Chapter 12: Childish? Absolutely.
Jay's POV
If Section E is chaos…
Aries is worse.
I was peacefully drinking juice in the living room when Aries suddenly snatched the remote.
"Cartoons are educational," he said confidently.
"You're 19," I replied.
"And still smarter than you."
I blinked slowly.
"Your horoscope said you'd be successful. That's not education. That's delusion."
He gasped dramatically. "You disrespect astrology again?!"
"Yes."
"It explains personalities!"
"It explains excuses."
Tito Rafael started laughing from the dining area.
Aries stood up like he was about to present a TED Talk.
"You're a Scorpio. That's why you're aggressive."
"I'm aggressive because I live with you."
He clutched his chest. "Violence!"
I grabbed the remote back.
"Give me that."
He grabbed it again.
"Make me."
We were literally pulling the remote like two five-year-olds.
"LET GO."
"NO."
"YOU'RE CHILDISH."
"YOU STARTED IT."
And that's when—
"WHAT is happening?"
Oh no.
Kuya Angelo.
We froze instantly.
Remote still in both our hands.
He walked in slowly.
Calm.
Too calm.
Which is worse.
"You're fighting over a remote?" he asked.
Aries pointed at me immediately. "She insulted astrology."
"She exists," I replied.
Angelo closed his eyes briefly.
"Jay."
"Yes?"
"You fight with boys at school."
"Only one."
"You fight at home."
"He started."
Aries gasped. "Betrayal."
Angelo looked at both of us like we disappointed his ancestors.
"You two are acting like children."
I crossed my arms.
"He is a child."
"I am older than you!"
"Mentally? Debatable."
Aries lunged toward me dramatically.
Angelo stepped between us.
"ENOUGH."
Silence.
Tita Gemma peeked from the kitchen.
"What now?"
"Your daughter and your nephew are starting World War Three over a remote," Angelo said flatly.
"It's about respect," Aries muttered.
"It's about boredom," I corrected.
Angelo rubbed his forehead.
"You both need maturity."
I raised an eyebrow. "Define maturity."
"Not arguing over nonsense."
Aries and I looked at each other.
Then at the remote.
Then back at Angelo.
Aries suddenly whispered, "You take it."
I whispered back, "No, you take it."
He narrowed his eyes. "Don't be dramatic."
"You're dramatic."
Angelo raised his voice slightly. "I CAN HEAR YOU."
We immediately stood straight.
"Yes, Kuya."
"Sorry, Kuya."
He sighed deeply.
"Jay, focus on school."
"I am."
"Aries, stop provoking her."
"I don't—"
"Stop."
"Yes."
Angelo looked at me for a second longer.
"You're not a child anymore."
The tone changed.
Softer.
Serious.
"And I don't want you acting like one."
I nodded quietly.
For once.
No comeback.
Aries looked at me suspiciously.
"Why are you quiet?"
I smirked slightly.
"Because unlike you, I evolve."
He threw a pillow at me.
I dodged it.
Angelo pointed at both of us.
"ONE MORE WORD."
We both sat down immediately.
Five seconds of silence.
Then Aries whispered slowly—
"Scorpio."
I whispered back—
"Gemini."
We both started laughing again.
Angelo stared at the ceiling.
"I deserve peace."
Tito Rafael patted his shoulder.
"You chose this family."
And honestly?
For all the chaos…
I wouldn't trade it.