Kiefer's POV
She was still as stubborn as ever.
Ella mentioned Lia earlier, and Jay suddenly ran off, racing faster than a car. But damn—she looked stunning in that dress. What caught my attention was that her dress matched Jass.
We ran after her.
Luckily, Aries and I were in the same class as Jay, Jas, Lia, Ella, and Percy since we all had Business as our subject. Yuri went to another class—apparently, there were two sections for the same subject.
We entered the classroom.
"JASPER JEAN MARINO FERNANDEZ!" Lia screamed.
Percy sighed. "Not again…"
Jay was literally bowing in front of Lia while Ella watched silently. A few boys were holding Lia back so she wouldn't explode.
"You literally called me early and you're still late!" Lia shouted.
Jay kept her eyes down.
"Sorry, Lia. I didn't mean it… it was because of Jas."
"Why are you dragging me into this?" Jas said quickly. "Believe me, Lia, I'm not involved."
"Get out of my sight, or you know what'll happen," Lia warned.
"Stop… please stop," Ella said calmly. "Just breathe, Lia. It happens sometimes. Forgive her."
Lia glared, then sighed. "Fine."
She went to her seat. Jas followed.
Jay let out a long breath. "Hhh… finally. I almost saw heaven."
Ella smiled faintly. "Let's sit. Professor Andee can come in anytime."
Percy shrugged. "Don't be shocked. This is an everyday routine."
Jay smirked. "Either sit, or I'll throw this vase at you."
"Baby sistah, my face will be ruined," Percy protested.
Jay, Ella, Jas, and Lia said together,
"Your face is already ruined."
Aries and I chuckled.
A boy named Ben scoffed. "Looks like someone wants to die."
"Shut up," Percy snapped.
"Are you guys new transferees?" Ben asked.
"Yes," we replied.
"Oh, I see."
Just then, the professor entered.
"Percy, go to your seat."
Percy nodded and left.
"And you two—are you new transferees?" the professor asked us.
"Yes, sir."
"Fine. Introduce yourselves."
"Hi, I'm Aries Fernandez," Aries said.
"I'm Mark Kiefer Watson."
"Welcome, Mr. Watson and Mr. Fernandez," the professor said.
"Mr. Fernandez, are you related to Jay, Percy, and Jasper?"
"Yes, sir. We're siblings," Aries replied.
"Yes, sir. He's our kuya," Jas added.
"Fine. Take your seats.
Mr. Watson, sit beside Mrs. Mariano.
Mr. Fernandez, sit beside Mrs. Ella."
We nodded.
Jay and Ella barely reacted, clearly focused on something else.
"Where the hell did it go?" Jay muttered.
"It disappeared suddenly," Ella whispered.
"Oh—there it is."
So… they were just looking for a pen.
Jay suddenly turned around. "AHHH!" she screamed.
Ella copied her scream.
"What happened, Miss Mariano?" the professor asked.
"Nothing, sir. I just saw a ghost early in the morning," Jay replied.
She muttered under her breath, Why the hell are you two here?
"Sir told us to sit here," I answered.
They both made weird faces as we sat down.
Jay was right behind me, while Aries was stuck between Jay and Ella. Everyone seemed unusually focused.
The bell rang.
"Hhh… finally," Jay sighed.
"Miss Lia, any progress on the dance performance?" the professor asked.
"Sir, I think Mrs. Mariano knows better," Lia replied.
"Aghh, she's literally annoying," Jay muttered, standing up.
"Ongoing, sir."
"Fine." The professor stepped out.
"Lia, let me just grab you—" Jay laughed.
"Catch me if you can—never!" Lia shouted, running out.
Jay chased her.
Ella followed.
"Wait for meee! Am I invisible?" Jas yelled.
"You'd better be invisible," Ella shouted back.
Aries chuckled.
"You still like Ella," I said quietly.
"What? No—obviously not," Aries replied.
"Don't hide it. I can see."
"Come on, Kiefer and Kuya Aries," Dane said. "Let's go to the café."
Percy was already gone.
IN THE CAFÉ
Jay and Lia were racing around.
"You're slow!" Lia teased.
"No, you're fast!" Jay shot back.
Section E cheered, "Woo-hoo! Come on, Jay!"
Suddenly, Ella slipped—but Aries grabbed her just in time.
Wow. Another romantic scene.
"Sorry," Ella said softly.
Aries just nodded.
Then Jay bumped into Aries—and in the same second, Aries fell straight into the pool.
"EE—AHHH!" Ella screamed.
"What kind of revenge is this, Jay?" Aries groaned. "I know you're angry, but this isn't the way."
"Shut up! It wasn't on purpose!" Jay snapped.
Then she looked at me and Yuri. "Help him! Don't just stare!"
We rushed forward.
"Ahh, it's cold," Aries shivered.
"Of course—it's water," Ella said.
"Come with me. Change," Jay said.
"How? I didn't bring extra clothes," Aries complained.
Ella rolled her eyes. "Shut up. The Marianos have their own closet here. Use Percy's clothes."
"Exactly," Jay agreed.
Aries went with Jay and Ella.
"Why are only we and Section E here?" I asked.
"You still don't get it?" Lia smirked.
"This is the Mariano private café."
"We can't go to the original café—people keep bumping into us," Jasper added.
"She means me—the handsome one," Percy said proudly.
"Why would boys bump into you?" Yuri asked. "Are you gay?"
Everyone burst out laughing.
"Only girls jump toward Jay," Percy said.
"And me, Ella, and Lia," Jasper added.
"Enough. Let's eat," Jay said.
Jay's POV
"Ella, can you bring a hair dryer?" I asked.
"Oh yeah. Give me 20 minutes," she replied.
"Are you going to the supermarket?" Aries teased.
"It's on the second floor. Shut your mouth," Ella snapped before leaving.
"Here—wear this. It'll suit you," I said.
Aries changed.
"Do I look good?" he asked.
"Yeah."
Ella returned with the dryer. "Here. I have to go—professor's nearby."
"Go," I said. "I've got this."
Aries struggled with the dryer.
"Give it to me," I sighed. "I'll help."
"I'm sorry, Jay," he said suddenly. "I was so angry back then… I don't even know why I said those things. I'm really guilty."
I finished drying his hair.
He suddenly knelt in front of me.
"Aries, get up. No need."
"I'm sorry, Jay Jay. Please forgive me," he pleaded.
He stood up, crying.
"Hey… it's fine," I said softly. "I was guilty too."
"It wasn't your fault," he said, wiping his tears.
"You look like a donkey when you cry," I teased.
"Donkey?" he laughed.
We hugged.
"I promise I'll never hurt you again," he said. "I'll protect you."
"Ahh… so protective," I joked.
We laughed and headed out before lunch ended.
Outside, Kiefer was already waiting.
"Aries, I want to talk to her," he said.
Aries nodded and left.
I spotted Ella. "Guide him—or he'll get lost."
She nodded and followed him.
And then… I walked away with this idiot.
He stared at me like I was something he'd been craving for a long time.