Jay POV
The restaurant had that cozy evening vibe—the kind where soft lights bounced off the walls and the low hum of chatter mixed with the clink of cutlery and glasses. I let out a small sigh as I surveyed the scene. After the chaos of Founder's Day, this was supposed to be a casual celebration.
Keifer was seated beside me, looking far too composed for someone who had spent all day surrounded by screaming students, awards, and Hex's antics. The Section E boys were spread across the table, some quietly eating, some teasing each other, some just quietly observing the adults in the room. Aries was animatedly talking to Jeana and Andy about something, laughing too loudly, as usual.
Hex was in the corner, slouched dramatically, mask still on, fiddling with his drink. I leaned back against the booth and nudged him lightly.
"You really can't dance, huh?" I teased.
He muttered under his breath, "I told you. I'm terrible. Just words—poems, maybe—but dancing? Forget it."
I rolled my eyes. "Hex, the poem killed me today. Don't hide behind your stubbornness."
He scowled but said nothing, just swirled his drink. Mila, ever the mischief, nudged him too. "You were amazing," she said softly.
"Yeah, yeah, don't tell anyone," Hex muttered, voice low.
The door opened suddenly, letting in a gust of cool air. My heart skipped a beat. Blue eyes. That familiar grin. Percy.
"Jay-Jay!" he called, voice cutting through the low hum of the restaurant.
I waved instinctively. "Percy!"
Heads turned. Hex's body tensed immediately, but behind the mask I could tell he was sizing Percy up. The Section E boys noticed too, and even Keifer's calm gaze shifted.
Percy strode in like he owned the place, soaking slightly from the rain outside, but unbothered. "Wow… fancy place. Did I miss the party, or is this the after-party?"
I swallowed nervously. "After-party. But you… didn't call."
Percy's grin widened, mischievous as always. "I'm here now, aren't I?"
Hex shifted, mask hiding his face, but the subtle stiffness in his posture betrayed his curiosity. Mila noticed but stayed silent, probably loving the tension.
I motioned for everyone to settle. Drinks were poured, food was passed around, and I let myself watch the scene unfold. Percy, naturally playful, had immediately latched onto Hex's quiet intensity.
"So… Hex," Percy began, leaning forward slightly, "you and Jay-Jay… history?"
Hex stiffened and muttered, "Nothing like that."
Percy raised an eyebrow, that teasing sparkle in his eyes. "Uh-huh… sure."
I rolled my eyes internally. Oh boy… this is going to be fun.
Conversation moved naturally, the Section E boys laughing at Percy's teasing, Aries snickering every time Percy jabbed Hex with a comment, and Keifer observing silently, calm but sharp as ever. Hex occasionally threw Percy a subtle glare, and Percy, of course, did not miss a beat.
I couldn't help smirking. Hex looks like he wants to strangle him… and Percy's loving every second of it.
We were laughing, joking, and trading stories when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at it and froze. The caller ID said: Aunty Katherine.
"Not now…" I muttered.
I answered, heart pounding.
"Jay-Jay… help… Trisha… yes…" The line cut off abruptly before I could ask a single question.
"Hello? Aunty Katherine?!" I yelled into the phone. Nothing. Dead line.
A chill ran down my spine. My heart raced. Hex's body tensed immediately, ready for action. Percy's playful grin vanished, replaced by concern. Keifer's calm, piercing gaze shifted to me instantly, sensing the sudden urgency.
"We need to go," I said, standing abruptly, grabbing my bag. Hex and Percy were already alert, bodies poised to spring into action. The Section E boys followed without hesitation. Andu and Jeana flanked us, Aries in the back, all sensing the sudden shift from celebration to crisis.
As we rushed out of the restaurant into the damp night, my thoughts were spinning. Trisha? Shot? Aunty Katherine? What happened? Is she okay?
Hex's voice, low and tight, broke my spiraling thoughts: "Jay what happen to
aunty "
Percy's hand brushed against Hex's shoulder in passing, a silent acknowledgment of the stakes. He didn't speak, but his presence was calm and reassuring—a contrast to my panicked heart.
I tightened my grip on my bag, inhaled deeply, and muttered to myself: We'll figure this out. We have to. Now isn't the time to freeze.
And with that, we ran into the night, racing toward the hospital, unaware of the chaos awaiting us.
My mind is spinning faster than the wheels on the car. Hex looks ready to throw someone across the room—probably Percy if he made the wrong joke. Percy… surprisingly calm, somehow grounding me when all I feel is panic. And the phone call… that half-heard plea—help… Trisha… yes…—my heart is hammering. I don't even know what I'll find when we get there.
But one thing is clear: no matter what, I won't let anything happen to Aunty Katherine. Not now. Not ever.