Jay Jay's POV
For the first time since I learned the truth, Monday actually felt... peaceful.
No fights.
No screaming across the hallway.
No books flying at Yuri's head.
Keifer was unusually calm, walking beside me instead of behind like a secret bodyguard.
I thought maybe-just maybe-this week would be normal.
I was wrong.
---
Our teacher clapped her hands.
"Class, we have a new student. Please welcome-"
The door opened.
A boy stepped in, carrying a clean backpack and wearing a calm smile.
"My name is Shawn Cruz," he said politely. "I'm from Manila. Nice to meet you."
Instantly, half the girls whispered,
"He's cute."
"His smile is so soft."
I smiled too. He did seem kind.
But Keifer... I saw his eyebrow twitch.
Yuri leaned over. "Is your eye okay?"
Keifer hissed, "No. Something feels wrong."
Percy snorted. "He just introduced himself."
Keifer leaned forward, eyes narrowing at Shawn. "Suspicious."
"Shawn, you may sit beside..." the teacher scanned the room, "Jay Jay."
Keifer slammed his forehead on the desk. "No. NO."
I jumped. "Keifer! Are you okay?!"
He muttered into the table, "No, Jay, I am NOT okay."
Shawn quietly sat beside me. "Hi. I hope we can be friends."
I smiled sweetly. "Of course!"
Keifer sat up, glaring at Shawn like he just declared war.
---
During break time, me and Shawn walked to the garden to throw their trash.
Keifer followed.
Aries followed Keifer.
Yuri followed Aries because he wanted popcorn.
Percy followed Yuri because he had nothing better to do.
Shawn turned to me. "So... you grew up here?"
I nodded. "Yes. My kuya Angelo and Tita Gema take care of us."
"That's nice," he said gently. "Your smile reminds me of my little sister."
I blinked and smiled. "Oh-thank you."
Behind us, Keifer made a strangled noise.
Aries sighed. "Here we go..."
Keifer marched forward and stood between us. "Jay doesn't need compliments."
I frowned. "Keifer-"
Shawn only smiled. "I was just being friendly."
Keifer held up a finger. "Well don't."
I stepped in. "Keifer! That's rude!"
Keifer froze, guilt instantly flashing on his face.
"S-sorry... I just... I don't like him talking to you."
Yuri raised an eyebrow. "And THAT, children, is jealousy."
Keifer spun toward him. "NO IT ISN'T-"
Percy whispered, "It's definitely jealousy."
---
Aries invited Shawn to eat with them for lunch-he liked the kid.
I liked him too. Shawn was gentle, polite, and calm... the complete opposite of Keifer.
But the moment Shawn sat next to me, Keifer scooted closer to me on the other side.
I moved away.
Keifer moved too.
I scooted again.
Keifer mirror-moved like he was magnetized.
Finally Aries snapped, "KEIFER. STOP."
Keifer froze mid-slide. "I'm not doing anything!"
I covered my face.
Shawn just laughed softly. "You guys are fun."
Yuri nodded. "You have NO idea."
---
After school, rain started again. Students rushed outside.
Shawn opened an umbrella. "Jay, I can walk you and Aries to the gate."
I smiled gratefully. "Thank-"
Keifer grabbed my wrist gently. "No need. I'll bring her."
I blinked up at him.
Something in Keifer's eyes felt... serious.
Different.
Aries noticed.
Shawn noticed.
Even I noticed.
"Keifer," I whispered, "why are you acting like this?"
He stayed quiet for a moment.
Then he said:
"Because you're important to me."
My heart stopped.
But before I could speak, Shawn approached.
"Important how?" he asked calmly.
Keifer stiffened.
I panicked.
I couldn't let Keifer say something I wasn't ready to hear-
Something he didn't understand yet-
Something that might connect back to the engagement secret.
So I stepped between them.
"Let's just go home, okay?"
Keifer didn't move.
Shawn didn't move.
Aries sighed. "I swear, high school will be worse..."
---
That night, I sat on her bed staring again at the engagement letter.
Keifer's words kept repeating in my mind:
"You're important to me."
My chest tightened.
Shawn being here was making everything more complicated.
Keifer was getting more protective.
Yuri was getting suspicious.
Aries was getting annoyed.
I whispered to myself:
"If Shawn keeps getting close to me... what will Keifer do?"
Because whether he understood it or not-
Whether he knew the truth or not-
Keifer was starting to act like someone who didn't want to lose me.
And I didn't know how to keep hiding the promise our mothers made.
---
END OF CHAPTER 7
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Word counts: 726