Chapter-164 Movement Of the Snake

Jay-jay's POV

It hurts so much in my chest! But why? How?

I didn't understand much of what Tita Gema and the doctor were talking about. The only thing I heard was something about "damaged tissue."

When did that happen?!

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

"Huh?!"

"Are you thinking about that thing again?"

I shook my head. I knew he was referring to Yuri. It really added to my worry that he didn't show up for school. I tried texting or calling him, but his phone was off.

But what worried me more was Aries. I thought he was in the hospital because the suitcase fell on him. But when the doctor said it was a lung problem, I started to think.

I didn't remember Aries ever smoking. He was even active with jogging in the mornings, so how did he end up with a lung problem?

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

"Why?"

"It's a lung problem, they said."

Keifer fell silent. I don't know why, but I suddenly had a bad feeling.

I stared at him, and suddenly, the thought of second-hand smoke crossed my mind.

"Did you ever smoke in front of Aries?"

"You shouldn't be asking me that. You should ask his classmate. They're the ones who were always with him." He replied, then rolled his eyes at me. "...besides, I only smoked a few months after Percy died."

That means they weren't together anymore by that time. But how did Aries end up with a lung problem? I really hope it's not something serious—it's scary.

Suddenly, Keifer took my hand. "Aries will be okay."

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

It sounded like he was about to choke on his cough. Along with his coughing, he muttered the words "How sweet."

This kid!

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

What if he went back to his old ways?

What if he went back to Leo, a.k.a. Tiger? I really hope not!

Suddenly, someone kicked my chair, and I almost screamed.

I glared at Keifer because he's the only one sitting next to me, and only he would dare pull something like that.

But the jerk was just pretending to focus on the board.

What's his problem now?!

I adjusted my seat, and suddenly, my chair wobbled. One of the legs of the chair was off balance. How annoying! I tried to fix it, and because of that, everyone started staring at me.

"Ms. Mariano? Is there a problem?" our teacher asked.

"Sorry, Ma'am. I'm just fixing my chair." I replied and stood up.

Ma'am nodded at me, allowing me to continue.

While I was standing, someone suddenly pulled me. I was so surprised that I almost fell right into Keifer's lap!

Oh my gosh!

The whole class immediately turned to look at us. I was about to get up when that shameless guy wrapped his arms around my waist.

I felt an overwhelming sense of embarrassment. My face turned bright red, and my heart was pounding hard.

Take it easy, bro!

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

Suddenly, Ci-N raised his hand. "Correction, Ma'am. It should be Mrs. Watson."

The whole class erupted into loud laughter. Animals!

"Keifer... What are you doing? Let me go back to my seat." I said with a hint of pleading.

"Stay here." He ordered, then looked at our classmates. "...Eren! Fix her chair."

What?!

Eren came over and tried to fix my chair. I had no idea how long I was going to be in his lap, but I wasn't enjoying it.

Seriously?!

I wanted to— No!

The whole class was watching us. Some were clearly excited, like Ci-N, but I couldn't miss the serious looks from people who obviously weren't happy, like Josh and David, who couldn't care less.

Once Eren fixed the chair, I quickly returned to my seat. I just lowered my head. I wasn't happy or flustered. Who wants that kind of attention?

I ignored Keifer, the king of all troublemakers, for the rest of the class because I was sure he did that on purpose.

Our next teacher arrived, and the lecture went on for a while.

"Mr. Watson! Are you listening?" our teacher asked.

I glanced at him slightly, and that's when I noticed he was staring at me.

He turned to face our teacher and smiled.

"Yes, I am."

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

He stood up and started speaking. To be honest, I didn't understand anything he was saying. Actually, I didn't understand any of the lesson. I wasn't really listening.

He suddenly stopped and turned to me. "What's the Tagalog word for profit?"

Profit... Earnings?

"Kita or kinita, I think." I answered uncertainly.

He returned to explaining, but I noticed one thing: he was explaining in English. What's the connection to the question he asked me?

He stopped explaining again and faced me once more. "How about 'Expensive Profit'?"

Is there such a thing?

I shook my head at him because I didn't know the answer, but he was waiting. I wasn't sure, so I absentmindedly answered.

"Mahal na kita?"(I love you?)

He smiled at me. "Mahal din kita."(I love you too)

Oh, damn!

The whole class burst into loud cheers and teasing. Just great — more of his random, sweet nonsense.

I kept my head down. I didn't want anyone to see my face because I knew I was blushing like crazy.

I bit my lower lip, trying to keep my emotions in check. Ugh, this guy!

Ma'am returned to teaching. I didn't want to look at or acknowledge this idiot King of the Ulupongs. I felt like if I paid attention to him, he'd pull some other prank.

Lunch came around, and I tried my best to avoid Keifer. I kept using Eman as an excuse, saying I was helping him — even if there was nothing to help with.

I think Keifer noticed me avoiding him because, during the next subject, he kept calling my name and poking me.

"Jay..."

Don't pay attention! He'll just make a scene.

"Jay-jay..."

Persistant Jerk!

"Jasper..."

Whatever!

"Jean..."

Ignore him!

"Mariano..."

I don't care!

"Watson."

That's you, not me!

"Jasper Jean Mariano Watson."

Huh?!

Even though I didn't look at him, I could feel his smirk. I could also feel that I was about to lose my patience with him.

"My wife..."

Stop it!

"My life..."

What the heck?!

"My everything..."

What is he even saying?!

"Notice him already, Jay… or do you want him to sing for you?" Calix teased.

I glared at him, and he just laughed.

It turns out, even the others were watching us. Why does our teacher have to take so long?

"Hey..." Keifer called out to me again.

This time, I faced him. "What do you want?"

"Do you want some lips?" he asked, smiling.

I raised an eyebrow. This guy's a total freak!

"...Here!" He pulled something from his pocket and handed me four pieces of Lips Candy.

I thought he was talking about something else.

I like sweet stuff too, so I was about to grab one. But suddenly, Keifer pulled his hand holding the candy away. And me, being an idiot, I tried to chase after it and got a little closer to him.

That shameless jerk… Bow!

He took the opportunity and suddenly moved his face closer to mine.

There it was! Shutanginames!

I went deaf. Not because of the loud shouting of the Ulupongs, which was also accompanied by banging on the desks. I went deaf because of how fast my heart was beating.

"Lips are tasty, right?" he said while smiling.

Idiot!

I jumped up in shock. I was about to speak, but my tongue retreated. Nothing was coming out.

I just stomped my feet and walked out of the room. I went straight to the second floor of the building. Damn it!

Yes… we've kissed before, but not in front of everyone. I hate that! And I hate what he's doing now. Even though Yuri isn't around, I still feel like I'm going to hurt him.

I lost all interest in going back to class. I sat on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Jay..." someone called out to me.

When I looked up, it was just Drew and Denzel. I actually got a little scared—it could've been a ghost!

"What?"

They came closer and sat beside me.

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

I saw Mayo following behind them. He looked serious as he stared at me.

"Is it true? Are you and Keifer together?" he asked.

"N-no."

"Ci-N just said you two have something going on." Drew said, which caught me by surprise.

That kid!

You really can't keep any secrets from that one—he spills everything! He's definitely going to hear from me later.

"So, you chose Keifer? What about Yuri?" Denzel asked, worried.

"You should have chosen Yuri." Mayo added.

"I can't control what my heart feels." I almost whispered the answer.

"Even so... You don't understand." Drew added.

I looked at them in confusion. "What do you mean...?"

Denzel stood up from sitting beside me. "Keifer's just going to make you cry."

Drew followed him. "I hope you don't regret not choosing Yuri."

What the...

"Section E is divided again. I just hope you don't get caught in the fight that's going to happen." Mayo said before walking away.

Denzel and Drew followed him. I was left there, totally confused by what they said.

Whatever happens, think carefully. This is going to be a big mess, just like what happened in Section E because of that love triangle. 'I don't want you to experience the kind of pain Ella went through. — Mica'

(Chapter 119—Christmas Part 5.0)

I slapped my forehead. What have I done? Will it happen again?

What am I supposed to do?