Jay-jay's POV
Auntie kept knocking on my door. I knew they wanted to talk to me, but I chose not to face them. I turned up the volume on my phone's music.
My headset was plugged into my ears. I didn't want to hear anything. The only thing I wanted to hear at this moment was rock music.
Sigh... Just like before.
I glanced at my phone when a text message came in.
From: Ci-N
Message: Please come in... 😢😢
I immediately deleted his message. I hadn't gone to school for two days. I lost interest in so many things—including going to school.
For what? To see them? To see him? No way!
Sometimes, I thought about just ending my life, but I couldn't—not yet. I still wanted to see my father and be with him, even for just a little while.
I looked at the door when it suddenly opened. I had locked that— Damn it, the doorknob's broken!
Aries stormed in, furious, and immediately grabbed me by the collar. I yanked off my headset and grabbed his collar in return.
A fight?! A fight?!
"You knew Percy was alive, and you knew our whole story! Why didn't you tell me?!" he shouted angrily, pinning me against the wall.
I shoved him back with all my strength, still gripping his shirt. I glared at him just as fiercely.
"Why?! Did you tell me that Dad was just nearby?! Did you tell me I was an illegitimate child?! DID YOU TELL ME YOU WERE MY BROTHER?!" I shouted back at him. "...So don't you dare complain! We're even!"
His anger toward me only intensified. He pushed me against the wall again, but I pushed back. Now, we just looked like kids shoving each other around.
"STOP IT!" Kuya Angelo yelled, stepping in immediately.
Auntie Gema followed right behind him, trying to separate us. They forced us apart, and Kuya stood between us, stretching out his arms to keep us apart. I still didn't take my eyes off Aries.
"Explain yourself, Aries." Kuya ordered calmly.
He didn't answer. He just kept glaring at me. If Kuya hadn't arrived when he did, we probably would've already started throwing punches.
Even if he was my brother!
I wouldn't hesitate to bust his lip open. After all, he and Mom were the reason I was suffering right now. At least let me land one punch to get back at him.
"What's going on?" Mom suddenly interrupted, looking like she had just arrived. "...Why is the doorknob like this?"
Your wonderful son broke it!
"You're really not going to say anything?" Kuya asked irritably, then turned to me. "...What did Aries do?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I walked straight to the bathroom and locked myself inside.
I didn't want to leave the house, but I couldn't stand this anymore. And on top of that, Percy hadn't even called or texted me.
I quickly took a shower and got dressed. When I stepped out of the bathroom, they were all gone, and the door was closed—except the doorknob was still broken.
That Aries really has issues.
He must've lost it again to storm in here and yell at me like that. They really were all friends—because they were all crazy.
Though Percy is the craziest one of them all.
I was wearing my school uniform, but I packed a change of clothes in my bag. I'd just pretend I was going to school so they wouldn't ask questions.
There was no way I was going to school.
What would I even do there?!Act like a damsel in distress?
After getting dressed, I went downstairs and the first person I saw was Grandma.
"I'm leaving now." I said, walking past her.
I heard her softly call my name, but I kept going. The slap she gave me still hurt. It hurt because she was the first person I expected to give me strength. Maybe I had pushed her patience to the limit, and maybe I really had been rude.
I looked up at the sky and took a deep breath. I was already exhausted from crying, so before it could start again, I stopped it.
If only you turned into pearls when you fell.
I headed to the Mini Mart first. I hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so I needed to buy something to eat. While choosing a drink, something caught my eye.
San Miguel Beer.
I didn't know why, but I felt tempted to grab one. I bit my lip as I stared at it. I thought about it for a while before finally deciding to take two bottles. Two isn't that bad!
I immediately lined up at the cashier.
"Miss..." the female cashier called out to me. "...I can't sell this to you. You're still a student."
Wew, seriously?!
"Are you for real?!" I asked sarcastically.
I was starting to get irritated by what she said. Student?! There were plenty of people in uniform buying alcohol.
"I'm really sorry." she said, reaching to take the two bottles away.
I glared at her. My body was heating up—I needed this alcohol. I NEED THIS?!
"What if I punch you in the face until you bleed? Would you sell it to me then?"
I saw the shock on her face. She immediately let go of the bottle she had been holding.
"M-Miss... I-I really can't." she pleaded.
"Unbelievable—!"
"Miss!" someone suddenly called from behind me. "...I'll pay for that instead."
I raised an eyebrow at him. I didn't know if it was just a coincidence or if he had been looking for me and happened to find me here at the Mini Mart.
"I know I'm handsome, but no need to stare like that." he said with a smile.
Ugh, his face is so punchable.
Why did that line sound so familiar?—Ah, right! That was the line of that damn King of Snakes. And now, of all times, I suddenly remembered him.
"Oh..." Percy said lazily, handing me the things I was about to buy. "...Drinking this early? Have you had breakfast?"
I didn't answer him. I just took what he paid for and looked for a table to sit at. I ate first since my stomach was still empty.
Once I finished eating, I turned my attention to the alcohol. I stared at it carefully, and in a blink of an eye, the cap suddenly popped off.
Oohhh... The power of staring.
Just kidding! Percy had opened it without me noticing. He sat across from me, still smiling as he looked at me.
"What time are you planning to go to school?" he asked.
I took a sip while staring at him. Argh! It burns down my throat. Ouch!
"I-I'm not going." I answered flatly.
"Then why are you in uniform?"
"So they won't ask questions."
He chuckled slightly. "That's bad!"
I rolled my eyes at him—so hard that it could cut through steel. This guy was so damn annoying. He hadn't contacted me for days, and now he was here just to mess with me.
"I don't care about you... You're such a pain!"
Suddenly, he burst into loud laughter, even slapping the table. I got even more annoyed, and it felt like I really needed to punch him.
I chugged the bottle of alcohol in my hand, but nothing came out. I had already finished it without realizing it. Probably because of this abnormal stepbrother of mine.
"Go buy more!" I ordered, but suddenly, his expression turned serious.
I thought he had gotten mad at the way I said it, but then, slowly, his lips curled into a wide grin. So wide that his gums were showing.
Now he looked like a demon!
"Nope... Make me." he said.
I smacked my forehead. This guy is really insane. Can I request another sibling? I don't care if it's a girl, as long as they don't think like this! Someone normal and mature, not this abnormal and immature idiot.
Please... Just one more sibling! Someone I can actually talk to!
"Never mind, don't buy it for me anymore... I might get pissed off and just smash this bottle on your head." I said and stood up.
I walked out of the Mini Mart and left him there alone. I already knew he'd follow me—he always did.
"Where are we going?" he asked from behind me.
See?!
"I don't know, whatever..." I muttered and kept walking away.
To be honest, even though he acted like a complete fool, I was glad he was here. At least, for a little while, I could forget my problems—even if he was a pain in the ass.
I stopped walking when I noticed something across the street. A couple was walking hand in hand, looking so sweet together. I don't know why, but I suddenly heard something shatter.
"Shit! I hit the window!" Percy suddenly yelled, grabbing my hand and taking off running.
Damn it! I thought it was my heart that broke. I was just getting lost in my emotions!
We stopped at a park with a playground. I bent over, resting my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. My legs ached from how far we ran.
"What the hell were you even doing?!" I asked irritably.
"I was throwing something at a rat on the roof! But I missed and hit the window instead." he explained.
This idiot!
I shook my head and looked around for a bench to sit on. I walked a little but stopped when I noticed someone. A guy in a sweatshirt and a Superman hoodie jacket, wearing a headset, jogging.
K-Keifer.
My feet moved toward him on their own, but I stopped myself. Why am I going to him?
I won't lie—part of me wanted to see him. I hadn't gone to school for two days, which meant I hadn't seen him for two days either. What he did to me hurt, but I couldn't deny it—I still had feelings for him!
"Hey... What's wrong?" Percy asked, following my gaze. "...Ahh."
My vision blurred as tears welled up in my eyes. They started falling again—relentless.
Please, at least turn into pearls!
It hurts. It hurts so much that I believed he loved me too. I believed in everything he said. Because it felt real—I felt it. In the way he looked at me, the way he touched me. The way he kissed me and held me. It was real for me.
"Percy..." I called, still staring at Keifer as he walked away. "...How do you know if someone really loves you?"
"If they say it." he answered quickly.
I looked at him, and when he noticed my tears, his expression turned serious. I think he understood what I was trying to say.
"...I-it's hard to explain. Y-you just feel it, especially if they show it to you."
I took a deep breath and looked back at Keifer's direction. He was already far away from us.
I don't want to assume because I know it might hurt. But if I don't do this, I'll never know the truth. I started walking toward Keifer.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Percy called, following me.
"I just want to get my question answered." I replied, quickening my pace.
"Are you sure? Maybe it's just the alcohol talking."
Even if it was, I didn't care. At least I had the courage to do this. Just this once, I wanted to know the answer to my question.
Do you love me too?
Even after all their deception, did he even once think about it? Did he ever feel anything? It should be possible, right? Just like in the shows I watch on TV.
As we kept following him, I only realized late that he was already heading home. He had just reached his gate when he stopped, removed his headset, and put his hands on his hips.
"Next time you follow me, make sure I don't notice you." he said without even looking at us.
Nice! He really notices everything!
He turned around and looked at us with a bored expression. His hair was soaked with sweat, making him look even more attractive. I honestly had no idea how to talk to him. I had no clue how to ask him my question.
"What do you want?" he asked us.
"A-uh... I-I... W-well..." I couldn't even finish my sentence.
Because suddenly, Percy walked right through Keifer's gate. Yes, he went inside as if he owned the house.
Unbelievable! Seriously!
"Hey!" Keifer shouted at him, immediately following after.
"I just need to use the bathroom!" Percy answered and quickly ran inside the house.
I had no choice but to enter the gate too. I was left standing outside alone. Keifer stood nearby, pressing his fingers against his temple.
"Once your stepbrother comes out, you both should leave." he said calmly, turning to walk away.
Wait... This is my only chance!
"Keifer!" I called out, and he stopped. "...I-I just want to know something."
He turned to face me and waited for me to speak. His gaze was unwavering, making my knees weak. I forced myself to stand firm, even though I felt like collapsing.
"What is it?"
"I-I just want to know..." I took a deep breath. "...d-despite everything you did... d-did you ever love me?"
For a few seconds, he didn't react. Then suddenly, he laughed—like he was absolutely delighted by my question. He's gone insane!
I bit my lower lip. I was terrified of his laughter, but even more scared of his answer.
"You followed me just to ask that?" he asked, still laughing. "...I can't believe this."
He shook his head as he spoke. I wanted to step away because I felt like I already knew the answer, but my legs wouldn't cooperate.
Damn it! Just work with me for once!
"Let me guess... You expected that maybe, just maybe, I developed feelings for you while I was fooling you?"
I couldn't answer. I didn't want to hear what he was going to say next.
"What a damn joke!" he added, laughing even louder. "...This isn't some TV series or movie. Falling for you or realizing I love you in the middle of my revenge will never happen."
Damn it!
I don't want to hear this anymore! Stop! Please! I can't take it! I shouldn't have come here.
"I must be such a great actor. You actually believed me!" he laughed again.
Slowly, he started walking toward me. His laughter, once just mocking, now sounded almost sinister—like he was willing to do anything, no matter how cruel.
"Just so you don't keep hoping, let me make this clear for you." He stopped right in front of me. "...I will never fall for you. You are just a stupid little shit to me, just like your brother Aries."
The tears I had been holding back finally fell. My breathing grew heavy. I didn't want to cry in front of him, but I couldn't stop myself. His words hit me too hard.
For heaven's sake, please turn into pearls!
He smirked. "If only you had given in to me on New Year's, you would have found out the truth much sooner. If you had just given yourself to me that night, the plan would've been over." He crossed his arms and looked at me from head to toe. "...What a waste. Half of Section E would have won the bet."
B-bet?!
His grin widened when he realized I had no idea what he was talking about. He stepped even closer, making me instinctively take a step back.
"Come to think of it... The bet isn't over yet." Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around my waist. "...Why don't we finish what we started on New Year's?"
One of his hands grabbed my chin tightly. I shut my eyes from the pain. I tried to push him away, but he only pulled me closer.
"L-let me go." I pleaded, but he just stared at me.
"I know you want it." he said before roughly kissing me.
Tears streamed down my face. This wasn't right. This wasn't the way he used to kiss me. It hurt. It was as if he was showing me how easily he could overpower me.
I felt violated. He had lost all respect for me.
This wasn't the Keifer I loved—the one who, despite being an asshole and a complete lunatic, still made me feel cherished and loved.
I was wrong again!
I've had enough! I won't hope anymore. It's clear now—he never loved me. He only used me, and it even seems like I was just part of a stupid bet.
I summoned whatever strength I had left and pushed him away. He staggered back slightly, giving me just enough time to punch him—aiming straight for his jaw.
He fell!
Even though my vision was blurred by tears, I moved closer and followed up with another punch. I climbed on top of him, continuing to throw punches.
My fists landed on his face multiple times. His nose and lips were bleeding, yet my tears wouldn't stop falling. I only stopped when I saw the way he was looking at me.
Lifeless…
I sobbed even harder. My tears fell onto his face, mixing with his blood. I stared into his eyes—I wanted him to see how much he had hurt me. I wanted his conscience to eat him alive, to never let him sleep peacefully at night.
Then, from the corner of my eye, I noticed something.
A tear.
Impossible!
I immediately got off him, glaring at him as he slowly sat up. He wiped his face, now covered in tears and blood.
Those were my tears, not his!
He wouldn't cry for me. He would never do that!
I saw Percy stepping out of the house. I quickly walked away, but before I reached the gate, I turned back to face Keifer one last time.
"Mark my words—carve it into stone, onto your forehead, and even on a dog's ass! Karma will come for you! You son of a bitch!" I took a deep breath, my voice breaking. "...And when it does, I'll be the first to laugh right in your damn face!"
I bolted out of his gate. I heard Percy calling after me, but I ignored him. I just ran and ran. I didn't care where my feet would take me—I just needed to get away from him.
But as luck would have it, I tripped and nearly face-planted onto the ground. I froze and sat down, shaken by the sudden fear that coursed through me.
And that was all it took for the pain I'd been suppressing to break free. I felt like a child who had lost their favorite toy. I just kept sobbing.
"Aaaaaahhhhhh!!!" I screamed as I pounded my fist against my chest.
It hurt so much!
Why the hell did I even hope?! I was such an idiot. Why did I get so used to crying? I was never like this before. I felt so weak, so stupid.
"Jay..." Percy called softly as he knelt in front of me. "...Kuya is here now. That's enough."
Instead of stopping, I only cried harder. I clung to him tightly. I didn't want to cry anymore. I was exhausted. My eyes were tired of shedding tears that would never turn into pearls.
This was the last time!
I won't cry for you again—never, ever again. I won't waste another second on you, you goddamn demon king of all the venomous snakes.
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