Jay's POV
The gates of Lia's house closed behind us with a soft thud.
And that was it.
That was the exact moment Section E lost their remaining brain cells.
I stood there silently, staring at the mansion in front of me—
so big it felt like it had its own zip code.
Fifty-six rooms.
Six kitchens.
Fifty-six bathrooms.
I swallowed.
Jay… breathe. This is normal. Rich-people-normal.
Felix broke the silence.
Felix: "Guys… if I disappear, tell my mom I was kidnapped by capitalism."
Rory: "THIS IS NOT A HOUSE, THIS IS A FINAL BOSS LEVEL."
Erdix slowly removed his cap.
Erdix: "Respectfully… I'm scared."
Calix clapped his hands together like a leader who absolutely had no control.
Calix: "Alright Section E, stay calm—"
Too late.
Chaos Begins
Mayo sprinted inside first.
Mayo: "I CALL DIBS ON A ROOM WITH A BALCONY!"
Kit: "YOU CAN'T CALL DIBS IN A HOUSE THIS BIG!"
C In opened a random door and froze.
C In: "Why… why does this room have TWO BEDS AND A SOFA?"
Rakki: "WHY DOES YOUR ROOM HAVE A MINI FRIDGE AND MINE HAS A WALK-IN CLOSET INSIDE A WALK-IN CLOSET?"
Freya laughed so hard she had to hold the wall.
Freya: "THIS HOUSE IS FLEXING ON US."
Grace walked in slowly with baby Grazel Jay in her arms, looking around calmly.
Grace: "I brought my child to a circus."
Baby Grazel Jay giggled.
Even the baby supports chaos.
Percy & Aries Enter Their Natural Habitat
Percy dragged his luggage dramatically.
Percy: "Jay… I think I belong here."
Aries scoffed.
Aries: "Please. This house doesn't even align with your horoscope."
I rubbed my forehead.
Lord, give me strength.
Percy: "At least I don't blame Mercury retrograde for my bad life choices."
Aries: "OH REALLY—"
Ella clapped loudly.
Ella: "ROUND ONE. FIGHT."
Kitchen Disaster
Somehow—somehow—everyone ended up in Kitchen Number Two.
Why not six?
Don't ask.
Felix opened the fridge.
Felix: "Why does this fridge look richer than me?"
Erdix opened a drawer.
Erdix: "WHY ARE THERE FOUR TYPES OF SPOONS?"
Mica laughed.
Mica: "For different moods."
Calix inspected the island.
Calix: "This island is bigger than our classroom."
Mayo raised his phone.
Mayo: "Group photo before something catches fire."
Grace sat down carefully.
Grace: "No cooking. Order food."
Everyone agreed immediately.
Me, Standing There
I stood slightly away from the noise, watching them—
Section E arguing about rooms, pillows, bathrooms, who snores, who talks in sleep, who breathes too loud.
Two years ago, we were just classmates.
Now they felt like… family.
My phone buzzed.
I looked down.
No message.
I smiled sadly.
He's not here.
But somehow… I didn't feel alone.
Percy noticed and leaned toward me.
Percy: "Jay. You okay?"
I nodded.
Me: "Yeah. Just… taking it all in."
Aries crossed his arms.
Aries: "You're smiling like someone who's about to cry."
I laughed softly.
Me: "Shut up."
Freya came over and hugged me sideways.
Freya: "You deserve this happiness."
My throat tightened.
Before I could say anything—
Rory screamed from upstairs:
Rory: "WHO TOOK MY PILLOW?"
Felix shouted back:
Felix: "THE HOUSE DID."
And suddenly I laughed.
A real laugh.
Because even without him here…
I wasn't alone.
Section E filled the space.
The noise filled the silence.
And Lia's mansion slowly turned into our temporary home.
Jay's POV – Lia & Angelo: SIBLING WAR
Lia dropped her bag on the couch like she owned the universe.
Well… she kind of did.
Lia: "I leave my house for five minutes and you turn it into a hostel?"
Angelo didn't even look up from his phone.
Angelo: "Relax. It's called family."
Lia: "Family doesn't rearrange furniture and eat snacks worth ten thousand pesos."
Calix slowly hid the chips behind his back.
Calix: "These were emotionally necessary."
Lia shot him a look.
Lia: "You look like someone who eats other people's food without guilt."
Angelo smirked.
Angelo: "Told you. Section E."
Sibling Quarrel Level: Nuclear
Lia turned to Angelo, hands on her hips.
Lia: "You didn't even ask before bringing them."
Angelo: "I didn't need permission. You have fifty-six rooms."
Lia: "That doesn't mean I want fifty-six disasters."
Felix whispered to Emman.
Felix: "She just called us disasters."
Emman: "Accurate."
Angelo leaned back.
Angelo: "You're just mad because the house finally has life."
Lia: "No, I'm mad because the house finally has you."
Gasps everywhere.
Rory: "BROTHER-SISTER FINISH HIM."
Lia Strikes Back
Lia crossed her arms.
Lia: "Still acting like you're the responsible one?"
Angelo raised an eyebrow.
Angelo: "Still acting like money can fix your attitude?"
Lia scoffed.
Lia: "At least my money doesn't come with a superiority complex."
Angelo laughed.
Angelo: "And at least my brain isn't powered by credit cards."
Section E exploded.
Erdix: "THIS IS BETTER THAN OUR EXAMS."
Grace bounced Grazel Jay.
Grace: "Shhh, baby, aunty is roasting uncle."
Baby Grazel Jay giggled.
Me, Trying Not to Die Laughing
I covered my mouth, laughing.
Why do siblings always fight like they're enemies from past lives?
Lia noticed me.
Lia: "Jay, tell him."
Me: Oh no.
Me: "Uh… both of you need therapy."
Silence.
Then—
Lia: "See? Even she agrees."
Angelo: "She insulted both of us."
Me: "Equal opportunity."
They both looked at me.
Then looked at each other.
Then—annoyingly—laughed.
Temporary Ceasefire
Lia sighed.
Lia: "Fine. They can stay."
Cheers erupted.
Mayo: "WE SURVIVE."
Lia pointed at Angelo.
Lia: "But if anything breaks—"
Angelo: "I'll pay."
Lia: "Obviously. You're the poorer sibling."
Angelo groaned.
Angelo: "I hate you."
Lia: "Love you too."
Classic siblings.
I smiled to myself.
This house is going to be loud, messy, and chaotic…
…and somehow, it already feels like family again.