JAY JAY'S POV
My head felt like it was being split into two.
A sharp, pounding ache throbbed behind my eyes as I slowly opened them, squinting against the morning light. My throat was dry, my body heavy… and then it hit me.
Last night.
Every. Single. Thing.
I groaned and buried my face into the pillow, only to realize I was still wearing that black dress. The same one. The heels were somewhere on the floor, my hair a complete mess, makeup probably smudged into something tragic.
"Wow," Percy's voice cut through, dripping with sarcasm. "What a sight. Truly breathtaking. If 'walk of shame' had a brand ambassador, it would be you."
I didn't even turn. "Shut up."
"Good morning to you too," he said cheerfully, walking in like he owned the place—well, technically he did. "How's the hangover? Scale of one to 'I regret my entire existence'?"
"Eleven."
He chuckled and came closer, handing me a glass of water. "Drink. Before you pass out again and I have to explain to people why there's a dead body in my house."
I snatched the glass and drank like my life depended on it.
Silence fell for a moment.
Then I asked, quieter this time, "How did I get home?"
I already knew.
But I needed to hear it.
Percy leaned against the wall, watching me carefully. "Jason brought you."
My grip on the glass tightened.
Of course he did.
I swallowed, then asked, "Is he here?"
A pause.
"No."
I nodded, not sure if I felt relieved… or something else.
Percy clapped his hands once. "Alright, drama queen. Go get ready. You look like you fought a war and lost."
"Shut up," I muttered again, but I got up anyway.
The hot shower helped.
A lot.
It washed away the headache, the heaviness, the memories—well, not really the memories, but at least the edge of them. When I stepped out, I felt… lighter. Not okay. Just… better.
I changed into shorts and a crop top, letting my damp hair fall freely down my back, and walked out of the room.
And froze.
There were suitcases.
Not one. Not two.
Four. Maybe five.
"What the hell?" I blinked, looking around. "Whose suitcases are these? And who is bringing their entire life into this house?"
Percy, sitting casually on the couch, didn't even look surprised. "Not one person's stuff, actually."
I narrowed my eyes. "Then whose?"
He smirked. "Someone you've already met."
I crossed my arms. "And the rest?"
His smirk widened. "Let's just say… the second one is a little more chaotic."
Before I could question further—
"JAYYYYYY!"
The door burst open and before I could react, someone literally launched at me.
"Mia?!"
She wrapped her arms around me so tightly I almost lost my balance.
"I missed you so much!" she squealed,
pulling back just enough to look at me, her eyes sparkling. "You look terrible. I love it. Very 'mysterious heartbreak aesthetic'."
I couldn't help it—I laughed a little. "You're insane."
"And you love me," she grinned. "Also, we have SO much to talk about. Percy told me everything. Drama? Betrayal? Emotional damage? I'm living for it."
"Mia—"
"And we are going out today," she continued, ignoring me completely. "No arguments. It's Saturday. We're fixing your mood."
I shook my head, smiling despite myself.
"You haven't changed."
"Of course not. I'm perfect."
I was about to reply when I remembered.
I glanced at Percy. "You said two people."
He didn't say anything.
Just… tilted his head toward the door.
And suddenly, everything in me stilled.
Because there he was.
Jason.
Standing at the entrance.
Like he belonged here.
My expression hardened instantly. "What the hell is he doing here?"
Percy answered way too casually, "He's staying here."
I turned to him sharply. "No. He's not."
Jason stepped in, calm but firm. "Why not?"
I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "Are you serious right now? You think you can just walk back into my life and—what—move in?"
His jaw tightened. "I will stay here."
"No, you won't."
"Yes, I will."
"Try me."
The tension snapped tight between us, thick and suffocating.
And then—
"BREAKFAST!" Percy suddenly announced loudly, clapping again like a man saving his own life. "Wow, look at the time! Everyone's hungry! Food solves everything, right?"
Mia immediately jumped in, grabbing my hand. "Yes! Food first, murder later. Come on, Jay. Let's go out. We'll eat, we'll hang out, we'll pretend life isn't a complete mess."
I didn't move.
My eyes were still locked on Jason.
But Mia tugged harder. "Come onnn. Don't waste a perfectly good Saturday on emotional chaos. We can do that tomorrow."
I exhaled slowly.
Then finally looked away.
"Fine."
But something told me—
This was just the beginning.
LATER : DURING THE BREAKFAST
The smell of food hit me before I even entered the dining area.
Warm. Comforting. Annoyingly normal.
Which was ironic… because nothing about this situation was normal.
Mia was already sitting on the chair, casually eating like she had lived here her whole life. Percy stood near the counter, pouring juice, way too relaxed for someone who had just dropped a life-altering surprise on me.
And Jason…
He was sitting there too.
Like he belonged.
Like last night didn't happen.
Like he didn't leave.
I pulled the chair and sat down quietly.
Mia's eyes immediately scanned me from head to toe, dramatic as ever. "Okay but—why are you thinner than before?"
I blinked. "What?"
"I'm serious," she leaned forward, squinting. "Like… heartbreak diet? Stress glow-down? Or are we doing this on purpose now?"
"Mia—"
"She hasn't eaten properly in days," Percy cut in casually.
I shot him a glare. "Wow. Thank you for exposing me like that."
Jason's gaze shifted to me.
Slow. Intent.
And then, in that same calm voice that always did something to my heartbeat—
"You still look beautiful, darling."
My breath hitched.
I hated how natural it sounded. Like no time had passed. Like nothing had broken.
His eyes flickered over me—my shorts, my crop top, my damp hair—and there was something softer there. Something dangerous.
"That top suits you," he added quietly. "And the shorts… yeah, definitely your style."
I looked away instantly, my fingers tightening around the fork. "Don't."
Mia, of course, noticed everything.
Her grin slowly widened. "Oooookay… tension. I love it here."
"Eat your food," I muttered.
She gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? I just got here after traveling, suffering, struggling—"
"You came in a luxury flight."
"Let me exaggerate."
Percy chuckled under his breath.
Then Mia suddenly leaned back in her chair, looking around. "So… tell me something."
No one answered.
She looked straight at me. "How's the royal princess living this life of normal people?"
I frowned. "What?"
"You heard me," she smirked. "Miss 'I-don't-care-about-anyone', Miss 'I-will-handle-everything-alone'… living here, eating basic breakfast, wearing comfy clothes… I'm impressed."
I rolled my eyes. "It's called being a human being."
"Hmm," she hummed, clearly not convinced.
Then suddenly she clapped her hands. "Anyway! Enough emotional trauma for breakfast. We're going out."
I blinked. "We are what?"
"Going. Out." she repeated slowly like I was stupid. "The three childhood sweethearts—me, you, Jason—"
I choked slightly on my water.
"—and Percy as… bonus content."
Percy placed a hand on his chest. "Wow. I feel so valued."
"You should," Mia grinned.
I leaned back. "Where are we going?"
She stood up, already energized. "Nope. Surprise."
"Mia—"
"Let something be a surprise at least!" she said, pulling me slightly from the chair. "Now go get ready. Properly this time. Not 'I just survived a war' look."
I sighed. "You're exhausting."
"And you love me," she winked.
I was about to get up when something clicked in my head.
I turned to Percy. "Wait."
He looked at me.
"You told me Jason wasn't here."
Percy didn't even flinch. "When you asked, he wasn't."
I narrowed my eyes.
"He went to get his stuff," Percy added calmly. "Timing, Jay. Very important."
I glanced at the suitcases again.
Then at Jason.
Then back at Percy.
Suspicion started creeping in.
Something felt… off.
But before I could process it, something else caught my attention.
Mia and Percy.
Standing a little too close.
A little too quiet.
And for the first time since I've known them—
They both looked… awkward.
I crossed my arms slowly. "Wait a second."
Both of them froze.
I tilted my head. "Are you two… on talking terms?"
Mia blinked. "What kind of question is that?"
"The kind that requires an answer," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Because last I checked, you two couldn't stand each other. So… how?"
Percy suddenly found the juice glass very interesting.
Mia tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, avoiding my gaze. "People change."
"Do they?" I smirked.
Silence.
Then I leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing. "Or is something else going on?"
"No," they both said at the same time.
Too fast.
Too synced.
I stared at them.
Then slowly smiled.
"Oh my God."
Mia groaned. "Don't start."
Percy rubbed the back of his neck, actually—actually—looking shy.
I almost forgot my own chaos for a second.
"Wow," I whispered. "This is… new."
Jason, from across the table, watched the whole thing quietly.
But when my eyes met his for a brief second—
There was a faint smile on his lips.
And something in his gaze said—
This is just the beginning, darling.
---
I stood in front of the mirror for a long moment.
Just… staring at myself.
Messy bun. Bare face. Same tired eyes.
Same girl who cried last night.
Same girl who kept holding on.
Same girl who kept breaking.
I exhaled slowly.
"Enough."
My voice was quiet—but firm.
"Enough of this sad era."
Something shifted inside me.
Not healed.
Not okay.
But done with being weak.
I turned, walked to my closet, and pulled out the outfit.
If I was stepping out today—
I was showing up.
---
Piece by piece, I got ready.
The top first.
A fitted corset-style crop top in white with delicate blue prints—floral, almost vintage, like art painted on fabric. It hugged perfectly, structured yet soft, making my posture straighter, my presence sharper.
Then the skirt.
A high-waisted dark denim skirt, long and sleek, falling straight down with a clean front slit that added just enough edge. It balanced the softness of the top with something stronger… grounded.
I added the heels.
White and blue printed, matching the top, with thin straps wrapping elegantly around my feet. They weren't just pretty—they were confident.
Accessories next.
Gold hoops. Simple but bold.
A delicate chain with a tiny pendant resting just above my collarbone.
A slim gold watch—classy, controlled.
And the white shoulder bag—clean, minimal, effortless.
I let my hair stay open, slightly damp, falling naturally over my shoulders.
No overthinking.
No hiding.
Just… me.
But stronger.
I looked at my reflection again.
And this time—
I smirked.
"Yeah," I whispered. "She's back."
---
As I walked out—
There was already silence.
Too much silence.
I frowned, stepping further into the living area.
Empty.
I stepped outside—
And froze.
Percy's car was gone.
"…wow."
I let out a short laugh. "Okay. I see how it is."
I crossed my arms, scanning around. "I'm definitely smelling something."
A setup.
A very obvious one.
And right on cue—
"Need a ride?"
I turned.
Jason.
Leaning casually against his car like this was all part of the plan.
I rolled my eyes. "No thanks. I'll book a cab."
I pulled out my phone.
He walked closer.
Too close.
"You really think I'm letting you go alone?" he said, voice low.
"I don't need your permission."
"You don't," he agreed. "But you still won't go alone."
I looked up at him. "Watch me."
But he didn't move.
Didn't argue.
Just… looked at me.
That same look.
The one that made things complicated.
"Come with me, darling," he said softly.
And for a second—
Just a second—
I almost
"Jay won't go with you."
Keifer's voice came out sharp. Possessive.
Like he had a right.
Like he could decide.
I turned slowly, my eyes landing on him—and for a moment, something flickered inside me.
Not softness.
Not confusion.
Something darker.
Something… amused.
So this is what we're doing now?
Fine.
Let's play.
I tilted my head slightly, lips curving into the faintest smile—not warm, not kind.
Dangerous.
I walked forward.
Not toward Keifer.
Toward Jason.
Keifer frowned. "Jay—"
I ignored him.
Completely.
Instead, I reached out and slid my hand into Jason's.
His fingers wrapped around mine instantly, like they remembered the shape of me.
Like they always would.
I could feel Keifer's gaze burn into us.
Good.
I wanted him to.
I leaned in just a little closer to Jason, my voice softer now—but intentional.
"Okay, Jass," I said, letting the nickname fall naturally, almost playfully. "I'll come with you."
Silence.
Heavy.
Sharp.
Keifer's expression darkened instantly. "Jass?"
I turned my head slightly, finally acknowledging him—but barely.
"It's Jason," he said, his jaw tight. "Why are you calling him that?"
Before I could answer—
Jason did.
Calm. Smooth. A hint of something smug.
"It's the nickname she gave me," he said, glancing at me briefly before looking back at Keifer. "Didn't she give you one?"
A pause.
Then—
"Sad."
The word came with a faint smirk.
And it hit.
Exactly where it was supposed to.
Keifer's hands clenched.
I watched it all quietly, my expression unreadable—but inside, something twisted.
Control.
Power.
For once—
I wasn't the one losing.
I turned back to Jason, squeezing his hand just slightly. "Shall we?"
He opened the car door for me without breaking eye contact.
I slid in gracefully, not sparing Keifer another glance.
Because that was the point.
Jason got in after me, the engine starting smoothly.
And as the car pulled away—
I caught Keifer's reflection in the side mirror.
Standing there.
Still.
Angry.
And for the first time—
On the outside.
I leaned back in my seat, crossing my legs calmly.
Jason's voice came, low and close. "You're playing a dangerous game, darling."
I looked at him, a small smile forming.
"Good," I whispered. "I was getting bored."
A/N: I will post the next chapter as soon as 20 comments are completed (today only if you guys complete it)