Jayjay POV
I was in a deep sleep, dreaming of—well, I wasn't sure, but it definitely wasn't peaceful. Then… shock. Someone shook me awake.
I opened my eyes. Aunty Gemma.
"Jayjay, why are you waking me? There's no school today," I mumbled, still half-asleep.
"Just come with me," she said firmly, grabbing my hand and tugging me out of bed.
"Where are we going? Wait! Stop! Aunty!" I asked, but she ignored me. My sleepy protests didn't matter.
We finally stopped in front of Hex's room.
Aunty Gemma slowly opened the door. My jaw dropped.
Hex… and Aries… sleeping. Together.
I whispered under my breath, "Unbelievable. Hex never lets anyone sleep with him. Except me… or Aunty Katherine…"
Then Aries stirred. At first, he didn't see us. But when he realized we were there, he snapped, "Oh my God!"
"What are you doing here?" he barked, still half-asleep.
I crossed my arms, trying to hide my shock. "I could ask you the same thing… in Hex's room."
Aries opened his mouth, then closed it. Looked at Hex, then back at me. "That's not your business," he muttered.
Aunty Gemma sighed. "Okay, that's enough. Both of you! Go bathe. I'll take care of Hex."
I laughed quietly.
"What's funny?" Aries asked, still groggy.
"I'm sorry, Aunty, but you can't wake Hex that easily from bed," I said between giggles.
"Oh, please, Jay," she said. "I can handle kids."
"Not those kids," I said, smirking. "He is Hex."
Aunty Gemma rolled her eyes but stepped forward to wake him. I grinned, whispered, "Good luck," then headed back to my room.
I lied down, trying to sleep again… until my phone rang.
Keifer.
"What, Watson?" I answered groggily.
"Wow… someone's in a bad mood," he teased.
"Why are you calling?" I asked.
"Missed your voice," he said casually.
"Seriously?" I muttered.
"Okay, fine. Just checking up on you… and Hex."
I got up, yawning, and started brushing my teeth. "You wouldn't believe what happened yesterday… and this morning," I said, and began recounting everything—Hex's arrival, the chaos, the breakfast disaster, the arguments, the almost-deadly stares from Hex, the funny bits with Aries… all of it. Keifer laughed, groaned, and commented at every opportunity.
Finally, I was done brushing my teeth and had sat down in the living room. Keifer asked, "So, how will Hex get to school?"
"Luna's coming for him at 7:40," I said.
Keifer glanced at my expression, then asked, "And… what time is it now?"
I looked at the clock. "7:20."
"Exactly," he said, smirking.
"Oh shoot… twenty minutes away," I muttered.
"Okay, Keifer, I have to go," I said, ending the call.
No sooner had I hung up than Aunty Gemma came down.
"Jayyyyyy!" she called.
"Yes, Aunty?"
"I woke up Hex when you left. Then I came downstairs to prepare breakfast. Went back upstairs, and he was done bathing but asleep in his vest and boxer. Tried waking him… still asleep."
I smirked. "See, Aunty? That's what I was warning you. If he doesn't wake himself, anyone else waking him won't help. He'll just go back to sleep."
Aunty Gemma looked exasperated.
"I can handle him," I added with confidence.
We went up to Hex's room. He was still asleep. I sat on the chair, picked up his controller.
"I've always wondered what's in a controller," I muttered. "Why don't I break this one to find out?"
"Five… four… three… two…" I started my dramatic countdown.
And then… Hex bolted upright, fully awake, like some kind of ninja.
He went straight to his uniform, throwing it on with lightning speed.
"Um… done. Now, please, put my controller down," he said, out of breath but calm.
"Good boy," I said, trying not to laugh.
As I placed it back, a voice interrupted.
"She wouldn't break it. She's just messing with you, bro," said Aries.
Hex grabbed the controller from me, glaring. "Oh, she would. Once… it was my biggest regret."
I backed away, hands raised. "Okay, okay. Enough with the chats! Go eat breakfast. Luna will be here in ten minutes."
Hex finally headed downstairs.
I glanced at him. Finally… he's eating without grumbling or glaring at someone.
Aries sat across, quietly sipping his juice, occasionally making a funny face to get Hex's attention. Hex ignored him. Perfect.
By the time Hex finished breakfast, he seemed relaxed and ready for the day.
"Done?" I asked.
"Yep," he said,
A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.
The maid opened it. Luna.
Hex grabbed his bag. "That's my ride."
Before leaving, he hugged me tightly. Then Aunty Gemma. Then Luna.
Aries piped up, "What about me?"
Hex turned, gave him a deadly glare, and said, "Oh, you? Sit your annoying self down, you're not getting one ."
Aries laughed, mock-offended. "Rude."
Hex rolled his eyes and left.
I waved him off, silently hoping he'd survive the ride without causing trouble—or burning out everyone's patience at school.