Manila – Keifer's House
The next day, Keifer was hanging out with his best friends. They had been friends since they were kids.
There was Percy, who just got back from New York. There was Yuri, a quiet but loyal guy. And there was Aries, who was cool and acted cold but was really nice once you knew him.
They were all sitting in Keifer's room, playing video games.
"So, Percy," Yuri said. "How was New York?"
Percy grinned. "It was good, man. Cold, but good. My family is good."
Keifer looked at him. "You said your little sister came with you? For a school thing?"
Percy nodded. "Yeah, my sister Jay. She's the youngest. Super sweet. You'd like her, Keifer. She's always smiling."
Keifer felt his face get warm again. He didn't say anything.
Aries laughed. "Keifer? Like a girl? No way. He hates girls."
Percy shrugged. "Jay is different. Everyone loves her."
Keifer just focused on the game. Stop thinking about her, he told himself. She's just Percy's sister.
He didn't know that Percy's sister was his project partner. And Percy had no idea that Jay was coming here for the same project.
At the Airport
Later that day, Jay, Mia, and Ben landed in Manila.
Jay stretched as they walked out of the airport. "We're here! I can't believe it!"
Mia looked around. "It's so different from New York! I love it!"
Ben was on his phone. "Okay, we need to get to the hotel. And then tomorrow, we meet our partners."
Jay felt a little nervous. She wondered what her partner, Mark Keifer, was like in person. Would he still be a cold robot? Or would he be different?
Her phone buzzed. It was Percy.
Percy: Sunshine! I'm at the hotel with my friends. Come meet us!
Jay smiled. She was excited to see her brother. And maybe meet some new people.
She had no idea that one of those people was her grumpy partner.
At the Hotel
Percy was waiting in the hotel lobby with Keifer, Yuri, and Aries.
"My sister is so cute," Percy was saying. "You guys will love her. She's the best."
Keifer rolled his eyes. "Percy, we've heard this a hundred times."
Just then, the hotel doors opened.
Jay walked in with Mia and Ben. She was laughing at something Ben said. Her smile was bright.
Percy jumped up. "Sunshine! Over here!"
Jay saw her brother and ran over. "Percy!" She hugged him tight.
Then she looked at the three boys standing behind him.
Her eyes landed on one of them. Tall, handsome, with cold eyes.
She froze.
It was him. Mark Keifer Watson. Her partner.
Keifer stared at her. His mouth went dry.
It was her. The girl from the picture. Percy's sister. His partner.
Percy grinned, not noticing anything. "Jay, these are my best friends. Yuri, Aries, and Keifer."
Keifer just stared at Jay. Jay stared back.
Neither of them said a word.