Chapter 96 - Deal

*Jay-Jay's POV*

I keep looking at my cellphone. Besides checking the time, I keep checking to see if Percy has texted me, but there's nothing new.

"Why are you nervous?" Ci-N teases.

I thought he had forgotten about our conversation—the one about his perfect score. He's so confident he'll get it.

"I'm not nervous... I was just thinking about something," I reply.

"Thinking about what you'll say and who you'll *kiss* —your type?" He raises an eyebrow.

It's a pun…

I suddenly remember our agreement. Yes, how am I supposed to go through with that?

There's no result yet; maybe I can take back our deal.

"Ci..." I call his name. "...I know you're smart. If you get a 100, I'll accept it." I smile.

He grins smugly. "You can't fool me... A deal is a deal."

Damn!

I have no way out. I can't back down now. This is annoying! I suddenly feel the call of nature—just number one.

"I'll go to the toilet first," I excuse myself.

He lets me go, and I quickly run there. As always, I check all the cubicles and rush through my business. On my way back, I run into Drew, a classmate. I look at him and smile.

Among my *16* classmates, Josh and Blaster are the quiet ones. They argue with me sometimes, but mostly, they're just observers.

"Jay..." Drew calls my name and suddenly stops, so I stop too. "...Uhmmm, can I ask you for a favor?"

I smile and nod.

He rubs the back of his neck. "Jay, I... I know this is embarrassing, but I really need it."

"What is it? I'll help you if I can."

"Can I… Can I borrow some money from you?"

What?! Did I hear that right?—Charot!

"H-how much do you need?" I ask, a little concerned.

"It's just necessary," he replies vaguely.

"How much?" I ask again.

*"5,000,"* he answers quickly.

What?! Do I even have that much?

"W-when do you need it?"

What have I gotten myself into? I'm not rich! My brain refuses to function when it comes to money matters.

"This week, hopefully."

I'm not sure if my savings and allowance will be enough, especially if unexpected expenses come up.

Ugh, whatever!

"Alright... I'll give it to you tomorrow or the next day," I say.

"Thank you, Jay!" Drew beams.

There's nothing wrong with lending money. He needs it.

We walk back to the classroom together. I glance at Keifer, who is busy talking to Yuri. Suddenly, he looks at me, and I quickly avert my gaze.

Stay away!

"The results are out!" someone shouts from the door.

Oh no! It's over!

The crooks have come out. I don't want to look at the grades but of course I have to. I kept up with them. I looked at Ci-N who had a very wide smile on his face. But I strongly believe that Ci-N will not make it to 100.

The chaotic rush begins. I don't really want to look at my grade, but of course, I have to. I push through the crowd, determined to see my score.

Woah! Box out, men!

Thanks to my expert maneuvering—sneaking in and elbowing—I manage to find my name.

*Jasper Jean Mariano ------»» 84.50*✨

Not bad! It could be worse.

Now, I look for Ci-N's name.

Ci-N Peralta ----------»» 100.00* ✨ 🏆

What?!

I checked again. I even trace the opposite line. Damn it! A perfect *100* !

Shoot!

Can I go home now? I still have a chance to escape. Everyone is busy checking their grades. They won't notice if I slip away.

Nope. Not happening.

The one person I'm trying to avoid is right next to me, smiling smugly, eyebrows raised.

"You believe it now?" he asks.

"N-no..." I stammer and quickly walk away.

I need to run!

I push through the crowd and gasp for air once I'm free. It reeks of sweat in there. How is it still this early, yet they already smell like a battlefield?

"Are you okay?" Yuri suddenly appears beside me.

I didn't even notice him approaching. I told myself to stay away!

"O-oh... Yeah. I'm heading back to the classroom," I say quickly and walked off.

I will definitely go back to the classroom—to grab my bag and cut class. There's no way I'm going through with the deal. What does Ci-N think this is?

A game?

I barely make it past the main building when I spot Rakki. I wave and smile.

"Hi, Rakki!" I greeted her.

"Did you see your grade?" she asks.

I nod, about to tell her when something comes to mind.

"Ci-N was your classmate before, right?" I ask.

She quickly nods. "From first year to halfway through second year."

"How were his grades?"

She paused, thinking for a moment. Crossing her arms, she looked away.

"I'm not sure which university it was exactly..." she whispers.

Huh? I asked about his grades, not a university.

"...But I think it was either *Harvard* or *Oxford* . One of them sent him a letter saying he met their requirements—for free education and accommodation."

Wait, what?!

"...He's that smart. He was already qualified as a college student. He even surpassed the former *Top 1 of Section A,"* Rakki adds.

Ci-N is that smart? But if that's the case, why was he held back before? And why would the school let someone like him rot in Section E?

Before I can ask more, someone calls Rakki, and she rushes off.

I returned to the classroom, still in shock over Ci-N. The exam was nothing to him. My escape plan is completely forgotten.

"Jay-Jay..." Ci-N calls me teasingly.

I scratch my head. "Can I just whisper it to you?"

He shook his head while smiling. He even beat Joker with his smile.

"Say it..." he urges.

Ugh… No…

"Hey, Ci-N! Are you bullying Jay-Jay?" Kit asks, annoyed at my frown.

More classmates gather around, curious. Can I say yes?

"Is he bothering you, Jay?" Calix asks.

Before I can answer, Ci-N does.

"No! Jay-Jay just has something to announce!" he says, his grin never fading.

Oh, hell no!

Keifer and Yuri glance at us. Now everyone in Section E is waiting for my so-called announcement.

"I'll just whisper it to you..." I insist, but the jerk refuses.

"What is it? Don't force Jay-Jay if she doesn't want to," Eman defends me.

"But we had a deal... If I got 100, she would admit to everyone who her type is and kiss him," Ci-N explains.

Keifer and Yuri suddenly look… different. Almost bored.

"This is it... Don't be shy, Jay. I know I'm your type. Kiss me," Rory says, pointing to his cheek.

"Jay... You know I already have Mica. But if you must, go ahead," Calix bows dramatically.

"Your face is stiff! It's obvious that I'm the one! That's why I helped you at the restaurant. Right?" Eman said.

"The thickness! The thickness! The thickness! You're just wasting saliva! It's me, kiss Babe!" Eren said while clapping slowly.

"Shame on you! You're putting the person first. We know it's me!" Kit's groin.

"Jay! Grace is jealous, just admit it. Don't kiss me anymore." Denzel said.

"Jay... Isn't that me?" Josh said while pointing at himself.

"Pretentious! Just so you won't be embarrassed, you'll force yourself! We know it's me!" Edrix said while showing off his muscles.

"Jay likes the one that doesn't give her a headache! Just like me!" Blaster said.

"Jay-jay always gives me food! That's why It is me!" Felix insisted.

"Don't fight! You all guessed it wrong! That's me!" Ci-N involvement.

"You're just torturing Jay-jay! Let her say, it's really me!" Drew said.

"You stupid faces! How is she going to tell you that it's you?! If you touch your groin!" Mayo shouted at them. Our classmate is also a ninja. Always disappearing.

It's great! I already memorized their names!

"Let Jay-jay speak!" Keifer shouted, grabbing my attention.

"Yes!" Yuri's fuel.

The boys break into chaos. They start bickering, each one trying to prove he's the one I like

I looked at them. I slapped my own forehead. I thought they would not participate, but their arrogance overcame the arrogance of these guys.

*Keifer* was sitting at the table and posed like a model for some clothing brand.

*Yuri* was leaning against the wall with his polo shirt open. Looking into the distance and biting the lip is still the effect.

They don't speak but it's still a typhoon. I was shaking at the intensity of the tears. But I have no intention of admitting which type I like among them. I've been thinking about it for a while now. I took a deep breath, I motion for them to be quiet.

"I'll say it!"

They immediately hushed, eager for my answer. I step back, scan the room, and— I only used my finger to point at someone who didn't even join the chaos.

No one reacts at first. I lightly nudge David, who is still asleep. When he raised his head, he looked at me.

"J-Jay..." he mumbles groggily.

Before he can process what's happening, I quickly kiss his cheek. 🩷

"What was that for?" he asks.

"I'll explain later," I whisper.

I slightly moved away from him and waited for what they all had to say. It's just that they still think of David . Even Keifer and Yuri's faces didn't react until...

"SHAKE DAVID!" Someone shouted and they immediately ran towards it.

"Shit!" David shouted and he quickly dodged.

The room erupts in chaos again. I didn't notice where he jumped just to reach the door and run out. But the snakes still did not give up and chased him.

I was left alone, because Yuri and Keifer were also chasing after each other.

I'll apologize to David later.

I heard my phone ring. I immediately took it out of the bag to look at it. Text message from an unknown number.

📩

From: +639***********

Message: At the mall, by the fountain across from the ice cream parlor.

I know it's Percy that's why the strange feeling I had earlier, is returned. I want to go home.

My questions will be answered!