JAY-JAY POV
"Jay, you still haven't told me when you tried to stop the demolition," Ben pressed, jogging a little to catch up because I was walking fast.
"Ben, it was the day after the demolition," I said flatly, my voice clipped.
His brows furrowed. "I remember that week… you were busy as hell. Barely ate, always stressed out."
I clenched my jaw, the memory flashing back—late nights, endless calls, the frustration of hitting walls no matter how hard I pushed.
"Yeah," I muttered, my tone sharper than I intended
"Jay" Ben started "You couldn't told me I would have help"
"Yeah," I muttered, my tone sharper than I intended.
"Jay," Ben started, his voice softer now, "you could've told me. I would've helped."
I stopped walking, turning to face him. His eyes were steady, but there was frustration behind them.
"Help?" I scoffed, shaking my head. "Ben, you don't get it. I tried. I fought for it. And I lost. Section A had already locked everything down—Mykle made sure of that."
Ben's jaw tightened. "So you carried all that alone? You let yourself burn out, starve, stress yourself to death—and you didn't think to let me in?"
I swallowed hard, guilt pressing against my chest. "I didn't want Section B dragged into this mess. This involves Section E."
Ben's eyes narrowed, his voice low but firm. "Jay, you're our president. If it involves you, it involves us. That's how it works."
His words hit me harder than I wanted to admit.
"Ben, let's stop talking about this," I said firmly. "It's the past."
Ben frowned, slowing his pace. "The past doesn't just vanish, Jay. Especially when it's still bleeding into the present."
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep walking. "I don't want to dig it up again. Section A made their move, Section E lost their building, and I couldn't stop it. End of story."
Ben's voice dropped, quieter but heavier. "Not end of story. Because now Section E is in our room. And Keifer's not going to let this go. You know that."
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "Then we'll deal with it when it comes. But for now, Ben… drop it."
He studied me for a moment, then sighed. "Fine. But don't expect me to sit back when it blows up in your face."
"Let's go," I said, trying to sound serious.
Ben nodded and we walked into Section B. I went straight to the front of the class, clearing my throat.
"Everyone, listen. This is important," I said, trying to get their attention.
"Jay, what did the principal say?" Mia asked immediately, leaning forward like she was about to hear gossip.
"I'll talk about it now," I replied.
Mia nodded dramatically, like she was bracing for a plot twist.
"Okay, everyone. As you all know, Section E's building got demolished," I announced.
Everyone nodded, murmuring.
Caleb raised his hand like we were in kindergarten. "How does that include us?"
Ben smirked from his seat. "Oh, you'll love this part."
I shot him a glare. "Ben, shut up."
"So," I started, raising my voice a little, "Miss P gave orders that Section E be in our building."
The room immediately erupted into chatter.
"What?! That's not fair!" Alex blurted, throwing his hands up.
Lila gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, we're gonna have to share oxygen with them!"
"Everyone shut up!" I snapped, louder than I meant to.
The room went dead silent. It was the first time I'd ever yelled like that, and they all stared at me like I'd grown a second head.
"The principal gave orders, and we have to follow them," I said strictly. "Trust me, I'm not happy either… but it is what it is."
Somewhere deep inside, though, I hated to admit it—I was a little happy.
"Section E will come after school to our building to discuss how we'll split the class," I continued. "So we have to stay over today."
"What about the meeting we have today?" Lila asked, frowning.
"We have to reschedule it," I said flatly.
Everyone nodded just as Miss Smith walked in. I slipped back into my seat, Mia on one side and Ben on the other.
"As your president was saying, Section E will come to our class soon, so be prepared," Miss Smith announced, her tone calm but firm. Then she turned to the board and began teaching like it was just another day.
Mia leaned toward me, whispering, "Prepared? Jay, what does that even mean? Should we buy helmets?"
Ben smirked. "Nah, we should build a cage. Section E's basically wild animals."
I elbowed him. "Ben, shut up"
Just like that, the day went by.
Classes blurred together, though every now and then someone would whisper about Section E moving in.
I pretended not to hear, but the tension sat heavy in the room.
By the last bell, Section B was buzzing with nervous energy.
"Jay," Mia said, leaning across her desk, "are you ready for this?"
I sighed, gathering my things. "Ready or not, it's happening."
I went to the front again. "One more thing—don't get into trouble with Section E. That's all I request from you."
The room went quiet for a beat.
"I think someone was talking about us," a voice drawled from the door.
Keifer.
He leaned against the frame, arms crossed, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips. Section E crowded behind him, their presence filling the doorway like a storm waiting to break.
Ben muttered under his breath, "Oh my god… speak of the devil."
Keifer's head snapped toward him, his glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"Come in," I said, forcing my voice steady.
Keifer stepped inside, his smirk returning as Section E followed behind him like shadows
I could see Ci‑n's and Felix's happy faces, both of them grinning like they'd been waiting for this moment.
"Good to see you again, Jay," David said softly, his voice carrying that calm warmth he always had.
I nodded, keeping my smile small.
Keifer's eyes flicked back to me, his smirk deepening. "So this is Section B. Cute little setup you've got here."
"Okay guys, like I said before, Section E will move in and we have to decide a date," I announced, trying to keep my tone firm.
"We can come tomorrow," Yuri said immediately.
"It's too early," Ben shot back.
"Well, we don't have a classroom until you guys decide on one," Yuri snapped, his voice sharp.
Ben opened his mouth to fire back, but I cut him off with a glare. "Enough. Stop arguing. That's what this meeting is for—setting some ground rules."
The room went quiet for a moment, both sections sizing each other up.
Keifer's smirk only deepened. "Cute. You think you can make rules for us."
I straightened my shoulders. "Not think. Know. If we're sharing this space, we need order. Otherwise, it's chaos."
"Fine," Keifer said. "Like we said before, we have to move in tomorrow because we can't stay in the gym."
"Fine. Tomorrow is the move‑in date," I replied, my tone clipped.
"But Jay—" Ben started, but I raised my hand to silence him.
"But you and your section have to respect our rules," I continued firmly. "The second half of the class is yours."
Keifer tilted his head, smirk tugging at his lips. "Half a class? Generous."
"We have to get it ready today," I added, ignoring his tone.
Mia leaned forward, whispering loudly, "Does that mean we're cleaning? Because I don't do dust."
Olivia rolled her eyes. "You don't do anything, Mia."
Ben grinned. "Pres, can we make a rule that Section E cleans their half? I don't trust them near our desks."
Yuri scoffed. "Don't worry, we don't want your desks. They look like they belong in a daycare."
Caleb chuckled. "Perfect, then you'll fit right in."
The room erupted in laughter, Section B tossing jokes while Section E fired back.
I slammed my hand lightly on the desk.
"Enough! This isn't a comedy show. We're setting rules, not roasting each other." I said
Keifer's smirk didn't fade. "Rules, huh? Let's see if you can actually enforce them."
"Rule number one: no fights or drama," I started, my voice steady.
"Rule number two: stay out of Section B's stuff, and we'll stay out of yours," I continued, scanning the room.
"Rule number three: respect each other's space. No mocking, no sabotage, no petty games." I said
Calix leaned back, smirking. "Petty games? That's half of Section E's personality."
Ci‑n immediately shot back, grinning. "And the other half is bad fashion choices."
Keifer tilted his head, eyes locked on me. "Respect, huh? That's a big word for someone who's already glaring at me."
I straightened my shoulders. "I'm not glaring. I'm leading. And if you want this to work, you'll follow the rules."
"These are our rules. Any more from Section B?" I asked.
They stayed silent.
"Do you want to add anything, or is this acceptable?" I turned to Section E.
David spoke softly, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "I'm fine with it. It'll help us focus on studying instead of wasting time arguing."
I gave him a small nod of acknowledgment.
Keifer leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his smirk still fixed but his tone sharper. "Fine. But Section E gets equal say. We're not just following your orders."
I met his gaze without flinching. "Then speak. What rules do you want to add?"
Yuri stepped forward confidently. "Rule number four: shared resources are divided fairly. Outlets, books, equipment—no hoarding."
David added, his voice steady and firm. "Rule number five: if there's a dispute, we settle it through the president and vice‑president, not by shouting across the room."
I nodded slowly, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Agreed."
The room was tense, both sections watching carefully.
Ben cleared his throat. "Rule number six: respect study time. If one section is working quietly, the other doesn't disrupt."
Ci‑n raised an eyebrow, his tone edged with sarcasm. "I thought we were adding rules, not stating the obvious."
"This is both," I cut in before anyone could drag this out. My voice was firm, leaving no room for debate.
I glanced at Keifer. H
His eyes were still locked on me, unreadable.
"Rule number seven," he said finally, his voice low but firm. "If there's a conflict between our sections, we settle it here, not by dragging it to the principal. We handle it ourselves."
I hesitated, then nodded. "Fine."
"Is this it?" I asked, looking around.
Nobody said anything.
"Okay, Section B, let's clear our space for Section E," I said.
Everyone groaned but started to get up, dragging their feet as they moved desks and shuffled books.
Ben came up beside me, lowering his voice. "You really think they'll follow the rules?"
I glanced at him, my tone steady. "The only time they don't follow the rules is when they've done nothing wrong… or when one of them is in trouble."
Ben frowned. "So basically, we're bracing for chaos."
I sighed, watching Section B reluctantly push chairs aside. "Exactly. That's why the rules matter. They're not for when things are calm—they're for when things go wrong."
"Anyways," Ben said with a mischievous smirk, "did you hear about the new café downtown?"
I nodded. "I want to go there."
Ben leaned closer, grinning. "Please avoid it. They just opened, and if you show up, they'll have to shut down on their first day."
I smacked him lightly on the head. "Gago."
Ben laughed, rubbing his head dramatically. "Ow! Abuse of presidential power. I'm filing a complaint."
"I thought we were cleaning," Keifer said, his voice cutting through our laughter.
I turned to him, catching the way his arms were crossed, his smirk gone. Jealousy was written all over his face.
Ben raised his brows, clearly amused. "Relax, Keifer. It was just a joke."
Keifer's eyes narrowed. "Funny how you always have time for jokes when we're supposed to be working."
"Let's get working," I said, tying my hair into a messy bun and reaching for the broom—only for Keifer to grab it first.
"What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"You just sit and order," he said with a smile that was far too confident.
"Then who will clean?" I challenged.
"Well, I will. My queen just has to give the orders," Keifer replied smoothly.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly turned away before anyone could notice.
I busied myself with moving the seats, ignoring the way his eyes lingered on me.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
KEIFER POV
I did this on purpose. I made the principal put Section E in Section B—because that's where my Jay is.
I didn't know Section E was getting demolished. I only found out after, and that bastard Mykle will pay for it.
But even in the middle of all that mess, I was happy. Happy because Jay tried to stop it. That means she still cared about us… still cared about me.
When we stepped into Section B, she was already talking, commanding the room. And I just stared.
She's more beautiful now. Her lips call my name, but I can't kiss her—she'd probably punch me, maybe even kill me.
She's wearing lip gloss. I warned her about that before, but she never listens, does she?
Her voice flowed between English and Tagalog, perfect in both, perfect in everything.
Every word she spoke made me want to claim her, to remind everyone she's mine.
Then Ben came.
Again.
He laughed too close to her, joked like he had the right.
My hands clenched around the broom, the urge to punch him burning through me.
I wanted to wipe that grin off his face, to make him understand Jay isn't his to tease.
But I held back.
For now.
Because if I lose control, Jay will hate me.
And I can't risk that.
Not when she's right here, shining brighter than ever, and I'm the only one who sees her the way she really is.
"Keifer, are you jealous already?" Ci‑n teased, his grin wide.
"Already, bro? We just came here," Edrick chimed in, shaking his head.
Felix leaned in with a childish smirk. "Come on, Keifer. Just kiss her—she won't be angry anymore."
Jay's glare snapped to Felix, sharp enough to cut glass.
He instantly dropped his eyes to the floor, pretending it was the most fascinating thing in the world.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
I walked over to her, lowering my voice. "You know… that wasn't a bad idea."
Her eyes flicked to mine, then away. "Do your work," she said firmly, but I caught the blush blooming beneath her makeup.
My chest tightened. She could deny it all she wanted, but I saw it. I felt it.
Behind me, Ci‑n snickered. "Ohhh, she's blushing."
"Shut up," Jay snapped, moving a chair with more force than necessary.
I smirked, gripping the broom tighter.
Let them tease.
Let them laugh.
I knew the truth—she still felt something.
And that was enough to keep me going.
"Pres, we're done," that Caleb kid said.
Jay grabbed her bag. "Good, we can finally go home now."
I glared at Caleb. He had to ruin my moment. Always someone cutting in when I'm close to her.
"Jay, what about the meeting?" Ben asked, stepping forward like he had the right.
"Uhh… tomorrow after school at the new café," Jay said, her voice steady. Then she turned to Section B. "Is that okay?"
They all nodded, obedient, loyal to her.
But Ci‑n… I saw it.
The sadness in his eyes.
She didn't speak to him, not like before.
And when she did, it was in that practiced, strict voice—like she was forcing himself to keep distance.
It twisted something in me.
She was ours once.
She laughed with us, fought with us, and cared for us.
She was our mutya
Now she stands with them, speaking like a leader, not like Jay.
I clenched my fists.
++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Sooo how was the chapter, guys?? 😭💭
Drop your comments on how it is—I wanna hear all your thoughts 🐧💬.
And omg… how did you feel about Keifer's jealousy 👀💔?
It's only gonna get worse, messier, and way more chaotic from here 🌪️🔥.
Question to motivate you guys:
👉 Who's most likely to accidentally make Keifer even more jealous? 👀