Jayjay POV
Keifer walked me all the way home, stopping at the gate with that infuriating smirk of his.
"Call me when you're in your room," he said, voice calm, teasing, like he wasn't the reason my heart was still racing.
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, yeah…"
As soon as I stepped inside… boom.
Angelo appeared from the living room like he had been hiding behind the shadows, waiting for this exact moment.
"Jayjay! Do you know what time it is? Sneaking out? Alone?! At night?! For ice cream?!"
I froze. Oh no. This is happening. This is happening. This is really happening.
"Do you realize the dangers? Cars! Strangers! Burglaries! People with bad intentions! And do you think I don't care about your safety?!"
He's literally breathing fire right now.
"And you didn't even tell me where you were going! I could have called the police, Jayjay! Or worse, the authorities! Or—"
"Relax! I survived!" I tried to argue, but his glare was literally boiling my brain.
"Survived? Survived?! If something had happened to you, Jayjay, I don't know what I would have done! Do you think you're invincible? Do you think rules are just suggestions?!"
Ohhh lord, my life is flashing before my eyes.
"You could've slipped on the stairs! Or a car could have—"
"ANGEELOOOO," I wailed dramatically in my head, "STOP TALKING!"
"And don't get me started on the fact that you left without saying anything to Auntie Gemma! How am I supposed to trust you with anything now?!"
I should have just stayed in bed. My life was easier there.
"I'm warning you, Jayjay," he continued, pacing, pointing, flailing like a storm in human form. "One more time like this and I will ground you for a month! And no excuses! Do you understand?"
"Yes… yes, I understand!" I practically squeaked, my stomach twisting as he continued.
"And don't think sneaking out for ice cream is a clever idea! It's reckless, selfish, and—ugh! I can't even—"
At this point, my brain had gone numb. I couldn't even come up with a witty comeback. I just blinked, nodding rapidly.
Finally, he reached me. The scolding had been long, drawn-out, and dramatic enough to rival a full-length soap opera episode. But he wasn't done.
He grabbed my ear and twisted it mercilessly.
Oww! Stop! Stop! Ow!
If it weren't for Auntie Gemma suddenly appearing like a savior angel, I would have been in full scolded-and-tortured mode for at least another hour.
"Alright, that's enough, Angelo," she said firmly, glaring at him. "One ear-twist is enough for tonight."
I collapsed in relief, ears throbbing, cheeks red, and dignity slightly bruised.
Angelo huffed like I'd just committed a capital crime.
"Why did you even go out?" he demanded.
"Midnight snack," I said, trying to sound casual. "Purely survival, I promise."
From the corner of my eye, I saw Aries leaning against the wall, smirking like a brat.
"Wow, Jayjay… you really are a foodie, huh?"
Foodie? Survival, Aries. Survival, I muttered under my breath, glaring at him while trying to rub my sore ear.
After finally surviving Angelo's storm of scolding, I flopped onto my bed, ear throbbing, stomach still grumbling, and dignity somewhere in the trash outside the house.
I hadn't even taken my shoes off before my phone vibrated. Of course.
It was Keifer.
I hesitated. Do I answer? Do I ignore? Do I pretend I'm asleep?
…Nope. I wasn't doing that. I swiped.
"Hey," I said, trying to sound casual, but my voice came out a little higher than I expected.
"Hey," his calm voice answered. That one voice could make my brain do somersaults.
I immediately held my ear, showing him the twisted mess Angelo had done to it. "Look at this! Do you see the crime? My poor, poor ear!"
Keifer blinked. "Wow… that's… um… harsh."
"You think?" I snapped. "He twisted it like it was a drumstick or something. Auntie Gemma saved me, otherwise I'd—ugh—he would have scolded me for hours. HOURS, Keifer!"
He chuckled softly, the sound somehow both infuriating and comforting. "Sounds like he's passionate about your safety."
"Yeah, passionate about scaring me half to death," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
We laughed quietly for a moment. Then I leaned back against the pillow, curling up like a cat. "Anyway… I went out for a midnight snack."
He gave a low whistle. "Midnight snack. Bold move, Jayjay."
"Bold is one word for it. Stupid is another," I said, rubbing my ear. "But it was worth it… for ice cream."
Keifer's laugh was low, teasing. "I don't doubt that. You're really dedicated to dessert, huh?"
I rolled my eyes. "It's survival, Keifer. Survival!"
We talked for a few more minutes, small things—nothing dangerous—before I remembered something important.
"Hey… could you help me pick up Hex tomorrow?" I asked quietly, looking at the ceiling like he couldn't see me.
There was a pause. "Doesn't he have school?"
"Yes… but I'll pack his stuff tonight, so we can pick him up from school and bring him to Angelo's house. It'll be easier that way."
"Hmm… okay. I can do that," he said.
"Really? Thanks, Keifer!" I said, grinning. "You're… you're the best."
"No, don't say that. You'll make me conceited," he replied, but I could hear the smile in his voice.
We chatted a little more, mostly joking, and then finally, the conversation started winding down.
"Alright… I should go. You get some sleep, okay?" he said.
"Yeah… okay," I said softly.
Then, almost shyly, I asked, "Thanks… really. For everything."
"Anytime, Jayjay," he said warmly.
We ended the call. I set my phone on the bedside table, ear still tender, body still buzzing from the day.
I curled under my blanket, thinking: Keifer really is… something else. Why does he always have to make everything feel like a mix of safe and dangerous all at the same time?
Within minutes, sleep finally claimed me, dragging me into dreams filled with ice cream, kisses, and slightly terrifying but somehow comforting company.