Jay woke up because someone yelled her name like the house was actively collapsing.
"JAAAAAY—DON'T COME DOWN—"
"WHY WOULD YOU SAY HER NAME—"
"IT'S HER BIRTHDAY—SHE'S SUPPOSED TO COME DOWN—"
Jay sat up, hair wild, staring at the ceiling. "Why do I feel like I'm about to be attacked?"
Her phone vibrated.
Keifer:
DO NOT MOVE.
Jay stared at the message.
Jay:
That sounds illegal.
She stood up anyway.
The moment she stepped into the living room—
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAAAAAY!"
Confetti flew. Balloons bounced. Someone tripped. Someone screamed. Someone definitely dropped the cake box.
Jay froze, eyes wide.
The banner was crooked. Streamers were uneven. Balloons were different sizes like nobody planned anything at all.
Perfect.
She laughed. "You guys are actually insane."
Keifer stepped forward, smiling softly. "Happy birthday."
She turned to him immediately. "You planned this."
He shrugged. "With… help."
She hugged him, quick and tight.
Section E went feral.
"OH MY GOD—"
"THEY'RE TOUCHING—"
"IT'S BEEN TWO SECONDS—"
Keifer leaned down and kissed her forehead.
All hell broke loose.
"BRO—"
"VIOLATION—"
"WE DID NOT CONSENT—"
Jay pulled back laughing. "It's my birthday. Suffer."
They tried to sit on the couch together.
Keyword: tried.
Felix squinted at them, arms crossed. "Why do they look like husband and wife already?"
Silence.
Half a second passed.
Then—
"WHAT."
Everyone turned.
Aries shot up from his seat. "MY SISTER IS NOBODY'S WIFE."
Jay nearly choked laughing. "ARIES—"
Keifer blinked. "Sir—"
Felix raised his hands. "I was just saying—"
Aries pointed at Keifer. "YOU."
Then at Jay. "YOU."
Then at the entire room. "NO."
Angelo sighed. "Sit down before you hurt yourself."
Jay wiped her eyes. "Relax, I'm not married."
Aries crossed his arms. "Good."
Felix smirked. "Yet."
"FELIX—"
Keifer leaned toward Jay, whispering, "He's terrifying."
Jay grinned. "You get used to it."
They opened gifts.
Every single one came with commentary.
"SHE LIKES THAT COLOR."
"BRO THAT'S SO YOU."
"KIEFER DEFINITELY PICKED THIS."
Jay held up a hoodie. "This is actually cute."
Felix gasped dramatically. "HE KNOWS HER STYLE."
Keifer smiled, embarrassed.
Jay leaned into him without thinking.
Felix pointed immediately. "SEE. HUSBAND ENERGY."
"ARIES IS GONNA KILL YOU."
"ON SIGHT."
Aries groaned. "I hate this house."
Later, when the noise got overwhelming, Keifer gently tugged Jay toward the hallway.
"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She nodded. "Just… loud."
He brushed his thumb over her knuckles. "I've got you."
She smiled, then leaned up and kissed him softly.
Of course—
"HEY."
Jay jumped. "WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS THERE."
Felix leaned against the wall. "Timing."
Jay sighed. "You're the worst."
They went back to the living room holding hands for exactly five seconds.
"DISGUSTING."
"UNACCEPTABLE."
"ARIES LOOK AWAY."
By evening, Lia grabbed her jacket.
"I'm heading out," she said casually.
Jay looked up. "Work?"
"Yeah."
Keifer paused. "Be safe."
Lia smirked. "Always."
The door closed.
Three seconds passed.
Felix clapped once. "Okay. Phase two."
Jay blinked. "Phase two?"
Angelo grinned. "Tomorrow."
Jay's eyes softened. "For Lia?"
Aries nodded. "She won't see it coming."
Jay smiled. "Good."
They started planning immediately.
Too loud. Too messy. Too chaotic.
Jay sat on the floor, leaning against Keifer, laughing as balloons escaped and tape stuck to Felix's hair.
The house was chaos.
But it was home.
And tomorrow—
It would be Lia's turn.