*Continuation of Flashback*
Keifer's POV
I knew something was off the moment I stepped into the hallway. People weren't just staring the way they usually stare at us—they were whispering. And not the harmless, boring gossip type. This was sharp, quiet, venom-laced whispering.
Jay was at her locker, tapping her foot, pretending she wasn't bothered, but her shoulders were stiff—too stiff. And when she's like that, it means she's trying hard to keep calm.
I walked straight to her, sliding my arms around her waist from behind.
"Hi my Queen."My voice dropped low, brushing the shell of her ear.She jumped, then whined softly, "Keifer, not here—"But she melted into my chest anyway.
That's my girl.
I turned her gently."What happened?"
She tried to look away."Nothing. It's stupid."
I didn't move."Jay-Jay."
Her eyes flickered up at me, and I could see it—the old hurt. The thing she hates admitting.
And then I heard it.
From behind me. A whisper.
"Clara deserved it. She should've hit her again."
My blood froze before it boiled.
My girlfriend. Someone thought my girlfriend deserved to be hit.
Jay grabbed my sleeve instantly, sensing the way my jaw locked."Don't. Not again. It's not worth it."
I breathed through my nose, hard."Who said it?"
"Keifer—""Jay. Who?"
She hesitated, then tilted her head toward the group standing near the lockers. Three girls. One of them pretending she hadn't just spoken.
I took a step, but Jay tugged me back."Please," she whispered. "I don't want another meeting with the principal. They already gave me detention weeks ago for slapping Clara. And they suspended her. It's done. I don't want more drama."
I turned back to her—my sweet, stubborn, secretly-soft troublemaker—and cupped her cheeks.
"You only slapped her because she hurt you. I'd slap the whole damn school if it meant protecting you."
Her face flushed instantly.
She pushed at my chest."Shut up…"
But she was smiling. That tiny, shy smile she tries to hide.
I leaned in, brushing my lips near her ear."Why are you acting annoyed? You love when I get all protective."
"I don't.""You do.""No, I don't!""Yes you do, baby," I whispered, letting my breath graze her neck."I can feel you blushing."
Her entire neck turned pink.
God, I love her.
I kissed the top of her head."You're safe with me. Always."
Jay-Jay's POV
I swear, Keifer has some kind of supernatural ability to embarrass me without even trying.
The more he whispers things like my Queen and my girl, the more my brain stops functioning. I'm supposed to act annoyed. That's my whole personality at this point. But the worst part is…
…I like it.
Way too much.
We were walking toward class when he suddenly pulled me by the waist, spinning me to face him.
"What now?" I muttered, avoiding his eyes.
He tipped my chin up with one finger.
"You're mine."
My heart almost burst out of my chest.
"I-I know," I managed.
"And no one talks about you like that. Ever. I don't care if they whisper or glare or start rumors. They mess with you—"
He leaned in so close I felt his lips almost touch mine.
"—they mess with me."
I should've been rolling my eyes. I should've told him to stop being dramatic.
Instead…
I pulled his hoodie closer."You're intense."
He smirked."You love it."
"Shut up," I whispered again.
He kissed my forehead.
I swear my knees nearly collapsed.
Keifer's POV
I didn't lose control. Barely. Only because Jay asked me not to.
But I wasn't done.
At lunch, the rumor was louder. People said Jay slapped Clara because she was "jealous," that Jay "cried after one insult," that Jay "pretended to be strong."
Garbage. All of it.
So I sat down at our table, pulled Jay onto my lap, and let the entire cafeteria see.
"You all done talking about my girlfriend," I said loudly, "or should I come table to table?"
The whole cafeteria went silent.
Jay slapped my arm, blushing so hard she looked like she might explode."Keifer! You can't just say things like that!"
"Why not?" I tightened my arms around her waist."You're my girlfriend. If they have a problem, they can talk to me."
"No one wants to talk to you! You're terrifying!"
"Good."
She groaned and hid her face in her hands, but she was smiling too.
I bent close and whispered,"You look so cute when you try to pretend you're annoyed."
"I'm not pretending," she argued weakly.
I kissed her cheek. Slowly. On purpose.
"Yeah you are."
Her whole body froze."You… you can't just— kiss me like that in front of everyone!"
"They should know how much I love you."
She stared at me, eyes softening in that way that tells me she's trying not to melt completely.
And then she whispered, so quietly I almost didn't hear—
"I love you too."
I almost lost control again—but this time for a different reason.
I buried my face in her hair, holding her tighter.
She's mine.
And I'm hers.
Forever.
She said it.
She actually said it.
"I love you too."
Her voice was shaky, tiny, almost scared of its own softness—but it was real. And I swear, the whole world went silent for a second.
Jay stared at me like she instantly regretted saying it in public, like the words slipped out of her heart before her brain could stop them. Her eyes were wide, cheeks pink, lips pressed together in that telltale oh no I said that out loud way.
I slid my hand to the back of her neck, pulling her closer until our foreheads touched.
"Say it again," I whispered.
"N-No."
"Yes."
She squeezed her eyes shut. "Keifer, people are staring…"
"Let them stare. I don't care."
She groaned dramatically, burying her face in my hoodie.
"You're impossible."
"And you love me," I teased, brushing my fingers along her jaw.
Her breath hitched."I didn't say it again."
"You will."
Her pulse was racing. I could feel it under my fingertips. She looked up slowly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I hate you…"
I smirked. "No you don't."
She shoved my shoulder—weakly, because she was still sitting on my lap and half-limp from embarrassment.
Then she whispered so softly only I could hear,
"…Fine. Maybe I don't."
Jay-Jay's POV
The cafeteria was buzzing again, but quieter. Like everyone was pretending not to watch while actually watching every little thing.
I could feel their stares.I could feel Keifer's smirk against my temple.
"You're acting like this is all normal," I muttered.
"It is normal," he said calmly. "I love you. You love me. People talk. I don't care."
My stomach flipped.He said it so easily. Like the words were just… natural.
I, meanwhile, was trying not to combust.
"Keifer," I mumbled, "you can't just hold me like this in front of everyone."
"Why not?"
"Because it's embarrassing!"
He paused.Then—
"Do you want me to stop?"
My answer came too fast.
"No!"
His grin was instant. Infuriating. Heart-melting.
"You're so cute."
"I'm leaving," I threatened weakly.
"No you're not."
He tightened his arms around my waist, pulling me back down when I tried to stand.
I whined."Yes I am—"
"Nope."
"Keifer—"
He leaned in, his lips brushing my ear.
"Say you love me again."
Every muscle in my body stiffened.
"Stop… asking…"
"Then say it."
"But—"
"Say it and I'll let you go."
He was enjoying this too much.
I clenched my teeth and muttered, barely audible,
"...I love you."
He blinked."…What was that, baby?"
"K-Keifer!"
"Say it properly."
I grabbed the front of his hoodie, frustrated—but also, embarrassingly, thrilled.
"I love you, okay?! Happy?!"
The smile he gave me was so warm, so soft, so full… I forgot where I was.
He pulled me against him and kissed my cheek—harder this time.
"Very."
Keifer's POV
Now everyone was staring.
Good.
Let them see it. Let them see she's my girl. Let them rethink every rumor, every whisper, every nasty comment about her.
Jay glared at me, cheeks bright pink.
"You planned this," she accused.
"Planned what?"
"This! The whole… public humiliation!"
I snorted."Humiliation? Baby, I'm giving you extra love."
"Too much love!"
I tilted her chin up.
"There's no such thing."
She froze again.She always freezes when I say something that hits her heart directly.I live for that look.
After a moment, she whispered,
"…You make me crazy."
"No," I murmured, brushing my thumb along her lower lip."I make you mine."
Her lips parted slightly.
I almost kissed her. I almost did.
But she blinked up at me and whispered,
"Keifer… don't kiss me here…"
I smirked."So I can kiss you later?"
She shoved me again."Don't push it."
"I'm absolutely going to push it."
"Keifer!"
"Jay-Jay."
She covered her face."I can't do this with you."
"You can," I said softly. "And you will."
Her hands dropped slowly. Her eyes met mine.
And for a split second, the teasing fell away.
She whispered,
"…Don't stop loving me, okay?"
I placed my hand over hers.
"Never."
Jay-Jay's POV
The moment the last class ended, I practically sprinted out the building—not because I was excited to go home but because I knew who was waiting outside.
And there he was.
Leaning casually against his motorcycle.Headphones around his neck.Hands in pockets.Black hoodie, messy hair, that stupidly attractive tilted smirk he reserved only for me.
My heart was hopeless.
He lifted his head the second he sensed me.
"There you are," he said, voice low. "My runaway."
"I didn't run away," I muttered.
"You did."He pushed off the bike and walked toward me."And you didn't even look back."
"I had a class—"
"I don't care about your class."
He stopped in front of me, lowering his face until we were eye to eye.
"I care about you."
I swallowed, feeling my cheeks heat.
"…You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"Being all—"I gestured vaguely at him."This. Whatever this is."
He grinned, leaning closer."You mean being your boyfriend?"
My breath caught."You're impossible."
"And you love me."
I groaned."Stop using that against me!"
"But it's fun."
He gently pinched my cheek, and I swatted his hand away—well, tried to. He caught both my wrists easily, pulling me closer until my forehead brushed his chest.
"Let me take you home," he murmured.
His voice was soft. Too soft.
The kind that makes you melt without permission.
"…Okay."
He laced his fingers with mine as we walked toward the gate. Normally he didn't do that—at least not so openly, not in front of dozens of students.
But today?
He held my hand like he was claiming the entire world.
I could feel the whispers behind us, but he didn't care.
He squeezed my hand lightly.
"Jay."
"Hm?"
"Something happened today."
My heart froze."…What do you mean?"
"You looked… tense. Different."
My mouth went dry.I forced a smile.
"I'm fine. Really."
He stopped walking.
I kept going, only to be yanked gently backward when our linked hands pulled me off-balance.
"Jay."
I turned around slowly.
He wasn't smirking anymore.
"Don't lie to me."
A lump formed in my throat.
He stepped closer, voice low but gentle.
"I'm your boyfriend. You can tell me anything."
I looked down."I said I'm fine, Keifer. Nothing happened."
For a long moment, he didn't say anything.
Then—
"…Okay."
His tone had shifted.
He knew I was lying.
But he was waiting.
Just like he always did.
"Let's go," he said softly, brushing his thumb over my knuckles.
I nodded, relieved and guilty at the same time.
Keifer's POV
She's lying.
I knew the second she said "I'm fine."
Jay only says she's fine when she's about to break.She thinks I don't notice but—I notice everything about her.
Every tremble in her voice.Every forced smile.Every time her shoulders tense when someone whispers her name.
And today… she was trembling.
I squeezed her hand tighter as we walked.
Fine.If she won't tell me yet, I'll wait.
But the people spreading those new rumors?The ones who dared use my name in their story?
They won't get the same mercy.
Not this time.
Jay-Jay's POV
The ride home was quiet, but not the uncomfortable kind.The wind was cool, the sky tinted orange with the setting sun, and Keifer's hand was firm around mine as he helped me off the bike.
"Walk with me," he said.
We didn't go inside my house yet.He led me toward the quiet alley beside it—a shortcut I used sometimes.
It was empty.Soft.Private.
He stood in front of me, leaning one hand against the wall behind my head.
His voice dropped.
"You're still red."
"No I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm just… warm."
"You're adorable."
I covered my face with both hands.Immediately, warm fingers curled around my wrists and gently pulled them down.
"No hiding," he murmured.
His thumb brushed my cheek.Slow circles.Slow enough to make my knees weaken.
Then he leaned in.
"Do you know what I thought about the whole day?"
My voice cracked."What?"
"You," he whispered."And how you looked when you told me you love me."
I froze completely.
"Keifer—"
"You were shy. And scared. And perfect."
I shook my head fast."Stop saying things like that."
"Why?"
"Because it—"I swallowed."—because it makes my heart do weird things."
"Good."
He tilted my chin up with two fingers.
"Jay."
My breath hitched.
"Look at me."
I did.
Big mistake.
His eyes were intense—soft, warm, burning all at once.
He leaned forward slowly, giving me every chance to move away.
I didn't.
His forehead touched mine.His breath mingled with mine.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered.
My heart almost fell out of my chest.
"I… yes."
His hand slid behind my waist.He pulled me forward gently until there was no space left between us.
Then—
He kissed me.
Soft.Slow.Warm.Like he was memorizing the shape of my mouth.
It wasn't rushed.It wasn't demanding.
It was careful.Beautifully careful.
His lips lingered on mine for a long second before he pulled back, just far enough to look at me.
"You okay?" he murmured.
I nodded shakily.
"I told you," he whispered, brushing his nose against mine."You're mine."
I buried my face in his chest, and he wrapped his arms around me, laughing softly.
"You're blushing so much," he teased gently.
"Shut up," I muttered.
"No."
He pressed a small kiss on the top of my head.
"I love you, Jay-Jay."
I gripped his hoodie tighter.
"…I love you too."
He held me closer, like he was promising something silently.
And I didn't know that this moment—this exact soft, warm moment—was the calm before the storm.
Because tomorrow…
Everyone would know exactly who they messed with.
And Keifer wouldn't be gentle anymore.
The Next Day-
If yesterday ended in warmth, today began in fire.
The rumor had spread like gasoline catching a spark.
By lunch break, whispers swirled everywhere—
"Si Jay daw? Ganun pala ugali niya?"(They say Jay? That's what she's actually like?)
"Nakipag-deal daw sila ni Keifer."(They say she and Keifer made a deal.)
"Suspension ni Clara daw gawa-gawa lang!"(They say Clara's suspension was faked!)
"May bayaran daw."(They say someone paid for it.)
Paid.They said Keifer paid to get Clara suspended.
And the more I denied it, the more people stared.
I tried to keep my head down, walking across the open courtyard—until a sharp voice sliced through the air.
"Excuse me," the girl said loudly.One of Clara's minions.Short hair. Sharp eyes. A mouth too eager.
She stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
"May tanong lang ako."(I just have a question.)
I forced a calm breath."…What now?"
Her lips curved into a fake-sweet smile.
"So totoo ba?"(So is it true?)
"Totoo ano?" (True what?) I asked.
"That the only reason you slapped Clara and got away with it is dahil binayaran ng boyfriend mo yung admin?"(that your boyfriend paid the admin so you can get away with slapping Clara?)
My chest squeezed painfully.
"That's not true," I said firmly.
"Ay, tigilan mo 'yan," she scoffed.(Oh, stop that.)
"Tingin mo hindi namin alam?"(Do you think we don't know?)
"You? From Northbridge? Rich kid? Syempre may kaya."(Your boyfriend from Northbridge? Rich kid? Of course he has money.)
People around us began to gather.
I felt exposed.Raw.Small.
"I said stop," I repeated.
"Oh come on, Jay. We're not stupid. Ginamit mo lang si Keifer para—"
"Enough."
The voice hit like thunder.
Everyone turned.
And there he was.
Keifer.Standing at the courtyard entrance.Black hoodie, jaw clenched, eyes dark and livid in a way I had never seen in public.
He walked toward us slowly—controlled anger in every step, the kind that made people instinctively move aside.
I froze.
He wasn't supposed to be here.
Not like this.
Not angry.
When he reached me, he placed a hand on my back—firm, protective, grounding.
Then his eyes snapped toward Clara's minion.
"What," he asked quietly, "did you just say about my girlfriend?"
The girl pushed her chin up, trying to act brave though her hands were trembling.
"N-We were just—"
"Spreading rumors?" he said.His voice was low, dangerous."Telling lies? Dragging her name into garbage your group created?"
"You don't understand—"
"No. You don't understand."
He stepped closer.
"Jay doesn't need me to protect her reputation."His jaw tightened."But I'll do it anyway. Because she doesn't deserve this."
There was a shift in the crowd—energy tightening, attention sharpening.
Dane suddenly came jogging from behind the fountain, eyes wide.
"Jay? Jay, what's happening—Keifer?" he blinked."Why are you—"
"Dane," Keifer said tightly."Control your sister's friends."
Dane swore under his breath."I swear I didn't know they'd—"
"I'm not blaming you," Keifer said sharply."But I am warning them."
The minion's lips curled.
"So ayaw mo lang na malaman namin ang totoo?"(So you just don't want us to know the truth?)
Keifer's eyes darkened dangerously.
"The truth?" he echoed."You want the truth?"
He stepped forward.She stepped back instinctively.
"The truth is: I would never pay to cover up anything."His voice rose just slightly—controlled but terrifying."And the truth is: Clara got suspended because she was guilty. Not because of me. Not because of Jay."
Silence.
Then—
"Liar," the girl whispered.
Keifer's fingers curled, knuckles cracking.
I touched his arm immediately."Keifer… please."
He looked down at me.Just one look softened everything in his expression—just for me.
But the moment he faced the crowd again—
The storm was back.
Keifer's POV
I told myself I would wait.
Wait for Jay to come to me.Wait for her to feel safe.Wait for her to trust me with her pain.
But this?
This crossed the line.
Seeing her shrink into herself while whispers sliced at her confidence—
No.
Nobody gets to do that to my girl.
Nobody.
"Let me say this once," I said, stepping in front of her completely, blocking the crowd."No one—no one—gets to use my name to hurt her."
A voice called out from the back:
"Pero diba you're rich? Pwede ka magbayad—"(But you're rich right? You can pay—)
"Yeah," I snapped."I could pay. And I didn't. Because unlike your little group, I don't work in the shadows."
A ripple of murmurs spread.
The minion glared.
"You're only defending her because she's pretty—"
"No. I'm defending her because she is the only good thing in this entire place."
Jay gasped behind me.
I didn't care.
Let them all hear it.
"Anyone spreading lies about her will deal with me," I said quietly, dangerously."You included."
She swallowed."You can't threaten us—"
"That wasn't a threat."
I stepped closer, eyes locking into hers.
"That was a promise."
Jay-Jay's POV
Before anyone could speak again—
"Hoy! Ano bang kaguluhan 'to?"(Hey! What's all this commotion?)
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
We all turned.
Aries, Percy, Eren, Blaster, Drew, Yuri, Ci-N, David, Felix, Rory, Mayo, Kit, Calix, Edrix, Denzel, Ella, Mica, Freya, Honey—ALL OF THEM—were rushing in.
My heart stumbled.
They looked furious.
"Someone messed with Jay?" Eren asked sharply.
"Who is it?" Drew demanded.
"Lead me to them," Percy said.
Mayo cracked his knuckles.Kit pushed his glasses up and stared at the minions like they were insects.
Honey stepped forward beside Keifer."Keifer, we gathered the details you asked."
I blinked.He… what?
But Keifer didn't break gaze.
"Read it," he ordered.
Honey unfolded a paper.
"Clara Hyune and her group initiated the rumor. The suspension was due to behavior reports from four professors. Zero involvement from the Watson family," she said clearly.
A gasped swirl cut through the crowd.
"And," Honey added, "eight witnesses saw Jay being harassed verbally before the slap occurred. Self-defense may be considered."
Dane lifted both hands."Okay—okay, stop. Please. This is already too much."
He walked closer to me, eyes full of apology.
"Jay… I'm sorry. For my sister. For everything."
I shook my head."It's not your fault."
Keifer looked back at me immediately—checking if I was okay.
But I wasn't.
Not really.
I was overwhelmed.Trembling.Shaking.
And because the universe hates me—
The minion suddenly shouted:
"Maybe you're all covering the truth because Jay has something on all of you!"
Silence.
A painful silence.
Then—
Keifer stepped forward.
"Say one more lie," he whispered, "and I swear—"
"Keifer."I grabbed his sleeve."Stop. Please."
His jaw worked.His fists trembled.
Then he exhaled.
Slow, controlled.He turned around.
Placed his hands on my shoulders.
"Jay."
I looked up.
His voice softened—but the fire in his eyes didn't.
"I told you," he said quietly."I won't stay quiet anymore."
My throat tightened.
"And I won't let them touch you again."
The courtyard buzzed—fear, shock, disbelief.
And I realized:
This was no longer a rumor war.
This was the beginning of something much bigger.
Because Keifer wasn't hiding behind the shadows.
He had stepped into the light—
for me.
And tomorrow…The entire campus would explode.
The courtyard didn't quiet down immediately.Not even after Keifer warned Clara's minions.Not even after Honey read the formal statement clearing my name.
People kept staring. Whispering. Processing.
But something changed.
Because behind me…
My entire world stood in one protective circle.
My friends.All of them.Every single one.
Yuri stepped beside me first, eyes sharp as knives.
"Jay is one of the kindest people I know," he said firmly. "If she slapped Clara, it's because Clara deserved it."
Percy folded his arms."And you all know I don't defend people unless they're worth it."
Eman added, "Jay isn't the problem here. The liars are."
David, who rarely got involved in drama, stepped forward."Keep Jay's name out of your mouths."
Drew shook his head."Kahit kelan, hindi siya nanakit nang walang dahilan."(She never hurts anyone without a reason.)
Felix nodded."And she never lies about things like this."
Blaster crossed his arms."If you want to fight someone, fight me."
Edrix glared."Or fight all of us. Ayos lang."(It's fine with us.)
Rory lifted a brow."I dare you to start another rumor."
Calix added quietly, "Jay deserves peace. Leave her alone."
Kit pushed up his glasses."This rumor lacks evidence and logic. Stop embarrassing yourselves."
Mayo chimed in, "Seriously. Tangina. Tama na."(Seriously. Damn. Enough.)
Denzel smirked."Try insulting her again. Just try."
Aries walked forward next.His presence alone shut everyone up.
"Jay is my sister," he said simply."Anyone who hurts her answers to me, too."
Ella linked arms with him."She's family. We protect family."
Ci-N added, "Jay doesn't lie. Period."
Rakki cracked his neck."Tell 'em again."
Mica stepped to my other side."Jay's one of the most hardworking girls here."
Freya nodded gently."She doesn't deserve any of this."
Honey bowed slightly."I confirm the authenticity of the documents. Jay is innocent."
And Dane—Clara's own brother—spoke loudly enough for the courtyard to hear:
"My sister was suspended because of her behavior. Jay had nothing to do with it. And Keifer definitely didn't pay for anything. Stop dragging them both."
Silence.
Full, undeniable silence.
Keifer stepped into the middle of the circle, voice low but echoing:
"This ends now."
And somehow…
It did.
The crowd scattered.Whispers died.People left.
And suddenly—
It was just us.
Just my people.
Just the ones who mattered.
When everyone walked us toward the gate, I felt lighter—but shaky, drained, uncertain.
Then Keifer leaned close, his voice soft enough for only me to hear.
"Let me take you home."
I swallowed.
"…Okay."
He held my hand.Warm. Steady. Real.
And I followed him.
In the Car-
Jay's POV
The moment the doors closed, silence wrapped around us—thick, charged, intimate.
Keifer exhaled hard, leaning back in his seat.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
I blinked."What? Why are you sorry?"
"For losing my temper. For jumping in. For making a scene."
I shook my head.
"You protected me."
He looked at me.
Really looked.
And my breath caught.
"Jay…" His voice dipped low. "You were shaking earlier."
"I… wasn't scared."
"You were overwhelmed," he corrected gently.
I opened my mouth—then closed it.
Because he was right.
Keifer reached out and brushed a thumb over my cheek.
"You don't have to pretend with me."
My chest tightened, and my voice came out small.
"It just hurt. Everything they said. Everything they assumed."
He leaned closer.
"Look at me."
I did.
"None of those rumors define you," he whispered."Only you do."
My eyes stung.
"And you?" I whispered. "Why did you get so angry?"
He didn't hesitate.
"Because they were hurting the girl I love."
My breath broke.
"K-Keifer…"
He smiled faintly, teasing.
"What? You gonna pretend you don't like hearing that?"
"I—shut up."
"See? You blush so easily," he murmured, leaning even closer."It's adorable."
I buried my face in my hands."Stop teasing me!"
He gently tugged my hands down.
"I'm not teasing you to annoy you."He leaned his forehead against mine."I'm teasing you because I love seeing you flustered."
My heart wasn't beating normally anymore.It was sprinting.
And then he whispered:
"Can I kiss you?"
I didn't trust my voice.
So I nodded.
He cupped my face, warm and careful, and kissed me—
Soft.
Slow.
Reassuring.
Nothing wild.Nothing rushed.
Just him sayingI'm here.You're safe.I love you.
When we pulled apart, I was breathless.
He smiled softly.
"Let's go home, Mrs. Watson."
Keifer's POV
She fell quiet during the drive—holding my hand the entire time.
Her thumb stroked mine absently.
Every little squeeze made my chest tighten.
She was strong.But even strong people get tired.
And Jay was exhausted.
When we reached her house, I walked her to the door.
She tried to smile normally.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to."
I brushed a thumb over her cheek again.
She looked up at me like she didn't know how to breathe.
God.
I loved her.
And she needed comfort.
"Come here," I whispered, pulling her into my arms.
She melted against my chest.
Small.Warm.Trembling just a little.
"I'm sorry today happened," I murmured into her hair.
She shook her head against my shoulder.
"You came. That's what matters."
I pulled back, kissed her forehead long and lingering.
"I'll always come."
Jay-Jay's POV
Inside the house, I tried to steady myself.
But Tita Gemma walked out of the kitchen.
"Anak? Why so late?"
"I—uh—group work!" I lied quickly."Lots of students. And then Dane walked with me! So—uh—yeah!"
Tita blinked."Oh. Okay. Eat na. Your food is waiting."
I nodded and rushed past her.
Upstairs, in my room, the moment my head hit the pillow…
Everything flooded in.
The rumor.The confrontation.My friends.Keifer's hand on my back.His voice defending me.His kiss.His forehead kiss.His promise.
And the way he said:
"Because they were hurting the girl I love."
My heart wasn't going to calm down anytime soon.
I pressed a hand to my lips, still warm.
I was terrified.
And safe.
And overwhelmed.
And soft inside.
But one thing was certain:
Today didn't just change the rumor.
It changed us.