Jay-jay's POV
Whose is this?
This luggage is huge. I could probably fit inside. This might be the biggest one I've ever seen. But whose is it? The moment I opened my eyes, this was the first thing I saw. I even thought I was seeing things at first.
I got up from bed and inspected the suitcase, hoping to find something to identify the owner. I wanted to open it, but the zipper was locked and needed a code.
I tried pushing and moving it out of the way. It was in the middle of the path.
So heavy!
Feels like there's a person inside! It was ridiculously heavy-like it had an entire house packed in it.
"Whose is this?!" I said in frustration.
I just scratched my head. It suddenly appeared here without me even noticing. I glanced at the wall clock. Still early.
I headed to the bathroom to wash my face. After that, I changed clothes and left the room to look for Auntie. Maybe she was the one who put it in my room. I went straight to the kitchen. That's usually where they are around this time, after breakfast. Even from afar, I could already hear Auntie's loud laughter.
I quickened my steps-they sounded like they were having a great time. When I entered, I froze.
Ci-N?!
"You little rascal," Auntie said, laughing.
"He's handsome, though," Ci-N replied, making Auntie laugh even harder. Uncle, who was having coffee, was also laughing. Even Kuya was smiling and shaking his head.
"Go eat already," Auntie told him.
"Later. I'll eat with-Jay!" he called out when he saw me.
"Good morning, Jay. Have breakfast. Join your friend here," Uncle Julz said.
Kuya Angelo just looked at me. I still didn't want to talk to him. Whatever!
"Y-yes, sir."
"We'll go to the dining now," Ci-N said as we excused ourselves.
I walked out of the kitchen, and of course, the guy followed me. Before we reached the dining area, I grabbed Ci by the collar.
"Ow! Jay!" he shouted.
"You idiot! What happened to you?!" I asked angrily, but there was concern in my voice.
Who wouldn't worry about this crazy kid? Geez! I could barely sleep thinking about him... and about Keifer and Yuri.
"B-because..."
"...?"
"What happened to you?!"
"M-my brother locked me up," he whispered. I froze. I let go of him and looked him in the eyes.
"He said he'd send me to London. I refused, so he locked me in my room," he explained.
Tsk!
I felt anger toward that annoying brother of his. That guy must be out of his mind. Locking up Ci-N?!
"Lola and I were worried about you," I said.
"S-sorry... He also took all my gadgets."
"W-was that all he did to you? He didn't hurt you, did he?" I asked worriedly. I didn't trust his brother at all. Who knows what else he did to Ci?
Ci-N didn't answer. He looked away and scratched the back of his neck.
"Ci. Talk to me. What else did your brother do to you?!"
He shook his head. "Nothing more... But he did threaten me. He said he'd come after you if I didn't behave."
Me?! Ha!
"Let him try! As if I'm scared of him!" I said and started walking into the dining room.
Ci followed me. His brother really thinks I'd be scared of him? That's actually what I want-to face him. Then we'll see.
We started eating in silence. Maybe because his mouth was full. I was just about to take a bite of my bacon when Aries suddenly walked in and glared at Ci-N.
"What the..." he muttered. "What are you doing here?!" he snapped at Ci-N.
"Hmmmm... hmmm hmmm..." Ci-N replied.
Huh?
I didn't understand a word he said-his mouth was full but he kept talking.
Aries turned his gaze to me.
"I-I don't know yet. I'm about to ask him," I quickly answered.
Aries didn't say anything else. He just sat and ate. But he kept throwing sharp looks at me and Ci-N. I didn't feel like eating anymore, so I stood up.
"Let's go, Ci... we might be late," I said.
"Huh?! It's still early," he said, stuffing more rice into his mouth.
Play along! He didn't get what I was trying to say.
I glared at him. "Let's go," I said firmly.
He looked confused, but stood up and walked with me. As we walked, he kept nudging me.
"What?"
"I wasn't done eating. Why'd you drag me away?" he asked.
This guy! He really didn't get that a storm was brewing at that table.
"Nothing! Just... we might be late," I said as an excuse.
He just shrugged. When we got back to the room, he suddenly ran to the big suitcase by my bed.
He laid it flat and started fiddling with the lock.
So it's his?!
"That's a huge suitcase. Did you move out and bring all your stuff?" I asked as I walked to my cabinet.
"Ran away from home," he quickly answered.
I looked at him with confusion. Ran away?
"Seriously? You moved out?" I asked again.
He opened the suitcase first before looking at me.
"Yeah. My brother said if I won't obey him, I should just leave. So I did," he explained.
What the heck...
His brother must be possessed or something. And this weirdo-he actually took what his brother said seriously.
"Where do you plan to stay now that you ran away?"
He pulled out some clothes and placed them on my bed.
"Here, at your place," he answered while picking out socks.
My eyes widened at what he said. He must be losing his mind! At our place? He must've forgotten that I live with Aries.
Who knows what Aries might do to him-or to me. That guy hates Section E students.
"No way! Are you crazy?!" I yelled at him.
He looked at me while pulling out his towel.
"Kuya Angelo said it's okay. And my mom knows-I asked permission."
What?!
Who even asks permission when they run away? And Kuya Angelo agreed? Wow!
"You're the only runaway who asked permission."
"Why not? At least they know where I'm going."
Well... that does make sense.
"Your Kuya really agreed?" I asked, still puzzled. He walked toward the bathroom, towel on his shoulder and shampoo bottle in hand.
"Yup. He said I can stay in your room," he answered. "I'll shower first," he said, heading into the bathroom.
Wow.
I feel shy now. This guy's so at home, he even showered before I could. But in a way, this is better. At least I can be sure his brother isn't bothering him.
Though I'm not sure what kind of trouble this kid will cause here.
"Bubble butt... Bubble bubble bubble butt..."
Ci-N was singing in the shower.
I just laughed. I could hear him moving around inside-probably dancing too while singing.
I picked out my clothes and waited for him to finish.
I heard my phone. I quickly grabbed it from under the pillow. I had messages from two people.
From: Yuri
Message: Good morning...
That made me smile like crazy. Damn this Yuri! I replied immediately.
I checked the next message. If Yuri's message made me smile, this one made my blood boil.
From: King Ulupong
Message: Get up! Your pillow is soaked with drool.
Damn idiot. He just texted to make fun of me. I didn't reply. Just dropped my phone on the bed.
Then Ci-N suddenly came out of the bathroom, towel-clad.
That was fast!
I looked at the clock. Barely 10 minutes in the shower.
"Your turn," he said.
I took my towel and clothes and went into the bathroom to shower. Since I had a guy in my room, I dressed inside the bathroom too.
When I came out, I was right. That crazy kid was talking to someone.
It was Aries.
"W-what are you doing here?!" I asked angrily. Aries was giving Ci-N a nasty glare, even though he was just sitting on the bed staring back.
Aries didn't answer. He just looked at Ci and walked out of the room.
I immediately ran to Ci-N to check if he was okay.
"What did Aries do to you?" I asked.
He shook his head and quickly grabbed his shoes. He put them on and walked out of my room.
Why do I feel like Aries said or did something awful to him?
Tsk!
I got ready and grabbed my bag. I ran to the living room where Ci-N was waiting.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
I just nodded and we walked out. I kept waiting for him to talk and tell me what happened earlier, but Ci-N stayed quiet.
Why? What happened?!
It's annoying! I'm not used to Ci-N being like this. I tried teasing him, but he just gave me forced smiles.
Until we reached school. We were close to the classroom when he suddenly stopped walking, so I did too.
"Why, Ci?"
"I-is it true?" he asked sadly. "You're leaving Section E?"
W-what?!
Who told-damn it! It must be Aries!
"He said I should stay away from you because you're leaving Section E," Ci-N added.
"N-no... Don't-"
"Who said that?!" someone angrily shouted behind me.
I froze. A chill ran down my spine. Even without turning, I knew who was behind me.
"Who said Jay-jay is leaving Section E?!"