Jay Jay's POV
The moment I stepped out of the classroom—
everything I was holding in started slipping.
Not breaking.
Not yet.
Just… cracking.
The hallway felt too loud, too bright, too normal for what just happened inside me.
"You still fell for it."
His voice wouldn't stop.
It followed me.
Step after step.
I didn't slow down.
Didn't look back.
Because if I did—
I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it together.
The school gates came into view.
And there he was.
Percy
Leaning against his car like he knew.
Of course he knew.
He straightened when he saw me, his usual half-smirk softening into something quieter.
"Wow. New record. You didn't even pretend today."
I tried to smile. Failed.
"Get in," he said gently, opening the passenger door. "No questions. Just… get in."
I didn't argue.
—
The drive was quiet at first. Not awkward quiet—Percy never lets things get awkward—but… careful quiet. Like he was waiting for me to break.
And I did.
The moment we reached the beach.
The second the sound of waves hit me, something inside me just… snapped.
I didn't even realize I was crying until I couldn't breathe anymore.
"I trusted them," I said, my throat tightening.
"I believed everything. I didn't question it."
My chest hurt.
Like something was pressing against it from the inside.
"So why does it feel like I'm the one who messed up?"
"You didn't."
Immediate.
Certain.
I shook my head.
"I did," I whispered. "I fell for it."
The word burned.
Fell.
For him.
For every moment that now felt like a lie.
"And he just—" my voice cracked, "he says it like it's nothing. Like I was nothing."
That was it.
The tears came.
Fast.
Uncontrolled.
"I hate this," I choked. "I hate that I still—"
I couldn't say it.
"You still feel something," Percy said softly.
And I broke.
"I don't want to!" I cried, turning toward him.
"I don't want to care after everything he said, after what he did—I shouldn't care!"
My body shook.
"I stood there like I didn't feel anything," I sobbed. "Like he didn't affect me at all and that was a lie. It was all a lie."
Percy stepped closer.
"You don't have to pretend here," he said.
And I didn't.
I grabbed onto him like he was the only thing holding me together—
and I shattered.
"I meant it," I cried into him. "Everything I felt—I meant it. It wasn't fake for me."
"I know," he murmured.
"I keep thinking maybe there was something real," I sobbed. "Maybe he didn't mean it… maybe I wasn't just part of the plan…"
My voice broke completely.
"Or maybe I just wasn't enough."
Percy pulled back, holding my shoulders firmly.
"No," he said, serious now. "Don't you ever think that."
"But why else would he—"
"Because he chose revenge over something real," Percy said. "That's on him. Not you."
I shook my head, tears still falling.
"It doesn't feel like that."
"I know."
The waves crashed louder.
"I hate that he can still get to me," I whispered.
"That doesn't make you weak," Percy said. "It makes you human."
A broken laugh slipped out. "I don't want to be human right now."
"Yeah," he muttered. "Fair."
I leaned into him again, breathing unevenly.
For a moment, it was just us.
Just the sound of the ocean.
Just me trying to exist through the pain.
Then Percy sighed lightly.
"There's something you should know."
I wiped my face, exhausted. "What now…?"
"Okay," he said softly. "So… I may have made things… slightly more chaotic."
I blinked at him. "What did you do?"
"Mia knows."
"What?!"
"I told her," he said quickly, hands up in defense. "Before you kill me—she deserves to know. She's you bestfriend since childhood and she's already booked a flight. She'll be in the Philippines tomorrow.
My breath caught.
"Tomorrow?"
He nodded.
"She's been losing it. She wants to be here for you."
Something in my chest shifted.
Not healed.
But… softer.
"Mia…" I whispered.
Then—
Percy hesitated.
"And Jason's coming too."
Everything in me stilled.
"…Jason?"
"Yeah," he said. "He reached out. Said he needs to be here. Didn't explain why."
My thoughts spiraled instantly.
Jason.
My ex.
Kiefer's enemy.
And Kiefer has no idea.
A quiet, bitter laugh escaped me.
"That's… going to be a mess."
Percy gave me a look. "He doesn't know, right?"
I shook my head.
"No. He doesn't know Jason is my ex."
"That's going to blow up."
"Yeah," I whispered. "It will."
"I can't breathe again," I whispered.
Percy lightly flicked my forehead. "Oi. Stay with me. One disaster at a time, yeah?"
I let out a shaky laugh despite myself.
That's Percy.
Even in chaos… he makes space for you to breathe.
—
Later — Home
The moment I stepped inside, I knew something was wrong.
Angelo was already there.
Waiting.
"Where have you been?" he snapped.
I sighed. "Not now, Angelo."
"Not now?" His voice rose. "You haven't attended class for a week, Jay! A week!"
"I said I can't—"
"You won't," he cut in. "You're throwing everything away!"
Percy quietly stood behind me, but I could feel the tension building.
"You don't understand what's happening," I said, trying to stay calm.
"Then make me understand!" Angelo shot back. "Or is running away easier?"
That hit.
Hard.
"I am not running away!"
"Really? Because that's exactly what it looks like!"
"Stop acting like you know everything about my life!"
"And you stop acting like you're the only one struggling!"
The argument spiraled fast.
Voices louder. Words sharper.
Things we didn't mean—but said anyway.
"Maybe if you actually cared about your future—"
"Maybe if you actually trusted me—"
"Trust you? When you won't even show up?!"
"Because I can't!"
Silence.
Heavy. Explosive silence.
Percy finally stepped in. "Okay, timeout. Both of you—"
"No, Percy," Angelo snapped. "Stay out of this."
Bad move.
Percy tilted his head, calm but firm. "Yeah, that's not happening."
I was shaking now. Angry. Hurt. Exhausted.
"I'm leaving," I said.
"Jay—" Angelo started.
"No," I cut him off. "You don't get to control me. Not like this."
I ran to my room to get my stuff
Moments later I returned
"Where are you going?" Angelo demanded.
I didn't answer.
Percy did.
"She's coming with me."
—
Evening — Percy's Apartment
By the time we reached Percy's apartment, the sky had already turned that soft orange-pink that makes everything feel calmer than it actually is.
I didn't feel calm.
But Percy—of course—acted like we just walked into a comedy show.
He dramatically unlocked the door and bowed. "Welcome, Miss Emotionally Devastated, to the only place where breakdowns are allowed but must be scheduled in advance."
I blinked at him. "What?"
"Yeah," he nodded seriously. "You missed today's slot. Tomorrow 6–7 PM is free. Snacks included."
A laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it.
There it was.
That tiny, stubborn piece of happiness.
Percy grinned like he'd just won something.
"Ah, there she is. I was starting to think you got replaced by a sad ghost version."
"Shut up," I muttered, but I was smiling.
—
The apartment was messy. Obviously.
Shoes in random places, a half-dead plant in the corner, and what I was pretty sure was a spoon on the couch.
"Why is there a spoon here?" I asked.
Percy looked at it like he was seeing it for the first time. "…emotional support spoon."
"You need help."
"I have help," he said, pointing at me.
"You're here."
"God help me."
—
At some point, he tried to cook.
Tried being the key word.
"How did you burn instant noodles?" I asked, staring at the pan in disbelief.
"I like my food with personality," he defended. "This one chose violence."and it also got jealous by my handsomeness
I laughed again. Louder this time.
And for a second… everything felt okay.
Not perfect. Not fixed.
But okay.
—
We ended up sitting on the floor, eating whatever wasn't burnt.
Percy suddenly pointed at me. "You know, if Angelo saw you right now, he'd give a full lecture—'Jay Jay, sitting on the floor decreases productivity—'"
"STOP," I said, laughing, throwing a chip at him.
He gasped dramatically. "ASSAULT. I TAKE BACK MY KINDNESS."
"You had no kindness to begin with."
"Excuse me, I drove you, emotionally supported you, AND sacrificed noodles for you. I'm basically a hero."a very handsome one
I shook my head, still smiling.
For the first time in days… I didn't feel like I was drowning.
—
Knock.
Percy froze mid-bite. "If that's delivery, I didn't order anything. If it's ghosts, you're answering."
"Just open it."
He walked to the door, muttering, "If I die, delete my search history."
He opened it.
Paused.
Then slowly turned his head toward me with the most dramatic expression.
"…Jay Jay."
Something in his tone made my stomach drop.
I stood up.
And then I saw him.
Keifer.
Leaning casually like this was his place.
Of course.
Because peace clearly wasn't allowed in my life.
"Oh," he smirked, eyes locking onto mine instantly. "Didn't expect you here."
My mood dropped—but not completely.
Because Percy was still there.
And somehow… I didn't feel as fragile.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"New neighbor," he said casually.
Percy blinked. "Oh hell no."
"What?" Keifer raised a brow.
"You?" Percy pointed at him. "Next door? That's illegal. I'm filing a complaint. Against fate."
I almost laughed.
Almost.
Keifer ignored him, stepping slightly closer, his attention completely on me. "You look better."
"I was fine before."
"Hmm," he tilted his head. "No. This is new."
My jaw tightened. "What is?"
"That smile," he said, voice softer but teasing. "Didn't see that last time."
My heart did that annoying thing again.
I grabbed my bag instinctively. "I'm leaving."
"Wow," Percy muttered. "That was fast. We didn't even get to argue about dessert."
Keifer chuckled.
"There it is," he said. "Run."
"I'm not running."
"Sure looks like it," he replied smoothly.
"Every time I show up, you suddenly remember you have somewhere else to be."
"Maybe I just don't like you."
"Ouch," he placed a hand on his chest dramatically. "That hurt. Say it again."
"You're annoying."
"Again."
"You're insufferable."
"Keep going," he smirked. "I like this side of you."
I rolled my eyes, but heat crept up my neck.
Percy leaned against the wall, whispering loudly, "Should I leave or… sell tickets?"
"Percy—"
"What? I support local entertainment."
I threw a cushion at him. He dodged it like it was a life-or-death situation.
"VIOLENCE AGAIN. I'M A VICTIM."
"Shut up!"
Keifer laughed under his breath, eyes still on me.
"You're not leaving," he said suddenly.
I paused.
"And why would you decide that?"
"Because if you leave," he stepped a little closer, lowering his voice just enough, "it means I still affect you."
My heart skipped.
Annoyingly.
"I don't—"
"Then stay," he cut in smoothly. "Prove it."
I stared at him.
God, he was infuriating.
Confident. Teasing. Completely sure of himself.
And the worst part?
He was getting under my skin.
Exactly like he said.
Slowly… I dropped my bag back onto the couch.
Percy gasped like he was watching a plot twist. "OH?? Character development?? We love to see it."
I ignored him.
"I'm staying," I said, meeting Keifer's eyes.
"Not because of you. Don't get it twisted."
His smirk deepened.
"Whatever helps you sleep, baby."keifer said
"Don't call me that."
"Baby," he repeated, softer this time, almost playful.
I clenched my jaw.
Percy whispered again, "Yeah… you're definitely staying. This is getting good."
I kicked him.
He yelped. "ABUSE IN MY OWN HOME—"
But I wasn't even listening anymore.
Because Keifer was still looking at me like that.
And somehow…
I was smiling again.
Even if he was the reason my heart wouldn't stay calm.
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