Chapter 202 - Monday Madness

Jay-Jay's POV

The day of the week was in my favor. No one was home except for the maids and Tita. Even Mama and Andy's Apple were gone. I ate and slept all day—no shower!

And that's okay! No responsibilities, no worries!

But my luck lasted only a week because, well, it was Monday. And Monday is Monday! That means Kuya's mouth was about to unleash its fury on me.

I was all set for my usual routine with Percy. The plan was simple: pretend I was going to school, meet up at the Mini Mart—same old drill! But Kuya was still at home, and he wasn't letting me off the hook this time.

Lecture incoming!

"I'm telling you, this is your last warning! My patience is wearing thin!" he shouted at me.

I closed my eyes, bracing myself for impact. With every word he threw, it felt like something was about to hit me—that's how powerful his scolding was.

"Enough, Angelo! She's probably heading to school now," Aunt Gema intervened before turning to me. "...You are going, right?"

I looked up at her like a guilty child and gave a small, hesitant nod. Truthfully, I had zero intention of going today. Actually, I had zero intention of going ever.

"You think I'd believe that?!" Kuya snapped, jabbing a finger at my forehead. "You really think I don't know how your brain works?!"

Wait—can Kuya read minds now?!

"And no, I can't read minds, in case that's what you're thinking!" he added.

Oowwwsss?!

He shot me a sharper glare, making me bow my head instantly. Okay, so maybe he couldn't read minds, but he sure acted like he could.

"I-I'm really going in. Just take me there if you don't believe me," I said, still looking down.

"Oh, you're definitely going in! And to make sure you actually step foot in your classroom…"

Here it comes!

"I'm sending someone to take you!"

W-WHAAAT?!

Who?! Aries the Horoscope?! Gosh! I'm not even at the school gate yet, and they're already making plans to babysit me! We don't even have a driver, and Andy's Apple is busy because apparently, he has "so much work to finish."

"Who?" Aunt Gema asked.

"Him," Kuya replied, pointing at the door.

Aunt Gema and I turned to look at the person he was referring to.

And there he was—grinning like a shameless idiot as he waved at us.

I had only one thought:

Monday is NOT in my favor.

"G-Good morning po... How about Yuri?"

"Brother!" I hissed, annoyed.

"He will take you to school AND pick you up," Kuya emphasized the word AND like it was some grand declaration. "...And I expect updates every hour to make sure you're not skipping classes."

WOW! Just WOW! REALLY?!

Kuya smiled at me like a smug bastard. His face practically screamed, "You can't win against me."

Damn it! I really can't win, can I?

I had no choice. If I protested, Kuya would just tighten his grip on me even more. Ugh, this made me want to slam my head against a wall!

"Go on now... Get to class!" Kuya ordered.

Yeah, yeah, whatever!

Dragging my feet, I walked out, passing Yuri, who was watching me with amusement. He followed right after and led me to his car, opening the backseat door for me.

I climbed in and slammed the door shut—only to realize someone was already sitting in the passenger seat.

Oh, come on!

Monday really wasn't in my favor. I wasn't ready to see him.

Seriously?! What is this, some kind of twisted joke?!

I had to admit, they were really good at this whole teasing thing. My patience was hanging by a thread. One more push, and someone was getting punched in the face.

"Jay... Sorry. I didn't mention that Keifer would be coming with us."

I immediately interrupted what Yuri was about to say, giving him a bone-chilling look. Or maybe I should just break his bones.

"Yuri. Just please. DEBT INSIDE! Drive." I said, keeping my voice as calm as possible.

I'm calm… I promise!

Yuri said nothing and just drove, while the person next to him looked out the window—just like a tourist!

Nice stab in the back!

I quickly looked away when Yuri slightly turned toward me. I pretended to be a tourist too, gazing out the window. Sitting behind Yuri was a mistake. I should have sat directly behind him so I could stab him easily.

King of the Earthly Serpents!

After a while, I caught the strong scent of cigarettes. I coughed slightly as the smell mixed with the car's air conditioning. When I looked up front, Judas Kumag was puffing smoke like a dragon.

Damn!

"What the hell?! He's smoking inside the car!" I said in annoyance, rolling down the window.

I only heard him laugh. I had a strong hunch he was doing it just to piss me off. As if he wasn't satisfied with what he had already done to me—now he was adding more to it.

"Bwisit," I whispered under my breath.

I endured the smell, though my lungs were already screaming for fresh air. As soon as we arrived at school—before Yuri could even park properly—I jumped out and slammed the door shut.

I couldn't take it anymore!

I rushed straight to the restroom and wasted time there. I also got rid of the lingering smell of cigarettes on my clothes and fixed my appearance. I couldn't let them see me miserable.

When the bell rang, I had no choice but to leave the restroom. Every step toward my classroom felt heavier. I wasn't ready for this. But Kuya said I had to be "updated."

I took a few deep breaths. Fear was eating me alive, even though it shouldn't. They should be the ones afraid of me!

I was almost at the classroom door when I hesitated and took a step back. My knees were shaking. I wanted to turn around and go home. But if I didn't face them now, I would never stop being a coward.

A little courage!

I shouldn't be the one afraid. Why? Was it my fault?

Did I cheat and place bets? Did I lie and give false hope? No! It's unfair! I'm the one who was wronged, so why should I be scared?

I took a deep breath, emptying my lungs completely. Then, I slapped my face with both hands—hard.

Ow, that hurt!

I walked in as if everything was normal—as if I was just going to a regular class, at a regular school, with regular classmates.

The moment I stepped inside, it was as if an angel had passed through—then suddenly, a Barakuda entered.

Slowly, everyone went silent, their gazes locked onto me. Some stopped what they were doing and turned my way.

"It's Jay-Jay."

"She actually came in."

"Is she okay?"

"I think she's still mad."

"What matters is that she showed up!"

"Jay-Jay!" Ci-N called out loudly with a smile.

But I couldn't return the smile. Instead, I looked at my old seat—between my best friend and Gago. It was still empty, as if waiting for me. The fabric of my skirt was probably still imprinted on the bench.

But I won't sit there anymore!

Instead, I turned to the pair of tables and benches near the door—the very first row. No one sat beside me; the others were all seated behind or to the side.

I placed my bag on the desk, shook the chair a little before sitting down, and pretended nothing was happening. At least this way, I didn't have to put up with their tantrums. I didn't even care what they did behind my back.

"You're here."

I turned toward the voice. Standing at the door was David—the one with the social instinct. I sighed, already bored just looking at him.

"No. I'm just a hologram," I replied dryly.

He chuckled, shaking his head before finally stepping inside.

"Why is she talking to David?"

"Maybe they have something going on."

"It's a trap."

Is that kind of conversation really annoying to listen to? I don't know if it was intentional or not. But seriously, punching is just satisfying.

I looked at the table next to me as it moved closer. Then, I noticed the man pushing it toward me, hunched over as he did so.

Ci-N!

He even adjusted the chair and wiped it before sitting down. His smile was wide, and his eyes were fixed on me.

"Let's go!" he said cheerfully.

I glanced at the table and bench, now much closer than before. His table was no longer aligned properly, and the space between us had completely disappeared.

"I'll take note of that," I said sarcastically.

I scanned the room, looking for another place to move to. I didn't want someone sitting so close to me. That's why I had changed seats earlier—yet here he was, right next to me again. But before I could move, Sir Alvin arrived.

"Good morning... Sorry for being late," he said while arranging his papers on the table.

I looked at him briefly and smiled. "Good thing you showed up. Angelo has been looking for you."

Great, sir. Just remind him even more!

I answered with a forced smile and a grimace. Sir Alvin started his discussion. I suddenly felt like I had chosen the worst seat possible—way too close to the front, where the teacher could easily see my every move.

"Jay-Jay," Ci called in a whisper.

Ignore him.

"Jay-Jay."

You hear nothing!

"Psst! Jay."

Lalalalalala…

"Jay-Jay… Barakuda."

Wait—

"Why aren't you answering? Didn't brush your teeth today?"

Oh, damn it!

I wanted to bang my head on the table—hard enough to knock myself out.

I didn't want to snap at Ci-N. I felt bad for him, but that didn't mean I had to tolerate his nonsense. David had already explained that Ci had been forced to do this.

Still, I couldn't help but sulk. We had been together for so long. He even lived in my house and shared my room. And yet, he had endured all that time without talking to me.

Annoying…

We finished the lesson with Sir Alvin, but the guy beside me still wasn't done teasing me.

"Look at this," he said excitedly, handing me a plastic toy—one of those surprise eggs with a label. "Look! Look!"

He opened the egg and, like a little kid, clapped his hands in excitement. He was thrilled by the tiny toy inside.

"Surprise!" he exclaimed happily.

I secretly smiled at the sight. I missed this. I missed our teasing. But things weren't the same as before.

The next subjects went by normally. As long as there were no group activities, I was fine. I did not want to be part of the Dimunyun Ulopong group.

Then, the bell rang—lunchtime. Crap! I forgot to bring food.

I glanced back and saw Eman getting ready. He looked like he was about to start eating.

"Come on… Let's eat," Ci said, waiting for me.

I got up and walked away—not toward the back where the food was, but straight outside. I could hear Ci-N calling after me, but I ignored him.

Where was I going? I had no idea.

I wandered behind the canteen, hoping I could buy something from my usual vendor.

"Sis…" I called out from the back window. "Can I buy something?"

"Wow, what a miracle! You're back here," she said, glancing behind her. "What do you want to buy?"

"That combo meal of yours," I replied. She suddenly burst out laughing.

"Keneme there," she said, stepping away.

I waited for a few minutes until the door opened. Thinking it was her, I approached immediately—only to be caught off guard.

Aries the Horoscope!

"J-Jay…" the saleswoman stammered anxiously.

Aries was holding the meal I had ordered, and he did not look happy.

"You do this one more time, you're out of a job," he said to the shopkeeper without looking back.

"O-opo... I'm sorry," Ate answered and left.

Aries stepped out. He still didn't take his eyes off me. I just wanted to melt in front of him like ice cream.

"How long have you been doing this?" He asked, as if he had no life.

"Just now, again," I answered almost in a whisper.

He laughed a little and handed me the food I had ordered. I thought he was reaching out to give it to me, so I raised my hand to take it, but before I could hold it, he let go.

"You chose your section... So you join them to endure hunger," he said, then suddenly stepped on the food on the floor.

He grinned at me before completely walking away. I was left staring at the ground. I had nothing to use except the water bottle. Slowly, I sat down and took it.

I chose them... but they also chose to fool me.

I don't know if I'll regret choosing them. I still have the courage to brag about Aries because we're solid classmates. #SectionGoals But they're the only ones with goals, and I'm not involved.

I stood up and walked away. Maybe I'll be satisfied with the water. I'll probably end up eating the bottle for sure. It's blessed with obstinacy, withered by hunger.

I will also curse Aries' butt hole.

I finished the water, and I was about to eat the bottle when some men ran in front of me. They hit the bottle, and it fell.

No more... Can't eat anymore.

I was about to pick up the bottle to throw it away, but I looked at the floor. There was a cigarette case and a lighter not far away. It looked like those men who were running had dropped them.

I picked it up and looked around. I didn't want to go back to our building while holding it. I took a stick and played with it on my finger.

This is what hunger does.

Instead of going straight to the room, I went to the second floor. Fresh air greeted me. No one else, just me, alone.

I looked again at the cigarette I was holding. I really don't like the smell of it. I only tried smoking once, and the taste was really bad. Then Cyrus and I got caught, and we fought over it.

I didn't realize that I had brought the stick to my lips. They say it's ugly for women to smoke. Why? Is it handsome for a man?

The lighter was next, but before I could light the stick, a hand grabbed it from my mouth.

"Go ahead!" I said, feeling cheap for making a non-judas.

"What the hell?! What are you doing?!" Yuri asked me angrily.

When I was annoyed with him, I threw a box in his face after the lighter. He was relaxed, but still looked at me badly.

"What do you want to know?!" I shouted at him.

"Can't you see yourself?! It's changing!"

"Probably not! There's no mirror here! Stupid!"

Yuri pinched himself in annoyance. "See?! Even your speech!"

"Eeeoooosssppoeeh!" I shouted back.

"YES!" He shouted at me like Kuya Angelo. "...Get it right!"

I really wanted to talk to him. I had no plans to listen, and my ears were already hearing. I'm fed up with the sermon at home; don't give me any more.

"Jay-jay..." he said as if he were very tired. "...I know you have a lot of problems, but don't do this!"

"What do you want? Let me show you that I'm okay? Like I don't have everything? Damn! It's broken!" I put hand at my heart. "...Squeeze it!" I pointed to my brain. "...And my body is so tired! Then you want me to get ready? By the way!"

"And this is your solution?!" He pointed to the cigarette case on the floor. "...You're going back to the old you! The old you that you left in your province!"

"Oh, what now? What's it to you if I go back to before?!" I pretended to laugh while shaking my head. "...You can't marry me if I'm like that? Right?" He didn't answer. "...Then don't marry me. Is that a problem? After all, you're the only one who really wants this marriage!"

I walked to the stairs behind him. I didn't want to talk to him.

"You are, your best friend, Gago!" I said before he completely passed.

I was on the last step of the stairs when I was stopped. The entire Section E was there, and the others were still looking up. They were listening to our conversation. I didn't seem to care, so I just passed them back to the room.

It looks like it won't be easy for me to enter.