Jay-Jay's POV
The classroom was finally quiet.
The only sound was the tick-tock of the clock, laughing at my slow brain. I was the last one left. Of course I was. Math and I just don't get along. We are like oil and water—we just don't mix.
I guessed the last answer for x and walked to the front. I hope x finds a better life, because I'm done looking for it.
Sir Alvin took my paper. He gave me a kind smile that said, "At least you tried, Jay-Jay." I didn't walk out—I crawl.
Outside, the "King of Snakes" was waiting for me. He looked perfectly cool, like he hadn't just spent two hours suffering over numbers. Doesn't matters to him too, he is smart. Ugh ! 😩
Beside him were Ci-N, David, Felix, and Yuri.
"Look! The math genius is back!" Felix shouted, laughing.
"So, Jay," Ci-N leaned in with a grin. "Was it a total disaster, or just a regular disaster?"
"Be quiet, Ci-N," I groaned, leaning my head against the cold locker. "I think my brain actually melted on page three."
"Don't listen to them, Jay-Jay," Yuri said with a calm smile.
"Math is just a puzzle. You did your best, and that's what matters."
"Yeah," David added, nodding. "If you got '7' for the last question, you're fine. If you got 'The French Revolution,' we should probably worry."
"I got '745328..." I whispered.
The group went quiet for a second, then all burst out laughing. I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. "I hate you guys. Go away."
They finally left, laughing as they headed to the cafeteria.
It was just me and Keifer.
But before we could speak, I saw Freya and Edrix walking toward us.
Edrix looked sad. Not angry, just... quiet. Freya was acting nice lately, so I gave her a small smile. She smiled back.
It felt like things were finally becoming okay.
But then, she turned to Keifer. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, shiny object.
My heart stopped.
It was an earring. I remembered seeing it on Freya's ear back at the camp. Now, I finally knew why it looked so familiar. It was the earring that belonged to Keifer's mom. He had given it to Freya. I didn't expect that, I thought, it was ella.
"Sorry, Keifer," Freya said softly. "This is yours. It's time you had it back."
Keifer didn't take it right away. He looked at Edrix, worried about his friend.
Edrix gave a small, tired smile. "It's okay, man. She told me everything. I trust her."
Freya placed the earring in Keifer's hand. "I told him the truth. We're good now."
Wow! This edrix really loves Freya very much. Oh so cute....
Keifer just nodded. His face was serious as his fingers closed around the earring.
Edrix and Freya turned and walked away, leaving us alone.
I stood there like a statue. My throat felt tight. I couldn't speak or move.
He gave it to her. The most important thing he owned—something from his mother—he had given to Freya.
I knew they had a past, but seeing this proof of how much he used to love her... it felt like cold water being thrown on my face.
Keifer just stared at the earring in his hand. He seemed to forget I was even standing there.
I can't blame him either, he might be missing it for.....from how much time I am here in section e...I tried to count on fingers.....maybe more than 1 year...he was with ella too after Freya....so I can say, it's been more than two years.
Wow jay you are becoming smart.
Oh I remember keifer is also standing here, still staring at that earing.
"Oh," I said, my voice a little shaky but trying to be brave. "So... she was the person you gave this to."
He didn't move.
He didn't even look at me. He just gave a slow, heavy nod.
I looked up and saw it—a tiny shimmer of a tear in the corner of his eye. My heart squeezed. I forgot about being jealous. I forgot about the math exam. I just wanted to fix that look on his face.
I stepped closer and hugged him from the side, wrapping one arm over his shoulder.
Keifer: "Jay, it was..."
"Shhh!" I cut him off. I didn't want a deep, sad speech right now. I wanted him to smile.
I decided to go full "bro" mode.
I threw my arm around his neck like we were best buddies at a football game.
There was just one problem: Keifer is a giant, and I am... well, not. I was basically hanging off his neck, standing on my tiptoes, struggling to stay upright.
Jay-Jay: "It's alright buddy! You know, humans are just humans. Humans make mistakes! It's what we do! If humans don't make mistakes, then who is going to make the mistakes? The cows? The chickens? No! We have to do it!"
Keifer blinked, looking down at me in total confusion.
Keifer: "Jay, what are you even saying?"
Jay-Jay: "I'm saying that if we were perfect, we'd be robots. And robots don't get to eat pizza or fail math exams. So, you made a mistake giving it to her? Fine! At least you aren't a toaster!"
I saw it then—the corner of his mouth twitched. Then, a small smile appeared. Finally, he let out a loud, genuine laugh that echoed in the empty hallway.
Keifer: "A toaster? Really?"
He shook his head, and the sadness in his eyes finally broke. I smiled back, but my legs were shaking from the effort of staying tall. I quickly patted him on the back—thump, thump—with my free hand.
Jay-Jay: "Anyway! My legs are dying. I can't hold this 'buddy' pose anymore. You're way too tall for this kind of emotional support. By the way, which shake did you use to drink as a child for getting this much height?? Let's go, buddy. I'm starving."
Keifer looked at the earring one last time, then tucked it safely into his pocket. He looked at me, his eyes warm and back to normal.
Keifer: "alright queen. Let's go."
As we walked, he wrapped an arm around my shoulder—much more easily than I did—and pulled me close. I guess being "buddies" had its perks after all.

This is how they are looking.｡◕‿◕｡
Jay-Jay's POV
We were sitting in the cafeteria, and for once, I wasn't just focused on the food. I was chewing slowly, my mind wandering back to that earring.
Should I be jealous? He gave his most precious memory to Freya.
And before that, there was Ella. Honestly, this guy is a total flirt. Maybe they both dumped him because they couldn't handle his personality. Of course, not everyone has a big, patient heart like mine. I'm basically a saint for putting up with this Snake.
I was deep in this messy thought when I realized the world around me was moving.
A large, pale hand was waving back and forth in front of my face.
Keifer: "Are you cursing me in your head right now?"
My eyes widened. I nearly choked on my juice. How did he know? I looked at him suspiciously.
Does he have telepathic powers like Kuya Angelo and Elara? Is there a secret "Read Jay's Mind" club I don't know about?
Keifer: "Are you again day-dreaming, Jay?"
Jay-Jay: "Oh... no! I was just... thinking. Keifer, are you absolutely sure you only have two brothers?"
His eyebrows shot up, and he looked at me like I had suddenly started speaking in triangles.
Keifer: "Yes... why are you asking that?"
Jay-Jay: "Are you sure Elara is not your real sister?"
He raised a brow, waiting for the punchline of whatever joke my broken brain was cooking up.
Jay-Jay: "I'm serious! Have you seen her? She is exactly like you.
And Kuya Angelo is exactly like her. The glares, the mind-reading, the bossy attitude... are you 100% sure you three aren't secret triplets separated at birth?"
Keifer stared at me for a long beat, then he leaned back in his chair and let out a soft snort.
Keifer: "If Elara were my sister, the world would probably explode from the combined ego. Besides, one bossy girl in my life is enough—and currently, she's sitting right in front of me eating my fries."
Jay-Jay: "Hey! I'm not bossy! I'm just... highly suggestive!"
He reached over and pinched my cheek, his eyes flickering with that playful light that always makes my heart skip.
Keifer: "Sure, Wifey. Whatever helps you sleep at night."
I sat there, again staring at my half-eaten lunch.
My mind was like a broken record, skipping over the same annoying thought.
I remembered hearing ...
that Freya used to ask for money, or even blackmail Keifer. And the worst part? He actually gave it to her. Expensive gifts, cash... everything.
Should I ask? Is it too much? I mean, we're "buddies" now, right? But if I ask, will he think I'm being a nosy mosquito? Yes? No? Maybe? If I don't ask, this thought is going to live in my head and pay no rent.
I must have been making a really weird face—probably a mix of a detective and someone who just ate a sour lemon—because Keifer stopped eating.
Keifer: "Jay, if you want to ask something, just ask. Don't make faces like that. You're scaring the other students."
I jumped. Seriously, the telepathy in this family (or non-family) is getting out of hand! I looked at him, biting my lip. I needed to be brave. I needed to channel my inner Elara.
Jay-Jay: "Keifer, I was just... I mean... I am just... curious... you know... I just want to know..."
I took a deep breath, squeezed my fists under the table, and collected every bit of energy I had left from my failed math exam.
Jay-Jay: "Why did you used to give Freya money? And all those expensive things?"