*Continuation of Flashback*
Jay-Jay's POV
By Thursday, I had almost convinced myself that St. Celestine wasn't trying to kill me.
Almost.
Classes had settled into a rhythm of early mornings, way-too-expensive coffee, and a constant fight against sleep during Philosophy. I was slowly figuring out which hallways smelled like comfort and which ones smelled like academic death. Clara and her friends were, thankfully, staying in their elegant, gossip-filled corner. Dane was my calm in the storm — easy jokes, friendly smiles, the kind of presence that felt like home without ever needing to ask for it.
But still, the whispers followed me sometimes — little murmurs of "Section E girl," "transfer from public," "too confident."I learned to tune them out with practiced smiles.
Until that one day at lunch.
It started normal enough. I was sitting with Dane near the courtyard, the humid air stirring with the smell of grilled food from the canteen. Students chattered, laughed, compared test scores. I was nibbling on a sad sandwich when a uniformed delivery guy walked up, holding a sleek, black paper bag with a gold-stamped logo.
"Delivery for… Miss Jasper Jean Fernandez Mariano?" he asked, scanning the crowd.
I froze.
Half the courtyard turned.
"That's you," Dane said, amused, nudging my arm. "You got fans now?"
Heat climbed my neck. "Uh—yeah. Maybe it's a mistake."
He grinned. "Maybe someone's trying to win your heart."
The delivery guy insisted. "From Mr. Watson."
And the entire courtyard went silent.
I could feel my soul leave my body.
Someone gasped. Someone else whispered, "Mr. Watson?"Because, of course, St. Celestine students were trained gossipers by nature.
I took the bag, cheeks burning. "T-thanks."
Dane leaned over to peek. "Oh wow. That's not canteen food."
Inside was a beautifully packed lunch — roasted salmon, rice pilaf, fruit salad, and a handwritten note:
Eat well, babe. Don't skip meals again.— K.
My face went up in flames.I stuffed the note into my pocket before anyone could read it.
"Who's K?" someone from the next table called out.
"No one," I said too quickly. "Just a—uh—friend."
A girl with long curls smirked. "A very rich friend."
Another one added loudly, "So that's why you're always smiling lately."
The laughter that followed was sharp and glittering, bouncing off the marble walls.And I couldn't even look up.
I tried to brush it off, but their tone—it wasn't curiosity. It was mocking.
Clara's voice drifted over, smooth and sweet. "Oh, come on, guys. Maybe she's just… spoiled by her boyfriend."
The word boyfriend hit the air like perfume—sweet, cloying, impossible to ignore.
Dane's fork stilled mid-air. "That's enough, Clara," he said, tone clipped.
But she just smiled. "I didn't say anything bad. Just pointing out the obvious."
I wanted the earth to swallow me whole.
"Guys," I muttered, laughing awkwardly. "It's not like that. He just—he worries a lot, okay? I keep forgetting to eat."
The teasing didn't stop. One guy whispered, "Princess treatment much?" Another said, "Must be nice to have a sponsor."
I froze.That word — sponsor — cut deeper than it should've.
Dane slammed his fork down. "Hey, watch it."
They shut up after that. But the laughter lingered in my head, even long after I left the courtyard.
By dismissal time, my smile was on autopilot. I laughed at Dane's jokes, thanked him for walking me to the gate, even waved goodbye like nothing was wrong.
But the moment I saw Keifer's familiar black car parked by the curb, something in my chest cracked open.
He leaned against the hood, sleeves rolled, sunlight catching in his hair. That same lazy, confident stance that used to drive the girls in Section E crazy.Only now, he looked… different. Older. Sharper. Maybe because his expression softened the second he saw me.
I slipped into the passenger seat.
"Hey," he said, voice warm. "Missed you."
I smiled faintly. "You saw me this morning."
"That's still too long."
He started the car. The familiar hum of the engine filled the silence.
Normally, I'd ramble about my day — the chaos, the professors, the little stories that made him laugh. But today, my voice stayed trapped in my throat. I could still hear the courtyard's whispers echoing in my head.
Keifer glanced sideways. "You okay?"
"Yeah," I lied. "Just tired."
He didn't press. Just nodded, eyes back on the road.
But I knew him too well. That calm look of his wasn't calm — it was calculation.He knew.
Author's POV
Earlier that afternoon, while Jay was still in class, a message had pinged on Keifer's phone.
Ci-N:Bro, may narinig ako sa St. Celestine. (Bro, I heard something from St. Celestine.)Something about Jay and a "sponsor"? Students are talking.
Keifer's blood went cold.
Keifer:Send me details. Now.
He'd sat through his last lecture like a ghost, fingers drumming against the desk, trying not to imagine Jay surrounded by rumors she didn't deserve. By the time his last bell rang, he was already in his car, driving faster than usual toward St. Celestine.
So yeah—he knew.
Jay-Jay's POV
The car rolled to a stop at a red light.
"Did something happen in college?" Keifer finally asked, voice careful.
I blinked. "No. Why?"
"Just asking. You look… upset."
I forced a laugh. "I'm fine, promise."
He hummed quietly. "You sure?"
"Positive."
He didn't believe me. I could tell by the way his jaw tightened, the way his hand gripped the wheel. But he said nothing more.
The silence stretched.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked, "So… how's your new friend? Dane, right?"
I froze. "Oh, uh—he's good. We study together sometimes."
His lips curved in a half-smile that wasn't really a smile. "Seems close."
"Keifer…"
"What?" he said, still watching the road. "Just asking."
I sighed, leaning my head back. "Don't be jealous."
"Who said I was jealous?"
"You're gripping the wheel like you're about to break it."
He laughed softly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Maybe a little jealous."
"You don't need to be," I said quietly. "He's just a friend. You're… you."
That made him glance at me — really look. The air between us thickened, heavy with unsaid things.The sunset spilled gold across his face, turning his eyes molten.
"Jay," he murmured, voice low. "You have no idea what you do to me."
My pulse tripped over itself.I looked away, pretending to watch the road.
When we finally pulled up in front of my house, neither of us moved. The engine hummed softly, the air warm and electric.
"Thanks for the ride," I whispered.
He leaned slightly closer. "Jay…"
I turned — and before I could think, he brushed his fingers against my cheek, tilting my chin up.
"Don't let anyone make you feel small, okay?"
I nodded, throat tight. "Okay."
He smiled faintly, eyes flicking to my lips.And then—he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
It was soft. Quick. But it lingered like a promise.
"See you tomorrow," he said, voice husky.
I opened the door, stepping out into the fading light. "Yeah. See you."
Inside, Tita Gemma was waiting by the dining table, arms crossed but smiling.
"Late ka na naman, anak." (You're late again, child.)"Traffic lang, Tita." (Just traffic, Tita.) I lied easily, though my heart was still racing.
She raised an eyebrow. "Did your brother forget you again?"
"No, Keifer dropped me off."
Her knowing smile deepened. "Ah. That explains the glow."
"Tita!" I squeaked, half laughing, half mortified.
She chuckled. "I'm teasing. Go wash up. Dinner's almost ready."
I escaped to my room, face burning. The moment I closed the door, I fell onto the bed with a muffled groan, staring at the ceiling.
Everything replayed in my head — the teasing, the rumors, the way Keifer's voice softened when he said my name.
And that forehead kiss.
My fingers brushed the spot where his lips had been, a tiny, dizzy warmth spreading through my chest.
"Get a grip, Jay," I muttered to myself. But I was smiling anyway.
Keifer's POV
I parked near the corner of our street, hands still on the steering wheel, watching the house lights flicker on through Jay's window.
She'd smiled before going in — that small, tired smile she always used when she was hiding something.And I let her go without pushing.
But I'd heard everything.
Ci-N's messages, the screenshots, the comments from St. Celestine's group chat. All the stupid jokes about "princess treatment," "pretty girls and rich boys."
I closed my eyes, jaw tight.
"She didn't deserve that," I muttered.
Aries' girlfriend, Ella, had told him once — Jay was doing better, smiling more. That she was adjusting.
But tonight? That smile looked like armor.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. "Whoever started that rumor… they'll regret it."
Because for Jay, I'd burn down the world if I had to.
My phone buzzed.A text from her.
Jay <3:Home safe. Thanks for today.Also, stop worrying so much 😘
A soft laugh escaped me. She was trying to be brave again.
I typed back:
Keifer:Can't promise that.But I can promise something else.
Jay <3:What?
Keifer:That I'll take down anyone who tries to hurt you.
She didn't reply right away.When she finally did, it was just one message:
Jay <3:I know. ❤️
I leaned back, letting out a slow breath.
Outside, the crickets sang, and the streetlights bathed everything in a soft, amber glow. I imagined her in her room, half asleep, probably still overthinking everything.
And maybe — just maybe — still thinking about me, too.
That night, I couldn't sleep.
Because love wasn't the same easy, teenage thing it used to be.Now it felt heavier — protective, restless, fierce.
And I knew one thing for sure.
I'd make sure no one ever made Jay feel like she didn't belong.
Not in St. Celestine.Not anywhere.