The sound of frantic knocking and a too-familiar voice tore through my dream.
"Wake up! It's 7 o'clock! We're going to be late!" Aries shouted from outside my room.
Groaning, I buried my face in the pillow. "Ok, horoscope!" I shouted back.
Silence. Then a scoff. Typical.
Ugh, he was so annoying sometimes. I grabbed my phone from the table, eyes half-
open. My notification lit up the entire screen.
King of Ulupong:
Keifer: Get up. Your pillow will be filled with drool.
A small smile tugged at my lips. I couldn't help but chuckle.
I quickly typed, "I'm up."
Keifer: I'll pick you up.
"Ok."
Keifer: Bye.
"Bye. See you soon."
The moment I rolled out of bed, a sharp chill ran down my spine. Mornings were the worst. I rushed to shower, tugged on my uniform, and brushed my hair into something that almost looked decent in the mirror.
Downstairs, Aunt Gemma was already busy with breakfast, smiling like she always did,
sunshine in human form.
"My friend is coming to pick me up, Aunty," I said, slipping on my shoes.
"Oh, okay," she replied, still smiling.
"Take something to eat, sweetheart."
"Yeah," I mumbled, grabbing a piece of toast before heading out. "Bye!"
The cold breeze kissed my face as I stepped outside. I called him.
"Where are you?"
"Turn left," came Keifer's familiar voice.
I turned—and there he was. His car gleamed under the morning light, and there he
was, leaning casually against the door, that teasing smile on his face doing dangerous
things to my heartbeat.
Every time I saw him, it was the same: that warm, giddy feeling that made my stomach
do flips.
I opened the door. "Hi."
"Hi."
"Let's go."
"Wait," he said, smirking. "Your debt."
"Not now," I pouted.
"Just one of four, come on."
After a few seconds of pretending to resist, I sighed dramatically. "Fine."
Keifer's POV
I leaned over and kissed her—soft at first, then a little more daring. Couldn't help
sneaking in a second one.
"Hey!" she said, her cheeks turning red.
"What?" I asked innocently.
"You kissed me twice."
"No, I didn't."
She rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
She was cute when she got flustered.
Jay Jay's POV
We reached school not long after. Before getting out, Keifer turned to me, serious
now. "Can we be official? Please?"
"Umm… I don't know…"
"Please?" His eyes practically twinkled.
He looked like an adorable, stubborn little kid. How was I supposed to say no?
"Fine."
"Fine what—"
"Fine, we can be official."
His smirk widened as he leaned in for another kiss. I swear, that cologne of his should
be illegal. My brain short-circuited.
And then—
"Awwww!"
"Love birds!"
"So cute!"
"Take a picture!"
Section E had, of course, witnessed everything.
I pulled away immediately, mortified. "What happened?" he asked.
"Them happened," I said, glaring out the window. A small crowd was staring, phones
barely hidden behind notebooks.
"I'm going onto the car," I muttered.
"Bye-bye," he teased.
I stepped out, ignoring the teasing from everyone else. My face was burning.
At lunch, Keifer stood up. "I'm gonna tell you guys something very important."
"Why didn't you tell us now?" Felix asked between bites.
"I'll tell you guys later. We're getting late. Let's go."
"Sheesh," Cin muttered, but followed.
Later, in class, I sat beside Keifer, our shoulders brushing. Every time our hands
accidentally touched, I could feel my heart race. Was this normal? It felt… too much
and yet not enough.