Keifer's POV
"You gave her a phone?" I ask Percy.
He's looking at me while standing next to 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 smiled widely before sticking out his tongue like a child. "Nope."
"I'm not in the mood to play with you." Sounds like a threat to him.
"I ain't playing with yah!" he rapped, moving his hands like a real rapper.
I let out a deep sigh. Came back from the dead and all, yet still an idiot. What does this guy need to go through to get his act together? Do I need to smash his head into a rock to straighten him out?
Just when I'm trying to be serious, here he is, being annoying as ever. No change 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 studied me. He probably sensed how serious I was. He scratched his cheek for a moment before speaking.
"Sorry, I don't trust you. Honestly, I don't want you getting close to Jay-jay. 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 won't give it, fine. I can still get her number anyway."
I was about to walk away when he called me. I turned back to him. He frowned like a child and pulled out his phone.
"You're so demanding. Annoying!" he said while typing something into his phone. "...good thing I'm better looking than you."
I don't see the connection.
I walked closer to him as I waited for the number I asked for. His nostrils were still flaring. "I just have one condition."
I raised a brow. "What?"
"Just explain what happened with Freya."
Like I had a choice. I gave a short nod before he handed over his phone to me. But I didn't see any number on it. It was just the dialing keypad.
"Type your number. I'll send it to you once you give me what I'm asking for," he said, making it clear.
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 handed his phone back and let him do his thing. He pocketed it and looked at me, still with that annoying smug face.
Asshole.
"Let's meet later at KingsGround," he said before getting into his car.
I let him leave. I just watched the back of his car. Absentmindedly, I clutched my fist. It's aching!
Looks like I went overboard last night. I was so furious about Kiko and Jay-jay seeing each other that I might've broken some skulls. It was supposed to be a warning to the other group—those who dared touch Jay-jay.
Anyone who would try anything.
But beating them up wasn't enough for me. Edrix even almost laughed at me while recording and snapping pictures. Said I looked like a demon out to wipe out humanity.
Tss... I am pissed.
At least it worked. I haven't heard a peep from them since. Looks like they got scared.
I went back to school. Lunch break was almost over, and I hoped Jay-jay had eaten properly. She still refuses to eat with anyone.
If Percy doesn't give me her number, I'll have no choice but to use some tricks on him. Maybe I should just have his phone stolen for now so Edrix can install the app on it—but he might get suspicious if it gets stolen then suddenly reappears.
He's definitely more cautious now, and it's harder to earn his trust.
I'm at the door of the room when I see Yuri standing in front of Jay-jay. My forehead creases, but when I saw Jay's blouse, I almost lost my sanity.
"What the..." I said that caught Yuri's attention.
He have a worried look.
"Why is she like this?" I ask with authority.
"She's tipsy," Yuri answered quickly.
I turn back to Jay-jay. I was completely shocked when I saw her slowly unbuttoning her blouse. I quickly took off my polo shirt to cover her up. Yuri did the same.
I know she was going to complain. Before she could say a word, I carry her and put her over my shoulder.
"Damn it! Put me down!" she shouted.
Damn! Profanity.
"Keifer..." Yuri called out. "...What are you going to do?"
What am I going to do? I don't even know. All I know is I have to get her out of here and stop her. Whatever it is she drank, I know she can't handle it.
"I don't know!" I shouted to Yuri and let out a heavy sigh. "...I just need to stop her!"
I didn't know what to do. I looked at our friends who were also looking at us.
Screw it!
I walked out of the room with Jay still over my shoulder. I quickly walked away from the room. I planned to put her in the car and take her somewhere, but then I looked at the stairs going up to the second floor. That room! That would do—better than going farther away.
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 kept walking until I reached the room at the end of the hallway.
"Put me down! I'm gonna puke on you!" Jay shouted again.
I took the keys from my pocket. It was hard to get them. I immediately threw them to Yuri, who caught them.
"Open this gaddamn door!" I said in an uproar voice.
He followed my order even though he seemed dazed. As soon as he opened the door, I went in and placed Jay-jay down on the sofa.
"Damn it! You're always good at pissing me off!" 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 looked at my polo shirt lying on floor. My eyes quickly darted to her clothes. I swallowed hard. Her thing is almost showing up.
She suddenly shouts while looking at her clothes. "Why is my uniform open?!"
"You're the one—!" I tried to explain but she threw another pillow at me.
"Why are you guys here?! You're planning something, aren't you?!" she added while pointing fingers at us.
I almost slapped my face. I don't know what's going through her mind. Now I'm starting to think she's drunk.
"Are you sure that she's not drunk?" I asked Yuri to be sure.
"She's not asking for a virgin to sacrifice. So, she's not drunk."
Yeah, I forgot.
She does transform into a witch when she gets drunk.
Then again, some people break up with their partners when they're drunk, some get super corny and joke around, and I even know someone who thinks they belong in an anime world before passing out every time they get drunk.
I'm not saying that it's Yuri.
But Jay-jay's is still scarier. She might suddenly stab us and offer us to the flames.
Jay-jay automatically lay down on the sofa. She's probably tired or sleepy. "It's really hot," she said and covered 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 lunch break. He's the only one who could've brought alcohol into school. He really enabled her. He probably doesn't know what happens to Jay-jay when she gets drunk.
It didn't take long before she fell asleep. Maybe the alcohol's kicking in. I felt peace for a while. I sighed 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.
This is a long shot even though, honestly, I know Yuri knows I'm lying. It's really hard to keep a secret from him. But I will try my best to hide it.
"I'm not damn stupid, Keifer."
Tss... 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? Now you can get the girl you want." I said and looked 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's obviously having second thoughts. He's too proud. He won't take advantage of the situation. He prefers a fair fight, even though I can't really feel that from him.
I reach into my pocket for a cigarette. I've been restless, so I brought some. I didn't know I'd actually end up needing them now.
"I still want to know the truth."
"What for?" I ask, handing him a cigarette, but he refuses.
"You're seriously quitting? I thought you were just kidding." He makes me chuckle.
I lit my cigarette. I needed to look relaxed so Yuri wouldn't suspect anything. He's too observant. One small mistake and 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 in on 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?!"
He's starting to raise his voice. I glanced at Jay-jay and noticed her slight movement. I couldn't see her face clearly because of the pillow covering it.
Is she awake?
She probably is. With Yuri's voice that loud, how could she not be?
"That's the fvcking truth," I answered with a bored tone.
Now I need to be even more careful. Jay-jay can't hear any possibility that might give her a clue.
"I was the happiest guy in town when you stayed away from Jay-jay. It felt great to think I had a chance with her. But when I saw her hurting..." he continued. "...I wanted to punch you. I wanted to blame you for everything and make you pay."
You care so much for Jay-jay that you forget your own pain. You're so loving it seems like you've forgotten to love yourself.
"Why didn't you do it?" I provoked him because it seems like I really need a punch right now.
"Because I know there is something else."
"And that something is?"
"You're lying," he said, which made me stop. "...You lied to us, you lied to Jay-jay, and you lied to yourself."
So fvcking good at observation. I want to curse at him for being so damn sharp.
"I lied to no one."
"I told you. I'm not damn stupid!" I heard his heavy breathing. "...You stopped your plan a long time ago. That's why all of Section E pulled back. We're not numb to not feel it."
I finished my cigarette because of the tension I was feeling. One more push and I might slip.
Think wisely, Keifer!
"Keifer," he called my name, almost begging. "...If you can't tell Jay-jay or all of Section E, then 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 fvcking reason?!"
Because I have to! I fvcking 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 lip.
I almost lost my temper, but then I realized that I deserved this.
"You know I know when you're lying, but you keep doing it anyway!"
"I'm not."
I'm in love with her! I am! I really do!
"If you don't feel anything for Jay-jay, then why do you get so damn mad when another guy gets close to her?"
I shook my head. I had nothing left to say to counter what he just said. I just chose to stand up and walk away. But I left him with a line he could choose to believe.
"I'm just playing around," I said and walked away.
I let out a sigh as I stepped out of the room. I have to do this. Jay is awake—I saw her, even for a moment.
I feel so weak. I can't do anything but hurt her just to protect her. Damn this family! Damn this Watson family! They care about nothing but money. They'll use everything and everyone to get what they want.
This is frustrating. I'm hopeless. I am Keifer Watson. I can do everything I want—so why can't I do anything for her?
I'm fvcking 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 great. No! That's not an option!
If I talk to Keigan, he'll just be practical. 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 make my handsomeness wait. See you later at KingsGround.**
It's Percy. I let out a sigh. Now he's getting involved too. Maybe it's better if I get there before 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 frustrating to think they might be hugging right now.. But I can't do anything if Jay-jay needs a shoulder to cry on.
So I'll let them be for now.
I reach my car and immediately hop in. I start the engine and drive fast. I badly want to taste some alcohol now. I need it! My tongue needs it, my body needs it, and my fvcking mind needs it.
But my heart needs Jay-jay.
When I got to KingsGround, I just parked the car wherever. I don't care if it gets stolen. I entered and was greeted by Tiger's staff who were still mopping the floor.
"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 reply and went straight to the counter bar where a bartender was wiping a glass.
"My usual," I said as I sat on the stool.
He quickly grabbed a glass and poured me a drink. He handed it to me before going back to what he was doing. I took it and drank.
After setting down the glass, I immediately grabbed my phone and texted Percy.
To: +639*********
Message: Don't make me wait. I'm here, dummy!**
After sending it, I put my phone back in my pocket and drank the rest of what was in my glass. I finished it fast, so I immediately asked for another.
I was on my sixth glass when Percy arrived. His hair was messy like he rushed combing it.
"You're paying for my drinks!" he shouted before sitting on the stool next to me.
"Whatever."
He gestured to the bartender. "Give me something worthy of my good looks."
What the...
The bartender scratched his head, clearly confused about what Percy meant.
I faced the bartender. "Give him poison."
Percy immediately glared at me. "Fine. As long as you're the one drinking it!"
I smirked while shaking my head. I also signaled the bartender to give me another one.
He quickly handed me a drink before giving a different liquor to Percy. He downed it fast and immediately asked for another.
We were both silent for a while before he decided to speak.
"What happened, Keifer?" he asked seriously while looking at the glass in his hand.
"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. Why are you still asking?" I said and took a sip.
"Something's wrong... really wrong." He shook his head before taking a sip from his glass.
"Wrong how? Wrong that we broke apart or wrong that we ended up at the same school?"
"Why are you all ganging up on Aries?"
"Tss... Didn't know you had amnesia."
"I don't have amnesia!"
His glass was empty, and he signaled to the bartender.
"Then you shouldn't ask that stupid question about Aries," I said, sounding irritated.
He shook his head and laughed in disbelief.
"I thought you were the smartest amongst us. Except for looks, of course—that's me."
I almost rolled my eyes. He actually managed to sneak that in.
"What exactly are you trying to say?" I want him to be straight to the point.
"You're so gullible." He gave me a deadpan look.
Whatever he's trying to say, I know it's about the four of us. It has something to do with our past—
and I know it might affect Jay-jay.