POV: Hex
Breakfast hadn't even settled before chaos exploded.
It started with me and Ci-N—which honestly meant it was doomed from the beginning. Someone dared Ci-N to steal a pancake off Diego's plate, Diego yelled, Luna laughed, Katherine sighed like she saw it coming, and suddenly the whole house turned into noise, running feet, and fake arguments.
Then someone shouted, "HIDE AND SEEK!"
Worst idea. Best idea.
David volunteered to count—way too confident for someone who knew the house way too well. I immediately thought, My room is a terrible idea. David would find me in ten seconds flat and brag about it for the rest of the day.
So I changed direction.
I was sneaking down the hallway when—bam—I ran straight into Keifer.
"Oof," he muttered. "Hide. Now."
He grabbed my sleeve and pulled me into the nearest room.
Jayjay's room.
Of course.
We slipped inside and shut the door softly, hiding near the wall, sitting way too close for comfort. I could hear David counting downstairs, his voice echoing like a threat.
Keifer leaned closer and whispered, barely louder than a breath,
"So… can I ask you something?"
I nodded.
"What's Jayjay's favorite thing?"
I didn't even hesitate.
"Me. Who else?"
Keifer scoffed under his breath. "Not for long."
"What?" I turned.
"Nothing," he said quickly. "I mean—like… things."
"Oh." I thought for a second. "Food. Definitely food."
"Thanks," he whispered.
Then something hit me.
"Wait."
I stood up quietly and went to Jayjay's closet. I opened it just enough to reach in and pulled out her old photo album. It was dusty, so I blew on it—bad idea. Dust puffed straight into my face.
I sneezed silently like my life depended on it.
I went back and opened the album between us.
Keifer's eyes widened as he flipped through a few pages. Then he pointed at one picture.
"Who's that?"
I stiffened.
"That's Jayjay's ex."
Keifer blinked. "And… where is he now?"
"On a hospital bed."
Before he could ask anything else, I flipped the page fast.
"Okay then—who are they?" he asked, pointing again.
I shut the album halfway.
"Don't worry. You'll see them soon."
Before he could respond, a voice echoed from downstairs.
"HEX. KEIFER. WHERE ARE YOU?"
Keifer froze. "They're looking for us."
Jayjay's voice joined in, closer now. "I know you're hiding!"
I panicked, shoved the album back into the closet exactly where I found it, and barely closed the door when—
Jayjay walked in.
She looked around, eyes narrowed. "What are you two doing in my room?"
"Nothing," Keifer and I said at the exact same time.
Too fast. Too suspicious.
She squinted harder but didn't push it.
We slipped past her and headed downstairs, trying to act normal.
Jayjay followed us.
I didn't look back—but I had a feeling she already knew something was up.