Jay POV
The first thing I noticed when I woke up...
Was my ceiling.
The second thing I noticed...
Was that I wasn't at school.
The third thing I noticed...
Was a very familiar figure sleeping on the mini couch in my room.
👀
Keifer.
My brain took a few seconds to process that information.
Then another few seconds.
Then—
"Why is he here?"
The question escaped before I could stop it.
Unfortunately...
Keifer woke up.
😭
His eyes slowly opened.
He stared at me.
I stared at him.
He stared at me some more.
Then:
"...You're loud."
"You're in my room."
"Good evening to you too."
"Why are you in my room?"
"Your family put me here."
"That sounds fake."
"I wish it was."
😭
I sat up carefully.
My head hurt.
My wrist hurt.
Everything hurt.
Actually...
Being asleep had been better.
Keifer noticed immediately.
"Easy."
"Don't tell me what to do."
"Five seconds awake and already annoying."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"I'll take it anyway."
😭
Keifer shook his head.
Then something weird happened.
He didn't mention school.
Didn't mention Matilda.
Didn't mention the argument.
Nothing.
Like none of it happened.
Instead he said:
"You look terrible."
I gasped.
"Wow."
"Just being honest."
"You're supposed to lie."
"No."
"Rude."
"Accurate."
😭
I grabbed a pillow.
And threw it at him.
Keifer caught it.
The traitor.
"Weak throw."
"Leave."
"No."
"Leave."
"Still no."
😭
Then the door opened.
And Mom walked in.
Immediately smiling.
A dangerous sign.
Very dangerous.
"Jay!"
Before I could react she was already beside me.
Checking my forehead.
Checking my face.
Checking everything.
"Mom."
"You need to eat more."
I blinked.
"...What?"
"You're too skinny."
"Mom."
"No arguments."
"Mom."
"You nearly collapsed."
I frowned.
Wait.
That wasn't what happened.
👀
Then I noticed Keifer.
The idiot winked.
😭🔥
Immediately I understood.
The liars.
THEY TOLD HER I COLLAPSED BECAUSE I DIDN'T EAT.
Not because of stress.
Not because of the changing room.
Not because of anything else.
Food.
😭
I stared at Keifer.
He looked very proud of himself.
I wanted to throw another pillow.
Unfortunately Mom was here.
"Look at her."
Mom complained.
"She skips meals."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't."
"You do."
"Mom."
"Jay."
😭
Then something impossible happened.
Mom turned toward Keifer.
"Thank you for staying with her."
Keifer smiled.
"No problem, Mrs. Fernandez."
"Such a good boy."
"Mom."
Nobody listened.
😭
Then they started talking.
Actually talking.
Comfortably.
Like they had known each other forever.
Meanwhile I sat there.
Completely ignored.
"Wait."
Both of them looked at me.
"Since when are you two friends?"
Mom looked confused.
"We're not friends."
"Exactly."
"We're best friends."
I nearly fell off the bed.
😭🔥
"WHAT?"
Keifer looked way too pleased.
Mom nodded.
"He's lovely."
"HE'S EVIL."
"See?"
Keifer said.
"She's dramatic."
"YOU'RE IN MY HOUSE."
"And yet your mother likes me more."
😭
The betrayal.
The absolute betrayal.
Mom suddenly clapped her hands.
"Anyway."
Uh oh.
That tone.
I knew that tone.
Danger.
"Keifer."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You should stay for dinner."
Silence.
I slowly turned toward Mom.
Then toward Keifer.
Then back toward Mom.
"Excuse me?"
Mom smiled.
"Dinner."
"You invited him."
"Yes."
"To MY house."
"Yes."
"For MY dinner."
"Yes."
😭🔥
I pointed dramatically.
"What about your daughter?"
Mom blinked.
Then gasped.
"Right."
The room fell silent.
"Right?!"
"Jay, you can come too."
I stared.
Keifer laughed.
Actually laughed.
At me.
In my own room.
😭
"I hate everyone."
"That's nice dear."
Mom replied.
"Dinner is at seven."
Then she left.
Just left.
Like she hadn't completely destroyed me.
The moment the door closed...
I grabbed another pillow.
And launched it.
This time it hit Keifer directly.
Victory.
😌
"Ow."
"Good."
"Your mother invited me."
"Leave."
"Not my fault."
"Leave."
"No."
😭
For a while neither of us spoke.
The room became quiet.
Comfortable.
Peaceful.
Then Keifer suddenly said:
"You know."
"Hmm?"
"Everyone was worried."
My smile faded slightly.
"I know."
"Ci-n cried."
I immediately looked at him.
"Liar."
"Okay, he didn't cry."
"Exactly."
"He did steal three snacks while worrying."
"That sounds more realistic."
😭
Keifer laughed softly.
And somehow...
Everything felt okay.
Not perfect.
But okay.
And honestly?
That was enough.
End Chapter 🏠💖😭✨📖