Author's POV
Keifer's suspension lasted three days.
Three days without the loudest, wildest boy in the hallway. Three days where Aries kept saying, "That Keifer kid is trouble. Stay away from him."
The next morning, Jay Jay still couldn't stop thinking about the fight. She tugged at Aries' sleeve as they walked to school.
"Do you think Keifer will come today?" she asked.
Aries shook his head. "I don't think so. He's… complicated. But you don't need to worry about him."
Complicated didn't even begin to describe Mark Keifer Watson. He had stormed out of the principal's office yesterday like a tornado, leaving the others stunned—and secretly curious.
As they entered the classroom, Percy and Yuri were already there, whispering to each other. Percy grinned when he saw Aries. "Hey, you and your little sister survived first day!"
Aries rolled his eyes. "Barely. But at least Jay Jay didn't get hurt."
Jay Jay smiled politely but was quickly distracted by a shadow at the doorway. It was Keifer, cautiously peeking inside.
Their eyes met. For a moment, the classroom seemed to shrink, and the noise faded. Keifer hesitated, then stepped inside.
"Uh… hi," he muttered, scratching the back of his head.
Jay Jay blinked, then smiled. "Hi… Keifer."
Something shifted in the room. Percy and Yuri exchanged a look—they both knew that Keifer had a soft spot for Jay Jay. And even at the young age, a spark of friendship—or maybe something more—was forming.
The teacher clapped her hands. "Class, let's start with introductions."
One by one, the children spoke. When it was Keifer's turn, he mumbled his name, but then, with a rare glance at Jay Jay, added, "And I… um, I'm friends with Jay Jay now."
Jay Jay's cheeks flushed. "Yes! Friends."
Aries smirked. "Looks like our little group is growing."
Percy and Yuri nodded, though an unspoken rivalry already began brewing between Keifer and Yuri. They were both competitive, both stubborn, and now they were fighting for something they didn't even fully understand yet: attention.
Jay Jay and Aries were sitting in the school garden during break when they heard shouting again.
Yuri: "KEIFER, STOP CHASING ME!"
Keifer: "STOP MAKING THAT SMUG FACE AND I WILL!"
Percy: "Why are we running?!"
Jay Jay stood up with a sigh. "They're at it again..."
Aries shrugged. "Typical."
But before the boys could crash into the fountain, Jay Jay stepped in front of them.
"STOP!"
And again-just like the first day-Keifer froze.
Yuri and Percy bumped into him from behind.
"Ow-bro why did you stop?!" "Because Jay is there-OUCH-"
Jay Jay crossed her arms. "Why are you fighting again?"
Keifer pointed at Yuri. "He said my hair looks like a mop."
"It DOES look like a mop," Yuri said.
Keifer swung his fist-Jay Jay grabbed it mid-air.
He stopped instantly.
Aries whispered to Percy, "Have you noticed? That boy Keifer only listens to my sister."
Percy nodded. "It's scary, actually."
Keifer cleared his throat, trying not to blush. "Fine... I won't punch him. But only because you told me to stop."
Jay Jay smiled a little. "Good."
Keifer immediately looked away like his heart jumped out of his chest.
After school, as the children lined up to go home, Angelo appeared again, his presence instantly commanding attention.
"Keifer. Aries. Percy. Yuri. Stay out of trouble," he warned, eyes sharp as ever. Then he smiled softly at Jay Jay. "And Jay Jay… stay close with Aries. You might need to keep each other safe."
Jay Jay glanced at Keifer, who tried to look unfazed, but she caught a flicker of admiration in his eyes as he watched Angelo leave.
That evening, as Jay Jay and Aries recounted the day to Tita Gema, she listened with amusement.
"You kids are going to make life very interesting," Tita Gema said, shaking her head. "But I like it. Just… be kind to each other."
And so, a friendship was formed—one that would survive fights, crushes, and rivalries. But even as children, there were promises woven into their fates. For Jay Jay and Keifer, it was a bond set long before they fully understood it: a childhood engagement destined to blossom when the time came.
Little did they know, their journey was only beginning.
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END OF CHAPTER 2
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Author's note 💌
Hi everyone!
Welcome to Chapter 2 👀
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