Jay Jay's POV
Silence.
Like actual, real silence. Not Section E silence. Not Felix's camera clicking. Not Ci-n slurping pudding. Just… silence.
Kuya Angelo sets his bag down with the same energy as dropping a nuke.
I laugh nervously. "Uh… surprise?"
"Jay." His voice is calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that makes you want to confess to crimes you didn't even commit. "Why is my dining table a warzone? And why is he here?" His eyes flick—straight at Keifer.
Keifer doesn't blink. Doesn't move. Just meets that death stare head-on. "Good evening, sir."
Oh. My. God. He just "sir'd" my kuya like this is a business meeting.
Aries shifts like he's about to say something, but nope. Kuya Angelo raises a single hand, and Aries actually goes silent. Do you know how powerful you have to be to mute Aries??
Felix whispers, "Ohhh, plot twist."
I kick him under the table. "NOT. NOW."
Ci-n, the traitor, tries to smile. "So, um, Kuya Angelo, we brought pizza! Emotional support pizza!"
Kuya Angelo doesn't even blink. "Get out."
Ci-n squeaks. "Of the pizza?"
"Of my house."
OH. MY. GOD.
Section E collectively gasps. Edrix clutches the broom like he's about to defend us in trial by combat. Felix is still recording, because of course he is.
"Kuya!" I squeak, standing so fast I almost knock over the pizza. "It's—it's not what it looks like!"
He raises a brow. "Really? Because it looks like you turned my house into an amusement park."
Keifer chooses this exact moment to speak. "It wasn't her. It was me."
…
HELLO? EXCUSE ME?? WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS MAN?
Aries' head snaps toward him like he can't believe he just said that. Section E collectively loses oxygen.
Kuya Angelo studies Keifer. Slow. Sharp. Like he's peeling back every layer of him with just his stare.
"And why," Kuya Angelo finally says, "should I believe you?"
Keifer's jaw sets. "Because I don't lie when it comes to Jay."
I. AM. GOING. TO. PASS. OUT.
The silence that follows could bury me alive.
And me? I whisper to Ci-n, "Update my funeral speech: add died of secondhand embarrassment."
He nods solemnly. "I'll even print it on pudding labels."
Kuya Angelo doesn't answer right away. He just stands there, eyes locked on Keifer like he's running a full background check on his soul.
I want to disappear into the floor. Maybe Aries can bury me early and save Kuya the trouble.
Finally, Kuya Angelo exhales. "Sit."
OH MY GOD. He just said it once, but EVERYONE sits. Even Aries. Even Keifer. Even Section E, who weren't even being addressed. I, naturally, panic-sit so hard I almost fall off my chair.
Felix mutters, "Alpha move. Respect."
I kick him again.
The air is heavy. Tense. Keifer's calm mask hasn't slipped, but I can see the stiffness in his shoulders. Aries is glaring at his water glass like it personally betrayed him. Section E are pretending to chew loudly, which is so not helping.
Kuya Angelo finally looks at me. Just me. "Jay. Why?"
"Uh—w-well—funny story, actually," I stammer, hands flapping like dying fish. "You see, they, um… kind of… maybe… invited themselves?"
"LIES!" Ci-n blurts with sauce all over his mouth. "Jay Jay was a gracious host—OW!" (That was me kicking him under the table.)
Kuya Angelo's gaze sharpens. "So you allowed it."
"I—uh—I mean, technically—"
Before my brain implodes, Keifer speaks again. His voice is steady, low. "Don't blame her. If anyone's responsible, it's me."
WHY DOES HE KEEP DOING THIS TO ME??
Kuya Angelo's eyes flick to him again. "And why would you drag her into this circus?"
Keifer doesn't flinch. "Because she's not a child anymore. And because she's mine to protect."
…
…
I am not breathing. I cannot breathe. Did he just—did he seriously just—IN FRONT OF MY KUYA?! How does he even have the courage to say a word?
The silence is back, thicker than before.
Felix whispers, "Someone call an ambulance for Jay Jay. She's flatlining."
I throw a breadstick at him.
Kuya Angelo finally leans back, folding his arms. "We'll talk later. Privately."
My stomach drops. Later?? PRIVATELY?? That's worse than now!!
Aries looks smug like he just won something. Keifer, though? He just meets Kuya Angelo's gaze, unshaken.
And me? I want to melt into the couch.
Then—
Buzz.
My phone vibrates in my lap. I sneak a glance down, praying no one notices.
One new message.
From: Pres. Yuri.
Jay, don't text me again. It's not safe.
…
To: Pres. Yuri
At least tell me where you are and why you aren't coming to school.
Send.
Heart pounding.
Please, please, please answer.
"Jay."
I almost yeet my phone across the room. I snap my head up—Kuya Angelo's staring at me again. Eyes sharp. Too sharp.
OH MY GOD. Did he see?? Did he read my soul??
"Uh—y-yes?" I squeak.
His gaze lingers, searching, then he just says: "Eat."
I deflate like a balloon. Oh thank god. Just eat. Eating I can do. Eating is safe.
I grab the nearest slice of pizza and shove it into my mouth like it's a life-saving operation.
Ci-n whispers, "Wow, Jay's chewing like the pizza owes her money."
"SHUT. UP," I mumble through my mouthful.
Buzz.
My heart freezes. Another text.
Slow, careful, I glance at my phone again under the table.
From: Pres. YuriStop asking questions. You'll get hurt.
The room around me blurs. I grip the phone tighter.
Get hurt? Who?! Me? Him? Section E?
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry.
For once, even Keifer's smirk fades when he notices my face. His brows knit, eyes narrowing like he knows something's wrong.
And me? I press the phone to my lap, brain spiraling.
What the flip did Yuri get himself into?
And why… why does it feel like it's only just starting?