JAY-JAY POV
After the game — obviously I won, because who else would — Keifer walked straight toward me with that proud, smug look he always gets when he's pretending he didn't almost scream from the bleachers.
He draped his jacket over my shoulders before I could even react.
"You're exposing too much," he said, pulling the sleeves up my arms like I was a child who couldn't dress herself.
I rolled my eyes. "Relax. It's just a uniform."
He ignored me completely and pulled me into a hug, warm and tight, like he'd been waiting the whole match just to do that.
"Good job," he murmured against my hair.
"Thanks," I said, trying not to melt.
"Hey, love birds!" Rory yelled from behind us. "Please, we are also here."
I didn't even look at him. "Asshole."
Before Rory could fire back, Keifer turned my face toward him and kissed me — right there, in front of everyone — like he was making a point.
When he pulled back, he tapped my nose lightly.
"Profanity," he said.
I stared at him. "You literally kissed me in public."
He shrugged. "Worth it."
"Get a room, guys," Calix said, scrunching his nose like we were the problem.
"Like you don't kiss Mica every one minute," I shot back.
"That's because they're official," Felix teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
I opened my mouth to argue, but then—
Keifer.
This man.
This absolute menace.
"Me and Jay are dating," he announced.
Out loud.
In public.
In front of EVERYONE.
FUCK.
The Section E boys reacted like someone had just dropped a bomb in the gym.
"HUSBAND AND WIFE!" Felix yelled.
"I KNEW IT!" Rory shouted, pointing at us like he'd solved a murder case.
"FINALLY DID IT, KEIFER!" Eman cheered.
"FINALLY! I THOUGHT YOU TWO WOULD COUPLE AFTER MY LIFE!" Ci-n added dramatically, clutching his chest like he was fainting.
"Jay," Ben said, looking at me like he was trying to read my entire soul.
"Ben," I answered, already bracing myself.
"You two are dating?" he asked, eyes flicking between me and Keifer.
I nodded.
For a second, he just stared.
Then his whole face softened, and he smiled—the sad simile
"I'm happy for you guys," he said.
Keifer blinked, surprised. "Thanks," he replied, a little quieter than usual.
Ben nodded once, like he was giving his official approval, then added:
"Just… don't be late to practice again."
I groaned. "BEN."
He smirked. "What? I'm just saying."
Keifer slipped his hand into mine, squeezing gently.
Ben saw it, rolled his eyes, and muttered, "Gross," before walking away.
Then Mia came running toward me and wrapped me in a hug so tight I almost dropped my racket.
"Congrats, Pres! You're officially dating Keifer and you won 1st place!" she said, practically vibrating.
"Thanks," I laughed, still catching my breath.
Before I could say anything else, the speakers crackled.
"May we have Miss Jasper Jean Mariano for the award, please," one of the judges announced.
I handed Mia my bag and jogged up to the front. They gave me my medal, my certificate, and we took a few pictures — the usual smile‑till‑your-cheeks-hurt routine.
Then the principal stepped up to the mic.
"Hello everyone," she said, smiling politely. "We have a really sad news."
The entire gym went silent.
Students started whispering.
I glanced at Keifer.
He looked just as confused as I was.
I reached for his hand and squeezed it.
The principal continued, "Well… happy news to you guys."
Keifer muttered under his breath, "What the fuck?"
I elbowed him.
"Our school has decided to have an early vacation," she announced.
For one full second, the entire gym froze.
Then—
BOOM.
Everyone exploded into cheers.
People were screaming, jumping, hugging, throwing papers in the air like it was the end of a movie.
Keifer lifted my hand and spun me around like we were celebrating a championship.
Mia was yelling.
Rory was yelling.
Even Felix was yelling something about freedom.
And Keifer leaned down, grinning at me like he'd just been handed the world.
"Early vacation," he said. "You know what that means."
I narrowed my eyes. "Keifer, don't—"
He smirked. "More time with you."
I groaned.
But I didn't let go of his hand.
The principal raised both hands like she was calming down a riot.
"Okay, okay, I get it — school is prison," she said. "After the Spring Festive, you guys are good to go."
The entire gym went dead silent.
Someone from the back yelled, "Wait… does that mean after Spring Festive the school ends?"
The principal nodded.
A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.
"But that's too early!" someone complained.
"What about college and all?" Anthore shouted, sounding genuinely stressed.
The principal smiled like she'd been waiting for that question.
"I know you're confused about college and all, but trust us — we already got your college forms and everything sorted."
The gym erupted.
People screamed.
People jumped.
Someone threw their water bottle in the air like it was confetti.
I looked at Keifer.
He was already looking at me.
Of course he was.
"FINALLY, MA'AM, YOU CAN READ OUR MINDS!" Drew yelled.
"YOU'RE THE BEST, MA'AM!" Ci‑N added, practically bowing.
The principal laughed, shaking her head. "You're all dramatic."
Keifer squeezed my hand, leaning closer.
Then the principle added
"School is over for the day — unless you're practicing for the Spring Festive," the principal added, and then she walked off the stage like she hadn't just dropped the biggest bomb of the year.
For a moment, everyone just stared at each other.
Then—
Chaos.
People were grabbing their bags, screaming, running, celebrating like they'd been released from a lifetime sentence.
Keifer leaned down to me, still holding my hand.
"So… we're free?" he asked, like he genuinely needed confirmation.
I snorted. "No, we have to practice."
Keifer groaned like I'd personally ruined his entire existence.
"Let's go to the music room," I said, tugging his arm.
But before we got far, something tugged at my mind.
"Keifer… about Section E demolishment," I said quietly, holding his arm a little tighter.
He looked down at me, expression softening.
"Don't worry about that. I already got it fixed."
I blinked. "Fixed how?"
"Well," he said, brushing a kiss against my temple, "future Section E is safe. I made sure of that. But present Section E… they're staying in Section B with our Mutya"
I stared at him.
Then smiled.
Of course he handled it.
Of course he did.
Then—
"Can we go to my house to practice?" Keifer asked, trying to sound casual but failing miserably.
"As long as we're practicing, that's fine with me," I said.
He chuckled, leaning closer with that stupid smirk.
"Of course we'll practice. I mean… unless you want to do more than practice. I'm fine with it."
I slapped his arm. "KEIFER."
He laughed, hands up in surrender.
"What? I'm just offering options."
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks were already warm.
We walked into Keifer's house, and the first thing I saw were his two gremlins—
I mean, brothers.
"Hey, Jay," Keigan greeted, waving like the sweet kid he actually is.
"Hi, Keigan," I said, smiling back.
Then Keiran looked up from whatever he was doing and groaned dramatically.
"Kuya, this girl again."
I stared at him. "Wow. Hello to you too."
He shrugged. "I'm just saying."
"You're really like your brother, you know," I said, crossing my arms.
Keiran didn't even blink.
"Thank you so much."
I blinked back.
Keifer, behind me, burst out laughing.
I pointed at Keiran. "That wasn't a compliment."
Keiran smirked. "Still taking it."
Keifer wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer.
"Jay, don't fight with children."
Keiran gasped. "I'm thirteen!"
"Exactly," Keifer said.
Keigan giggled. "Kuya, she's winning."
I smirked. "I always win."
Keifer kissed the top of my head. "Yeah, she does."
And Keiran groaned again like we were ruining his entire day.
"I'm going to my room," Keiran announced, stomping off dramatically.
"Yeah, I'll go too," Keigan said, already trailing after him like a loyal sidekick.
The moment they disappeared, the house finally went quiet.
Me and Keifer set up our things and actually practiced — like, really practiced — for two hours straight. Harmonies, timing, lyrics, everything. For once, he wasn't being a menace. He was focused, serious, and honestly… kind of impressive.
Then it happened.
I stepped back, misjudged the space, and my foot caught on his.
"Keifer—!"
He reached out to steady me, but instead of catching me, he tripped too.
We both fell onto the couch.
And somehow — because the universe hates me — our lips landed right on each other.
My brain short‑circuited.
Shit.
Keifer froze for half a second.
Then he smiled.
That slow, smug, I've-been-waiting-for-this smile.
He leaned in and started moving his lips against mine, gentle at first, like he was giving me a chance to pull away.
I didn't.
I gave in.
My hands curled into his shirt. His fingers brushed my jaw. The world outside the couch didn't exist anymore — just the warmth of him, the softness of the moment, the way he kissed me like he'd been holding back all morning.
When he finally pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine, breath warm and uneven.
Then he kissed me again.
We were fully lost in it — his hands on my waist, my fingers in his shirt, both of us forgetting the entire world — when suddenly…
Footsteps.
Heavy ones.
Thud. Thud.
We froze for half a second, but not fast enough.
Keigan appeared in the doorway.
He stared.
We stared.
Keifer's lips were still on mine.
Then Keiran walked in behind him.
"EWWWW!" Keiran yelled, covering his eyes like he'd witnessed a crime.
"Ahh—" Keigan squeaked, looking like he'd walked into a horror movie.
I shoved Keifer away so fast he almost fell off the couch.
Keigan cleared his throat, face red.
"I—umm— I need my phone," he said, snatching it from the table without looking at us.
Keiran rolled his eyes so hard they almost fell out.
"I needed water," he said dramatically, grabbing a glass from the kitchen, "but now I also need a new brother."
Keifer groaned into his hands. "Why do you two walk like elephants?"
Keiran pointed at us. "Why are you two kissing like you're in a movie?!"
"Go to your room," Keifer said, annoyed.
Keiran rolled his eyes so hard it looked painful, then stomped off to his room like the dramatic little gremlin he was.
The moment the hallway went quiet, Keifer turned back to me with that look.
"So… where were we?" he asked, stepping forward like he already knew the answer.
I put a hand on his chest and pushed him back. "I think we were somewhere between practicing."
He ignored the push completely and slid his arms around my waist again.
"Jay, come on," he murmured, pulling me closer.
"Keifer," I said, wiggling out of his grip, "focus."
He blinked once.
Then smirked.
"I am," he said, leaning in.
"On what?" I asked, already regretting it.
He grinned, shameless and proud.
"On my wife."
I stared at him. "Keifer—"
He lifted his hands like he was innocent. "What? Manifesting."
I groaned. "We're supposed to be practicing."
"We are," he said, stepping closer again. "I'm practicing being your husband."
I shoved his face away. "KEIFER."
He laughed, catching my wrist and kissing my knuckles like he hadn't just said the most unhinged thing of the day.
"Fine," he said, finally letting go. "Practice."
But as he walked back to the keyboard, he added under his breath:
"Mrs. Mariano Watson sounds nice though."
I threw a pillow at him.
He dodged it, grinning like he'd already won.
After our practice, I decided to stay for dinner. Keifer was already setting the table when he said, "Call my brothers, please."
I nodded and headed upstairs.
"Keigan," I said, poking my head into his room.
"Yes, Jay?" he replied, looking up from whatever he was studying
"Your brother says dinner's ready."
He nodded immediately and went downstairs.
Then I walked to Keiran's room and knocked lightly.
"Keiran," I called.
"What?" he said, sounding like he was preparing to be annoyed.
"Dinner's ready," I said, turning to leave—
"Jay."
I paused. "Hmm?"
He suddenly wrapped his arms around me.
I froze. "Thanks," he said quietly.
"For what?" I asked, genuinely confused.
He pulled back just enough to look at me.
"Kuya… he's finally happy again. And that's because of you."
My chest tightened in the softest way.
I smiled. "Keiran…"
He looked down, then back up. "Just promise us you won't leave us."
I nodded without hesitation. "Trust me. I won't. You're stuck with me."
He hugged me again, quick but tight, then pulled away and headed downstairs.
Halfway down the stairs, he muttered under his breath, "You still look like a boy sometimes"
"KEIRAN!" I yelled.
He burst out laughing and sprinted the rest of the way down like his life depended on it.
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
We went downstairs and ate together, laughing at Keiran's dramatic comments and Keigan's quiet jokes. It felt warm — loud, chaotic, but warm. Like a real family dinner.
Eventually, it was time for me to go home.
Keifer grabbed his keys and insisted on driving me, even though I told him I could walk. Typical.
When we reached my apartment building, I unbuckled my seatbelt.
"Bye," I said, reaching for the door.
But Keifer caught my wrist gently.
"Kiss," he said — not like a grown man, but like a five‑year‑old asking for candy.
I couldn't help it. I smiled.
I leaned in and kissed him softly. He smiled against my lips, then pulled me closer for another — longer, sweeter, the kind that made my heart feel stupid and warm.
When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine for a second, smiling like an idiot.
"Goodnight, Jay," he whispered.
"Goodnight," I said, stepping out of the car before he could ask for a third kiss.
I walked up to my apartment, still feeling the ghost of his smile on my lips, and collapsed onto my bed.
Sleep came fast.
And the last thing I thought before drifting off was:
I'm in trouble with this boy.