushed. Not messy. Just intense. Like he'd been holding it back for too long.
I could've pulled away.
I didn't.
Because I wanted this.
"Jay—"
A voice cut through the air.
We broke apart instantly.
Calix stood a few steps away, clearly trying to act normal but failing.
"Class has started," he said, still recovering.
"I need to inform the class about this."He said finally coming out of the shock.
"Try," Keifer said smoothly, stepping slightly in front of me. "And see what happens."
Calix blinked.
"...I'll pretend I didn't see nothing."
And he left.
I looked at Keifer.
He looked at me.
"...We should go to class," I said.
"Yes," he agreed.
But he didn't stop smiling.