chapter 43

Jay-jay's POV

EXAM

WHY?!

Why didn't anyone tell me the exam was today—this Saturday?!

Are they really that serious about not talking to me? Not even the exam date was mentioned.

I'm about to cry!

Aside from not being told, I didn't even review.

Is this the end for me?!

"Kuyaaaa... I haven't reviewed at all. Please!" I pleaded with Kuya Angelo as I followed him.

Since I was completely unprepared, I thought about faking an illness. But it didn't work!

I just ended up begging him to call the school and say I was sick.

Now, we're currently in the middle of arguing.

"...Kuuuyyyyaaaa..."

He stopped walking and glared at me.

"Cut it out! I'm not going to tolerate that nonsense!"

I hugged him tightly, tears welling in my eyes.

He didn't move and kept glaring at me the same way.

"Please... just tell them I'll take it on Monday," I begged.

"There's a retreat on Monday," Aries chimed in while walking behind me.

I let go of Kuya and turned to look at him.

Monday? Really?

"That's why you have to go and take the exam today," Kuya said and walked off.

I was really about to cry.

"That's what you get for being lazy," Aries muttered before heading out the door.

Was it my fault? They pissed me off, that's why I didn't feel like going to school. That lasted a few days.

It's their fault. I'm blaming them.

RIP to my grades.

I walked to school with a scowl on my face. I was going to ride my bike, but I wasn't in the right mind—I might've gotten into an accident.

When I arrived at school, the first person I saw was Calix.

He probably just dropped off Mica. He smiled at me, but he couldn't hide the bruise on the side of his lip.

He noticed I was staring at it and quickly turned away to walk to the classroom.

My feet didn't want to move, but I forced myself to walk.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Felix and Rory.

They both smiled at me, but Felix looked hurt because of a cut on his lip. Rory had a scratch on his cheek.

I couldn't bring myself to return their smiles.

Worry was overtaking me.

I'm used to seeing them walk in with bruises or cuts on their faces, but the thought that they're the ones doing it to each other... it makes me sad.

It shouldn't be like this.

I walked into the room with slumped shoulders.

Everyone was acting like angels. Super quiet. Even those who were talking were barely audible.

Ci-N smiled at me.

I felt awkward, so I forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

As I walked to my seat, the king had his head in his hands while Yuri was looking at his notes.

I wanted to review, but I knew nothing would probably stick to my brain.

I let out a deep sigh.

Still, I had to try.

I opened my bag to get my notes—but stopped.

Why are there so many chocolates?

I looked around first.

Someone might see and gang up on me.

Did my Jansport bag start producing chocolates?

I don't remember buying or taking any—ahh! Right...

Tita Gema must have put them there.

I saw her earlier holding a bag of chocolates.

She also mentioned it's good to eat them while reviewing.

No wonder my bag was so heavy earlier.

I looked over at Ci-N. He was folding paper into a plane.

Light bulb...

A wide smile formed on my face as I grabbed some chocolates from my bag.

"Ci-N!" I called.

He turned toward me while still holding the paper plane.

I showed him the chocolate in my hand.

He looked like a dog drooling.

And it wasn't just him—the others were staring too.

"That for me?" he asked innocently.

"It's yours... if you answer my question," I said.

But he quickly turned away.

"No! I know what you're going to ask! I won't answer that!" he shouted without looking at me.

Ppffft… Annoying!

But I won't give up.

I know your weaknesses, guys!

I looked at the others.

They all avoided eye contact, though it was clear they were tempted to ask for some.

Tsk… You think I'll give up? Nope!

I opened a chocolate bar. Slowly took a bite and even closed my eyes like I was in a commercial.

"Damn... it's so good," I said loud enough to be heard. "...It melts right on your tongue."

I looked at them, and though they acted unbothered, some were biting their lips.

"That kind of sweetness that doesn't overwhelm," I continued. "...It's best to eat while reviewing."

I looked at Yuri—he was watching me.

I noticed his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed hard.

He forced himself to look back at his notes.

Avoid me all you want.

Then I turned to Keifer's side.

I wiped a bit of chocolate from my lip with my thumb and licked it while locking eyes with him.

"Delicious... promise," I said in a low voice.

His face showed a mix of irritation and envy.

He looked away, fiddling with his phone.

Keep avoiding me...

I looked at the rest of the gang.

Some even wiped their mouths from drooling too much.

G 54

I heard my phone buzz, so I checked it.

From: King Ulupong

Message: Stop it! It's not funny!

Looks like he's getting annoyed.

I looked at him and our eyes met.

His glare was intense, like he wanted to pounce on me.

G

Okay... I get it. Sorry.

I was about to reply when Ci-N suddenly jumped in front of me—almost crying.

"I'll talk... Just give me one," he begged.

I smiled widely.

I finished what I was holding and opened my bag, showing him what was inside.

I made sure the others saw it too.

"See this?" I asked.

He nodded, literal drool dripping from his mouth.

Yuck!

"Just answer my question and all of this is yours."

He nodded again, but then the others started shouting.

"Don't do it, Ci-N!"

"Don't let her fool you!"

"It's just chocolate! We can buy some!"

But Ci-N was already too tempted.

My ears were practically clapping in excitement.

"Tell me, Ci... why were you all fighting before?" I asked.

He looked at Keifer and Yuri first.

Then he motioned for me to come closer. I did—and he whispered,

"Keifer and Yuri fought. Of course, we each took sides, so a brawl happened."

IT'S HAPPENING.

This is it. Section E is splitting apart.

It shouldn't be like this.

I was filled with worry and looked around.

Everyone was avoiding eye contact.

"W-What were they fighting about?"

Ci-N bit his lip and glanced at Keifer. Then he shook his head.

I opened the bag even wider and held it close.

His eyes were glistening as he resisted temptation.

"B-Because... well—"

"Shut your mouth, Ci-N!" Keifer cut him off.

I glared at him. "Shut it, will you?!"

I looked at Ci-N and saw fear in his eyes.

He bit his lip—something he rarely does.

I knew then how scared he was of the king of the pests.

"Damn it! Just say it already!" Mayo suddenly shouted. Everyone turned to him.

"Stay out of it!" Eren shouted back.

"You're just making it harder for Ci-N!" Denzel joined in.

"Don't meddle!" Kit yelled.

I just kept watching.

I didn't understand.

Was it that hard to say why they fought?

I motioned for Ci-N to take the chocolates.

He hesitated, but I smiled at him.

After taking them, he returned to his seat.

I looked at Keifer, who was now glaring at Mayo.

Why won't he let the others speak?

Sir Alvin came in, holding our test papers.

He didn't speak at first—he must've felt the tension.

"Go back to your seats. Sir's here," David said, prompting everyone to settle.

While taking the exam, I wasn't thinking about the answers.

I was thinking about their fight.

Why won't they tell me?

The boys passed their papers one after the other.

Instead of staying, they grabbed their bags and left the room.

I felt abandoned.

Though I didn't want to, I rushed to shade answers and submitted the paper to Sir.

"Ms. Mariano," Sir called before I left the room.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Don't forget your documents for signing on Monday."

I just nodded and smiled.

Ugh! Another headache to deal with.

Outside the room, they were all gone.

They must've gone home to avoid my questions.

I had no choice but to head home too.

I tried texting Yuri and Keifer, but no response.

I texted the others—still nothing.

When I got home, Aries and Ella were the first faces I saw.

I wasn't in the mood, so I headed straight to my room.

I changed before lying down on my bed.

I kept checking my inbox, hoping for a reply.

So annoying!

I heard a knock and the door slowly opened.

I had my back turned, so I didn't see who it was.

I thought it was Kuya Angelo or Tita Gema.

"My exam went fine. I just want to rest," I said without looking.

"Your room is very simple."

I sat up in shock.

It wasn't Kuya or Tita.

It was someone I didn't expect to walk into my room.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Ella.

She looked around my room.

Good thing I cleaned up the other day.

Her gaze finally landed on me.

"I want to talk to you," she said. "Can I look around?"

I nodded. There wasn't anything fancy in my room.

"So, you and Keifer are a thing now," she said while looking at my desk.

I didn't reply but didn't take my eyes off her.

What do you want?!

"...What about Yuri?"

I chuckled slightly. I knew it.

This was about Yuri and Keifer.

The two boys from her past in Section E.

"What about Yuri?" I asked, bored.

"You don't even like him. Why are you marrying him?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Tell him that, not me."

"I know Yuri," she said, picking up the ring box on my table. "...He's still hoping."

She put it down and paced a little.

"...And he wouldn't be hoping if no one was giving him false hope."

Nice...

She's pissing me off! What is she even trying to say?

"Oh?"

"Stop it with Yuri. You're just hurting him," she ordered.

I stood up from my bed and glared at her.

"Look who's talking. Have you forgotten? You hurt him too!"

She met my glare. Her expression told me she wasn't backing down.

"You don't know what really happened, so you have no right to judge me!"

"You're doing the same to me. So don't talk like that."

I walked to the door and opened it—not for me, but for her.

"You can go now."

She looked at me before stepping out.

I was about to shut the door, but she said something that made me stop.

"You'll regret being with Keifer. Trust me... I've been there."

What the—

"Ella!" Aries' voice.

She walked away.

I shut the door and sat at the edge of my bed.

What did she mean by that?

And why is she even interfering?

Why does she care? She's with Aries now.

He's the one she should be worrying about.

Because of what she said, my mind was even more cluttered.

I didn't realize it was already late in the afternoon.

I left my room to get some water.

I ran into Kuya, dressed up nicely.

"Why aren't you dressed yet?" he asked.

I looked at him, confused. "W-why?"

"We have a dinner date with the Peraltas."

That's today?!

I rushed back to my room to get ready.

I picked something nice—something formal.

I went to the living room.

Kuya Angelo and Tita Gema were already there.

Tito Julz wasn't coming because of work.

Aries refused to come.

Tita Gema fixed my hair quickly, and we rushed off.

We were already running late—because of me, of course.

We were eating at a Chinese restaurant.

Wow, Ci-N.

"How was the exam, Jay?" Kuya asked while driving.

I looked out the window.

How do I tell him I barely answered anything?

"I-It was okay..." I replied.

He and Tita didn't ask anything else.

It seemed they accepted my answer.

Kuya parked at the restaurant.

Ci-N was the first person I saw standing by the entrance.

He greeted me with a wide smile.

"Good evening, Mr. Fernandez," Ci-N's brother greeted Kuya Angelo.

They shook hands. Same with Tita Gema.

But when it came to me, he just glared.

I'll poke your eye out!

"Let's go inside," he invited.

I walked alongside Ci-N. I held onto his arm and deliberately slowed down.

He owed me a lot of answers.

Keifer's gone now. He had no one left to fear.

"Hey... you owe me a lot," I whispered.

He suddenly got serious.

He stopped walking and looked at me.

"Ja... I don't want to talk about it. It's not my place to say it."

He held my hand. "...But I hope you can forgive me."

Forgive?

"What are you... talking about?"

"We've done you a huge wrong. A really big one."

He didn't say anything else.

As much as I wanted to ask, I couldn't bring myself to.

Another thing to stress over.

His words kept echoing in my head.

Wrong?