Jay-jay's POV
Finally, it's Friday. I can rest for the two-day weekend. I won't have to endure the face of that animal Keifer-kwanan.
"Jay," he called me, and I grimaced.
"What?" I answered irritably. He faced me, forming a finger heart with his index finger and thumb, then winked at me. I saw Felix, Edrix, Eman, Eren, and Calix laughing. They looked like they were being tickled.
I blinked repeatedly out of disinterest at the antics of this animal—this fool, idiot, lunatic, jerk, scoundrel, shameless, traitor, thug, nuisance, and king of his fellow serpents.
"Even from that far, my shoe will still reach you if I throw it," I said before turning my back on them. Loud laughter erupted from his friends. Keifer cursed them one after another.
"You should've put food between your fingers," I heard Eman say.
"See if she gets thrilled then." They laughed again.
They seemed to be having fun teasing me, and they even dragged their king into it.
I looked toward the door when Ci-N entered, looking defeated. "Have you seen Drew?" he asked me right away.
I shook my head. "Not yet. Why?"
"He added to his debt to me. I'm already broke, and he still managed to outwit me," he said irritably and slammed himself onto his seat. Poor thing.
"How much did he get from you?"
"A peso," he answered, looking like he was about to cry. He acted like she'd been through a major hardship while mentioning that single peso, as if he'd lost a finger and his life was over. That's just a peso—what if he was owed 5000?
"That brings his debt back up to eight pesos," he added. "I'm so ashamed it's still not paid," I mumbled, but he didn't seem to hear me.
"Jay-jay, I'm broke. I spent all my money buying new games," he said, nearly in tears while staring at her palm like he was watching imaginary money. "I'm so pitiful." He had no control over His spending. If it wasn't planned, he wouldn't spend, but if it was something he wanted, he'd spend every last bit of his money. He really wasn't ready to be independent. It's like he had a grudge against money the moment he got hold of it.
"I feel like I'm a beggar," he added before planting his face on the table, muttering to himself. Just because someone borrowed another peso, his craziness kicked in again. He felt every bit of hardship with every cent missing from him.
"It's just a peso. I'll give you one," I said, about to get my wallet from my bag, but Ci's head suddenly shot up.
"David's coming," he said like he had a radar locked on his presence. "Let's ask him to treat us."
I smiled and nodded. We immediately stood up and left the room to meet Goliath's rival. We had just reached the ground floor when we spotted our target.
We waved at him. "Dabid!" we called in unison.
He scratched his head. "You want me to treat you?"
We nodded. He sighed before inviting us to the cafeteria. We hadn't gotten far when someone called my name.
We turned around and saw Rory approaching me. "Where are you going?" he asked, grabbing my arm. "Let me borrow Jay-jay for a second."
I didn't even get to answer before he pulled me away, glancing around like he was looking for someone. I could only scowl because he looked ridiculous.
"What is it?" I asked irritably, pulling my arm back. "Have you seen Freya around?"
I shook my head. "I don't think she's here yet. She usually hangs out in front of the main building with her followers."
He nodded. "Alright. Let's wait for her so you can give this." He opened his bag and took out a small teddy bear hugging a single pink rose. He also pulled out a killer love letter.
I smiled when I saw the cute teddy bear. Lucky her—at least someone's giving her something. I know someone who's already been to London without even a single teddy bear. At least there's an island.
I fixed the items Rory asked me to deliver. He kept peeking at the parking lot, and when he spotted the witch's car, he pushed me forward. "Ouch..." I complained, but he just urged me to walk.
Pouting, I approached Freya's freshly parked car. I waited for her to step out, and the moment she saw me, she immediately rolled her eyes like her day was already ruined.
"What now?" she asked irritably.
"This is for you," I said, handing her the teddy bear and letter. She took them and inspected the teddy bear. I saw a brief smile flash across her face, but she quickly hid it.
"This is so corny," she commented before walking past me. Corny, but she smiled. I waited for her to disappear before I went back to Rory. I gave him a thumbs up.
"I thought she didn't like it—she was scowling so much."
"She always looks like that," I replied, walking ahead.
He followed me. Luckily, the two snakes waited for me. "Where did you two come from?" Ci-N asked.
"Just around. We had something to deliver," Rory answered. "Where are you going?" he added.
"Cafeteria," David answered. I saw Rory's smile widen. "You're treating us? Count me in." How bold.
David hadn't even answered yet, but Rory had already slung an arm around him and led the way to the cafeteria.
I saw Ci-N's scowl deepen. "Don't treat that freeloader, Dabid," the brat said. Rory turned and just stuck his tongue out at him. I thought they'd start fighting, but thankfully, the cafeteria was already in sight.
Since it was still early, there were very few students inside. Rory quickly let go and rushed ahead, but Ci-N tried to beat him to the counter. They almost pushed each other. "I want a shake!" Ci yelled at the vendor. "Manang, one 1.5-liter Coke, please," Rory said, pulling Ci away. I pouted. It was way too early for a 1.5-liter Coke. What kind of stomach did this guy have? It seemed like there was a monster inside.
"Section E is so early," I heard a student whisper.
"Ignore them—they might pick on you," their companion replied.
"As if." I distanced myself from them because they were irritating me. That one was so fearless with their words—if I lost my patience, I might just fight them.
"How does she even last?" another student whispered. "
Is she really the only girl?" their friend asked. Ah, it seemed like I was their topic.
"Yeah. Tough, right? Maybe she's a tomboy."
"Maybe. Or maybe she's just flirty," the other one said, and they giggled softly.
I turned and stared at them for a long time. Our eyes met, and though they looked away at first, I kept staring without blinking as long as I could.
"W-what?" one of them stammered. Suddenly, I raised both my arms in a bent position and lifted one leg like I was in a kung fu stance. They flinched and stepped back.
"Jay! Who's your enemy? Why are you in a fighting stance?" Ci asked as she approached me. The students I faced quickly walked away. The others who had been about to buy something left too—they all seemed scared of me. The cafeteria was empty except for us and the vendors. Scaredy-cats. I lowered my arms and leg.
"Nothing. I thought they were enemies." I looked at what they bought. Aside from the Coke, they had hotdogs, hamburgers, and sausages on sticks.
"My turn to buy," I said, approaching David at the cashier. "Dabid! Dabid! Mine too!" He turned to me, and I noticed the soda and burger in his hands. He handed them to me and took the new items the vendor gave him.
"You took too long—I ordered for you," he said with a smile. Nice. Nice. Dabid. "Thanks," I said happily. I started munching as we walked toward Ci. She laughed when she saw ketchup smeared on my face.
"Starving much?" he teased. "Not really. Just a little," I answered, taking another bite. "Let's head back to the room," Rory said, starting to walk out of the cafeteria. We followed him, chewing as we walked. We could barely talk properly because our mouths were so full—except for David.
We hadn't gotten far when we ran into the Section D students. They looked at us mockingly before one of them suddenly sneezed in my direction.
Because I was busy eating, I didn't notice what they did. I tripped and fell straight onto the concrete road. I felt my teeth and lips hit the ground.
"Jay-jay!" Ci-N shouted before rushing to me.
"You idiot!" Rory angrily said to the one who tripped me.
"Rory!" David scolded him to stop him from starting a fight.
I could hear the laughter and teasing from Section D, along with the curiosity of other students who witnessed what happened.
With the help of David and Ci-N, I slowly got up. My heart sank when I saw my food, now only fit for ants. I felt like crying.
"Those jerks," Rory muttered angrily, pointing at the retreating Section D group.
My lips and knees hurt, but my heart hurt even more as I stared at the food I had barely started eating.
Slowly, I also began to feel the pain from my fall. Tears escaped my eyes, and when I looked at David, I couldn't help but wail.
"Daaaviiid! My food!" I cried as my tears flowed.
"Oh no! Jay-jay, don't cry. You look ugly," Ci said, and I heard Rory laughing.
Damn them.
"I'll buy you a new one," David said and brushed off my knees, but I winced when he hit a sore spot.
"I-it hurts," I said and looked at my knee.
I didn't see any scratches or wounds, but the pain felt deep, like it was coming from the bone.
"Try to move your knee," he instructed, and I did.
The pain was sharp, and I winced. It seemed like my knee took a bad hit. I also felt my elbow and noticed the pain starting there, too.
I cried even more because of the pain I felt all over my body. And it was all because of those pests from Section D. We hadn't had any trouble for so long, but it looked like they wanted to start a fight with our section again.
"I won't be able to walk! Daaaviiid!" I wailed again, and he scratched his head, clearly unsure what to do.
Meanwhile, my two so-called friends either laughed or teased me.
Thanks a lot! Such great help.
We looked toward the main building when the bell rang. Class was starting, but we were still outside. We saw the other students rushing back to their rooms.
"We need to go back," Rory said.
I tried to take a step, but pain immediately shot through my knee, and I felt like crying again.
My food.
"There's no time. I'll carry you," David said and was about to lift me when I quickly climbed onto him. He was startled and almost fell but quickly regained his balance.
Ci-N and Rory burst out laughing.
"Damn! You look like a tarsier."
I clung to David like a monkey. I didn't even know why, but this was better than moving my painful knee.
"Wrong position, Jay," he said and tried to put me down, but I held on tighter.
"I can't move; it hurts!" I whined.
He had no choice but to adjust my position and support my legs. I couldn't blame him because he was carrying me face-forward like a baby.
He started walking, occasionally glancing at me. I was still sniffling, looking longingly at my food on the ground.
We didn't even spend much time together. Now I had to say goodbye.
Damn Section D. They wasted my food.
When David stepped onto the stairs, I winced in pain. My knee moved, so I wrapped my legs around his waist.
"This is really not a good position," he said, and when I looked at him, his face was bright red.
"Why are you blushing?" I asked, and he looked like he was about to stop breathing.
"T-too close," he replied, trying to move his face away.
He occasionally stopped to adjust his grip on me.
I just held on tightly, feeling his heart pounding fast.
I must be so heavy; he's probably struggling. Maybe this was a sign to eat less — but sometimes, signs are just wrong.
"Still holding up, Grandpa David?" Ci teased.
"I will kill you, Ci," he answered, and the cheeky kid just laughed.
We were close to the room when David suddenly stopped. "I'll put you down now."
But instead of agreeing, I tightened my grip on him.
"I can't walk, remember? Put me down in front of my table," I ordered.
I heard Rory whistle. "This is a funeral."
He and Ci-N entered the room first. David let out a heavy sigh before walking again. But unlike earlier, his steps seemed slowe
As soon as we entered, whispers and comments filled the room.
"Braselton," Sir Alvin said.
"You're dead, kid."
"Get down, Jay. Keifer's not in a good mood anymore," someone said in a sing-song voice.
"Why are you carrying Jay-jay like that anyway?"
David slowly put me down, even though I was still far from my table. The moment my feet touched the floor, he suddenly collapsed to the ground.
The Ulupongs started cursing one after another, and they almost simultaneously rushed to pull Keifer off David.
Everything happened too fast. I didn't even have time to blink, and the scene clear to me was the King of the Ulupongs beating David, who was already on the floor.
"Grandpa David! Grandpa David!"
"Stop it, Keifer!"
"Listen to David's explanation first!"
"Damn it! Stop!"
"Jay-jay, what were you thinking?"
"Who are you betting on?"
Keifer wouldn't have stopped if Sir Alvin hadn't stepped in. Rory, Eren, and Kit quickly pulled David away, while Edrix, Yuri, Eman, Drew, Felix, and Calix held Keifer back tightly.
"How dare you hold my girl like that?" Keifer spat angrily at David.
"Is it wrong to help Jay?" The other replied.
Keifer tried to lunge again, but more Ulupongs joined in to hold him back.
"Calm down first, Keifer," Sir Alvin ordered.
I still hadn't moved from where I stood. Everything was chaotic, but one thing was clear to me.
It was like this before. He was like this back then, mercilessly beating up Kit.
Why does it feel like nothing's changed?
I looked at Keifer, who was still struggling.
"Why are you like this?" I asked, catching his attention. "Why did you say you've changed, but you're still the same as before?"
I saw the change in his expression.
"It's still the same — you're still hurting your friend because of jealousy," I said, feeling my tears threatening to fall.
It felt like he had failed. He failed in what he said and what he promised.
"Don't give me that look," he answered me.
Little by little, those restraining him let him go.
"I did. I did change, Jay. But don't do things like that—" he said, as if I were the one at fault.
"Why are you blaming me? If you knew how to be patient, you wouldn't hur—"
"You're hurting me!" he shouted, silencing me. "This is not just jealousy. Seeing you with David, as if he owns you, hurts me."
"David is my friend. Why does your mind go to something dirty?" I said, irritated.
"It's not being dirty-minded. Any guy who sees the girl he loves in that situation would feel the same."
I glanced at the Ulupong behind him. Some of them nodded, clearly agreeing with him.
So now it's my fault.
"David helped me because I couldn't walk after tripping. Even if my reason was valid, was that still wrong?"
"Why did he have to carry you in that position? It would've been fine if he carried you in a proper way, but in that position, it was like he was shouting to the world that you belonged to him," he said angrily, unable to hide his frustration.
It's turning out that I'm the one to blame for this, and that's why he went after David. I'm the one in the wrong because I let myself be carried in that position.
"So what? What to you—?"
"Don't," Ci whispered.
"Are we together?"
The Ulupongs reacted one after another. Some turned away and hit the wall. Others slapped their foreheads.
"Magic word."
"It's over."
"The fight's done."
I don't know why, but it felt like I said something wrong. It was a big slap, not just to him but to me as well.
"So what?" he mimicked me. "So what if we're not together?"
We all waited for what he would say next.
"Does that even matter?" he asked, and I winced. "When you're the only one I love."
The idiot Ulupongs suddenly erupted in cheers. Some were jumping, others even hit me playfully. They were practically rolling on the floor.
I looked at David, who just shook his head with a small smile. Sir Alvin let out a soft laugh while shaking his head. Yuri just sighed, but it was obvious he wanted to smack Keifer for that line.
I wanted to smack him too. Him and his fellow Ulupongs. They were more thrilled about it than I was.