Chapter 188 - Boiling Point

Jay-Jay's POV

I can't help but cry. Every move I make seems to bring tears to my eyes. I don't understand anything.

I left the room just as Aries stepped out of his. I glanced at him when I noticed he wasn't moving.

He tried to come home from the hospital last night, which left Tita confused since the doctor hadn't permitted it. But he was stubborn and insisted on going home.

"Is your mother really staying here? What does she think our house is—a hotel?!" he asked, irritated.

I didn't want to argue. I had bigger problems to deal with.

I needed to see Keifer.

"They'll leave soon," I replied lifelessly.

I walked past him and headed straight to the living room. The first person I saw was grandma, reading a newspaper. I smiled at her, but it quickly faded when she noticed I was in my uniform.

"You haven't eaten yet. Are you leaving already?" she asked, immediately coming to me.

"I'll eat at school. I have something else to do," I said, hugging her.

I felt like I needed a longer hug from Grandma. After what happened last night, all I wanted to do was cry in her arms.

We were still hugging when I heard Mama and Andy laughing. It was as if they were the only ones in the house. Do these two even know how to be ashamed?

I pulled away from grandma and looked at Mama in annoyance as she approached us.

"You're heading to school, Jay?" Mama's eyes widened when she saw me. "Eat first. Your Uncle Andy cooked."

"No need… I have things to do," I replied flatly.

And I don't want to see you either.

I didn't wait for their response. I immediately left the house, grabbed my bike, and pedaled away.

I didn't actually have anything to do—I just wanted to get out of the house. I didn't want to eat with them either. Seeing them made everything even harder for me.

Maybe I have a bad attitude. Maybe I should be fair to them. But how can I be fair when I've never experienced fairness in life myself? It's easy to blame others for everything that's happening to me, but the truth is, no one is really at fault. Maybe I was just born to be this way.

Unlucky in so many things.

Last night, I nearly broke my phone trying to call Keifer, but he kept rejecting my calls. I even tried calling his house, but they said he hadn't come home.

Kuya Angelo talked to me last night, but I didn't understand a word he said. My mind was consumed by thoughts of the King.

What if we—

I stopped in front of the Mini Mart. Before going inside, I wiped my cheek. I was crying again. I quickly grabbed what I needed.

Since I couldn't buy food at the school cafeteria, I had no choice but to get something here. I picked up some pre-heated food, juice, and water. Even though my body rejected the idea of eating, I forced myself to.

You have to eat, Jay.

I glanced at my phone when a message came in. Just like the past few days, it had no real response.

Last night, I was so happy to see him outside my house. I missed his embrace so much. Even though things almost got out of hand, I was happy that he showed up for me.

But it was only temporary.

I'm furious at David. I thought I couldn't be mad at him since I didn't fully understand the situation, but the more I think about what happened last night, the angrier I get. If he hadn't shown up and kissed me, none of this would have happened. I already avoided talking to him for nearly three days after the incident with Yuri.

How about now?

Maybe I won't talk to him forever.

I finished eating, threw my trash away, and hopped back on my bike. As I pedaled toward school, I felt uneasy—like someone was following me.

I stopped and looked behind me, but there were no other cars. I turned back to the road just as a loud motorcycle exhaust roared.

A big bike! A racing one. It was red, with a Ducati logo on the side. The rider wore a black helmet, and even though I couldn't see his face, I could feel him looking at me—smirking.

I frowned at him and quickly sped up, but he kept up with me effortlessly.

I stopped again, and so did he.

I shot him a glare, about to curse him out, when another motorcycle pulled up beside me. This one was white and blue—also a Ducati.

Shit! Are they a problem?!

I immediately started pedaling again, pushing myself to go faster. But what difference does it make? A bike versus a motorcycle?

My heart pounded with a mix of fear and panic. I had no idea what they wanted.

I grew even more anxious when I noticed they weren't alone. More of them were following. I pedaled harder.

Race, Jay, race!

Instead of heading straight to school, I changed my route. I planned to ride toward the police station to scare them off. But just before reaching the intersection, they suddenly stopped.

I turned to look at them—

And when I turned back to the road, my heart nearly stopped.

A truck was right in front of me!

I slammed the brakes as hard as I could. The bike skidded, but I couldn't stop in time.

I shut my eyes, bracing for impact. My breath caught in my throat.

Dead!

A loud crash echoed as my body hit something. I tumbled to the ground, my bike crashing beside me.

Pain shot through my body. I wanted to scream, but all I could do was tremble.

"Iha! Are you okay?!" a man—probably the truck driver—shouted.

I forced myself to sit up and look toward the motorcyclists.

They were laughing. Fist-bumping each other.

Bastards!

"Iha! What were you thinking?! We need to take you to the hospital!" another man said.

I shook my head. "I'm fine. It's okay."

A few more people approached, inspecting me. Some were just curious onlookers.

"Why did you crash into the truck?"

"We need to take you to the hospital!"

"I saw those motorcycles following her!"

"Call the police!"

I assessed myself. Surprisingly, I felt fine—maybe just sore. But I knew I had taken a hard hit.

Luckily, the truck had stopped just in time. Otherwise…

I limped toward my bike, trying to shake off the pain.

Those guys with the motorcycles? They were gone.

I stood my bike up and looked around. I didn't see anything wrong. I pulled over to the side of the road to rest for a while. People were still following me. I was still talking about what had happened to me.

"You really don't want to go to the hospital?" an old woman asked me.

I smiled at her. "No, I just need to rest."

I stayed there for a while. When I checked the time on my phone, I almost slapped myself—I had missed my first class!

Damn those motorists!

Even though I could barely move, I forced myself onto my bike and started pedaling. Every push was torture, my leg and thigh aching with every movement.

By the time I reached school, I was drenched in sweat. I swear, if I see those motorcyclists again, I'll kick them in the face—once my leg stops hurting, that is.

Shit! It really hurts!

There were no students lingering outside anymore. It was late, and I seemed to be the only one who hadn't gone in yet. I got off my bike and decided to push it instead.

As I entered our building, I noticed something strange. There was noise, chaos—a fight? My pace quickened, and I nearly threw my bike aside as I rushed forward.

When I reached the front of the room, I let go of the bike. It was a mess! The first person I saw was Mayo, being held back by Drew and Josh.

"That's enough!" Mayo shouted.

I pushed my way through and gasped, covering my mouth. Keifer wasn't stopping—he kept punching Kit mercilessly. Kit's face was covered in blood, and he wasn't even moving.

Keifer was raging, and no one could stop him. I looked around for Eren, but Rory and Edrix were holding him back too.

"Enough! Keifer! Have mercy on Kit!" Mayo yelled again.

Terrifying. He had been like this last night with David. No matter how many times I saw it, it still scared me. But seeing him up close, unleashing his anger like this, was even worse.

Kit might not survive this.

Even though fear shook my entire body and pain throbbed through me, I gathered my courage and shoved Keifer with all my strength.

"STOP IT!" I screamed, pushing him.

He barely moved, but it was enough to make him pause. I took the chance to check on Kit.

Shit! Is he even alive?!

His face was a mess—his eyes were so swollen you could barely see them. Blood kept pouring from his nose and mouth. Mayo and Eren rushed to our side.

"K-Kit..." Mayo's voice trembled. "C-can you h-hear us?"

"Bro... s-say something." Eren's voice was just as shaky.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched them. Mayo's hands trembled as he reached out to check Kit's pulse.

Before I could hear his response, a strong hand grabbed my arm. I winced, barely able to stand as pain shot through my thigh.

"Move away from there," Keifer ordered, his voice authoritative.

I tried to pull my arm back, but his grip was tight. It was starting to hurt.

"I-it hurts..." I whimpered.

"You're really going to get hurt!" he yelled.

"Keifer!" Yuri called out, looking at him.

Even Yuri couldn't stop him. Were they all afraid of him? Was there really no one who could stand up to him?

"W-what's your p-problem?" I asked, struggling to hide my fear.

I started crying from both fear and pain. I still hadn't recovered from what those motorcyclists did to me, and now this.

"When I tell you to do something, DO IT!" he shouted in my face.

Again? What now? Was this because of last night? Why was he acting like this?

"W-what are you talking about—?"

"Did he kiss you?!" he cut me off, pointing at the unconscious Kit.

No! That didn't happen!

No words came out of my mouth. My whole body seemed paralyzed with fear.

All I could do was shake my head, silently telling him the truth.

He let go of me, but then suddenly, he kicked one of the desks. The loud bang echoed through the room, but no one dared to speak.

My heart pounded so loudly it felt like a megaphone inside me.

Calm down, man!

"May..." Keifer called out.

Mayo's face was full of shock and fear. Even Eren looked alarmed.

"...Repeat what you said earlier," he ordered.

I didn't understand what he meant at first, but I saw Mayo bite his lip and lower his head. He didn't want to, but he had no choice.

"I-I asked Kit... i-if he liked Jay-jay..." he took a deep breath, tears falling. "...b-because he tried to k-kiss her."

I froze. That incident—we had tried to forget about it, bury it in secrecy. When had it happened? Why was he bringing it up now? How had Keifer found out?

Damn! So that's why Kit had been acting so strangely.

"If I hadn't caught you guys fighting, I wouldn't have known," Keifer said, pacing around.

We all flinched when he suddenly flipped a chair near Mayo. I covered my mouth in shock.

I looked around the room. Everyone was here, but no one dared to move. They were all hunched over, cornered.

I spotted David—his lips were busted, one of his eyes swollen shut, and a band-aid covering a cut on his cheek.

"WHO ELSE?!" Keifer roared, his fury spilling over. "WHO ELSE?!"

Everyone lowered their heads—except Yuri. He looked at me, full of concern. I wanted to run to him, to hold onto him, but I didn't want him to end up like Kit or David.

"You!" Keifer pointed at Ci-N. "Did you do something to Jay-jay too that I don't know about?!"

No, Ci-N! Don't say anything! He has nothing against you!

Ci-N trembled, barely able to keep himself together. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes.

"Are you sure?! Maybe something happened?!" Keifer stepped closer, his voice sharp.

"N-no... w-we wouldn't d-do that," Ci-N stammered.

Keifer glared before turning his attention to Calix. Calix took a step back as Keifer approached him.

"Is it really just Mica? Maybe you like Jay-jay too?!"

"Just Mica," Calix answered bravely.

Keifer paced before stopping in front of Yuri. Then, suddenly, he laughed—not out of amusement, but because he had just realized something.

That's right, Keifer!

"Of course, you... it's impossible that you're innocent in all this," he sneered. "Freya, then Ella. And now Jay-jay!"

"I'm not taking anything from you. They were just with you at the time when I wanted to be with them too," Yuri said firmly.

Their expressions were deadly. We all looked at them, waiting for what would happen next.

Our attention shifted to Kit when he growled and slightly raised his hand. He was conscious—we needed to take him to the hospital. I was about to step closer, but a body blocked my way.

"Don't even try."

I looked at him sadly. "K-Kit needs to be taken to the hospital."

He brought his face closer to mine. I swallowed hard as our eyes met. He looked like a completely different person—his gaze was cold but full of anger.

"Is that really it?" he whispered. "...Maybe there's something more?"

I shook my head. "W-what are you saying?"

I looked at him from head to toe. He seemed deep in thought. I took a step back as his face came even closer, but that was a big mistake. My thigh hit the table, and I gasped in pain.

The pain! Damn it!

I lost my balance and fell to the floor. I didn't get the chance to grab onto anything to stop myself from falling. I squeezed my eyes shut, but before I could hit the ground, someone caught me.

"Are you alright?" Eman asked.

I steadied myself, but at that moment, Keifer's fist flew straight at Eman's face.

What?! Seriously?!

"Keifer!" I shouted, grabbing his arm.

I looked at him angrily and pointed at him. "You! Is this what you want?!"

I let go of him, but he was still fuming. He needed to stop. His anger and jealousy were completely misplaced.

"...Do you really want all these guys flirting with you?!"

Oh my God!

I slapped him for what he said. I had been rude to him before, but this time, I didn't regret it. I was scared, but if he didn't stop, things would get even worse. Just like what happened to Kit.

"Why not?!" he asked angrily. "...That's why you're not doing anything! Maybe this is what you really wanted all along—flirting with the entire Section E!"

The audacity!

I slapped him with my left hand, but he caught it. So, I punched him with my right. He stumbled to the floor but quickly got back up, laughing.

"You punch hard," he commented, rubbing his lips.

"Don't talk to me like that! Speak to me properly and don't disrespect me!" I commanded with full authority, but my tears fell anyway.

My moment is ruined! Damn it!

"Am I the one being rude? What you did to me... isn't that rude?" he said calmly.

I slowly closed my eyes. Every word he spoke hurt. I knew he was upset about what happened last night, but I never intended for this.

"Or maybe you're up to something?" he suddenly accused, shifting the whole atmosphere in the room. "...Maybe you're trying to seduce all of Section E just to tear us apart?"

"I would never do that! They're my friends, and I'm part of Section E—"

"Oh no, you're not," he cut me off. "...You don't belong with us."

It felt like someone had stabbed me in the heart. I—don't belong? I was confused...

He suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room. I almost collapsed from the pain, but all I could do was cry.

The pain! It hurts!

"Keifer! Where are you taking Jay-Jay?!" I heard Yuri scream.

When I looked back, the others were following us, their faces full of worry. I tried to pull my hand away, but Keifer's grip was too strong.

"Keifer! Have mercy on Jay-Jay!" Ci-N shouted.

I looked around as we entered the main building. I had a bad feeling about this. We went straight up the stairs to the second floor, but I only made it one step before I screamed.

"Argh!" I cried out and sat down. "...Keifer! Please."

He didn't respond. Instead, he suddenly picked me up in a bridal carry. His grip was so rough that I started crying.

Damn it! It hurts!

"Keifer," I pleaded.

He didn't react. When we reached the second floor, he put me down. I took the opportunity to get away, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me again.

We were getting closer to Section A's room, and I struggled harder. Even though my whole body ached and my legs felt weak, I pushed against him—but Keifer seemed completely numb to my pain.

What's wrong with you?!

He threw the door open. The teacher stopped teaching, and Aries immediately stood up, alarmed.

Keifer yanked me forward and shoved Aries against the wall. But my cousin, always brave, pushed me aside, causing me to fall straight to the floor.

How kind of you, cousin.

"You belong to him..." Keifer said, making me look up. "...You belong to your stupid, fucking, asshole—"

"Mr. Watson... What are you doing here?!" the teacher interrupted.

"—cousin, who's only good at hiding behind his Big Brother's shadow."

"What the hell are you doing here, Keifer?!" Aries asked angrily.

I tried to stand up, but my thigh was completely stiff from the pain. A hand touched my arm, and when I looked up, I saw Mica's worried face.

Keifer didn't answer Aries' question. He just kept staring at me.

"Let's get out of here. We're just causing trouble in class," I said as Mica helped me up.

"No. You're not leaving," Keifer declared. "You'll stay here because you don't belong with us. You're not part of our Section."

I couldn't stop my tears from falling. I tried to ignore his words, but I was embarrassed in front of all of Section A. Then, I caught sight of Yuri standing at the door.

"She doesn't belong here either!" Aries shouted. "That's why he ran to your Section—because her life is worthless! Just like you!"

My chest tightened. Worthless?! It was like I was suddenly nothing to him. Like I wasn't even related to him anymore.

What did you expect, Jay?

Yes, I see now. He doesn't even want me to be his blood relative.

"She doesn't belong in your Section either, but you two are perfect for each other," Keifer spat. "...The best thing for you to do? Stick to her like glue—or better yet, tie your navels together!"

"Enough, Keifer," I said weakly, but he ignored me.

"What the hell?! Last time I checked, you were her knight in shining armor—now you're just throwing her away?" Aries scoffed, shaking his head. "...You should go back to your classroom. Dragging her here was a waste of effort."

The way they were talking... I felt like nothing. Like I was just a piece of used clothing being tossed around.

I looked at Mica when I noticed her signaling something.

Following her gaze, I saw Calix and the others standing at the door, watching everything unfold.

"You talk as if you don't care about her," Keifer muttered.

Aries smiled proudly. "Because I really don't... Even if you drag her out, get involved in all the trouble, or throw her away—I don't fucking care!"

"Aries!" Ella called out.

I feel like I'm going to explode at any moment. I can't listen to what he's saying anymore.

I held Mica's hand to remove it. I tried to look at her, but I let it go. Even though it hurt so much, I forced myself to walk normally.

Every step I took is accompanied by tears. I see Yuri approaching me, but I signal him not to. Students from Section A and Section E watch me as I walk past them.

I am not one of them.

I pass by Ci-N, who is staring at me, and David, who clearly wants to approach me. Mayo, Josh, and Eren are not here—probably still with Kit.

It's a good thing class is still in session; otherwise, I'd die of embarrassment if more people saw me like this. My thighs and legs hurt terribly, especially as I go down the stairs.

I want to scream from the pain!

I don't know how long I've been walking, but not a single one of them followed me. Not that I expected them to—but I hoped. I really hoped. I wished that at least one of them would come after me, explain what was happening, or even apologize.

I hoped it would be Keifer.

As I stepped outside the main building, I see Josh. He's carrying his bag and holding my bike. I look at him curiously, but his face is serious.

"They've taken Kit to the hospital. Let's go," he says, waiting for me to approach him.

"I—I don't think it's a good idea for me to come along."

"It's not for Kit. It's for you."

I don't understand what he means, but when I look down, I notice scratches on my legs. Bruises are already forming. My arm aches, too.

I forced a smile. "A-alright."