Jay-jay's POV
Sunday worked out in my favor. No one was home except for my aunt's maids. Even Mom and annoying Andy weren't around. I spent the whole day eating and sleeping—without taking a bath!
That's fine! Don't judge me!
But it seems like only Sunday was good for me because it's Monday now. And what greeted me on this Monday morning? My brother's nagging.
I was all set for my daily routine with Percy—pretending to go to school but actually meeting up at the mini-mart. But my brother was still home, and well...
Nonstop scolding all the way!
"I let you off the first time! But now you're really pushing my patience!" he shouted.
I just kept my eyes closed while listening. I felt like with every word he said, there was an object ready to fly at me. That's how powerful his nagging was.
"That's enough, Angelo. I'm sure she'll go to school today." Aunt Gema tried to calm him down and then turned to me. "...You're going to school, right?"
I looked up at her like a child and gave a small nod. But honestly, I had no plans to go to school today. Actually, I didn't plan to go ever again.
"You really think I'll believe you?!" my brother said angrily and poked my forehead. "...You think I don't know how your mind works?!"
Haaahhh! My brother can read minds now?!
"And no, I'm not reading your mind if that's what you're thinking!" he added.
Oowwwsss?!
My brother's glare sharpened even more, so I quickly lowered my head again. He claims he can't read minds, but it sure feels like he knows exactly what I'm thinking.
"I-I'll really go to school. You can even take me there if it'll make you feel sure." I said, still looking down.
"Oh, you'll definitely go! And just to make sure you get to your classroom..."
He'll take me there!
"...I'll have someone else take you!"
Whhuuaaattt?!
Who?! Aries the Horoscope?! Seriously, I wouldn't even make it to the school gate before he'd drop me off. We don't even have a driver to take me. And it can't be annoying Andy either since he said he's going back home—he's got a lot of work to finish!
"Who?" Aunt Gema asked.
"Him." My brother quickly answered, pointing at the door.
Aunt Gema and I both turned to look. There he was, smirking and waving at us. I only have one thing to say.
Monday is definitely not working in my favor!
"G-good morning," Yuri greeted nervously.
"Kuya!" I called my brother in frustration.
"He'll be the one taking you to school AND picking you up," he emphasized the word "AND." "...I'll also be updated every hour, just to make sure you don't skip class."
Wow. Just… wow! Amazing! Incredible! You'll really just say, WOW!
Kuya gave me a smug smile, like he was saying, "You won't win against me." Damn it! I really have no chance.
I couldn't do anything anymore. If I fought back, Kuya would just tighten his grip even more. I just wanted to bang my head against the wall because of this.
"Go on… get to school!" Kuya ordered.
Fine! Here we go! As if I had a choice!
Even though I hated it, I started walking out. I passed Yuri, who was looking at me, and he quickly followed, getting ahead of me and opening the backseat door of his car.
I got in with a huff, slamming the door behind me. That's when I noticed someone was already sitting in the passenger seat. Seriously, the universe was just not on my side this Monday. Of all the times I wasn't ready to see him… why now?!
Is this a joke? Are they messing with me?!
In fairness, they're really good at pissing me off. I was about to lose it! Just one more thing and I swear my fist would meet their faces.
"Jay… Sorry. I didn't tell you that Kei was coming with us—"
"Yuri, please," I cut him off, my voice surprisingly calm. "For the love of God, just drive."
I'm calm… I swear!
Yuri had no choice but to start driving. Meanwhile, the person next to him just stared out the window like some tourist.
Ugh, I'd love to stab him in the back.
I quickly looked away when he slightly turned toward me. I pretended to be a tourist myself, focusing on the window. My only mistake was sitting right behind Yuri — I should've sat behind that guy so I'd have an easier time stabbing him.
King of the Snakes!
A few moments later, the smell of cigarettes filled the air. I started coughing because the air conditioning spread the scent around. When I looked up front, that jerk was puffing smoke like some dragon.
Are you freaking kidding me?!
"Seriously?! You're smoking inside the car?!" I snapped, rolling down the window.
He just laughed. I had a strong feeling he was doing this just to mess with me. He wasn't satisfied with what he'd already done — now he was pushing my buttons again.
"Unbelievable," I muttered.
I forced myself to endure the smell, even though I felt like my lungs were drying out. The moment we reached the school, I jumped out of the car before it had even fully stopped, slamming the door behind me.
I couldn't take it anymore!
I headed straight to the restroom and stayed there for a while. I tried to get rid of the cigarette smell that had clung to my clothes and fixed myself up. I didn't want anyone to notice how miserable I felt.
When the bell rang, I had no choice but to leave the restroom. Every step toward my classroom felt heavier than the last. I really wasn't ready, but like Kuya said, he'd be "updated."
I took several deep breaths, trying to steel myself. I shouldn't be afraid. They should be the ones scared of me!
A little courage wouldn't hurt!
Why should I be afraid? Did I do something wrong? Was I the one who lied, cheated, and played with someone's feelings? Hell no!
I took one last deep breath, releasing everything I could from my chest. I even slapped my face with both hands — okay, maybe that hurt more than I intended.
I walked as if nothing was wrong — like it was just a normal day, going to a normal school with normal classmates.
The moment I stepped into the room, it was like an angel passed by — the whole room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at me, their conversations stopping mid-sentence.
"Jay-jay's here."
"SHe finally showed up."
"I wonder if she's okay now?"
"He still looks mad, though."
"Doesn't matter — at least she's here."
"Jay-jay!" Ci-N called out loudly, beaming.
But I couldn't even force a smile back. My eyes went straight to my old seat — the one between those two idiot best friends. It was still empty, like it was waiting for me. The torn piece of my skirt was still stuck to the chair.
But I wasn't sitting there again!
I looked at the seat nearest to the door — the one right up front, with no one beside it. Everyone else either sat behind or to the side.
I dropped my bag on the table, brushed off the chair, and sat down, resting my chin on my hand like nothing was wrong. At least this way, I didn't have to see their faces. I didn't care what they did behind me anymore.
"So you're finally back."
I turned to see who spoke — it was David, the guy with those high-class vibes. I gave him a bored look.
"No. I'm just a hologram."
He let out a small laugh, shaking his head as he walked into the room.
"Why is she talking to David first?"
"Do you think there's something between them?"
"That's so unfair."
Seriously? They were talking loud enough for me to hear on purpose. I couldn't tell if they were doing it intentionally or just being plain annoying. I was so close to punching someone.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the desk next to me move closer. I looked over and saw the idiot pushing it my way.
"Ci-N!" I hissed.
He even adjusted the chair and wiped it down before sitting next to me, grinning widely with his big, round eyes.
"We're seatmates now!" he said happily.
I glanced at the tiny gap — or lack thereof — between our desks. His was totally out of line, practically merged with mine.
"Yeah, I noticed," I said sarcastically.
I started scanning the room for another empty seat. I didn't want anyone sitting next to me. That was the whole point of moving. But before I could get up, Sir Alvin walked in.
"Good morning… Sorry I'm late," he said, shuffling through his papers.
He glanced at me and smiled. "Glad to see you here. Angelo kept asking about you."
Gee, thanks, Sir. Way to remind me."
I answered him with an awkward smile and grimace. He started discussing all sorts of things. I felt like I was in the wrong position because we were facing each other too closely. The teacher could see my every move.
"Jay-jay," Ci called me in a whisper.
Ignore it.
"Jay-jay."
You hear nothing!
"Pst! Jay."
Lalalalala...
"Jay-jay... Barracuda."
What the heck!
"Why aren't you answering? You didn't brush your teeth, did you?"
Oh, great!
I wanted to bang my head on the table — hard enough that I'd pass out.
I didn't want to yell at Ci-N. I was upset with him, but that wasn't a reason to take it out on him. David had already explained that Ci was just forced into it.
Still, I couldn't help but feel hurt. We'd been together for so long. He even lived in our house and shared my room. She endured not speaking to me for that long.
So annoying...
Our subject with Sir Alvin ended, but my seatmate still hadn't stopped pestering me.
"Look at this," he said, smiling, and showed me a plastic toy labeled "surprise egg." "Look! Look!"
He opened the egg and clapped his hands like a child, delighted with the toy he found inside.
"Surprise!" he said, full of joy.
I secretly smiled at his reaction. I missed this. I missed our playful moments. But things weren't the same anymore.
The next subjects passed like normal. As long as there were no groupings! I wasn't teaming up with those sneaky traitors.
The bell rang, signaling lunchtime. Uh-oh! I forgot to bring food. I glanced back and saw Eman packing up — it looked like he'd cooked something today.
"Let's go eat," Ci invited me.
I stood up and walked away, but not toward the back where the food was. I headed outside. I could hear Ci-N calling after me, but I ignored him.
Where was I going? I didn't know. I tried going behind the canteen to see if I could buy something from my vendor friend.
"Ate…" I called through the back window. "…can I buy something?"
"Miracle! You came back here," she said, glancing behind her. "…what do you want to buy?"
"Your combo-whatever," I answered, and she laughed.
"Combo-whatever, huh?" she teased before walking away.
I waited a few minutes until the door finally opened. I thought it was her, so I approached immediately, but I didn't expect who I'd face.
Aries the Horoscope!
"J-Jay…" the vendor called my name hesitantly.
Aries was holding my order, and his expression was anything but friendly.
"Do this one more time, and you're fired," he told the vendor without even looking at her.
"Y-Yes… I'm sorry," she replied, leaving quickly.
Aries stepped out without breaking eye contact with me. I felt like I was melting under his gaze.
"How long have you been doing this?" he asked flatly.
"This is the first time in a while," I murmured.
He chuckled slightly and held out my food. I thought he was handing it to me, so I reached out — but before I could touch it, he let it drop.
"You chose your section… so suffer hunger with them," he sneered before stomping on the food and walking away.
He even flashed me a mocking grin before disappearing. I was left staring at the ground, the only thing salvageable being the water bottle.
I slowly sat down and picked up the bottle.
I chose them… but they also chose to deceive me.
I didn't know I'd regret choosing them. I even had the audacity to brag to Aries about how united my class was.
#SectionGoals — but it turned out only they had goals. I wasn't part of it.
I stood up and walked away. Maybe water would be enough to fill me up. I might even eat the bottle just to be sure.
I finished the water, and just as I was about to chew on the bottle, some guys ran past me, knocking it out of my hand.
Gone. No more edible bottle.
I was about to pick it up to throw it away when I noticed a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on the ground nearby. It looked like the guys who ran past had dropped them.
I picked them up and glanced around. Absentmindedly, I returned to our building, twirling a cigarette between my fingers.
Hunger does weird things.
Instead of heading back to the room, I went to the second floor, where the fresh air greeted me. There was no one else around — just me.
I looked at the cigarette in my hand. I really hated the smell of these things. I'd only tried smoking once, and it tasted terrible.
Cyrus even caught me back then, and we fought about it.
Before I realized it, I'd brought the stick to my lips. People say smoking looks bad on women — why? Does it make men more attractive?
The lighter was already nearing the cigarette when a hand snatched it away from my mouth.
"Damn it!" I cursed at the jerk who did it.
"What the hell?! What are you doing?!" Yuri asked, furious.
In my anger, I threw the cigarette pack and lighter at his face. He dodged, but his glare remained.
"What's it to you?!" I shouted.
"Don't you see yourself?! You're changing!"
"Of course not! There's no mirror here, idiot!"
Yuri ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "See?! Even the way you talk!"
"Eeeowww ppoeehh!"
"JAY!" he yelled, exasperated. "…get a grip!"
He was really planning to lecture me. I had no intention of listening. I was already fed up with lectures at home — I didn't need more.
"Jay-jay, please…" he said, sounding tired. "…I know you're going through a lot, but don't do this."
"What do you want me to do?! Pretend I'm okay? Act like nothing happened? Damn it! I'm already broken!" I pointed to my heart. "…I'm drained!" I pointed to my head. "…and my body's exhausted! And you want me to pull myself together?! Seriously?!"
"And this is your solution?!" He pointed at the cigarette pack on the ground. "…You're going back to the old you — the one you left behind in your province!"
"So what?! What's it to you if I go back to the old me?!" I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "…You afraid you won't marry me if I'm like this? Is that it?"
He didn't answer.
"…Then don't marry me. Is that a problem? You're the only one who wants this marriage anyway!"
I walked toward the stairs behind him. I didn't want to talk anymore.
"Go enjoy your stupid best friend, Gago!" I said as I passed him.
As I reached the last step, I froze. The entire Section E was there, some looking up, clearly having listened to everything.
I pretended not to care and walked past them back to the room.
Looks like school's not going to get any easier for me.