Chapter 19— Stolen Kisses and Stolen Fries
If anyone had told Jay a few months ago that her life would end up looking like this, she would've laughed in their face.
Because somehow, her mornings now began with Section E's group chat spamming memes, Keifer stealing her pen for the fifth time that day, and Alys and Ci-n making things so dramatic people thought they were filming a teleserye.
And today?
Today was worse—better. Both.
Scene 1: The Chaos Trio
"Jay!" Alys slammed her lunchbox onto the Section E table, startling half the boys. "Tell me why Ci-n just stole my notes, claimed it was 'taxation,' and now refuses to give them back unless I pay him in French fries!"
Ci-n, chewing smugly, leaned back in his chair. "It's called interest, Blossom. If you're going to sit beside me, you're signing up for the Ci-n Peralta Tax System."
Jay raised a brow. "That sounds suspiciously like theft."
"It's theft," Alys deadpanned, grabbing at her notebook.
Jay snorted, trying not to choke on her water. "Alys, just let him keep it. You weren't listening in class anyway."
"EXCUSE ME?" Alys gasped, clutching her chest like Jay had stabbed her. "The betrayal! The audacity!"
Ci-n grinned wickedly. "Don't worry, Blossom. I'll personally tutor you. Consider it an investment."
The whole table erupted into laughter. Even Keifer, who usually ignored Ci-n's antics, was chuckling into his food. Jay shook her head, muttering, "I don't know who's worse, you two or Drake."
Alys narrowed her eyes. "Don't even mention him. He said I'm dramatic. Can you believe that?"
Jay: "…"
Jay: Yes. Wholeheartedly. Absolutely. Every single day.
Scene 2: The Profanity Rule… Again
While Cian and Alys bickered like a married couple, Keifer slid into the seat beside Jay, lips tugging into a smirk.
"You swore twice this morning," he whispered, low enough only for her to hear.
Jay froze. "…So?"
"So," Keifer leaned closer, "you owe me two kisses."
Her cheeks flushed hot, and she shoved him lightly. "Not here, idiot!"
Of course, Section E noticed. Rory nearly spit his juice. "Wait—WAIT. Did Jay just blush?!"
Mica slapped her palm on the table. "Oh my god, they're flirting in broad daylight."
Jay buried her face in her hands while Keifer looked way too proud of himself. "It's called the Profanity Rule," he said smoothly, winking at her. "I'm just enforcing it."
"Keifer Watson, I swear to fuc—"
"THREE." He grinned. "Make it three kisses."
Section E lost it.
Scene 3: The Double Date Disaster
Later that weekend, by some chaotic twist of fate, Jay and Keifer ended up on a "not-a-double-date" double date with Alys and Drake.
Jay should've known it would be chaos the moment Alys announced, "We're watching a horror movie!"
Half an hour in, Alys was screaming, Jay was hiding behind her popcorn, and Drake looked like he wanted to throttle someone.
"Blossom," Drake muttered through gritted teeth, "it's just a cat."
"IT WAS A DEMON CAT." Alys buried her face in his arm.
Meanwhile, Keifer leaned close to Jay, voice teasing. "Scared?"
She glared at him. "No."
He smirked. "Then why are you holding onto me?"
Jay realized her hand was clenched around his sleeve. "Shut up."
"FOUR."
"Keifer—"
"Shh." He stole a quick kiss on her cheek before she could protest. "Don't worry, I'll collect later."
Jay's face was on fire. Alys, of course, noticed. "WAIT. DID HE JUST—"
Ci-n (who had tagged along because "double dates are boring without me"): "Watson, I'll pay you to keep this entertainment going."
Scene 4: Fries & Secrets
After the movie, they all grabbed food. Jay thought she was safe—until Keifer started stealing fries from her plate.
"Watson, get your own," she hissed.
"You're mine, your fries are mine." He smirked, and Jay nearly choked.
Alys gasped dramatically. "OH. MY. GOD. Did he just—Jay, bestie, I think you're whipped."
"AM NOT!" Jay protested, though her red face said otherwise.
Drake rolled his eyes, muttering, "Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic."
Ci-n clapped his hands. "Section E official announcement: Jay and Keifer are in their whipped era. Mark your calendars."
Jay groaned into her drink, while Keifer only looked smugger, brushing his hand against hers under the table. Stolen kisses, stolen fries, stolen sanity—yep. This was her life now.