JAY'S POV:
This guy was grinding my gears. Tsk. So damn annoying.
We'd already reached school, but he was still droning on about why his name was Ci-N.
I tuned out ages ago—his story dragged like a bad novel. I lost the thread entirely, unsure if he was even on topic anymore.
"And that's why they picked Ci-N," he finally wrapped up.
Finally.
"Wow... what an epic tale," I said, plastering on a fake smile.
He beamed like a kid in a candy store. Talkative, too—endless stories bubbling out.
"Can I ask a favor?"
I just stared, waiting.
"Buy me lunch from the cafeteria?"
Poor child. Afternoons must leave him starving.
"Why can't you guys go to the cafeteria yourselves?"
Even though I know the answer, I asked him, because...act fool, you know.
He smiled at me again.
"No reason… We're just lazy".
Should I stab his gums and test that smile? Tsk. Spit it out already.
"Tsk! Whatever—I'm not your delivery girl!"I snapped, speeding up to ditch him.
He jogged after me anyway.
"W-wait..."
I glanced back.
"...Promise you won't tell Keifer it came from me?"
"Yeah... promise," I said flatly.
"It's not that we can't go. We can. But Keifer and Yuri's crew banned us."
I acted like I frowned at him. You're doing great Jay! Keep it up! Wait, do you think I can go to movies. I might even get Oscar.
"Why did Keifer and Yuri ban you guys?"
He glanced around first. We were nearing our building, and there weren't many students around. I think only Section E used this area.
Once he was sure no one was nearby, he finally spoke.
"Because of a girl. We had a female classmate before you. She stuck around our section longer than most..."
(Skipping the details—you know the story.)
He spilled it all. By the time he finished, my blood boiled, but I played it cool. Good actor, that's me. Lava inside, ice on the surface. I'd heard it before, but hearing it again? I wanted to throttle Ella and her fake-innocent smile. Tsk.
ARIES'S POV:
My brother's words echoed in my head:
I'll agree when you score 100 on your exams.
A perfect 100? Even I'd never hit that. And she accepted it? Brainless overconfidence. She'd be lucky to pass. Maybe is trying hard to get 100, even though she can't, Or she can take that cause and break the deal.
Not gonna happen.
"Hey, dude!" Kiko greeted me.
"What's up, dude?!" I greeted back.
"I saw your cousin... She's pretty. Way different from how you described her—like some fight-hungry psycho."
I chuckled.
"Judging by looks alone?"
He laughed.
"For her? Maybe."
I shook my head.
"Stop. You'll regret it when you learn she almost killed someone."
"You're kidding... right?"
I shook my head. His face went serious.
"H-how?"
"Grandma had a heart attack because of her."
Kiko exhaled, relieved.
Did he actually like Jay-jay? No fucking way.
"I thought you meant hands-on..." he muttered, wandering off.
I wasn't trying to badmouth Jay-jay—just facts. And it wasn't just Grandma—she wasn't the only one who almost died because of Jay-jay.
I pressed a hand to my lower chest, the old pain flaring in memory. That day, her rage shattered us. She fought someone twice her size, fearless, deaf to everything. Blood-smeared fists, lifeless eyes.
My view of her flipped then—and it hasn't budged. I hate her.
JAY'S POV:
I stepping into the lair of these pests just to buy food for that idiot of a guy. I'd packed my own to avoid it. Tsk. Here I go.
Heads swiveled as I entered. Whispers exploded like they'd swallowed mics.
"Is that her?"
"Section E girl."
"The only one."
"She's bailing soon."
I just ignored them, and acted cold.
No line at the vendor. I rattled off Ci-N's weird order: green mangoes with shrimp paste, puto, dinuguan. She prepped it fast.
"Hi, Jay-jay!" Rakki waved beside me.I waved back, eyes on the food. Not in the mood.
"How's Section E?"
"Fine," I muttered.
She pouted. "You mad at me?"
Not really… Just a little.
"Nah."
"Oh, I thought—"
Noise cut her off. Laughter, chaos. We turned—Aries, arm slung around Ella. Fuck. Rage simmered. Act cool, Jay.
"Section A incoming," Rakki whispered.
They beelined for us. I faced the vendor, ignoring their growing chatter.
"Hi, Rakki." A girl's voice.
Someone bumped me—no sorry. Good manners, bro.
"Hey, Rakki babe!"
"Fuck off!" Rakki snapped.
"You re so mean—wait! Is that the new girl?" the guy said.
Damn it! I was just minding my own business! The guy moved closer and tapped me.
"Hi! I'm Kiko, and you're Jay-jay, right?"
Wow! That was fast! I'm famous already? I didn't really want to face him, but it would be rude to ignore him when he was introducing himself. At the very least, I could manage a forced smile.
I turned to look at him, with my coldness. He has curly hair. A bit handsome, but not as much as Kiefer😏.
"Wow, didn't know I was already a celeb," I said, dripping sarcasm.
"Thank your records for that."
I saw Aries, he looks like he wants to tell me something, but couldn't. Please don't tell me about that fucking deal.
I grabbed the food and bolted.
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I'm sorry guys for the delay. I was busy these days.