JAY'S POV
Okay, Jay-Jay… everything is fine.Just act normal—like you've been doing these past few days. Cold stares. Sharp replies. No emotions.
No one will even imagine that I was the one who, just a while ago, threatened everyone for making a wrong move.
Yeah… right.
Because in their minds, I'm the last person capable of doing something like that.
"God… why am I overthinking this so much?" I muttered under my breath.
I stepped into the classroom like usual—no eye contact, no reactions—and walked straight to my corner seat. My safe place. Far from everyone.
Just as I sat down, Ci-n rushed over, practically glowing with excitement.
"Good morning, Jay! See—I brought chocolates for us."
He pulled them out of his pocket and placed them on my desk. A faint smile appeared on my face. At least… I got my brother back.
"Morning, Ci. And thanks."
I unwrapped one and took a bite. It was sweet—exactly what I needed after that bitter conversation with the board members.
Then I felt it. That heavy, uncomfortable feeling. Eyes. Not one. Everyone.
I turned slightly and saw fourteen pairs of eyes staring at me like I had personally offended them.
"What now?"
Big mistake.
The moment the words left my mouth, chaos erupted.
"Jay, did you forgive me?"
"What did he do that you forgave him?"
"Please forgive me too!"
"Did he bribe you with food?"
"Yeah, was it because of the chocolate?"
"We'll take you to a buffet, I swear!"
"Talk to us, please!"
"We're sorry!"
I closed my eyes for a second.
Their IQ isn't just low… it's nonexistent. They think I can be bribed with food? And now they're doing the same? Do they really think I don't have any dignity? I stood up slowly and fixed them with a deadly glare.
Within seconds—silence.
"Ask me one more question… and see what happens."
No one dared to speak.
"I forgave Ci-n because he earned it," I continued, my voice cold. "He was forced into that stupid plan. You weren't."
I paused, my jaw tightening.
"And no, I didn't forgive him because he gave me chocolate. Seriously… the fact that you all even think that—"
I stopped mid-sentence. A bitter laugh escaped me.
"Of course you think that. In your eyes, I'm already someone who flirts with everyone… so assuming I forgot everything because of food isn't a big deal, right?"
Silence. Complete silence. Even I felt it—this wasn't me. I don't talk like this.
"Enough, Jay-Jay," David said firmly. "Don't call yourself that. We never said that. You're our mutya… don't say things like that."
"We're sorry, Jay. But we never thought about you like that. Please…"
"No, Jay… don't say that about yourself."
"We never said that. Please stop hurting yourself like that."
I let out a slow breath.
"Oh really?" I said quietly. "But none of you denied it when I was being accused… by your class president. You were all standing right there. Listening to every word he said. Did even one of you stand up for me?"
No one answered.
"So what do you expect me to think?" I continued. "Your silence… was already a yes."
"We're sorry, Jay," Calix finally said, his voice breaking. "We were scared of Keifer. That's why we didn't fight back… even when you were the only one who always stood up for us."
I froze. A tear slipped down my cheek before I could stop it. He was right. I was always there for them. And I trusted them… blindly. Maybe this is my lesson. Don't trust so easily. Because in the end… I'm the one who gets hurt.
"Enough," I said softly, wiping my tears. "Let's stop this. I don't want to relive anything that includes all of you."
I sat back down and grabbed my phone, trying to distract myself.
Messages. From GagonBaliw.
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE :What happened? Why did you cut the call?
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE :Are you okay?
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE :Please reply. You're making me worried.
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE :Is something wrong?
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE :Why aren't you answering?
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE :Please reply na…
FROM: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE : I'm waiting, Jay-Jay.
Who even is this guy? I don't know him… but talking to him feels strangely familiar. Sometimes… it even feels like it's him. Keifer. But that's impossible. He's in London, handling his inheritance. He doesn't even have my number. Still…
I typed back.
TO: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE:I'm fine. Nothing happened. And why do you even care? You have nothing to do with me.
I sent it and locked my phone.
Right then, Sir Alvin entered the classroom. He glanced at me, and I gave him a polite nod.
"Good morning, class," he began. "I have good news for all of you."
The room filled with whispers, excitement barely contained.
"Section E's building will no longer be demolished. Instead… it will be renovated."
Silence.
Then—
Explosion.
"Sir, are you serious?!"
"No way!"
"Section E is saved?!"
"Am I hearing this right?!"
"Yesss!"
Even I couldn't stop the small smile forming on my lips.
"Yes," Sir Alvin continued. "The renovation will make your building the same as the main building. It will start Monday, so you have today and tomorrow to shift. A new classroom is already prepared for you."
The excitement doubled.
"We're moving to the main building?!"
"This feels like a dream!"
"A miracle!"
"And one more thing," he added. "Starting Monday, you are all officially allowed in the cafeteria."
The room lost its mind.
"I'm in heaven!"
"Food!"
"Finally!"
Felix stood up.
"Sir… what changed? Yesterday, our building was getting demolished. Today it's being renovated, we're moving, and now we're allowed in the cafeteria? This isn't normal."
Sir Alvin nodded.
"You're right. It's not. These are the orders of the new owner of HVIS. She is the one who give the orders. "
Murmurs spread again.
"New owner?"
"She?"
"Why would she help us?"
I stayed silent, my expression neutral.
Ci-n leaned closer.
"Jay… do you know who the new owner is? And aren't you excited? We're moving to the main building. We can go to the cafeteria together."
"No, Ci," I replied calmly. "I don't know who she is. And yes… I'm happy for you all. We can go together."
He frowned.
"What do you mean you all? You're part of Section E too. You're coming with us."
I shook my head slightly.
"No, Ci. I'm not Section E anymore."
His expression fell.
"Jay… don't say that. He—"
I cut him off.
"The words already left his mouth," I said quietly. "They can't be taken back."
I looked away.
"So let's not talk about it. Please."
"…Okay, Jay-Jay."