Jay-Jay POV
I went back inside, still barefoot, still smiling.
The cake lingered on my tongue. The stars lingered in my chest. And Keifer's words — "I love you until scientists find the end of the universe" — echoed like a lullaby.
I curled back into bed, phone buzzing with a single message.
Keifer: Five kisses. I'm serious.
I laughed into my pillow.
When I woke up, the sun was already creeping through the curtains.
My phone had exploded.
Group Chat: Section E Chaos Cult™
Ci-n: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY 🎉 I skipped three assignments in your honor. You're welcome.
David: Happy birthday Jay. I'm still asleep. Don't wake me unless there's cake or drama.
Calix: Happy birthday Jay from Mica too 💖 We made you a playlist called "Jay's Emotional Spiral But Make It Danceable."
Felix: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY. I wrote you a poem. It's mostly yelling and one line about frogs.
Eman: Happy birthday Jay! I baked you cinnamon rolls. They're warm and emotionally supportive.
Drew: Happy birthday Jay. I made cookies. They're burnt but I performed a monologue while baking them.
Edrix: Happy birthday Jay. I'll be there. I don't do texts.
Eren: Happy birthday Jay. I wrote a haiku. It's existential and confusing. Like you.
Mayo: Happy birthday Jay! Kit and I choreographed a dance. It's banned in three provinces.
Rory: Happy birthday Jay! I'm bringing balloons and a fog machine. Don't ask.
Denzel: Happy birthday Jay! I'm emotionally stable and bringing snacks. You're welcome.
Josh: Happy birthday Jay! I made a meme collage. It's cursed and beautiful.
Blaster: Happy birthday Jay! I'm bringing sparklers. And a fire extinguisher. Just in case.
Kit: Happy birthday Jay! Mayo made me wear matching pants. I'm suffering.
I stared at the screen, overwhelmed and laughing.
The notifications kept coming. The emojis were multiplying. Someone sent a GIF of a raccoon holding a birthday cake and screaming.
I texted back: I love you all. Please don't burn anything.
Ci-n: No promises.
Calix: Too late.
Felix: The fog machine is operational.
I threw off my blanket, heart pounding with joy.
It was my birthday.
And Section E was already planning a riot.
I went downstairs, still in my pajamas, hair a mess, heart still full from last night.
Kuya Jare was already in the kitchen, flipping pancakes like he was auditioning for a cooking show.
He looked up and smiled. "Happy 18th Birthday, Jay."
I grinned. "Happy 18th Birthday, Kuya."
We fist-bumped like the chaotic twins we were.
Luna popped out from behind the fridge with a juice box and suspicious energy.
"Happy Birthday, Jay," she said sweetly.
"Thank you, Luna," I replied, narrowing my eyes.
Then I paused.
"What about Kuya Jare? You didn't wish him?"
She smirked. Smirked.
"Oh, I already wished him," she said casually. "Just like Keifer wished you."
I blinked.
She raised an eyebrow.
I froze.
Oh my god.
They saw.
They saw yesterday.
My brain short-circuited.
Did they see the cake? The kiss? The five-kiss negotiation?
Was I going to die?
Jare was suddenly very focused on his pancakes. Luna was sipping her juice like it was tea. I was spiraling.
"W-what do you mean?" I asked, voice cracking like a broken violin.
Luna just smiled. "Nothing. Just that the porch has windows. And we were awake. And your boyfriend is loud."
I buried my face in my hands.
"I'm never going outside again."
"Happy Birthday, Baby Sister and Baby Brother!" Percy chimed in, bursting into the kitchen like he owned the place.
"Thank you, Kuya Percy," Jare and I said at the same time, like twins who'd rehearsed it.
Percy gasped. "Oh my god. Synchronized gratitude. I'm crying."
He wasn't.
Then came a knock at the door.
"I'll check who it is," I said, already halfway there.
I opened it and blinked.
Kuya Angelo. Aries. Tita Gemma.
All standing there like a birthday parade.
"Happy Birthday, Jay!" Tita Gemma said, pulling me into a warm hug that smelled like jasmine and home.
"Thank you, Tita," I said, hugging her back.
Aries stepped forward, smirking like he'd been waiting for this moment.
"Happy birthday, monkey."
I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, horoscope."
He grinned. "Still got claws, I see."
Then Kuya Angelo stepped in.
"Happy birthday, Jay," he said, voice soft.
And then — he hugged me.
Like, hugged me.
Not the awkward side-pat. Not the distant nod. A real, full, warm hug.
I froze for a second.
I think this was the first time he'd ever hugged me like this.
"Thanks, Kuya," I whispered, holding on just a little longer.
They all got inside — Kuya Angelo, Aries, Tita Gemma — and greeted Kuya Jare like we were hosting a family reunion and a sitcom crossover at the same time.
We were halfway through breakfast when Kuya Percy clapped his hands like a game show host.
"Jay and Jare," he announced dramatically, "get ready. We prepared a surprise for you."
Jare and I froze mid-bite.
"What?" we asked in unison.
Percy grinned. "It's a surprise for a reason."
Kuya Angelo nodded solemnly, sipping his coffee like he wasn't part of the chaos. "Get ready," he said. "No questions. Just trust."
I looked at Jare. Jare looked at me. We both looked at Percy, who was now humming ominously.
This was either going to be magical… Or mildly traumatic.