Chapter 164 - Rattle Snake

Jay-Jay's POV

Lung pain? But why? Why?

I couldn't understand anything that Aunt Gema and the doctor were discussing. All I caught was something about damaged tissue or whatever.

When did that even happen?!

"Jay..." Keifer called me. "...A penny for your thoughts?"

"Huh?"

"Are you thinking about that again?"

I shook my head. I knew he was referring to Yuri. His absence was making me even more anxious. I had tried texting and calling him, but his phone was switched off.

But what worried me more was Aries. I thought he was hospitalized because he got hit by a suitcase. But when the doctor mentioned a lung problem, my mind started racing.

I don't remember Aries smoking. Did he overexert himself while jogging? How could he have a lung problem?

"Aries… He's in the hospital," I answered in almost a whisper.

"Why?"

"They said it's a lung problem."

Keifer fell silent. I don't know why, but I suddenly felt uneasy. I stared at him, and out of nowhere, second-hand smoke popped into my mind.

"Have you ever smoked in front of Aries?" I asked cautiously.

"You shouldn't be asking me that," he replied. "You should ask his classmates. They're the ones he's with most of the time." He sighed before adding, "...Besides, I only smoked for a few months after Percy died."

That means they weren't together much during that time. But Aries still ended up with a lung problem. I just hope it's not something serious like lung disease. The thought alone is terrifying.

Keifer suddenly grabbed my hand. "Aries will be okay," he reassured me.

I smiled at him, but my expression quickly turned into a grimace when I heard Ci-N coughing.

It sounded like he was about to choke on his own cough. At the same time, he muttered, "Ang sweet."

What a brat!

The snakes around us started watching him. I had no choice but to let go of Keifer's hand. I knew he had already figured out that Ci-N had caught on to something.

After Sir Alvin's class, our next teacher arrived. During the lesson, I kept glancing at Yuri's empty seat.

What if he goes back to his old ways?

What if he met up with Leo—aka Tiger—again? I hope not!

Suddenly, someone kicked my chair. I nearly screamed. I turned to glare at Keifer because he was the only one sitting next to me who could have done it.

But he was sitting there, completely still, staring at the board with a blank expression.

What the hell?!

I adjusted my seat, but my bench wobbled. One of its legs was uneven. Ugh! Annoying! I tried to fix it, and in the process, I accidentally drew attention to myself.

"Ms. Mariano, is there a problem?" the teacher asked.

"Sorry, Ma'am. I just need to fix my chair," I explained and stood up.

She simply nodded and let me continue.

But just as I was about to fix my chair, someone suddenly pulled me. I yelped in surprise—and the next thing I knew, I was sitting on someone's lap. ❤️

Keifer's lap.

Son of —!

The whole class immediately turned to look at us. I was about to stand up, but the shameless idiot wrapped his arms around my waist.

I felt my entire face heat up. My heart was racing.

Calm down, Jay-jay. Breathe!

"Mr. Watson and Ms. Mariano," the teacher called out.

Before I could respond, Ci-N raised his hand. "Correction, Ma'am. It should be Mrs. Watson."

The whole class erupted in cheers. Bunch of traitors!

"Keifer... What the hell? Let me go!" I hissed.

"Stay here," he ordered before turning to our classmates. "...Eren! Fix her chair."

What?!

Eren walked over and adjusted my chair, putting actual effort into it. I had no idea how long I had been stuck on Keifer's lap, but I hated it.

Seriously?!

I wanted to—Oh no.

The whole class was still staring. Some, like Ci-N, looked excited. Others, like a few girls, looked serious and obviously not happy. And then there were people like Josh and David, who couldn't care less.

As soon as Eren finished, I scrambled back to my seat. I kept my head down, feeling neither happy nor excited.

Who even wants that kind of attention?

The class continued, but I completely ignored the King of Snakes. I knew he did that on purpose.

Our next teacher arrived and started a long discussion.

"Mr. Watson, are you paying attention?" the teacher suddenly asked.

I glanced at Keifer and noticed he was staring at me. Then, he turned to the teacher and smiled.

"Yes, I am."

"Then explain this," the teacher said, pointing to the board.

Keifer stood up and started speaking. Honestly, I had no idea what he was saying. Not because it was complicated—because I wasn't listening.

Then, out of nowhere, he turned to me.

"What's the Tagalog word for 'profit'?" he asked.

"Profit... Us?"

"I saw it or... I saw it?" I hesitated to answer.

Keifer simply returned to his explanation. That's when I noticed something—his entire explanation was in English. What did that have to do with what he asked me?

Then, he suddenly stopped again and faced me. "What about Expensive Profit?"

Huh? Is that even a thing?

I shook my head, completely clueless. But he kept waiting for an answer. I wasn't sure, so I didn't dare say anything.

Then, out of nowhere—

"I love you?" I blurted out.

Keifer grinned. "I love you too." ❤️

Oh, mud!

The entire class erupted in loud cheers. Why did I even say that?!

I immediately bowed my head, refusing to let anyone see my face. My cheeks were burning, and even though I couldn't see myself, I knew I was blushing.

I bit my lower lip, trying to shake off my emotions. This is so annoying!

Ma'am continued with the lesson. I avoided looking at or paying attention to this damn King of Snakes. I had a strong feeling that if I gave him even the slightest bit of attention, he'd pull another stunt.

When lunchtime came, I made sure to distance myself from him. I kept using the excuse that I needed to help Eman. Even if there was nothing to do, I still pretended to help—anything to stay away from Keifer.

Maybe he noticed. During the next subject, he kept calling my name and moving closer to me, but I ignored him.

"Jay..."

Don't pay attention. He just wants to make a scene.

"Jay-jay..."

Keifer, take a hint!

"Jasper..."

Do what you want. I don't care!

"Jean..."

You're annoying!

"Mariano..."

I don't like you!

"Watson."

That's you, not me!

"Jasper Jean Mariano Watson." ❤️

Huh?!

Even without looking, I knew he was grinning. And worse—I could feel myself getting dangerously close to falling for him.

"My wife..." ❤️

Stop it!

"My life..."

Hmm?!

"My everything..."

What is he even saying?!

"Pay attention, Jay... or Keifer might just start singing for you," Calix teased, making me glare at him.

I shot him a deadly look. The others were watching too, some amused, some intrigued.

Why is our teacher taking so long to start the lesson?!

"Hey..." Keifer called me again.

This time, I finally turned to face him. "What?"

"Do you like lips?" he asked with a playful smile.

I raised an eyebrow. What is this idiot talking about now?

"...Here!" He pulled something out of his pocket and held up four pieces of Lips Candy.

Oh. That kind of lips.

I did want something sweet, so I reached out to take them. But just as I was about to grab them, Keifer suddenly pulled his hand away.

Like an idiot, I instinctively leaned forward, trying to reach for them.

And that's when the shameless snake took his chance—

He suddenly leaned in, bringing his face dangerously close to mine.

That's it. SHUTTING DOWN!

I went completely deaf. Not because of the loud screaming and table-banging from our classmates, but because of how fast my heart was pounding.

"Lips are delicious, aren't they?" he smirked.

Gago!

I shot up from my seat in shock. I wanted to say something—anything—but my tongue had completely stopped working. Nothing came out.

Frustrated, I stomped my foot and stormed out of the classroom. I went straight to the second floor of the building.

That bastard!

Yes, we've kissed before—but not in front of people! I hated that! And I really didn't like what he was doing.

Even without Yuri, I still felt like I could kill Keifer.

I lost all motivation to go back to class. Instead, I sat on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Jay..."

I flinched at the sudden voice. Turning my head, I saw Drew and Denzel.

I let out a sigh of relief. Good, not a ghost.

"What?" I asked.

They walked over and sat down next to me.

"Are you and Keifer… together?" Drew asked.

I noticed Mayo standing just behind them, watching me with a serious expression.

"Is it true? You and Keifer?" he pressed.

"N-no," I stammered.

"But Ci-N said you two have something," Drew added, shocking me.

That kid!

There's no hiding anything from him! He always talks! I'm going to deal with him later.

"Keifer is the one you chose? What about Yuri?" Denzel asked worriedly.

"You should have chosen Yuri," Mayo added.

"Because... you can't teach the heart," I murmured.

"But still… You don't get it," Drew muttered.

I looked at them, confused. "What do you mean?"

Denzel stood up. "Keifer will only make you cry."

Drew followed, shaking his head. "I hope you won't regret not choosing Yuri."

What the…?

"Section E is being divided again," Mayo said. "I just hope you don't get caught up in another war."

With that, he turned and walked away, followed by Denzel and Drew.

I was left sitting there, confused by what they meant.

No matter what happens, I need to think carefully about everything. There was already a huge mess in Section E because of that love triangle.

I don't want to go through what Ella suffered.