JayJay POV
Sheep-shit! Sheep really have mothers! But damn you, Watson. That's really it!
"Shit," I muttered as I tried to wipe the ink spilled all over my desk.
"More tissue?" David offered, holding out a tissue he got from who knows where.
I took one and tried to wipe off the remaining stain. It couldn't dry, or else it definitely wouldn't come off.
I had broken my pen without realizing it. Ink immediately spilled onto my hands and desk. Good thing Ci managed to pull my other stuff away before it got stained too.
"Are you okay?" Sir asked me.
I stared at my hands, now completely covered in ballpen ink. There was no way I'd be able to get this off easily.
I stood up and looked at Sir. "J-just going to the restroom, sir."
I didn't wait for his response. My chair and desk practically toppled over as I rushed out of the classroom. Since class had already started, I didn't run into any other students on the way. I headed straight to the restroom and immediately turned on the faucet to wash my hands.
I scrubbed hard and furiously. I lathered and rinsed multiple times, but the stain refused to fade until my skin started to sting.
Fuck! This is so frustrating!
I leaned both my palms against the sink and bowed my head. I wanted to scream and cry just to ease the tightness in my chest.
Over a month. That's how long he was gone for his inheritance. That's how long I waited. That's how long I hoped. That's how long he kept us hanging. That's how long my thoughts consumed me with the fear that he might never come back.
I felt like I was going insane with all this anger I couldn't let out. They all knew he'd come home. Aries knew, and Ella had seen him. I was the one they were talking about in that phone conversation.
I turned off the faucet and looked at myself in the mirror. Here's another fucking thing! I came in with my hair all messy! And he totally saw me. I stomped my foot in frustration.
"It's Yuri's fault!" I said angrily.
I didn't even look human when I walked in. If I had known, I would've gone all-out before entering. I would've put on lipstick and brushed my hair too.
"I look so ugly," I muttered, feeling like collapsing right there on the floor.
Damn it!
My hair looked obviously unbrushed and completely wild. My uniform was a bit wrinkled. Worst of all, my lips were cracked and there was a pimple peeking out from my forehead.
"You look like a foot," I told my reflection.
I didn't want to go back in there. I wasn't going back in there. I'd tell Kuya I'm dropping out. I'll just come back next year.
But of course, he wouldn't agree to that. SO FRUSTRATING! They're probably laughing at me right now. And they even dragged Sir Alvin into it. This was planned! Planned! PLANNED!
I gripped my own hair in frustration as I recalled his face earlier. I hadn't even gotten a good look at him because everything felt so unreal.
Or maybe it wasn't real at all? Maybe I was just hallucinating. Maybe I was just being paranoid.
They were just messing with me, and because I'd been thinking about him, I ended up seeing and hearing him.
Right! Right! He wasn't really there in that seat. That wasn't really him sitting there. It wasn't him. IT WASN'T HIM! DAMN ALL YOU SNAKES!
You thought I'll fall for this? No way!
I fixed my appearance and walked out of the restroom, heading back to the classroom as if nothing had happened.
I went straight to my seat and immediately noticed the tissues were gone. The ink stains had been wiped away, but faint marks still remained.
I sat down quietly even though I could feel all eyes on me.
"You okay now?" Sir asked as soon as I sat down.
"Y-yes, sir," I replied.
Sir nodded slightly while flipping through his lesson plan. Ci handed me my stuff before forcing a smile at me. I just raised an eyebrow at him—he was clearly out of it.
I grabbed my bag and rummaged through it for a new pen. Only one left, so I had to take care of this one. I couldn't afford to break it. I'd rather stab someone with it.
I returned David's notes and thanked him. Sir was just about to begin when he seemed to remember something— and I felt like a kettle being put on a stove.
"You missed a lot of lessons, Watson. Do you need a recap, or should I just give you a copy of the lessons and have you ask your classmates for help?"
Do you think you're funny, Sir? What are you, a comedian now? You bald or something, Sir?
You think this little joke of yours is amusing? Well? Answer me, Sir! I'm not amused, Sir! ANSWER?!
I was this close to exploding from the mix of anger, irritation, and hunger. That "Watson" thing—it's not real! Enough already, stop messing with me—
"Just give me a copy and I'll ask someone to help me."
Oh shit—he answered.
Friend! Watson answered. He actually answered. Your hallucinations are getting worse, friend. The hallucination is talking back now. That's not a good sign. That's mental, girl!
"Okay, you've got plenty of classmates who can help you," Sir said.
"Yeah, but one is enough to help me."
He answered again.
This isn't just hallucinations anymore. What the hell?!
I needed to confirm what was happening. I tore a piece of paper from my notes. Wrote something on it before folding it.
'I'm not crazy yet, right?'
I casually handed it to David. Ci didn't seem to be in the mood, so I'd ask David instead.
Even though he looked confused, he took the note and opened it to read. He chuckled slightly before writing a reply.
'It depends with your definition of crazy. Coz mine is yes you are definitely crazy.'
I read his reply when he handed the paper back. I swear I wanted to stab him with my pen. My question was serious and that's how he answered me?
'I'm hallucinating. I can hear him here in the room.'
I wrote on the paper again before folding it and handing it back to him. He had just started reading what I wrote when the snakes at the back began making snide comments.
"Just got back and already looks like someone's about to throw hands," said Felix, quietly hyped up by the other jerks.
David lost interest in replying to my note because of that. He turned to me and smiled. I thought that was the end of it—but of course, he's Dabid, always chill and with that classy instinct. He wasn't about to back down from the taunts of his fellow snakes.
He leaned closer and motioned for me to come nearer. I did, and listened to what he had to say.
"No. This is not hallucinations. He's here, and if you really want to confirm it—" He squished both of my cheeks with one hand. "Turn around." Then he tilted my head toward the jerks' corner.
It felt like a stick of dynamite exploded in my chest the moment our eyes met. One brow raised, his head slightly tilted as if questioning my behavior. Then a slight smile slipped from his lips.
Holy fuck. He's really here!
I immediately started smacking David's hand to make him let go. I sat back properly and faced the front. My eyes met Sir's, who was quietly chuckling at me. I just opened my notebook and waited for him to write something on the board.
My mind was floating. It's real. This wasn't a hallucination. That snake's actually here. Or maybe David's crazy too, just like me? But that was unlikely—he was still pretty sensible despite sleeping more than being awake.
He really is here. He's right there. THE SHAMELESS JERK IS BACK! He really came back! He could've just stayed and studied over there. He could probably buy his own school now. He bought a plane—what's a building to him? He probably bought a teacher too. Bought himself classmates. Bought himself friends. And bought himself a girl—damn him.
Wait a minute! Why should I care if he came back? So what if he's here again? Does anything change? Will it lessen the shit he did to me? If anything, it just added more.
First of all, the way this animal deceived me. "I used you—I used you," he said. Bullshit! Then he left us hanging like abandoned puppies. We made so many enemies just because he disappeared and the threat was gone. And then—and then—AND THEN HE MADE ME HIS TEXTMATE, FOR FUCK'S SAKE! His name suits him perfectly: GagongBaliw.
I wanted to bang my head against something. Every time I remember the things we talked about over text, I just want to bury myself alive and never show my face to him again.
Damn it! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!
"Mariano." Sir called out to me.
I immediately looked at him, and he flinched slightly at my reaction. I knew I probably looked like I was about to murder someone, but I didn't care—because I might actually do just that any second now.
"Why, Sir? What is it this time?" I asked calmly, though the threat still laced my tone. You've been testing me, Sir Alvin.
"Is there a problem?" he asked, his eyes drifting down to my hands.
I followed his gaze and immediately let go when I saw the ballpen embedded in my desk. It hadn't gone through, but it had cracked from the pressure. Good thing the ink hadn't spilled.
I quickly calmed myself down. I needed to stay composed. There was no reason to be angry.
"N-no, Sir. I just... felt like stabbing something."
He nodded slowly and went back to what he was doing. Since I didn't have a pen anymore, obviously, I couldn't write anything.
I tried asking David, but the jerk was already slumped over. I didn't have the heart to wake him—he'd probably been fighting off sleep for a while now.
I looked to the other side and saw the Brat Boy chewing something. He faced me with his lips pouting.
"We're going to talk later," I whispered. "Lend me a pen."
"Promise. I didn't mean to keep it from you," he whispered back after swallowing his food.
He pulled out his bag and started rummaging through it. He found a pen, but when he tried to write on his palm, no ink came out.
"It's empty. And I'm using this one," he whispered.
There was only one other person I could borrow from—the guy who was basically a boy scout when it came to stuff like this. But of course, the thing I said earlier had to come true. I think I really did get a stiff neck. I couldn't even turn my head properly.
I had no idea how I was going to ask for a pen from him. There was no one else I could count on since the rest of these idiots never wrote anything. Except Eren and Josh, who actually took notes—but they were too stingy to share.
I thought about texting him, but he might not see the message. I could just give up on getting a pen, but then what would I do? If I had nothing to keep me busy, I might go insane thinking about everything happening behind me.
I'd be too tempted to turn around.
I really needed a pen. I could've just used David's, but I had no idea where he put it. Asking Sir was out of the question—his pens are expensive and I'd probably just break them. He probably wouldn't let me out to buy one either.
I had no choice left. I sighed and discreetly held the side of my neck, slowly turning toward Yuri—just enough to see him without catching his seatmate in the corner of my eye.
He was just looking down, flipping through pages in his notebook. I wanted to call his name but didn't want to make a scene. I stared at him for a bit longer. He said something I couldn't hear and turned to talk to his seatmate, Kei—kwanan.
They talked for a while before Yuri looked to the front. I waved my hand slightly, just enough to catch his attention. Thankfully, he noticed me right away.
"Lend me a pen." I mouthed without making a sound.
He frowned and leaned in slightly, not understanding me. I repeated myself, but he still looked confused. I was getting more and more frustrated, wincing from the pain in my neck. I gestured like I was writing and held out my palm.
He looked at the pen in his hand, raised it slightly with a questioning expression. I quickly nodded—and winced again from the pain.
He reached for his bag and took out a pen. I even stared at it for a moment—it looked expensive.
Not suitable for stabbing.
He was about to stand up and hand it to me when—Damn---the hand of that animal next to him moved quicker. I nearly yanked my own hair out from frustration. I didn't want to face him, but I really needed that pen.
To stab him with, damn it!
I shifted my body so I could face him and also ease the pain in my neck. He was holding the pen, inspecting it like it was some sacred relic. He said something to Yuri that I couldn't hear.
He turned to me, and my heart skipped a beat.
If I could punch him just to calm myself down, I would. But I met his gaze with my head held high, even though every part of me wanted to run outside and scream profanities. I forced myself to hold his gaze.
I won't back down.
Looks like he had the nerve to comb his hair today.
So what?!
His face looked smoother.
I've got smooth skin too!
He seemed fairer now.
Like I care about his skin tone!
Even his lips looked redder.
He's probably wearing lipstick!
A lot seemed to have changed about him.
Same goes for me!
It's only been a little over a month, but it feels like years have passed. I didn't even feel him leave.
"Melted." Ci commented, making me whip my head toward him. I instinctively held my neck.
Shit, my neck's broken.
He was clearly holding in a laugh. His nostrils were flaring and he was trying his best to look forward.
I just rolled my eyes and turned back to Yuri. I gestured toward his hand, signaling for the pen. But he just pointed at his seatmate, who was now resting his chin on his hand, watching me.
He played with the pen in one hand, a smug smile on his face. I already knew where this was going. I had no plans of humiliating myself just for that stupid stabbing tool.
If he doesn't want to give it, then fine.
I just sat up properly and looked at Sir. No pen? Then I wouldn't write. I'll just borrow notes again later. I'm getting pretty close to deciphering David's alphabet anyway.
Honestly, I'm amazed he even has notes. He's only awake for a few minutes each class before he's asleep again. Maybe that's why his handwriting looks like a chicken wrote it—it's all rushed.
While Sir was teaching, I couldn't help but overhear the conversation behind me. I frowned at what I was hearing.
"Didn't you bring any souvenirs?" Drew asked.
"I'm happy with just chocolate," Eren said.
"Even just for my baby," Denzel added.
"How about a new pair of shoes?" Rory chimed in.
"I want one of those double-decker buses," Blaster said.
The nerve of these guys to be making demands. Next-level freeloaders.
They should be mad at Kei—kwanan for ditching us like that. Maybe that airplane he gave Ci-N was actually meant to come pick us up.
Where's all that rage now, huh? The one screaming that their King would never come back?
Now that he's right in front of them, they can't even say a word.
Woooh! Plaaaasssttttiiikkkkk! (faaake!)
Our class with Sir Alvin finally ended. I knew the next teacher wouldn't be coming for a while, so I still had time to buy a stab—I mean, a pen.
I fixed my stuff and was about to stand up when a hand holding a pen suddenly blocked my face. I flinched back and quickly looked to see who it was.
It was the most—THE MOST—infuriating snake of all snakes, staring at me with no expression. My chest went wild, as if something was somersaulting inside. Even my brain felt like it lost alignment.
I could feel sweat starting to form on my forehead.
Why did it suddenly feel so hot?
I quickly noticed the sudden silence around us and looked around. Everyone had turned their backs on us, and it was like an epidemic of fake coughs had broken out.
I faced their so-called King again, who was clearly waiting for me to take the pen he was holding out.
"N-no thanks. I'll just buy one." I said as I stood up.
"I'll buy it." he said, placing the pen down on my desk. "What brand?"
I couldn't stop thinking about how his voice had changed. It was deeper now, like he'd grown into it or something.
"No need." I said shortly, about to walk away from my chair when—
He grabbed my hand.
Oh my God! Merciful heavens!
It was like electric current shot through me from his touch. I immediately shook it off like he was carrying some contagious disease. My eyes went wide in disbelief that he actually touched me.
Geeerrrrmmmmssss!!!
That mischievous smirk spread across his face. "What?"
"D-don't… uh… n-no… touching." I stammered, trying to calm my nerves.
My words were getting all jumbled. Why the hell was I reacting like this?! It's just Kei—kwanan! Why would I care about him or his big comeback?
I could hear the soft chuckles of the Ulupong even with their backs turned to us.
You're not helping.
"Just tell me the brand name." he said as he took out his phone.
I blinked at his new phone. It was obviously expensive and fresh off the market. I started wondering what would break first if I slammed it into his face—his phone or his smug face.
"W-what for?" I asked, a little irritated.
"I'll buy it for you. Will one whole factory be enough?" he asked, full of swagger.
Oh, son of a—!
I wanted to tackle him right then and there. He hadn't changed a bit—if anything, his arrogance had gotten even worse.
"Sure. As long as I get to stab every single one into you," I shot back and turned my back on him.
I continued with my plan to buy a pen. A whole box, so that when I finally snap, I could stab them all into him.
When I got back to the room, it was unusually quiet. I thought maybe the next teacher had arrived, but it seemed they were still coming later. Their 'king' was gone too—maybe he really did go out to buy that factory.
I sat down and fixed my things. I handed Yuri's pen back, and when I noticed his teasing grin, I immediately rolled my eyes at him.
Just as I got settled into my seat, that idiot Kei—kwanan—walked in. He was carrying a big red bag like some knockoff Santa Claus ready to hand out gifts. I ignored him until he stopped right in front of me.
"After class, we'll talk." he said, and I insantly rolled my eyes.
"Who said I'm willing?" I snapped.
He flashed that cocky smile. "I knew you'd say that."
Then, out of nowhere, without warning, he dumped the entire contents of his bag onto my desk.
The rich, sweet aroma of expensive chocolates quickly filled the air.
There was so much that some of them fell to the floor—and the starving hyenas quickly scrambled to pick them up.
"Put it back." he ordered, and the scavengers obediently did as they were told.
I stared, practically drooling, at the mountain of chocolate in front of me. Some were familiar, but most I'd only ever seen online. There were big ones, small ones, fancy boxed ones, simple cardboard packaged ones, and of course, those variety packs with all kinds of flavors inside.
Sooo goooood!!
"Listen up! No one is allowed to take their part until Jay-jay gets hers!" Kei—kwanan declared, and his fellow Ulupong immediately protested.
"Jay-jay!!"
"Just take some already!"
"Come on! Don't sulk now!"
They shouted one after another, practically begging, ready to scream in my face. Everyone was pushing me to just grab some and forget my grudge for now.
Was I even mad? I couldn't remember being mad.
Kei—kwanan leaned closer to my face, making me instinctively pull away, wary of whatever disaster might happen next.
"Let's see how long you'll hold that ego of yours." he said and winked.
Dead!