The room buzzed with energy, snacks scattered on the table and fairy lights glowing softly. Section E was sprawled everywhere—on couches, chairs, and the floor—creating the perfect chaotic nest. Lia and Jay sat together on one side, a blanket loosely draped over their legs. Jay's hand brushed against Keifer's as he lounged beside her, and she couldn't help but smile at him.
Aries noticed immediately. His lips pressed into a thin line, jaw tightening as his eyes darted between Jay and Keifer. "Ugh," he muttered under his breath. "She's literally sitting there kissing him…" His voice got louder, "Seriously? Must you do this right in front of everyone?"
Jay giggled, ignoring his tone, and pressed a quick, teasing kiss on Keifer's cheek. Keifer smiled, nudging her playfully. "What?"
"You're literally making him insane," Lia whispered, amused. Jay laughed quietly, leaning closer to Keifer, their foreheads almost touching. Aries groaned dramatically, flopping onto the floor. "I can't. My sister is literally smooching in public. My life is over."
Kit leaned over from the floor, Mayo's arm draped lazily around his shoulders. "At least they're enjoying themselves," Kit said with a smirk, earning a soft laugh from Mayo. "Way better than hiding it like some secret," Mayo added. Their hands twined together comfortably, completely unbothered by the chaos around them.
Aries shot a glare at them. "Don't even start! You two are calm, fine, but them? Absolutely not."
The game of Truth or Dare had started again, this time with everyone more relaxed, more daring, and definitely louder.
The bottle spun.
It landed on Aries.
"DARE," everyone screamed, because it was tradition.
Felix grinned dangerously. "I dare you to call the person you talk to the most. On speaker."
Aries didn't hesitate.
Jay's phone buzzed.
She stared at it. "Are you serious."
"ANSWER," the room chanted.
Ella's smile faltered just a little.
Jay answered, deadpan. "You're sitting right there."
Aries shrugged. "Rules didn't say distance mattered."
Ella crossed her arms. "You talk to her more than me?"
The room collectively held its breath.
Jay stood up immediately. "Okay. Pause. No."
She looked at Ella directly. "He calls me because he panics and I yell at him. That's it."
Lia spoke calmly from across the circle. "And if he crossed a line, he wouldn't survive."
Aries nodded quickly. "She's correct."
Ella sighed, then laughed softly. "Okay. I get it."
Crisis diffused.
Someone yelled, "NEXT."
Aries pointed at Jay. "Truth or Dare?"
Jay leaned back, smirking. "Dare, of course."
Aries's grin turned mischievous. "I dare you… to confess your most embarrassing crush story in front of everyone. And no skipping."
Jay blushed slightly but smiled. "Fine. There was this time...tution, the one that kuya had set for me. I got caught writing someone's name in my notebook, decorating it with hearts, and the teacher found it. She made me read it aloud in class." She paused, eyes glinting. "And yes, it was Keifer."
The room erupted. Keifer chuckled, hiding a grin, while Aries groaned, burying his face in his hands. Kit and Mayo laughed quietly at the chaos, whispering between themselves about how dramatic everyone else was being.
Angelo leaned back, arms crossed, clearly entertained. "You're enjoying this too much, Aries."
"I hate it! HATE it!" Aries shouted, though the corners of his mouth twitched despite himself. "I don't even care that it's the truth! Ugh!"
Lia smirked quietly at Jay, whose cheeks were flushed but eyes shining with amusement. She leaned closer and whispered, "Keep him distracted, I like watching him suffer." Jay laughed softly, pressing a quick kiss to Keifer's hand before turning to the next dare.
Aries wasn't done yet. He pointed at Kit. "Your turn, truth or dare."
Kit smirked. "Truth, obviously."
"Who's the one person in Section E you actually can't mess with?" Aries asked, tone dripping with mischief.
Kit's eyes flicked to Mayo, a fond smile spreading across his face. "That's easy. Him." He leaned closer to Mayo, who kissed his temple in response. Aries rolled his eyes, groaning again. "Ugh, you two are way too cute," he muttered, hiding his face.
The game continued, each round more daring than the last. Jay dared Lia to reveal her most ridiculous childhood fear. Lia paused, smirk still in place, and said, "I was terrified of mice. And not little ones—the big ones in cartoons made me scream." Jay laughed so hard she almost spilled her drink.
Angelo leaned forward, daring Aries to prank-call a random teacher. Aries groaned but complied, making the room erupt in laughter when he faked the most ridiculous voice imaginable.
As the night went on, the dares became bolder and the truths more personal. Jay and Keifer stole quiet moments, fingers brushing and whispers shared, while Aries watched in disbelief, muttering complaints under his breath about his sister's behavior. Lia sat beside Jay, letting her enjoy the chaos while keeping her grounded, her calm presence a quiet anchor amidst the madness.
Then, it was Lia's turn. Aries, smirking despite himself, asked, "Truth or Dare?"
Lia smirked faintly, already expecting the chaos to follow. "Truth," she said.
Aries leaned forward, eyes glinting. "What's the one thing that scares you the most, but no one sees it?"
The room quieted, sensing a rare moment of seriousness. Lia's gaze swept over the chaotic faces around her. "I'm scared that people only see what I can do. Fights, strength, chaos. But no one ever sees the real me underneath. No one sees the person who's scared, who's weak, who wants something more than control."
Even in the chaos, everyone froze for a heartbeat. Jay reached over and brushed her hand against Lia's, a silent reassurance. Angelo's jaw tightened, eyes narrowing slightly as he processed the vulnerability. Even Aries muttered softly, "She's… human."
Then, as if on cue, Aries grinned and clapped his hands. "Okay, back to dares!"
Jay giggled, leaning closer to Keifer. "Your turn," she said.
Keifer smirked. "Dare. Hit me."
Ion's grin returned. "I dare you… to steal a kiss from Jay while spinning around once."
Jay blushed but leaned in, kissing Keifer briefly as he spun, stumbling slightly, and landing safely back on the couch. The room howled, some laughing, some teasing, and some rolling their eyes at the chaos that never ended.
Hours passed. Snacks dwindled, laughter continued, truths spilled freely, dares completed with dramatic flair. Kit admitted an embarrassing karaoke story, Mayo shared a story from childhood, Angelo admitted the one person he could never prank. Even Aries eventually gave in to small confessions, rolling his eyes at everyone while secretly enjoying the chaos.
By the early hours of the morning, the energy slowed slightly. Jay and Lia curled up together on the couch, sharing warmth and quiet smiles amidst the scattered blankets and cushions. Keifer sat close, hand brushing against Jay's, while Kit and Mayo leaned against each other comfortably. Section E had fallen into a chaotic lull, laughter replaced by soft conversations and whispered teasing.
Aries and Angelo quietly checked on Jay and Lia. They were breathing evenly, peaceful for the first time in weeks. Aries let out a small, relieved sigh. "She's still alive," he whispered.
Angelo smirked faintly, hiding his relief. "Yeah… both of them."
And as the first light of dawn crept through the curtains, Section E remained in their chaotic fortress, messy but happy, a small island of trust, confessions, and laughter in the middle of the world.