Keifer's POV
"You gave her a phone?" I ask Percy.
He's looking at me while standing beside his car. He's actually about to leave, but I stop him.
"Yeah, Felix told me she broke her old one."
I took my phone out of my pocket. "Give me her new number."
He smiles widely before sticking out his tongue like a child. "No way."
"I'm not in the mood to play with you."
Sounds like a threat to him.
"I ain't playing with yah!" He raps while moving his hand like a real rapper.
I let out a sigh. He's already come back from the dead and everything, yet he's still an idiot. What does he need to go through to finally straighten up?
Do I have to smash his head against a rock for him to change? Here I am, trying to be serious, and yet he's just messing around. He hasn't changed at all.
"Percy." I called him in a serious tone. "…just give me her number so I can leave."
He stopped what he was doing and observed me. He probably sensed how serious I am. He scratched his cheek for a moment before speaking.
"Sorry, I don't trust you. To be honest, I don't want you getting close to Jay-jay again. After what you've done to her." He said while shaking his head. "…and then you still haven't explained the incident with Freya."
"You don't understand my situation with Jay-jay, and I have nothing to explain about Freya." I put my phone back in my pocket. "…if you don't want to give it, fine. I can still get her number anyway."
I'm about to walk away when he calls me. I turn back to him. He frowns like a child and takes out his phone.
"You're so demanding! Annoying!" He said while typing something on his phone. "…Good thing I'm more handsome than you."
I don't see the connection.
I stepped closer to him while waiting for the number I asked for. His nostrils were even flaring.
"I have one condition."
I raised a brow. "What?"
"Just explain what happened with Freya."
Like I have a choice. I nodded shortly before he handed his phone to me. But there was no number on his screen—just a dialing keypad.
"Type your number. I'll send it to you once you give me what I want." He said, making an assurance.
I just shook my head while typing in my number. Looks like he doesn't trust me either. It's a tie then. I don't trust him either.
I gave back his phone and let him do his thing. He put it in his pocket and looked at me—he even looked at me mockingly.
Asshole.
"Let's meet later at KingsGround." He said before getting inside his car.
I let him leave. I just watched the back of his car. Without realizing it, I clenched my fist. It's aching!
Looks like I went overboard last night. Out of anger from seeing Kiko and Jay-jay together, I might have cracked the skulls of those we faced. It was supposed to be a warning for the other group who dared to touch Jay-jay.
For those who would try to make a move on her.
But I wasn't satisfied with just beating them up. Edrix almost laughed at me while shooting a video and taking pictures. He said I looked like a demon wiping out humanity.
Tss… I am pissed.
But it was worth it since I haven't heard a response from them yet. Looks like they're scared now.
I went back to school. Lunch break is almost over, and I just hope Jay-jay ate properly. She still refuses to eat with me.
If Percy doesn't give me the number, I'll have to use tricks on him. Maybe it would be better if I had his phone stolen first so Edrix could install an app on it. But he might get suspicious if it gets stolen and then suddenly returned.
He's already quick to suspect things now and has a hard time trusting people.
I was at the door of the classroom when I saw Yuri standing in front of Jay-jay. My forehead creased, but when I saw Jay's blouse, I almost lost my sanity.
"What the…" I said, catching Yuri's attention. He had a worried look.
"Why is she like this?" I asked with authority.
"She's tipsy." Yuri answered quickly.
I turned back to Jay-jay. I was shocked to see her slowly unbuttoning her blouse. I quickly took off my polo to cover her. Yuri did the same.
I know she's going to complain. Before she could say anything, I carried her and put her over my shoulder.
"F*! Put me down!" She shouts.
Damn! Profanity.
"Keifer…" Yuri called me. "…What are you going to do?"
What am I going to do? I don't even know. I just need to take her away from here and stop her.
Whatever she drank, I know she can't handle it.
"I don't know!" I shouted at Yuri and released a heavy sigh. "…I just need to stop her!"
I don't know what to do. I looked at our friends, who were also looking at us.
Screw it!
I walked out of the room while still carrying Jay. I quickly got away. My plan was to put her in my car and take her somewhere, but then I looked at the stairs leading to the second floor.
That room! That'll do instead of going far.
I climbed the stairs. I could sense Yuri behind me.
"Where are you taking her?" he asked.
I didn't give him an answer. I continued walking until I reached the room at the end of the hallway.
"Put me down! I'm going to throw up on you!" Jay shouted again.
I took the keys from my pocket. It was difficult to get them out. I immediately tossed them to Yuri, who caught them.
"Open this goddamn door!" I said in an uproar voice.
He followed my command even though he seemed out of it. As soon as he opened the door, I went inside. I set Jay-jay down on the sofa.
"Damn it! You're always so good at being annoying!"
She shouted again.
Profanity.
"Calm down, Jay," Yuri said, which made me arch a brow.
He also tried to approach Jay, but she quickly threw a pillow at him. I couldn't help but smirk.
I glanced at my fallen polo. My eyes swiftly shifted to her clothes. I swallowed hard. Her thing is almost showing up.
She suddenly screamed while looking at her clothes.
"Why is my uniform open?!"
"You're the one—!" I tried to explain, but she threw a pillow at me.
"Why are you two here?! You're planning something against me, aren't you?!" she added, pointing fingers at us.
I almost slapped my face. I had no idea what was running through her mind. Now I was starting to think that she was drunk.
"Are you sure she's not drunk?" I asked Yuri to make sure.
"She's not asking for a virgin to sacrifice. So, she's not drunk."
Yeah, I forgot.
She transforms into a witch when she gets drunk. That's kinda weird. Then again, there are people who break up with their boyfriend or girlfriend whenever they get drunk. Some become overly corny and joke around non-stop. And I know someone who thinks he belongs in an anime world before passing out, and that happens every time he gets drunk.
I'm not saying that it's Yuri.
But Jay-jay's case is even scarier. She might suddenly stab us and offer us to the fire.
Jay-jay automatically lay down on the sofa. She was probably tired or sleepy.
"It's really hot," she said, covering her face with a pillow.
I turned to Yuri and asked him, "Who gave her alcohol to drink?"
"I don't know. She was acting weird when she came back after lunch."
After lunch?
She was with Percy the whole lunchtime. He's the only one who could have brought alcohol into the school.
He really indulged her. Probably because he doesn't know what happens to Jay-jay when she gets drunk.
Not long after, she fell asleep. It was probably the effect of the alcohol on her body. I felt at peace for a while. I sighed heavily to ease the exhaustion in my body.
"Can you…" Yuri started, breaking the silence. "…tell me the real reason?"
Here he goes again.
"Reason for what?" I said as if I didn't know what he was talking about.
I was taking a wild shot here, even though I knew Yuri could tell I was lying.
It's really hard to keep secrets from him.
But I would try my best to hide it.
"I'm not damn stupid, Keifer."
Tsk… You're definitely not.
"If you're not damn stupid, then what are you trying to do? Shouldn't you be happy that I'm out of your way? You can finally have the girl you want." I said, looking him straight in the eye.
Yes, enjoy the moment that I'm not around. Enjoy the moment that you're with Jay-jay. Because that's only for a while, and you will never get her.
He was obviously having second thoughts. He's too proud. He won't take advantage of the situation. He prefers a fair fight, even though I don't feel that from him at all.
I reached into my pocket for my cigarette. I felt restless, so I brought some. I didn't know I'd actually have a use for them now.
"I still want to know the truth."
"What for?" I asked while handing him a cigarette, but he refused.
"Are you really serious about quitting? I thought you were just kidding."
He made me chuckle.
I just lit my cigarette. I need to stay composed so Yuri won't suspect anything. He's too observant. If I make even a small mistake, his suspicions will grow.
"Don't change the topic. Please answer me, Keifer."
I exhaled smoke and turned away from him.
"You already know the answer. Why are you still asking?"
"I don't, Keifer. I don't know the exact answer."
"You were there when I planned it. I even thought you were part of it, but you backed out halfway."
He chuckled bitterly.
"Your plan. Again?" He shook his head. "That's your reason for this shit?! That's your reason for hurting Jay-jay?!"
His voice was starting to rise.
I glanced at Jay-jay and noticed her slight movement. I couldn't see her face properly because of the pillow covering it.
Is she awake?
She probably is. With Yuri's voice that loud.
"That's the f*cking truth." I answered in a bored tone.
I need to be even more careful. Jay-jay must not hear anything that could give her a clue.
"I was the happiest guy in town when you stayed away from Jay-jay. It felt so good to think that I finally had a chance with her. But when I saw her in pain…" He continued. "I wanted to punch you. I wanted to blame you for everything and make you pay."
You care a lot for Jay-jay that you forget your own pain. You love too much—it seems like you're forgetting to love yourself.
"Why didn't you do it?" I challenged him because it felt like I really needed a punch.
"Because I know there is something else."
"And that something is?"
"You're lying."
That made me stop.
"…You lied to us, you lied to Jay-jay, and you lied to yourself."
So fcking good at observation. I want to curse him for being so sharp.
"I lied to no one."
I heard his heavy breathing.
"I told you. I'm not damn stupid!"
"…You stopped your plan a long time ago. That's why the whole Section E also stopped. We're not numb not to feel that."
I finished the cigarette stick due to the tension I was feeling. Just a little more, and I might slip up.
Think wisely, Keifer!
"Keifer." He called my name, almost begging. "…If you can't tell Jay-jay and the whole Section E, at least tell me."
"I have nothing to tell you."
I can't tell you. I can't tell anyone.
"Damn it, Keifer! You're in love with Jay-jay, but you choose to hurt her! Why?! What's the f*ing reason?!"
Because I have to! I f**ing have to! I'm sorry, Jay!*
"I'm not, Yuri. I'm not in love with her."
Out of nowhere, his fist hit me straight in the face. I fell to the floor and quickly wiped my lips.
I almost lost my temper, but then I realized that I deserved this.
"You know that I know when you're lying, yet you keep doing it over and over again!"
"I'm not."
I'm in love with her! I am! I really do!
"If you don't have feelings for Jay-jay, why do you get so angry whenever another guy gets close to her?"
I shook my head. I had no answer for what he was saying. I just chose to stand up and walk away. But before leaving, I left words he could believe.
"I'm just playing around." I said and walked away.
I sighed as I stepped out of the room. I have to do this.
Jay was awake. I saw her, even just for a moment.
I feel so weak. I can't do anything but hurt her to protect her.
Damn this family! Damn this Watson family! The only thing that matters to them is money. They'll use everything to get what they want.
This is frustrating. I'm hopeless. I am Keifer Watson. I can do whatever I want, but why can't I do anything for her?
I'm f**ing useless.*
I don't know who to talk to anymore. I don't know who else to turn to. I took my phone out of my pocket.
Angelo the Demon King is the only person I know who can help me. But the price will be too high.
No! I can't! Not him!
If I talk to Keigan, he'll just be practical about it. He'll give me the same solution he always does.
Get rid of Jay-jay.
Who else will I talk to?
I looked at my phone again when I received a message from an unknown number.
From: +639*********
Message: Don't keep my handsome self waiting. See you later at KingsGround.
It's Percy. I sighed. Just what I needed.
Maybe I should go ahead and meet him. Maybe liquor can help me find someone to talk to.
I walked out of that building. I know Yuri will take care of Jay-jay without taking advantage of her situation.
It's annoying to think about them hugging. But I can't do anything if Jay-jay needs a shoulder to cry on.
So I'll let them be.
I reached my car and immediately hopped in. I started the engine and drove fast.
I badly want to taste some alcohol now. I need it! My tongue needs it, my body needs it, and my f**ing mind needs it.*
But my heart needs Jay-jay.
When I arrived at KingsGround, I parked my car carelessly. I don't care if it gets stolen.
I entered the place, and the first thing that greeted me were Tiger's guards on duty.
"S-sir… We're still closed." One of them said. "Boss is still asleep."
"It's okay. I'm not here for him. I'm here to drink."
I didn't wait for his response and went straight to the bar counter, where a bartender was wiping glasses.
"My usual." I said as I sat on a stool.
He quickly got a glass and poured me a drink. He handed it to me before returning to his task. I accepted it and drank.
After putting the glass down, I immediately grabbed my phone and texted Percy.
To: +639*********
Message: Don't keep me waiting. I'm here, dummy!
After sending it, I put my phone back in my pocket and drank again. I finished my glass quickly and immediately asked for another one.
By the time Percy arrived, I had already downed six glasses. His hair was messy, as if he had rushed to fix it.
"You're paying for my drinks!" He shouted at me before sitting on the stool beside me.
"Whatever."
He signaled to the bartender.
"Give me something only handsome people drink."
What the…
The bartender scratched his head, clearly confused by what Percy meant.
I turned to the bartender. "Just give him poison."
Percy immediately turned to me.
"Fine. As long as you're the one drinking it!"
I smirked while shaking my head. I gestured to the bartender to give me another glass.
He quickly handed me one before giving a different drink to Percy. Percy chugged it down quickly and asked for another.
We were both silent for a while before he finally decided to speak.
"What happened, Keifer?" He asked seriously, looking at his hand holding the glass.
"With Freya?"
"With you, with Yuri, with Aries, and with our friendship."
Our friendship?
I stopped drinking and looked at him.
He was still staring at his glass.
"You already know, yet you're still asking." I said before taking a sip.
"Something's wrong… It's all wrong." He shook his head before taking a sip from his glass.
"Wrong? Wrong that we broke apart or wrong that we all ended up in the same school?"
"Why are you guys ganging up on Aries?"
"Tss… Didn't know you suffered from amnesia."
"I don't have amnesia!"
He finished his drink and signaled the bartender for another one.
"Then you shouldn't be asking that stupid question about Aries." I said, sounding irritated.
He shook his head and laughed in disbelief.
"I thought out of all of us, you were the smartest. Except for being handsome, of course—that's me."
I almost rolled my eyes. He actually managed to squeeze that into the conversation.
"What are you trying to say?"
I wanted him to get to the point.
"You're so gullible." He gave me a deadpan look.
Whatever he was trying to say, I knew it was about the four of us. It had something to do with our past, and I knew it might affect Jay-jay.