Jayjay's POV
I woke up to banging on my door. Who the hell is it? It's my birthday; can't they let me sleep? I yawned loudly and dragged myself out of bed. I opened the door and there he was—the one and only, my brother, the "Horoscope." Ha! What is he doing here?
"Good morning," he said and smiled sweetly. Sweetly? Him? Am I dreaming?
"Pinch me," I said. He looked confused, but he did it. "Owww! Oh, morning," I said and smiled back at him. I went back to my bed and dropped onto it again. He came in.
"Get your ass up, Jay, or..." he threatened.
"I don't want to! I want to sleep," I said, but he just shook his head in disappointment and started pulling my arm.
"Don't say this to me; say it to that grumpy face who is standing outside the house," he said. I stood up so fast.
"Who?" I asked for confirmation.
"Obviously Keifer," he said. "And you're going to be late. Do you want to know a secret?" I nodded quickly because I was curious. "Your classmates told the teachers not to teach today because it's your birthday."
"Awww," I said. He made a disgusted face.
"Awww? Are you kidding me? Anyways, get up or you'll be late," he said. I went into the washroom, showered quickly, and did my skincare plus haircare. I changed into my uniform and went downstairs. Since the "King" was waiting outside the house, I quickly shoved every dish on the table straight down my throat and hurried out.
There he was, leaning against his iconic black Jeep. He was in his school uniform, but wearing his iconic black leather jacket. Did he change overnight, or am I just noticing him so clearly today? His hair was long and falling over his forehead, his brown eyes glistening in the sunlight. Checking his watch again and again, he looked like a CEO. I laughed softly and went up to him.
"Boo!" I tried to scare him, but he didn't get scared. "I was trying to scare you," I said and pouted. He leaned in just a little, just enough to make me flinch—and I did.
"Try again," he said, then went back to leaning against his Jeep.
"Okay," I said and smiled. I went back into the house. Kuya and Tita looked at me, confused. I stared at my phone screen, and right after five minutes, I went back out.
"Booo!" I said as I jumped in front of him, and he actually got scared. Wait, really?
"I thought you went home to do something," he said.
"You got scared? Really? Or are you just acting to make me happy?" I asked.
"I totally, fully, completely, and really got scared," he said and smiled. I smiled back.
"Move, I want to get in," I said and pushed him aside.
"Woah, that was ungentle," he said through the window, but I rolled the window up and stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed and went to his seat. Of course, I could see him laughing through the window. Without a word, he started the engine and drove normally today. Wow.
"Hey, hey, hey," I said again and again, because I remembered that because of this King of Ulupong, I didn't eat my breakfast properly.
"What?" he asked as he pressed the brakes. Since I wasn't wearing my seatbelt, my forehead hit the dashboard. I quickly straightened up and rubbed my forehead. He checked it, too.
"I just remembered that I didn't eat breakfast properly," I muttered.
"And why didn't you eat well, Jayjay?" he asked concerned.
"Because you were waiting outside! So, before school, take me to a restaurant. I want to eat," I said, pointing a finger at him. He just chuckled. He started the car again and changed the route.
"You look cute," he said suddenly. I knew I was blushing, so I quickly turned to the window. After that, the drive was silent—not an awkward silent, but a comfortable one. We reached the restaurant and he got out before me, then he opened my door and placed his hand above my head. Wow, sudden change.
He ordered just one mango juice for himself, while I ordered just a little—really just a little. Like, two types of juices (one mango and the other mixed fruit), one cream coffee, six to seven hotdogs, three bowls of rice, and obviously sushi. Yeah, this restaurant had that, so I ordered it; who wouldn't order sushi if it's available? The name of sushi still reminds me of the first time I tried it; Yuri shoved it into my mouth.
"Why are you smiling to yourself?" Keifer asked, and I realized I was smiling.
"Oh, just thinking of how I first tasted sushi," I replied with a smile.
"Ahhh," he said, and our orders came. I ate all of mine while he was still drinking his. Such a slow eater—or drinker, whatever. I was now drinking my mango juice; yeah, I saved it for the end. I don't know why I do that, but it feels good drinking or eating your favorite thing at the end.
I suddenly looked at him and found that he was looking at me without even blinking. His head was resting on his hand, and he was looking at me with soft expressions and soft eyes. I just let him be until I finished my juice. Then, I snapped my fingers in front of him.
"Lost?" I teased, and he just smiled. "Or thinking of other girls?" I said. His eyes went wide. "Answer!" I teased again, trying not to laugh. Why can't he answer?
"I—I was just looking at you," he said. I laughed softly.
"I was teasing you! Why did you go pale?" I laughed.
Keifer's POV.
"Lost?" she teased, and I smiled. "Or thinking of other girls?" she said, and my eyes went wide. I wasn't, but why isn't my voice coming out? Why do I feel so nervous now? What is happening to me?
"Answer!" she said again, but I couldn't find my voice or even shake my head. What the hell is wrong with me today? Maybe I was just so lost admiring her that my voice can't come out and my body can't move.
"I—I was just looking at you," I managed to say. Why the heck am I stammering? This girl has done something to me—yes, she has. She has made me fall in love. She just laughed.
"I was just teasing you! Why did you go pale?" she asked while laughing softly and covering her mouth with her hands. Why is her smile so cute? Why is she hiding it?
"I didn't... did I?" I asked, and she nodded, still laughing. Then she drank some water and choked on it. She was coughing and coughing. "Jayjay?" I called out, but she was still coughing. Am I stupid? Before I could even process what just happened, my body moved on its own. I was on my knees, rubbing her back. She wouldn't stop coughing, and then water started to fall from her eyes. That was it. My concern rose, and I gave her water again. She drank it and finally stopped.
She wiped her cheeks and turned to me. I didn't even get a chance to move before she suddenly spat the water from her mouth right onto me! Then she started laughing.
"Sorry! You looked so funny that I couldn't hold my laugh, and that happened," she apologized through her laughter. I just smiled. She grabbed some tissues and started wiping my shirt and face.
"There," she said, and I went back to my seat.
"You gave me a nickname—King Ulupong," I said, and she nodded. "And I haven't given you a nickname yet." She raised one eyebrow.
"Hey, hey, hey! You gave me one—not only one, you gave me several! For example: My Queen, Mrs. Watson, my wife, and more flirty names like those," she said. I giggled. She knew all that.
"I mean an official one," I said, and she looked confused. "So, you're my Nectar." I explained but she still seems confused.
"Nectar?" she repeated, and I nodded. "It's a sweet liquid produced by flowers to attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is the raw material bees use to make honey. So why did you call me that?" she asked.
"Because you attract people towards yourself, and your voice is like honey," I said. She nodded, understanding the explanation.
"So, Mr. Watson, shall we go?" she asked.
"Yes, Mrs. Watson, we shall go," I replied. We left, and I placed the payment on the table. I know this restaurant well, and by now almost the whole staff knows me too; I always just leave the money on the table. I started the car, and we didn't talk for a while.
"Music?" I asked, looking at her. She nodded, still not shifting her gaze from the window. I played the music. I didn't even know what song it was, nor did I bother to listen. We reached the school, and she waited for me to park. Then I got down and opened the door for her, again placing my hand above her head. She ran toward the class, and I texted Ci-n.
To: Ci-n
She's coming.
From: Ci-n
Okay.
I followed her, and even though she was far ahead, I caught up to her. She looked at me.
"You're so fast," she muttered. I just chuckled. We reached our classroom, and I covered her eyes. "Hey, what's this for?" she asked.
"Just stay patient," I said, and she nodded. Then I opened the door, and we went inside. I lowered my hands and let her see as I closed the door with my foot. The room went pitch black.
Jayjay's POV.
First he covered my eyes, and then he closed the door, making the room so dark that no light was coming in. Had they covered the windows, too?
"Keif, what's—" I didn't get to finish because he turned on the lights and showered colored paper all over me.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" all of Section E yelled. I laughed as I saw Aries, Ella, Grace, Rakki, Mica, Freya, Honey, and Percy there, too.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR MUTYA, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FIGHTER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JAYJAY! MAY YOU STAY WITH US ALWAYS, MAY WE BE IN YOUR LIFE ALWAYS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR MUTYA, WE LOVE OUR MUTYA SO MUCH! WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU CAME INTO OUR LIVES, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR MUTYA!" They all sang in perfect sync.
"Thank you all so much! And I love you all so much," I said, and they all smiled. Then Percy and Aries lifted me up and started bouncing me in the air.
"Hoi! Hoi! Hoi! Put me down!" I said while laughing, and they both finally set me down. Then Ci-n and Felix came over and dragged me to the back. There was a cake, and it was blue—my favorite color. I looked at them and smiled.(Guys just imagine how Section E bounce jayjay on Christmas party)
"Thanks a lot, guys," I said, and they both smiled back.
"Wait, wait, wait." Keifer stepped beside me. "You said that you love all of them so much," he said. I nodded, knowing he was jealous, and I loved making him feel that way. "But you're just supposed to love me," he said. Everyone looked at him, purely shocked and confused because he was acting like a child.
"Chill, they are my friends," I said. He nodded, and then all of them started laughing.
"Why are they laughing?" Keifer whispered.
"Because you're acting like a baby," I wunce jayjay in air on Christmas party).spered back.
"So, I'm your baby?" he asked, and I nodded.
"Okay, baby, now stop being jealous," I said a little loudly—loud enough that they all heard me. My cheeks felt warm from the embarrassment.
"Baby, baby, baby, oooooo!" they all sang, and I just covered my face.
"Okay, now let's cut the cake," Percy said.
"Another foodie," Mayo muttered under his breath, but we all heard it. They all started laughing while I, Percy, Ci-n, and Felix gave them death glares.
"Now, cut the cake!" Keifer shouted, and they all shut their mouths. Wow, the power of the King.
Then Keifer put cream on my nose, while Aries put some on my left cheek and Percy on my right.
"Hey!" I protested, and they all laughed.
I cut the cake and was confused about who to feed first: Keifer, Aries, Percy, Ci-n, or Felix. They all matter to me the most, and I couldn't choose just one. I held the piece of cake in my hand and looked at each of them. Then, without hesitating, I ate the cake myself and smiled widely.
"Dang," Edrix said, and they all chuckled softly. There were three cakes in total, so I cut them all and gave a slice to everyone.
"Okay, now go to the front," Keifer said. I looked at him, confused. Why should I go to the front? Then, without warning, Ci-n covered my eyes and led me there. He slowly lowered his hands, revealing the teacher's table—it was covered in gifts. I giggled as I looked at them.
"How many surprises are there?" I asked.
"Surprise!" they all said in unison, and I just chuckled.
"Take them all home and open them there," Yuri said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because they might have given you something naughty like at the Christmas party," he grinned. I threw an empty party popper at him.
"So, have all the surprises ended?" I asked. They all shook their heads. "What's left?"
"Surprise!" they yelled in unison again. I just groaned at their "surprise" thing.
"Surprise!" a voice came from the door. I turned to see who it was.
"Papa?" I said and ran to him. We shared a hug, and I don't know why, but my tears started to fall. He pulled back and looked at me, then wiped my tears away.
"Don't cry on your birthday," he said softly.
"I'm not crying; these are happy tears," I whispered.
"Thank you, Keifer, for inviting me here today," Papa said, turning around. Wait... Keifer? I turned toward him too. He smiled while rubbing the back of his neck.
"You? You invited Papa?" I asked. He nodded.
"Thanks, Keifer," I said. I took Papa's hand and led him toward Keifer. "Papa, this is—"
"Your husband? I didn't know my daughter got married," he cut me off. We all looked at each other, shocked, while he just smirked.
"HUSBAND?" we all yelled in unison. Papa nodded while the King of Ulupongs just stood there smirking.
"No, no, Papa, you misunderstood," Percy tried to explain, but Papa stopped him.
"He told me that. He said that you both are going to get married," he said. We all sighed in relief. I immediately smacked Keifer's head in front of everyone.
"You idiot," I whispered to him as he rubbed his head.
Everyone was having fun and talking, while I stood there looking at them all and smiling as they laughed. Keifer and Papa were busy having a talk of their own. Then suddenly, Ci-n stood on a chair and started screaming. Because there was so much noise, we couldn't hear him at first, but eventually, everyone went silent.
"NO MATTER WHAT, I'M JAYJAY'S FAVORITE!" he yelled, puffing his chest out.
"Oh no, you stinky brat, it's me," Percy said proudly.
"Nah, it's me since she always gives me food, ha!" Felix added.
"No, no, no, you'all are just side favorites. I'm the first favorite," Aries said.
"Nope, that's a white lie," Keifer said, standing in the middle of the classroom. "It's me, obviously."
The ones who were fighting before—Ci-n, Felix, Percy, and Aries—burst out laughing.
"Nice joke," Aries said.
"I'm the one!" Ci-n said again.
"No, it's me!" Felix argued.
"Nah-uh, it's me!" Percy chimed in.
"Oh, in your dreams! It's me," Aries countered.
"Stop fighting for no reason!" Keifer shouted, and they all got quiet. "It's obvious that it's me, since I'm her boyfriend."
My eyes followed everyone as they fought. Keifer and Aries were arguing like a married couple, while Ci-n, Felix, and Percy were bickering with each other. Percy even pulled Ci-n's hair, so I stepped in and pulled Ci-n toward me. They all looked at me, shocked.
"You all are equal to me, but my first favorite is..." I paused, and Keifer smirked. "Papa," I said, and they all turned to him.
The five who were fighting sighed and just looked at one another.
"Okay, so state your favorites from one to however many there are," Felix said, smirking.
"No, I said you are all equal to me," I insisted, but they just shook their heads.
"Just say it, Jayjay," Yuri said, earning a glare from me.
"Nope," I said, popping the "P." They all sighed. Then Keifer went out and came back just a minute later, handing me a bag but I didn't took it.
"What's this?" I asked.
"Get changed; we're going to have some fun," he said, and all of Section E cheered.
I took the bag from Keifer's hand, feeling the weight of it. "What's in here?" I asked, but he just smirked and gestured for me to open it. I peaked inside and my eyes widened. Resting in the bag was a stunning, long blue dress—the exact shade of my favorite color. It was a flowing maxi dress with beautiful ruffles along the top and cold-shoulder sleeves that looked so elegant. The fabric was light and covered in a delicate floral pattern.
"You bought this for me?" I asked, looking up at him. He just nodded, his eyes soft.
I didn't wait for another second. I grabbed the bag tightly and turned around. "I'll be right back!" I yelled over my shoulder. I ignored the teasing whistles from Section E as I sprinted toward the restroom, my heart racing with excitement to see how I'd look in my new birthday dress.
The End 🌸.
The dress pic is in the comments 😉