JAY-JAY POV
JAY-JAY POV
By the time we reached the house, I knew something was off.
There weren't just a few cars parked outside — there were nine. Maybe more. I stopped counting after my brain short-circuited somewhere around the seventh.
I knew those cars. I knew them.
Section E.
Of course. Because why not? Why not throw gasoline on the emotional dumpster fire that is my life right now?
I turned to Kuya Percy, who was already halfway out of the car, strutting like he was arriving at a red carpet event. Phone tucked into his back pocket, jacket perfectly flared, like this was normal. Like we weren't about to walk into a room full of people who probably had opinions, questions, and possibly a PowerPoint presentation titled "JayJay's Emotional Damage: A Case Study."
I didn't move.
Percy glanced back, one brow raised. "You coming?"
I stared at the house like it might explode. "Section E's here."
He blinked. "Great."
I laughed. Not a cute laugh. A 'this is fine, everything's burning' kind of laugh.
"Of course they did," I muttered. "Of course, it just gets better."
Percy walked back toward me, hands in his pockets, looking like he was about to deliver a TED Talk titled Why JayJay Should Chill.
"Look," he said, "they're here because they care. Or because they're nosy. Either way, you're the main character tonight."
"I don't want to be the main character," I snapped.
He smirked. "Too late. You've got trauma, mystery, and killer cheekbones. You're basically the season finale."
I stared at him. "You're unbelievable."
"I know," he said, flipping his hair. "But I'm also right."
I didn't respond. Just stared at the house, heart thudding like a warning bell.
Percy nudged my shoulder. "You've got me. You've got Jare. And if anyone tries anything, I'll throw a glitter bomb and make it their problem."
I snorted. "You don't even own glitter."
He pulled a tiny vial from his jacket pocket. "You underestimate me."
I shook my head, but my lips twitched. He was ridiculous. But he was mine.
And maybe — just maybe — I could walk into that house without falling apart.
I took a breath. "Fine. Let's go."
Percy offered his arm like a prince escorting a queen. "Your court awaits."
I rolled my eyes, but I took it.
Because tonight, I wasn't walking in alone.