JAY'S POV
I woke up with a strange heaviness in my head.
It felt like something big was about to happen…or maybe something terrible.
Probably because today I planned to talk to Aries.
I really hope the things I'm imagining are wrong.But a part of me keeps whispering that I'm right.
Oh God… why does everything have to be so complicated?
I forced myself out of bed and headed straight to the bathroom. After getting ready for school, I walked to the dining table.
Ate and Kuya were already there.
"Good morning, Ate… good morning, CCTV."
Maya smiled. "Good morning, baby."
Cris grinned. "Good morning, barracuda."
"Kuyaaaaaaaaa!" I groaned.
"What?" he shrugged. "You started it."
Maya sighed. "Don't start fighting this early in the morning. Just eat."
"It's not my fault, Ate," I complained. "It's Kuya."
"You're the one who called me CCTV first," Cris argued.
"Because that's what you are."
"Then you're barracuda."
"That was only one time! You act like a CCTV the whole day."
Cris smirked. "No, two times. Did you forget your retreat, huh?"
I groaned. "I regret telling you that."
"Well… too late."
"I hate you."
Maya chuckled. "You love him."
"Unfortunately."
Cris leaned back smugly. "Ah… what makes you sleep at night."
I rolled my eyes at him.
Breakfast continued like that.
Laughter. Teasing. Arguments. Chaos.
It felt like home.
After that, Kuya dropped me off at school.
As soon as I reached the classroom building, I prepared myself mentally to deal with them.
Especially Keifer.
The moment I stepped inside, my eyes automatically searched for his usual seat.
And there he was.
Sitting quietly, scrolling through his phone with an expressionless face.
But then I noticed something.
His eyes were red… swollen… like he had cried.
Dark circles shadowed his face.
My chest tightened.
My words really affected him.
Maybe… just maybe… it would lead to something good in the future.
I quietly sat down and took out my notes.
Yes, I'm focusing on my studies now.
I still have to graduate with good marks… and decide my future profession.
I was deeply focused on my notes, ignoring the chaos around me.
Then my phone buzzed.
I checked it.
A message from an unknown number.
FROM: 636******
MESSAGE: My life**
What the hell?
TO: 636******
MESSAGE: Wrong send**
FROM: 636******
MESSAGE: Jasper Jean Marino**
Wait…
What the hell?!
Who is this asshole now?
I stared at the screen, confused, when suddenly a sweet smell hit me.
Pancakes.
Great.
What are these snakes trying to do now? Make me jealous?
Too bad. I already ate breakfast at home.
I ignored the smell and returned to the message.
TO: 636******
MESSAGE: What do you want?**
FROM: 636******
MESSAGE: You. My queen.**
Seriously?
The nerve of this jerk.
TO: 636******
MESSAGE: Who the hell are you?**
FROM: 636******
MESSAGE: Your future.**
Damn. This idiot is really getting on my nerves.
Before I could reply—
A plate of pancakes suddenly appeared in front of me.
Ci-N stood there, smiling widely.
"Jay, this is for you. Remember when you made pancakes for us before?"
Of course I remember.
I don't have amnesia.
I ignored him and continued reviewing my notes.
But suddenly—
He snatched them from my hands.
"No, Jay," Ci-N said firmly. "First eat. This is especially for you."
"I don't want to eat. Give me my notes back."
"Please, Jay. Just try it. It tastes delicious."
"I said no."
"Just one bite, Jay. Please."
I tried to grab my notes back, but he placed them farther away on the desk.
"Please, Jay. Just one bite for me."
I was already trying very hard to control myself.
I didn't want to do something reckless because of my anger.
"I told you, Ci-N," I said coldly. "I don't want to eat. Take it away."
But he still didn't listen.
He grabbed a fork, cut a piece of pancake, and tried to feed me.
I turned my head away.
"Jay-Jay, just eat it. It's really delicious."
"I said no."
While pushing his hand away, I accidentally knocked the plate.
It fell to the floor with a loud crash.
The entire classroom went silent.
Everyone was staring at me.
That only made my anger explode.
"Nothing is going back to normal," I said coldly. "It's not going to be the same anymore. Can't you just give up?"
Ci-N looked straight into my eyes.
"Why should I?" he asked.
His voice was quiet… but firm.
"Did you give up on me when I was accused of stealing?"
My heart stopped.
"On Calix and Mica? On Denzel and Grace? On Eman? On Drew?"
I was stunned.
He was right.
I never gave up.
Even when it was hard.
Even when everyone else did.
But I couldn't say anything.
Ci-N looked hurt.
And that hurt me too.
"You didn't give up, right?" he continued softly. "So don't tell me to give up. Because I won't."
His voice cracked slightly.
"Not until you forgive me."
He looked at me with determination.
"Remember, Jay. You're my sister. And I'm not giving up on you."
Then he sighed.
"Now sit. I'll bring another plate."
As soon as he turned around—
I stood up and walked out of the classroom.
Straight to the restroom.
The moment I entered, the tears I had been holding back finally fell.
I wanted to hate him.
I really did.
But I couldn't.
He wasn't just a classmate.
He wasn't just a friend.
He was my brother.
We were ST.
But now everything was falling apart.
Because it hurts.
It really hurts.
Every time I remember that he knew.
He knew everything from the very beginning.
And still… he didn't tell me.
That betrayal hurts more than anything.
After a while, I finally calmed down.
I washed my face, wiped my tears, and wore my cold mask again.
Then I returned to class.
Sir Alvin was already there.
Good.
Now I didn't have to talk to anyone.
Time passed.
Class after class.
Finally, the lunch bell rang.
I didn't want any trouble.
So the moment the bell rang, I immediately left the classroom.
I went straight to the main building.
Looking for Aries.
And then I saw him.
He was walking toward the cafeteria.
"Aries!" I called out.
He turned toward me.
His grumpy expression instantly softened.
A smile appeared on his face.
I was shocked by his reaction.
"Jay-Jay…" he said warmly. "You're here."
He walked toward me.
"I want to talk to you," I said quietly. "Please."
"Sure," he nodded immediately. "Come with me."
Without another word, we both walked out of the building.
Heading toward the backyard