Jayjay POV
The girls' washroom smelled like cheap perfume and fake confidence.
I was inside one of the cabins, sitting on the closed toilet lid, breathing slowly. Outside—by the sinks—voices bounced around like they owned the place.
"That jay thinks she's tough."
"She's always looking angry."
"Section E girls are so low-class ."
I rolled my eyes.
Then—
"She's not even pretty."
I stood up.
Unlocked the door.
Stepped out.
The girls turned. Lip gloss, thick powder, lashes doing too much. One of them leaned on the sink like a queen on a throne.
Freya Hidalgo.
She smirked. "Oh. You heard that?"
I smiled sweetly.
"Loud and clear."
I walked to the tap, washed my hands slowly, then cupped water.
Freya laughed. "What are you gonna do, cry?"
I turned and splashed the water straight at her face.
"NO WAY—"
She screamed.
Water hit the others too.
I bowed slightly. "Skincare tip. Free of charge."
I ran.
I burst into Section E's classroom, chest heaving, hair damp, heart racing.
Every head snapped toward me.
I shut the door behind me like nothing happened and walked to my seat.
Someone laughed.
Someone whistled.
I sat down, crossed my legs, and breathed.
Five seconds of peace.
Then the door flew open.
"THERE SHE IS!"
Hands grabbed my arm.
I was yanked out into the veranda, shoes scraping, bag sliding off my shoulder.
Freya stormed out, mascara running, pointing at me like I committed a crime.
"SHE ATTACKED US!"
I laughed. "Attacked? Babe, it was water, not acid."
"YOU—"
She lunged.
I stepped back. "Careful. You'll slip. That makeup is already fighting for its life."
Students poured out.
Whispers exploded.
Then I saw them.
Section D boys.
Ella, arms crossed.
Kiko, staring like this was entertainment.
And then—
Aries.
"Jayjay." His voice was sharp. "What did you do?"
I turned to him slowly. "Why do you sound like I killed someone?"
"Don't joke," he snapped. "This is serious."
Freya scoffed. "She humiliated us!"
I looked at Aries. "They called me ugly. I gave feedback."
He clenched his jaw. "You can't solve everything with violence."
"Funny," I shot back. "Coming from someone who never listened when it mattered."
His eyes hardened. "Lower your voice."
"No," I said quietly. "You don't get to command me."
The air shifted.
This wasn't funny anymore.
One of the girls sneered. "Why do you even care about her?"
Freya added, "Yeah. How do you even know her?"
Aries didn't answer immediately.
I looked away.
Then he said it.
"She's my sister."
Silence slammed into the corridor.
Freya's mouth dropped.
Ella stiffened.
Kiko's eyebrows shot up.
I felt everyone looking at me—but my chest was tight, my hands shaking.
I turned to Aries, voice low.
"You had no right."
His voice dropped too. "I wasn't going to let them destroy you."
"I didn't ask you to save me," I said. "I survived long before you showed up."
For a moment, we just stared at each other.
Not siblings.
Not strangers.
Something broken in between.