I pushed open the front door of our house and took a deep breath. Home. Finally.
The tension from school—the pranks, Matilda's schemes, the chaos with Keifer—felt miles away now. My headache was gone, my energy returning and a slighlty bandages knee. I stretched lazily, feeling the warmth of the couch.
"Jayjay!" Mom's voice echoed as soon as I stepped inside.
I looked up. Mom was leaning against the staircase, hands on her hips, a smile stretching across her face. "There's my princess. Feeling better?"
"Yes, Mom. Much better," I said, waving her off.
From the other couch, I heard Aries grumble. "Feeling better, huh? You're walking around like nothing happened. You could've been seriously hurt!"
I smirked. "Oh please, I've survived worse, Aries. Remember the paint incident last year? Or the fight with the hotel builders?"
Aries groaned and ran a hand down his face. "You really do like to make life difficult for everyone, don't you?"
I laughed and twirled around, the stress of school melting away. "Difficult? Me? I'm just… entertaining."
Mom chuckled, shaking her head. "Entertaining or impossible, Jayjay?"
I grinned. "Both. Can't forget both."
Aries crossed his arms, staring at me like I was insane. "And now you're just walking around like some perfect little… I don't even know what. Do you realize what you put everyone through at school today?"
I shrugged, pretending to be nonchalant. "Honestly? I'm home now, aren't I? So technically, crisis averted."
Jeana shook her head, stepping closer. "Jay, your father will be back soon. We need to eat, and then you'll tell him everything that happened at school."
I groaned, flopping into the sofa in the hall. "Do I have to? Can't we just… skip to the fun part? Like snacks?"
Aries snorted. "You always want the fun part. That's why Mom and I still can't trust you not to start a prank in this house."
"Trust me, I'm on a break today," I said, leaning back with my arms behind my head. "I just need… some family chaos to calm me down."
Jeana laughed and shook her head. "You're incorrigible. Alright, fine. But after that, you're helping Aries with the grocery list. And don't even think about sneaking off to the fridge before lunch."
I mock-saluted. "Yes, ma'am."
Aries sighed, flopping next to me on the sofa. "I swear, one day your sense of chaos will get you in real trouble. But… you know what? I guess it's kind of… fun having you around. Even if you drive me crazy."
I nudged him playfully. "See? Even you admit it. I'm fun."
Jeana shook her head again. "I swear, you two are impossible. Jayjay, why do you always pick on Aries? And Aries, why do you let her?"
"Because I'm entertaining," I said, smirking.
"Exactly why I hate it," Aries groaned, burying his face in his hands.
I laughed, feeling warm and happy. This was my safe place, my little corner of normal in the middle of all the school drama.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to think about Keifer—not with worry or frustration, but with a soft, quiet smile. I felt lighter somehow.
For now, the only battles I'd fight were the playful ones with my family. And maybe a few more pranks tomorrow…
But today? Today, I was just Jayjay—untamed, clever, fearless… and home.
End of Chapter 45 📖✨