Jay's POV:
We have a study session at Sir Alvin's house today. I groaned and turned in bed. I don't wanna wake up! So stupid. But if I don't wake up, that demon will kill me.
I got up and ready quickly because Angelo would be angry if I was late.
I turned to the door when I heard a knock and Tita's voice echoing, "Jay, eat first."
I answered, just in case Tita didn't hear me, but she still opened the door and peeked in.
"Eat. Your Brother Angelo is already eating." She sounded chill.
I stretched before walking toward her. Tita held my hand as we walked side by side to the dining room.
"Did you stay up late last night? Why are you so sleepy?" she asked.
"Yes, I was talking to my classmates last night."
She chuckled a little. "Why? Are you excited to go see Sir Alvin?"
I hope they are excited, because they weren't acting that way in the group chat last night. They kept complaining and searching for lost notes. They said they were useless today. Some even blamed each other for not writing anything down. Skill issue honestly.
They kept pointing fingers over their own laziness.
"No. I just stayed up late," I replied before she let go of my hand as we reached the dining room. Kuya Angelo was sitting and busy reading on his iPad, holding a cup of coffee in one hand. Aries was already seated and eating.
"Sit down, Jay, and eat," Tita instructed, and I followed,
I tried to open my eyes fully. I even lightly slapped both my cheeks to wake myself up.
"I'll slap you if you want to wake up," Aries said, but I just rolled my eyes at him.
"I'm already awake."
He just laughed. I started spooning food into my mouth. We were quiet at the table until Kuya finished reading,
"You don't have anything to do today. Go with Aries," Kuya said suddenly.
We were both stunned. I think the strength of the coffee hit him. Now he wants Aries to join the group review with Sir Alvin? None of us need help studying, Aries is in the top 10 and I'm richer than him, and smarter than him too.
"What for? I already have a group that helps me study better," Aries asked, confused.
"I'm not sending you to study. I want you to help them study"
What?
Aries doesn't really get along well with some people in my group. I know that because when we're with them, some of them still look down on him. Others just pretend to be friendly.
"Do I look like a teacher? Sir Alvin doesn't need any help from me," my brother quickly countered.
I simply looked at Kuya while continuing to eat my meat. He obviously didn't like my brother's answer. Good, he's mad! Yay!
"When I say come, you come," Kuya said calmly, but I could feel he was about to explode with anger.
"No, I don't want to--" He didn't finish what he had to say because of the evil look from our cousin. How nice of him!
"L-Let me see what I can do."
You think you can say no?
As soon as I'm turning 18 I'm going against almost everything he says to me! I'll just use my money to bribe him.
"And you?" Kuya said to me at the same time. "Chew your food. Don't just swallow."
I chewed my food. Kuya stood up and left. My brother and I were left exchanging
glances. I think he was signaling for help. He was blinking a lot. Good luck brother!
I just let it go and continued eating. After that, I went back to my room and arranged my things again. Once I made sure everything Kuya told me to bring was packed, I headed straight to the bathroom to take a shower and clean up.
We all got in the car and Kuya warned me,
"You better study and don't get too close to that boy"
I don't need help! Be patient Jay, only 2 weeks left!
Then everything will be fine.
I hope so at least.
I don't want my plan to get ruined.
Everything should be perfect.
I just hope a kidnapping doesn't occur, that's what I'm really worried about.
"What are you thinking?" Aries snapped me out of my thoughts, "We are here"
That quickly?
"JAY" C-in screamed as soon as he saw me.
"C-in!" I shouted back.
Sir Alvin and Madam Cindy were there, so was the entirety of section E.
"Wifey!" Keifer greeted me.
A certain someone always has bad timing huh?
Angelo's face changed really quickly.
Don't look at me. Don't look at me. Don't look at me.
I ran and sat down in the circle where everyone was studying.
I was sitting next to Aries and David.
Keifer signaled David to move and sat down in his place.
Once everyone was ready, including Sir and Ma'am, the session started. They began teaching. First, they asked if there was a specific lesson we wanted to review. We all gave the same answer: we hadn't been listening. Well why would I? I don't need to, but I digress.
At first, I was able to follow what Sir was saying because I was still familiar with some of the lessons, but after a while, my mind started to drift. I couldn't stop watching Keifer. He looked professor-focused, reading his notes, and writing more.
He's so hot- I mean ugly!
He glanced at me for a moment, and our eyes met. I winked at him, and he suddenly blushed. He quickly hid behind his notes, which made me laugh. I turned to look at Mayo, who was already staring at me.
"You flirt!" I heard him whisper.
I gave him a look and went back to listening to what Sir was saying, but my attention returned to Keifer, who was busy exchanging notes with Yuri. He would write something, then ask Yuri.
I've only seen him this focused on his studies once.
Before, I was always at the front while he sat at the back. Whenever I looked at him, he'd be sleeping or talking to someone. I used to think he didn't even have notes in his bag- it seemed too light when he carried it. He proved to be smart, but I had never seen him study seriously.
I'm still smarter though!
"Jay," Ci whispered to me.
I turned to him, and he showed me his drawing-a person in front of a wall or window. I laughed softly because the person's eyes looked like fish eyes, just dots in the middle.
Then I noticed it was Sir Alvin he had drawn. He added some details, like a window, though I didn't realize at first it was actually the whiteboard. I thought about adding to his drawing. We were quietly laughing while doing that when someone suddenly snatched Ci-N's notebook.
Ci screamed, and everyone stopped and looked at me. I quickly stood up to face him.
"B-Brother."
"What is this? Are you mocking your teacher?" he said calmly, but I could still hear the anger in his voice.
"No, we were just jokin-"
I didn't finish what I was going to say because he suddenly flipped through the notes.
"Who told you to have fun? You haven't even been reviewing seriously yet!"
"Angelo, it's not that--" Sir tried to intervene, but Kuya cut him off.
Kuya still looked pissed.
"How hard is it to just listen and study? This is all you have to do-study--and you still can't manage that! Who are you doing this for?"
I don't need your help.
"You have no other problems with your studies. We take full responsibility for your school expenses! Not all kids get the same opportunity as you! The only person standing in your way is yourself, Jay!"
I don't need you to take responsibility.
I kept quiet because I have respect, basic respect at least.
"That's enough!" Keifer said angrily.
"Don't get involved in this! You're just another conspirator!"
Keifer was about to come closer, but Sir Alvin and Yuri immediately stopped him. I didn't want him to approach either- Kuya might think I always rely on Keifer to defend me.
But I wished my cousin would stop. This is so stupid.
"I arranged this review class for you to learn, and yet you still find a way to mess around! You even have the audacity to disrespect your teacher! What exactly are you proud of?" Kuya continued.
"I--I drew it," said Ci beside me, raising one hand. Blaster immediately pulled him away, but my cousin didn't even notice.
Kuya was about to shout more when suddenly, someone shouted, his voice roaring through the room. My savior!
"KUYA STOP!" Aries, who was sitting quietly next to me the entire session.
"WHY ARE YOU INTERRUPTING?" Kuya shouted, his anger rising more. Calm down, you might get a heart attack at this rate.
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND HER SITUATION!"
Everyone's head spun towards Aries and me.
"What do you mean?" Kuya questioned, still angry and confident.
"You won't understand yet. Just leave her alone!" Aries ordered.
Kuya went silent and scoffed.
He was going against our cousin…for me? Aries….
I didn't realize it, but tears were falling down my face.
"Are you hiding something Jay?" Kuya asked, trying to calm his anger.
I stayed quiet and signaled Aries to come with me. We both started walking to get our stuff and leave.
"WHERE ARE YOU GOING?" Kuya shouted, his anger returning.
"I'll come back when exams are here. Don't worry about it. Calm down instead and work on your company instead of wasting your time dealing with me, since I'm so useless."
Everybody looked astonished by what I said, but I already quickly left with Aries. Surprisingly, no one came with us or followed us.