Jayjay POV
Bang. Bang. Bang.
"Jayjay, wake up!"
I groaned and buried my face deeper into my pillow.
"Five minutes," I muttered. "Just five."
The door rattled again.
"Don't try it," Aries said. "Have you forgotten today is Monday? You have school."
My eyes flew open.
"…Oh God."
"Get up now," he warned. "If I finish breakfast and you're not there, I'm leaving without you."
I sat up immediately. "Wait—can I just ride my bike today?"
Aries scoffed. "Have you forgotten it's at repairs?"
"…Right. True."
"Bathroom. Brush. Bathe. Change. Polish your boots," he listed. "Move."
Downstairs, Angelo was already seated at the table, calmly drinking coffee and reading the newspaper like he owned the world.
"Morning," he said without looking up.
"Morning," I replied, sitting down and grabbing a small piece of bread.
"That's all you're eating?" Aries asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm hungry," I replied .
He shook his head. "Wake up earlier next time so you can eat properly."
"whatever ," I muttered.
"Time to go," Angelo said, folding the newspaper.
We got into the car.
I sat in the back because Aries said, "Front seat's taken."
We stopped to pick up Ella.
She got in. "Hi, Jayjay."
I nodded. That was the end of the conversation.
The silence was loud.
By the time we reached school, I didn't wait for anyone. I grabbed my bag and stepped out quickly.
I'm starving, I thought bitterly.
Inside the classroom, my stomach growled nonstop.
I dropped into my seat—next to Keifer, since seats were permanent now—and laid my head on the desk.
Food. Just food.
Someone tapped my shoulder.
"Leave me alone," I muttered.
Another tap.
I lifted my head slowly and glared at Keifer. "What?"
"You didn't eat enough this morning, did you?" he asked.
"…Food makes me happy," I said weakly.
"That explains everything."
I dropped my head again.
Then—
I smelled it.
I lifted my head.
A toasted sandwich. Juice.
I blinked. "Yummy?"
Keifer slid it toward me. "Charity."
"For me?"
"Obviously."
I took it instantly. "You would've watched me die of hunger?"
"Never," he said. "Anytime you need food, you can count on me."
I paused. "…Anything?"
He smirked. "Only when it involves eating."
The class noticed.
"Only Jay?"
"That's not fair."
"Why her?"
I ignored them and finished every bite.
Keifer just watched me, smiling.
I turned and poked Yuri, who was asleep.
"Yuri."
No response.
I poked again.
He slowly turned his head. "yeah jay?"
"… Why are you sleep?"
"I didn't sleep early."
"Why?"
He sighed. "Have you forgotten? Today's our last math exam."
My soul left my body.
"Oh no. I'm dead."
The girls laughed.
"First you eat food," one teased, "now you'll fail math."
I punched Yuri lightly. "Instead of laughing, help me."
" my notes are borrowed ask somelse," he said.
" already."
A book landed on my desk.
"Use mine," Keifer said. "Keep it."
I stared. "What will you use?"
"I already have everything up here," he tapped his head.
"…Show-off."
Sir Alvin walked in.
"Final math test," he announced. "Do your best. Results will be posted after school, so make sure you check,after tommorrow till 2 weeks it your break ,your freedom ."
My stomach twisted.
The test started.
The first question?
Blank.
I panicked—then Keifer subtly shifted his paper just enough.
I smiled.
Saved.
The bell finally rang.
"Pens down."
I exhaled. "Freedom."
Outside, Keifer asked, "How was it?"
"Surprisingly good," I said. "Except math."
He smirked. "We'll see after school."
We walked, teased each other, laughed—
And just like that, Monday survived.
Barely.