*Continuation of Flashback*
Jay-Jay's POV
The sound of my alarm clock was enough to ruin the peace of my dreams. I groaned, rolling over, burying half my face in the pillow. For a moment, I forgot what day it was—until I saw the freshly ironed cream blouse and navy skirt hanging by the closet.
"Right. First day of college."
The words felt heavy and strange on my tongue. Like they belonged to someone else. Someone less... me.
I sighed, sitting up, brushing my messy hair off my face. The room was still quiet, only the faint hum of the electric fan filling the air. On my bedside table sat a small picture frame—Section E, the graduation photo. Keifer's grin was bright even in print, one arm lazily slung around Yuri's shoulder, the other hand raised in mock salute.
I smiled faintly."New world, new Jay," I muttered, though it sounded more like a lie than a mantra.
"Tita Gemma," I called as I descended the stairs, the scent of fried rice and egg wafting through the kitchen. She was already there, apron tied around her waist, setting a plate on the table.
"Good morning, hija. Ready for your first day?" she asked with a teasing smile, pouring coffee into my mug.
"As ready as I can be," I said, pulling up a chair. "You sure I can't just stay home and—think about life?"
"Think about life? Or think about that boy again?"
I choked on my rice. "W-what boy?"
"Keifer, was it?" she said innocently, and I almost dropped my spoon.
"Tita!"
She laughed softly. "Relax, Jay. I'm just teasing. But seriously, make a good impression today. St. Celestine isn't just any school, alam mo 'yan (you know that)."
"I know," I muttered, stabbing my egg dramatically. "Elite kids, expensive perfume, competition in human form. Can't wait."
She only smiled, shaking her head. "Be yourself, hija. You're smart. You'll do well."
Her warmth grounded me in a way I didn't realize I needed. I finished my breakfast, adjusted my uniform in the mirror—cream blouse, navy skirt that hit just above the knee, polished shoes, the faint gold bracelet still resting on my wrist. I hesitated for a second before leaving, fingers brushing over it.
"Wish me luck," I whispered.
Aries' car horn blared from outside. "Let's go, Jay!"
I rushed out, clutching my bag. The sun was already glaring, the city awake and alive.
Inside the car, my brother smirked. "You look nervous."
"I'm fine."
"You've said that six times since you got in."
I frowned. "Why are you counting?"
"Because I'm your brother. It's my job to annoy you." He grinned, and for a moment, it almost felt like any other day—before life got more complicated, before promises and heartbreaks and things we didn't talk about.
"Hey," Aries said softly as we stopped at a red light. "You'll do great, Jay. I know you miss them—your friends, Section E, him—but this is your chance to start something new."
"Yeah," I said quietly. "New world, new Jay."
He chuckled. "That's the spirit."
When we arrived at St. Celestine College, I stared at the grand white buildings that gleamed under the morning sun. The school looked like something out of a magazine—arched hallways, marble steps, students walking like they were born confident.
"Alright," Aries said, glancing at me. "You got this. Text me if anything happens, okay?"
"Okay," I said, gripping my bag strap. "Thanks, Kuya."
He smiled. "Always."
The campus was buzzing with life—first years everywhere, laughter echoing, the faint sound of music from a nearby club booth. I tried not to look too lost as I scanned the signs. Class 1-A, Building B.
I found the classroom easily enough. Students were already chatting, forming small groups. I took a deep breath and walked in, trying to look like I belonged.
"Hi!" a cheerful voice said. A girl with soft brown curls smiled at me. "You're new too, right? I'm Eunice."
"Jay," I said, returning the smile.
"Nice to meet you, Jay. You look... kinda nervous."
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only a little." She grinned. "Don't worry. Everyone's like that on the first day."
Before I could reply, someone accidentally bumped into me, spilling a bit of juice onto my sleeve.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" the girl said, though her tone didn't sound sorry at all. "You should really watch where you're standing."
"Excuse me?" I said, narrowing my eyes.
She smiled, clearly amused. "Relax, new girl. I didn't mean to ruin your thrift store uniform."
I clenched my jaw. Wow. Elite school, elite attitude.
"That's fine," I said flatly. "I'll survive."
"Good luck," she said, flipping her hair as she walked away. I heard someone whisper her name—Clara. Great. My first enemy of the semester.
Eunice leaned closer, whispering, "Don't mind her. She's... Clara. You'll get used to it."
"I doubt that," I said dryly.
By lunchtime, I'd survived three introductions, two wrong turns, and one mildly terrifying economics professor. I found myself in the cafeteria line behind a tall guy with dark brown hair and a lazy grin.
He glanced back, doing a double take. "Hey—Section E, right?"
I blinked. "What?"
He grinned wider. "You don't remember me? Dane. I was in the class next to yours. You used to hang out with Keifer and the others."
"Oh! Dane!" I said, recognizing him now. "Wow, you cut your hair."
"Yeah, and you still look like you're about to fight someone."
I snorted. "Old habits."
He laughed. "Welcome to St. Celestine. Need someone to sit with?"
"Sure," I said, surprised at how easy his energy felt.
We sat together under the open courtyard umbrella. He told me some random gossip about professors and clubs, and for the first time that day, I laughed genuinely.
But when he mentioned Keifer's name—"He got into Northbridge College, right?"—my laughter froze for a heartbeat.
"Yeah," I said softly, staring at my drink. "He did."
Dane nodded, not pushing. "He's a good guy."
"Yeah. He is."
The rest of the day blurred by. Between classes, I caught myself glancing at my phone, half expecting a message that would never come. At dismissal, as the golden light streamed through the glass halls, I paused on the steps, looking back at the building.
It was beautiful, intimidating, new.But somewhere inside me, a quiet ache pulsed—a longing for voices that once filled old hallways, laughter echoing off cracked walls, a boy's teasing grin that could still make my heart stumble.
I smiled to myself, whispering, "You'd probably tease me for being sentimental, huh?"
Then I walked away, the sound of my shoes tapping softly against marble.
Keifer's POV
Northbridge College.
I stared at the map in my hand, the early morning light slanting across the clean white buildings. It wasn't Section E. It wasn't where Jay was. But it was close—close enough that I could still keep my promise to her.
"Keifer!"
I turned to see Ci-N jogging up, Yuri right behind him. "We made it," Yuri said with a grin. "Northbridge College. The 'genius' campus."
Ci-N laughed. "I can't believe they let me in."
"You're fourteen and in college, That is unbelieveable," Yuri said, clapping him on the back. "You're not human."
Keifer smiled faintly. Their laughter helped dull the strangeness of being somewhere new. But as he glanced up at the bright sky, the thought of Jay came uninvited.
"Miss her already?" Yuri teased, elbowing him.
Keifer didn't answer right away. "Maybe," he said finally, the word carrying more weight than he meant to show.
Ci-N grinned. "You'll see her soon, right? You always do."
"Yeah," Keifer said softly. "I promised."
He looked toward the road leading out of the campus, toward the direction of St. Celestine College.
"Hanggang sa muli, Jay," he whispered. (Until we meet again, Jay.)
A small smile tugged at his lips, the kind that carried both ache and faith."Wherever you are... I'll find my way there."