Chapter 13: Confessions in the Rain
Morning again. My alarm decided to scream in my ear like it wanted revenge for every time I hit snooze. I groaned and pulled my pillow over my head. Maybe if I pretended not to exist, Aries would forget I was alive for once.
Nope.
Aries: "Jay! You're gonna be late again!"
There it was. His voice echoing through the house like a siren.
Jay: "Five more minutes!"
Aries: "You said that fifteen minutes ago!"
Ugh. Fine. I dragged myself out of bed, freshened up, and went downstairs. Mom wasn't there today — early shift — but Aries was sitting at the table, scrolling his phone and drinking orange juice like he owned the world.
Jay: "You could've at least made breakfast."
Aries: "I'm your brother, not your personal chef."
Jay: "Useless."
Aries: "Excuse me?"
Jay: "Nothing!"
I grabbed a sandwich and left before another one of our "morning sibling bonding fights" started.
Outside, the air felt weirdly heavy, like it wanted to rain but wasn't sure yet. Maybe it was a warning.
Maya was already waiting near the gate, holding two coffees like the angel she is.
Maya: "Morning, tornado girl!"
Jay: "Morning, coffee fairy."
She handed me my drink, eyeing me like she was about to interrogate me again.
Maya: "So, yesterday he kissed your cheek?"
Jay: "Maya…"
Maya: "What? It's important information!"
Jay: "No, it's embarrassing information!"
Maya: "Embarrassing? Girl, if the school's heart-stealer kissed my cheek, I'd frame that moment."
Jay: "You'd also post it on your story."
Maya: "Exactly."
I just rolled my eyes and walked to class.
As usual, Keifer was already there — sitting two rows behind me, spinning a pen between his fingers, that same lazy grin plastered on his face. He looked too relaxed for someone who's always causing chaos in my life.
I tried not to look at him. I really did. But then this girl — Sofia, I think her name was — walked up to him. She flipped her hair, laughed way too loudly, and leaned on his desk.
Maya nudged me.
Maya: "Uh oh. Jealousy alert."
Jay: "I'm not jealous."
Maya: "You're stabbing your pen into your notebook, Jay."
I looked down. Oh. Oops. There was now a small hole where my pen used to be.
Jay: "It's just… annoying."
Maya: "Sure, tornado girl."
Keifer must've felt me glaring at him because he looked up and met my eyes — and smirked. That smug look that said he knew exactly what he was doing.
I turned back around, pretending to focus on the lesson that hadn't even started yet.
The rest of the morning went by like a blur — lectures, notes, Maya whispering gossip, Keifer smirking from behind me like my personal headache.
Then came lunch.
We sat down with our trays, and of course, he appeared three minutes and twelve seconds later — yes, I timed it again.
Keifer: "Mariano."
Jay: "Watson."
Maya: "Oh no, here we go again."
Keifer: "You're awfully quiet today. Miss me already?"
Jay: "You wish."
Keifer: "I do."
Jay: "…what?"
He said it so casually, like confessing was as easy as breathing. Then he stood up, winked at Maya, and walked off. Just like that. I swear this man was sent to earth to ruin my peace.
Maya: "Girl. You're in trouble."
Jay: "No, I'm in denial."
After lunch, the sky had darkened. The air felt heavier. I looked out the window during our last period and watched the clouds start to gather. I had a bad feeling.
By the time class ended, it was pouring.
Maya had to run for her club meeting, so I decided to just wait a bit near the gate. I didn't have an umbrella, obviously. I never did.
I sighed, watching the rain hit the pavement, the sound oddly calming — until I heard a voice behind me.
Keifer: "You'll catch a cold if you keep standing there, Mariano."
Jay: "You again…"
Keifer: "You're welcome for the umbrella."
I turned, and he was there — holding out a black umbrella, his hair already wet from the rain, his shirt collar slightly unbuttoned. He looked like he'd just walked out of a movie.
Jay: "You didn't have to."
Keifer: "I wanted to."
Jay: "You always want to do things I don't ask for."
Keifer: "Maybe because I care."
That word. Care. It hit harder than it should've.
Jay: "Keifer… why do you keep doing this?"
Keifer: "Doing what?"
Jay: "This! The flowers, the chocolates, the bracelet, now the umbrella — I don't get you."
Keifer: "You don't have to get me. Just feel it."
Jay: "Feel what, exactly?"
He took a step closer. The rain poured harder, and I was standing just under the edge of his umbrella.
Keifer: "What I feel for you."
Jay: "Keifer…"
He was too close now. His voice was softer, his eyes locked on mine, rain dripping down his jaw.
Keifer: "You drive me insane, Mariano. I've never chased anyone like this. You ignore me, fight me, make me jealous—"
Jay: "You're jealous?!"
Keifer: "Of course I am! You think I don't notice how half the guys stare at you?"
Jay: "That's not my fault!"
Keifer: "I know. But I still hate it."
I stared at him, my heart doing that weird flip thing again. My voice dropped.
Jay: "Then why do you keep chasing me if it's so hard?"
Keifer: "Because you're worth it."
That silenced everything — even the rain felt quieter for a moment.
I didn't know what to say. My cheeks were burning, my heart racing like crazy.
Jay: "You're impossible, Watson."
Keifer smiled faintly.
Keifer: "You like impossible things, Mariano."
And before I could come up with another sarcastic comeback, he leaned in and kissed me.
It wasn't like before — not a stolen cheek kiss, not a teasing brush. It was real. Soft. Warm. Honest. The rain hit the umbrella harder, like it was trying to drown out the sound of my heartbeat.
I don't know how long it lasted. Maybe a few seconds. Maybe forever.
When he finally pulled back, he was smiling.
Keifer: "So, is that a yes?"
Jay: "T-to what?"
Keifer: "Being my girlfriend."
I wanted to say no. I really did. But then I looked at him — soaked hair, dumb grin, the boy who'd written notes, given me tulips