JAY-JAY POV
My phone buzzed nonstop until it finally dragged me out of sleep.
I groaned, grabbed it, and squinted at the caller ID.
Keifer.
Of course.
"What do you want, Keifer…" I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep.
"Morning, beautiful," he said from the other end, sounding way too awake for this hour.
I groaned into my pillow. "Keifer, if you woke me up just to greet me, I swear I'm canceling your kisses for the entire day."
"Jay, babe," he said, suddenly serious, "you can't do that. You know I can't live without your kisses."
A small chuckle slipped out of me despite how tired I was.
He was impossible — annoyingly sweet, stupidly dramatic, and somehow still my favorite person to wake up to.
"Why did you wake me up?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.
"Jay, our exam results come out today," Keifer said.
I shot upright. "What the hell— that was today?"
"Jay… you forgot, didn't you?" he asked, laughing
"Yes," I admitted, already scrambling out of bed.
"Hurry up. I'm picking you up," Keifer said. "I'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Okay, bye," I said, grabbing clothes.
"Bye. Love you, wifey," he added, way too casually.
I rolled my eyes, but the smile on my face refused to leave.
I headed to the bathroom, washed up, got dressed, and was just about to step out when someone started banging on my door like the world was ending.
That horoscope menace was back.
"Jay, hurry up!" he yelled from outside.
"I'm coming," I said, stepping out of my room while fixing my hair.
Aries looked at me with that annoying older‑brother stare. "You know the results come out today, right?"
I nodded, feeling a little knot form in my stomach.
"Come on," Aries said, already heading downstairs. "Let's eat breakfast before you pass out from stress."
I followed him, trying to calm my nerves.
When I got downstairs, I saw Kuya Angelo already sitting at the table, sipping his coffee like he owned the morning.
Great.
Just what I needed.
A lecture before breakfast.
Oh god… not today.
"Jay, come here and sit down," Kuya said.
I nodded and took my seat, quietly starting to eat. Maybe if I stayed silent, he wouldn't—
"Jay, your exam results are today, right?" Kuya asked.
I nodded again.
"Keifer told me he's picking you up today."
Another nod. My food suddenly tasted like stress.
Then he dropped the bomb.
"Are you two dating?"
I froze, spoon halfway to my mouth.
Should I lie? Should I tell the truth? Should I fake a heart attack?
I glanced at Aries — the horoscope traitor — and he was already staring at me like Well? Say it.
I shot him a look that basically screamed, What do I do?! Help me!
Aries just looked back down at his food like the absolute traitor he was.
No help. No signal. Not even a fake cough to distract Kuya.
Wow.
So much for brotherly support.
I swallowed hard and forced a smile, still frozen in place while Kuya waited for my answer like a judge about to deliver a sentence.
"Yes, Kuya… we're dating," I finally said.
Kuya looked at me for a moment, then just nodded and went back to eating like I'd told him the weather.
That was it.
No lecture.
No "You're too young" speech.
No "He's a Watson and dangerous for you"
Wow.
Nothing.
"If you're still shocked," Kuya said, looking up at me, "Keifer already told me last week."
My jaw almost dropped, but he kept talking like it was nothing.
"And honestly? He can protect you better than I can. So… why not?"
He shrugged, completely unfazed, while I just sat there blinking at him.
"Thank you, Kuya," I said, smiling a little.
Kuya's expression shifted instantly. "Jay, that doesn't mean I want you crossing any limits," he said, voice suddenly strict.
I raised an eyebrow. "What is that supposed to mean?"
He sighed like he'd been preparing this line for weeks. "It means I don't want you getting pregnant."
I probably turned red.
No—scratch that—I definitely turned red.
Aries choked on his food, trying not to laugh, and I kicked him under the table.
That only made it worse.
He burst out laughing, practically wheezing.
"Sorry, Kuya, I can't—she's so red," he said, pointing at me like I was some rare species he discovered.
I glared at him so hard he should've combusted on the spot.
Kuya just sighed, the way only an older brother who's used to our chaos can. "Aries, stop teasing your sister."
Aries nodded… while still laughing.
I wanted to throw my spoon at Aries, but I held it together.
Barely.
I finished my breakfast and stood up. "Bye, Kuya," I said, waving.
"Tell me your results later," Kuya reminded me.
I nodded and stepped outside—only to nearly walk straight into Keifer.
"Morning, wifey," he greeted, all smiles and sunshine like he didn't just ruin my peaceful morning.
I marched up to him and smacked his shoulder.
"Ow—Jay! What did I do?" Keifer asked, rubbing the spot dramatically.
I crossed my arms. "You told Kuya we're dating."
Keifer nodded, that smug little smirk already forming. "I wanted to let him know you're mine."
My brain short‑circuited for a second.
"Keifer," I warned, trying to sound intimidating, "don't say stuff like that."
He stepped closer, eyes sparkling like he knew exactly what he was doing. "Why not? It's true."
I felt my face heat up instantly. "Shut up."
He laughed softly. "You get flustered so easily. It's adorable."
"I'm not flustered," I lied, crossing my arms tighter.
"Jay," he said, leaning in just enough to make my heart trip, "you're literally red."
I shoved him lightly. "Stop teasing me."
"Never," he said, grinning. "It's my favorite part of the morning."
"Keifer," Aries said, walking over like he was ready to start drama.
"Hi, brother‑in‑law," Keifer greeted, smirking like the menace he is.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I'm not your brother‑in‑law," Aries snapped.
Keifer rolled his eyes. "Give it a year."
Aries ignored him and crossed his arms. "Anyway. Don't break her heart. And don't cross any lines."
Before I could even breathe, Keifer turned to me with that evil, shit‑eating grin.
"Jay, you didn't tell your brother we already crossed a line last week?"
I froze.
My soul left my body.
I swear I stopped breathing.
"What… what the hell are you talking about?" I asked, my voice cracking like a dying radio.
"Jay, come on," Keifer said, shrugging. "He already knows."
Aries stepped closer, eyes narrowing like a detective in a crime show. "Jay… what did you two do together?"
My soul left my body.
My knees gave up.
I was ready to dig my own grave.
Keifer, of course, looked delighted.
The bastard.
"Aries," I said, hands up, "don't jump to conclusions—"
"No, no, no," Aries cut me off. "Answer the damn question."
Keifer leaned in, whispering loudly on purpose, "Should I tell him, babe?"
I whipped around. "Keifer, I swear to God—"
Aries' eyes widened. "WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU TWO DO?!"
"Aries, we did nothing. He's just being an asshole," I said, glaring at Keifer.
"JAY, LET ME ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME—WHAT DID YOU TWO DO TOGETHER?" Aries yelled, practically vibrating with rage.
I opened my mouth, ready to scream back—
But then Keifer burst out laughing.
Like full‑on, doubled‑over, can't‑breathe laughing.
"You guys are such an easy trick," Keifer wheezed, wiping his eyes.
Aries froze.
I froze.
The entire universe froze.
Then Aries snapped. "ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!"
Keifer nodded, still laughing. "Yes. God, your faces—Jay looked like she was about to pass out and you looked ready to commit murder."
I smacked Keifer's arm. "You absolute asshole!"
He grinned. "Worth it."
Aries looked at Keifer like he wanted to kill him. "I'm going back inside before I actually kill someone."
He stomped away, muttering curses.
Keifer leaned toward me, still smirking. "Totally worth it."
I didn't even dignify that with a response.
I just turned on my heel, walked straight to his car, and yanked the door open like it personally offended me.
Behind me, I heard him laugh under his breath — that low, cocky laugh that meant he knew exactly how annoyed I was.
Of course he followed, taking his sweet time like he was strolling through a park instead of approaching the girl he just emotionally traumatized at 8 a.m.
I slid into the passenger seat and slammed the door shut.
A second later, the driver's door opened and Keifer leaned in, one hand on the roof, looking down at me with that stupidly handsome, stupidly smug face.
"Silent treatment?" he asked, grin widening.
I stared straight ahead. "Drive."
He chuckled. "You're cute when you're mad."
I didn't say anything.
Keifer reached over and gently tilted my chin toward him, forcing me to meet his eyes.
"Jay, talk to me," he said quietly.
I still didn't answer.
I just stared at him, jaw tight, refusing to give him the satisfaction.
His smirk faded a little. "Come on… don't shut me out."
I looked away again, staring out the window like the trees were suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.
Keifer sighed,"You're really mad, huh."
Silence.
He tapped the steering wheel, thinking. "Okay. Fine. If you're not gonna talk, then I'll talk."
I didn't move.
"I'm sorry," he said, voice softer now. "I shouldn't have messed with you like that. Aries too. I went too far."
I still didn't look at him
Then out of nowhere, he kissed me.
I froze — completely.
My brain just… stopped.
But I didn't pull back.
Not yet.
Not when his hand was still gently holding my chin.
He started to move his lips against mine—slow, careful, like he was giving me every chance to pull away.
And like an idiot… I moved my lips too.
I didn't even think.
My body just reacted before my brain could catch up.
That's when I felt it—
his smile.
Right against my lips.
Cocky.
Soft.
So damn sure of himself.
It made my stomach flip in the worst, most annoying way.
The kiss deepened fast — way faster than I expected.
Our tongues were involved in no second
I didn't even notice when I was in his lap
By the time we finally pulled back, both of us were breathing harder than we should've been. His forehead rested against mine, warm and steady.
"Still mad at me?" he asked, voice low, a tiny smile tugging at his lips.
"Asshole," I said — but I was laughing, and he knew it.
"Profanity," he teased, leaning in like he was about to kiss me again.
I put a hand on his chest, stopping him. "Keifer, we have to go to school and check our results. We're gonna be late."
He groaned dramatically, dropping his head onto my shoulder. "Why?"
I rolled my eyes and went back into my seat
He sighed like the world's most suffering man. "Fine. But I'm picking up where we left off later."
I shoved him lightly. "Drive."
We pulled into the school parking lot, and the second the car stopped, I got out.
Fresh air. Distance. Sanity.
Keifer, of course, didn't give me even two seconds.
He shut his door and immediately caught up to me
He intertwined his fingers with mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Maybe it was.
Maybe that was the problem.
Because the second our hands fit together, my whole chest tightened — not in a bad way, just in that oh no, I actually care about this idiot way.
Keifer glanced down at our hands, then at me, and that stupid little smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Not the cocky one.
The soft one.
The one he pretends he doesn't have.
"Chill, Jay. You'll pass the exam," Keifer said, giving my hand a small squeeze.
I nodded, even though my stomach was doing backflips.
We walked toward the bulletin board together, his fingers still laced with mine like he wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon.
Students were already crowding around the results, buzzing, panicking, celebrating.
My heart started pounding harder with every step.
Keifer noticed.
Of course he did.
He leaned down slightly. "Hey. Breathe."
"Check my results for me," I said, barely above a whisper.
Keifer nodded without hesitation and stepped closer to the bulletin board.
I stayed behind him, heart pounding so loud I was sure people could hear it.
He scanned the list, eyes moving slowly, too slowly, like he was doing it on purpose.
Then—
"Jay," he said.
My stomach dropped straight to hell.
I stepped closer. "What… what does it say?"
He didn't answer right away.
He just turned around, expression unreadable.
"Keifer," I said, voice cracking. "Don't mess with me right now."
He blinked once… then his face broke into the biggest grin.
"You passed with a 95%."
For a second, I genuinely thought I misheard him.
Ninety. Five. Percent.
My brain short‑circuited.
"What?" I whispered.
Keifer turned the paper toward me like he was presenting a trophy. "Jay. You passed with a ninety‑five. You destroyed that exam."
I stared at the board, then at him, then back at the board. "No way. That's not— that can't be mine—"
He grabbed my face gently, forcing me to look at him. "Jay. It's you. You did that."
My chest tightened, and I felt this stupid, overwhelming wave of relief crash over me
I hugged him, and I could already hear the whispers starting around us — little gasps, shocked murmurs
Keifer's arms wrapped around me instantly, strong and warm, pulling me in like he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
He didn't hesitate, didn't look around, didn't loosen his grip just because half the school was staring.
He held me like it was just us.
I pulled back a little, still smiling. "What about you?"
Keifer shrugged like it was nothing. "I passed with a hundred percent, of course."
I rolled my eyes so hard I almost saw my brain. "Show‑off."
He grinned. "You love it."
"I tolerate it," I corrected, already turning away. "Come on. Let's go see Section E."
Keifer immediately fell into step beside me, hands in his pockets, walking with that stupid confidence like he owned the hallway
"Because you slept through basically the whole class," I said.
Section E exploded instantly.
Ci‑N slapped his knee. "She got you, man."
Eman laughed, leaning on David's shoulder. "Bro, you were literally unconscious half the semester."
David just blinked, completely calm. "I wasn't unconscious. I was resting."
"Resting?" I repeated.
He nodded. "My brain works better when I'm relaxed."
Felix snorted. "Your brain was on airplane mode."
"Still passed," David said, shrugging with that soft, unbothered smile. "Ninety‑two."
"WHAT?!" Mayo blurted out, eyes wide. "You beat half the class while sleeping?!"
Kit nodded thoughtfully. "Honestly? Respect."
Rory grinned. "Man's living the dream."
Drew elbowed him. "He's living my dream."
Calix laughed. "You don't even show up to class, Drew."
"Exactly," Drew said proudly.
Keifer rolled his eyes. "Idiots."
Ci‑N smirked. "Says the guy who almost punched someone for complimenting Jay."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "I didn't—"
"You did," Felix said, grinning.
"You definitely did," Yuri added softly.
Eman nodded. "You 100% did."
Keifer glared at all of them. "Shut up."
I couldn't help laughing. "You're all impossible."
David smiled at me, gentle and warm. "We're proud of you, Jay."
And the whole group — loud, chaotic, ridiculous — nodded or cheered or raised their hands like I'd just won an award.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Sooo… how was the first chapter 🤭✨
Please comment, because from now on the chapters are gonna be a whole rollercoaster of emotions 😭🎢💙
I'm warning you now — it's only getting crazier from here 👀🔥