Author POV:
There she was. THAT GIRL. JASPER JEAN FERNANDEZ MARIANO WATSON.
I'm running out of breath saying her name. Help me.
She was on a so-called "arm wrestling", guess with whom? Cinco Neith Peralta. He really chose a good opponent. Bruh.
April, Yuri and Keifer descended the stairs and saw them continuing whatever they did.
April shouted at the top of the lungs, "CI-N IS ARM WRESTLING? I'M GONNA CHEER YOU UP!"
She went behind Ci-N and shook his shoulders. He tumbled back, but didn't give up.
Wow. What a motivation, bro?
Keifer smirked and easily walked off to the other side, where Jayjay was. "I'm definitely goin' here.."
"I'm the judge." Yuri declared.
Section E cheered; they had started to jump like monkeys.
"Ate, could you not shake me?!" Ci-N shouted.
"Let's restart!" April shouted and took Ci-N's hand down. SHE TOOK HIS HAND DOWN? so easily..?
You are... something, miss.
Section E recovered from the mess and was ready to restart.
"CI-N! CI-N! CI-N!"
"JAYJAY! JAYJAY! JAYJAY!"
The table looked like it was about to give up before either of them did.
Jayjay rolled her shoulders, fingers interlocked with Ci-N's, eyes sharp but amused. "Ready to lose?" she asked sweetly.
Ci-N scoffed. "In your dreams, ms Future Watson."
Yuri slammed his hand down between them. "On my count. One.. two-"
"WAIT."
Everyone froze.
Keifer leaned an elbow on the table, face way too close to Jayjay's for comfort. Or survival.
"You sure you're good?" he asked casually, eyes flicking to her hand. "Would be embarrassing if you lose in front of everyone."
Jayjay raised a brow. "You doubting me?"
He smirked. "Yes, but I doubt him more."
Ci-N looked at him, deapdan, "Keifer, what."
"YES, MY BOI! YES, MR SASS!" April cheered, laughing. Betrayal.
"Ate, you betrayed me.. NO ONE IS ON MY SIDE." Ci-N looked.. ACTUALLY disappointed? Ugh.. sorry ah.
Jayjay laughed, and for a second, Keifer just stared. Yeah. That laugh. Dangerous.
Yuri cleared his throat loudly. "Can we proceed before someone does anything stupid?"
Section E howled.
"THREE!" Yuri shouted.
They slammed hands.
The table shook. The noise exploded. Ci-N's face twisted in effort, veins popping like he was fighting for his dignity. Jayjay leaned forward, teeth clenched, hair falling loose around her face.
Keifer didn't cheer.
He watched.
Watched how her jaw tightened. How stubborn she was. How she refused to back down even when Ci-N pushed harder.
"Jayjay," he said, calm but firm. "Wrist straight."
Her eyes flicked to him.
She adjusted.
And that was it.
Ci-N's hand hit the table.
Silence.
Then chaos.
"NO WAY!"
"WHAT?!"
"SHE CHEATED-"
"I DID NOT!"
Jayjay let go and stood up, breathless, victorious. She raised her arms, grinning.
Keifer shook his head, laughing under his breath. "Told you."
For a second, the noise faded.
They stood there, too close again.. eyes locked, smiles soft, something unspoken hanging between them.
April squinted. "Why do they look like that."
Yuri crossed his arms. "Like what?"
"Like they forgot we exist."
Keifer finally stepped back, hands in his pockets, grin returning. "Good game, champ."
Jayjay nudged his shoulder. "Judge bias."
"JUDGE BIAS? I HAVE A BOY-BAND BIAS-" April squealed.
He leaned down slightly, voice low. "Only for you."
She froze.
Then rolled her eyes, hiding the smile she absolutely failed to suppress.
"Okay, y'all... be responsible! Come on! Let's go for night duty," April announced, and they took their coats and flashlights. "YOU ALL KNOW YOUR PAIRS, RIGHT? Sure, I do!"
Today, it was Jayjay and Keifer together, and April and Yuri. Since it is day two.
They both walked together, the sound of the wind and the leaves on the trees rustling.