Jay's POV
The next day felt absolutely insane. Just a few weeks ago, I couldn't even walk, I mean, I was in a wheelchair, trying not to fall apart every time someone looked at me with pity. Now? Now I'm walking, back in school, and even crazier than that… I'M DATING THE KING OF ULUPONGS.
Yes. Keifer.
I might actually lose my mind.
Like, how do I even begin to process this? One second we're arguing in his car about chicken nuggets, and the next, he's kissing me like it's some K-drama finale and we're the main leads. Am I dreaming? Is this a prank? Did someone hit me too hard with a volleyball and now I'm hallucinating my life?
I don't know how to tell Aries. Honestly, I might just pass out instead of explaining it. My other brother might throw me off a cliff. Percy… well, he's just gonna make dumb jokes about it. That guy can't be serious for five minutes. But Kuya Angelo? Oh no. He might actually murder someone. Possibly Keifer. Possibly me. Probably both of us.
And Mom… what would she even think? I haven't even told her yet. Would she freak out? Or smile and pretend to be okay while secretly planning an ambush meeting with Keifer? Ugh. I hate hiding stuff. But maybe, just this once… maybe I'm allowed to choose for myself. To put me first. Because I like Keifer. Not just like, but like-like. And maybe I've always liked him, since the start.
Still, I had no time to overthink socks this morning, Aries was already honking the horn like we were late to a wedding. I threw on whatever I could find and stumbled out of the house.
Back to school. After everything. And just in time for finals soon too. Yay. Who needs emotional recovery when you've got exams and a graduation coming up?
"Don't space out," Aries said as I got in the car.
"I'm not," I lied.
I so was. I was thinking about Keifer. About us. About how I still hadn't told Aries anything, and now we were halfway to school and I was chewing on my bottom lip like it was going to help me survive the day.
HOW am I supposed to face Keifer at school? Kill me!
Nobody even knows. Not even Section E properly and they somehow know everything, even what you ate for breakfast last Tuesday. Are we just gonna act normal? Should I ignore him completely?
No. That sounds terrible.
Especially since I know him. That guy is going to make every single second about it. He'll find a way to tease me nonstop, smirking like he owns the world and now, apparently, me.
School felt normal until it didn't.
Mica and Rakki found me by the gate, practically tackled me in a hug, and we all walked to class like nothing had changed. But everything had changed.
The second I entered Section E, chaos greeted me as usual. Someone had stolen all the chips from the cabinet and people were fighting like it was a gladiator match. I smiled. God, I missed this.
But then I saw him.
Keifer.
He wasn't even part of the mess. He was just standing there, looking at me like the sun came out just for him. His smile ugh, that stupid, perfect, annoying smile made my stomach do backflips.
And then.
He stood up.
And started walking straight toward me.
PANIC.
I didn't think—I just turned on my heel and RAN. Straight back out the door like a scene from a cartoon.
Unfortunately for me, he was faster.
In the hallway, he caught my wrist, spun me around with that strength of his, and grinned like a thief who just stole a whole treasure chest.
"Jay," he said, breathless. "There's no running."
I glared at him, heart racing. "You ambushed me gago."
"You're mine," he said, like it was the most natural thing in the world. "All mine now. And I love being your boyfriend."
I blinked. My brain refused to work properly. This guy really just said that. In school. In broad daylight.
"Let's go on a date today," he added. "Anywhere you want."
"A date?" I repeated, dazed.
"Yeah. You said we'd eat something. You owe me."
I huffed. "Fine. Let's eat. Like you promised."
He leaned in close, way too close, that Keifer-level smirk plastered on his face. "What do I get in return, my Jasper Jean?"
Oh, not this again.
I raised an eyebrow. "What do you want, Keifer?"
He didn't even pretend to be innocent. "A kiss."
I laughed in his face. "HELL no, you idiot."
"PROFANITY!" he shouted dramatically, and before I could react, he grabbed my face and kissed me right there in the hallway.
He didn't hold back.
I swear, this boy has zero shame. None.
And not like I had a choice he never asks, he just does. And honestly? It's annoying. Infuriating.
…Maybe also a little bit hot.
But I'll never tell him that.
When he finally pulled away, I was breathless and half ready to swing at him and he knew it. He just chuckled like he won a prize, hands still loosely holding mine like I wasn't about to combust from embarrassment.
"Keifer!" I hissed, glancing around. "What if someone saw?!"
He shrugged. "Let them. They should know you're mine."
I covered my face. "I hate you."
"You love me."
"Unfortunately."
He grinned wider. "That's my girl."
I sighed, heart doing its usual gymnastics routine. How did I get here again?
Right. The King of Ulupongs fell in love with me. And apparently, I fell right back. HARD.