Back to School
Jay-jay's POV
So wrong!
I feel like I'm going crazy. Or maybe I am already crazy?
So annoying!
I can't understand what's happening to me.
I accepted Yuri's proposal. I shouldn't have done that to Keifer.
That thing—on New Year's.
That damn guy really knows how to mess someone up.
UGH! Now I look like I'm two-timing.
Damn it!
And the worst part is, it almost happened. It almost happened!
It was like the fall of Bataan all over again. Damn it!
I don't even have the face to show Yuri anymore.
It's so frustrating! Whenever I remember that moment, my heart starts beating faster. My face gets hot.
I looked at the ring on my finger.
My brother and the others said I should start wearing it and never take it off.
But every time I see it, I feel like I'm cheating.
"Ugh..." I muttered.
I got up from bed. Back to school. That fast. I didn't even get to enjoy or feel the New Year celebration.
Because of Keifer...
I went straight to the bathroom to shower and get ready. I even hurried a bit because I didn't want to be late.
While getting dressed, I heard voices just outside my room.
I knew it was Aunt Gema and Kuya Angelo.
I just didn't get why they had to talk right outside my door.
When I finished getting ready, I went out, causing them to stop talking.
"Good morning," I greeted them.
"Good morning. Go ahead and eat," Auntie said with a smile.
I didn't even glance at or greet Kuya Angelo. I was still mad at him.
I went straight to the dining room and found Aries already eating. As usual, he looked serious.
When does he ever smile?
Only when he's with Ella.
While eating, I noticed Aries kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something.
"Do you have something to say?" I asked.
"You're the one who has something to say," he replied, and I gave him a confused look.
"Huh?"
"What's your decision? You're really staying in that stupid section of yours?"
Here he goes again. Now of all times?
Of course, Kuya wouldn't allow me to transfer. I'm with my so-called fiancé in that section.
I didn't answer and just went back to eating.
He clearly got annoyed with my silence.
He stood up suddenly. "If you had listened to me, you wouldn't be stuck in that engagement now," he said and walked away.
I stopped eating.
Would this really not have happened if I had listened to him?
Would I not be trapped in this arranged marriage?
Honestly, I'm tired of thinking about this damn engagement.
I finished eating and fixed myself.
I went outside and saw Aries's car in the garage.
I thought he already left!
Then I noticed someone at the gate talking to him.
I approached and was a bit shocked when I saw who it was.
"Yuri..." I called. "W-why are you here?"
He was leaning on his car with arms crossed. When he saw me, he smiled and stood up properly.
"I came to pick you up," he said.
He was about to approach me, but Aries blocked his way and pulled me behind him.
"She's not going with you. Leave," Aries ordered seriously.
"You're not the one who decides," Yuri replied.
"A-Aries... It's okay. I-I want to talk to Yuri too," I said.
He looked at me, then stepped aside, letting me approach Yuri.
Yuri opened the door for me and helped me in. Once I was seated, he closed the door and got in as well.
As the car started moving, I noticed Aries still watching us.
"So, did you talk to Angelo already?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No... I don't want to talk to him yet."
"Sorry, I should've told you about it from the start. I don't want to force you, so I'll make an effort," he explained.
Ah, so that kneeling act of his was part of that. Tsk.
I held the ring on my finger.
"B-by the way, how are we going to tell our classmates?"
"I…" he took a deep breath. "I've already thought about it. It's better if we don't tell them yet."
I looked at him, confused. "Why?"
"It's for the sake of our section. It'll only cause drama if they find out. Especially now, everyone thinks Keifer has feelings too—"
Shoot!
Why'd he have to mention that snake again? Ugh! I remembered that New Year thing again.
Traitor!
I looked out the window, too embarrassed to face Yuri because of what I did.
"What do you think?" he asked.
"O-okay… You're right. It might really cause drama."
Especially if you find out what we did.
I don't even know if I should tell him or what.
But this is hard.
It looks like I'm deceiving him.
I looked again at the ring on my finger.
I can't let anyone see this.
People will ask questions. Especially Ci-N.
I removed the necklace Poseidon gave me at the Christmas party.
I still don't know who it's really from. But it looks nice, so I wore it.
I removed the ring too, slid it onto the necklace, and wore it like a pendant.
"Great idea…" Yuri said with a smile.
I smiled back.
We stayed quiet during the ride.
Thanks to the traffic—damn it! First day of school!—the car became even more awkward.
There were times we'd look at each other and smile… that was it. Then repeat.
Honestly, we looked like fools.
"This is awkward," he said, laughing slightly.
"You know what, we don't have to take this engagement so seriously. We can still treat each other like before."
"Huh?"
"No pressure. Let's not think about this engagement when we're together. Just be the same Jay-jay I know," he said with a smile.
I smiled too. He's right.
Why stress so much over this marriage thing? It's only Kuya who keeps pressuring me.
"You're right," I said, then lightly punched his arm.
"Aw! What was that for?!" he asked, annoyed.
"You said to act like the same me that you know," I said, pretending to punch again.
"I'm driving! We might get into an accident!"
Oh right!
I lowered my fist.
I saw him rubbing his arm.
Then, out of nowhere, we both started laughing.
"You hit hard… You beat me at that," he said.
"You started it."
The awkwardness faded.
Even the pressure from that damn engagement was gone.
I liked this better.
Back to how we were.
We stopped at the school parking lot.
After unbuckling my seatbelt, I thought we'd get out, but Yuri held my hand.
"I forgot something," he said.
I was surprised when he suddenly leaned in and kissed me on the lips.
Then he smiled at me.
"No pressure with the engagement, but that doesn't mean I'll hide my feelings for you," he said and got out of the car.
Jay-jay the two-timer! Jay-jay THE TWO-TIMER!
My brain took a while to process.
I scratched my head when I saw Yuri waiting for me to get out.
I quickly followed. While walking, I stopped suddenly.
We can't be seen by those idiots!
"I'm going to the restroom," I told Yuri.
I didn't wait for his reply.
I rushed to the restroom and locked myself in a cubicle.
I don't care if I run into Freya again here.
Damn it!
I'm so confused. When Yuri kissed me, I immediately remembered the betrayal we did—or are doing—to him.
It's so wrong. We're already engaged, aren't we?
Even if it's arranged, still!
I agreed. I accepted it. I have an obligation now.
I need to fix this mistake.
If I have to stay away from Keifer, I will.
He knows I'm engaged to Yuri, so he should understand.
I need to talk to him and end this.
Yes! That's what I'll do!
I fixed myself and opened the cubicle door.
Less than a second after opening it—damn! I wanted to close it again.
Just my luck! The person I wanted to avoid—there he was! In front of me!
I was shocked, but I gave him a mean look.
One of his hands was resting on the cubicle wall.
"W-what are you doing here? This is the girl's restroom!" I scolded him.
He gave me a mischievous smile.
"I don't care… No one can stop me," he said and pushed me back inside the cubicle.
Damn it...
I just said I was going to fix things!