Jay-jay's POV
Late! Late! Late! Late!
Damn it! Ci-N didn't wake us up. He let me and Kristine sleep and left without even trying to wake us up.
I feel so embarrassed. After letting him stay in my room, he didn't even bother to put in the effort of waking me up. He even turned off my alarm!
So annoying!
I checked the time on my phone. It's over! There's no way we'll make it.
"Kris, hurry up!" I said, half running, half glaring at the person who was taking their sweet time.
Of course she was still half-asleep—she didn't even eat breakfast.
And to make things worse? There's no available transportation. Everything's full, and no one even bothers to stop for me.
This is the worst!
It's still morning, but I already feel like it's late afternoon—We look like a mess! Hagardo Versoza levels!
I've been alternating between walking and running. I didn't even get to eat a proper breakfast. Since I woke up late, I just grabbed some bread and ran out.
"How did Ci-N's earthquake-level alarm not wake us up?" Kristine croaked, looking like she was only 12% alive.
I let out a tired chuckle; she had a point. "Maybe he didn't even bother setting his alarm today."
We stopped at a corner, completely out of breath. There's no way I'll make it on time, so what's the point of exhausting myself by running?
"Jay-jay!" Someone called out to me.
I looked across the street. A guy was staring at me—Rory!
I waved back, and he quickly crossed the road to come over.
"You guys are late too?" Rory asked, grinning like he'd just caught us doing something illegal.
"I overslept. What about you?"
"I woke up late too," he replied.
"Kristine, say hi to Rory," I said, wrapping an arm around her as if she needed backup for meeting a celebrity.
"Hey, uh… I'm Kristine, I guess?" she said, still sounding half-asleep.
"Rory," he replied with a grin.
They shook hands, and we all started walking together. We didn't even bother to rush. We were late anyway—what's the point of hurrying?
"Do you live around here? I thought Edrix's house were near yours?" I asked.
He had come from the subdivision across the road, but I knew Edrix didn't live there. In fact, their houses were quite far.
"No... I slept at my girlfriend's place," he answered, suddenly grinning.
Oh, I see where this is going!
"There you go again..."
He scratched the back of his neck and grinned at me. This guy! He looks like he's proud of what he did.
"Is that how you guys are? Is it, like, required for men to... you know, do it?" I asked.
This was so awkward, but I couldn't stop myself from being curios.
"Not really... It just happens, especially if you give in temptation," he answered.
Ohh, temptation.
Good thing I didn't give in during New Year's. If I had, ohboy! My life would've been over with Kuya Angelo's hands.
"Ahh.." I nodded.
Suddenly, he gave me a mischievous grin. I immediately shot him a sharp glare in return.
"You don't have any experience, do you?" he teased.
Almost—wait, nope!
"W-what?! D-don't ask me stuff like that!"
"Why are you blushing?" Kristine and Rory asked at the same time, grinning. Oh wow, her sleepiness vanished real quick? I swear, if she tries to tease me one more time, I'm not holding back.
I quickly covered my cheeks so they wouldn't see. Ugh! Why did our conversation end up here?!
"...Never mind. Once you and Keifer become a thing, you can ask him to teach you." He smirked before bursting out laughing. Kristine burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. Agh… why does it always have to be me?!
These assholes!
I shot them a sharp glare and gave them both a strong punch on the arm to make them stop.
"Ow... that hurt." he complained, rubbing his arm. While Kristine on the other hand, just casually rubbed her arm, still laughing.
I don't even need lessons from people! And from Keifer, of all people? Hell no!
Arrgghh! Don't think about it!
Why does my heart ache at the thought that Keifer might have already done those things? I shouldn't care about stuff like that or whatever he does with his life—except when he's messing with mine.
What if Yuri too...?
I don't know why, but it's weird to think that they might all be like that. I mean, they're guys, it's their lives. But deep inside, there's a part of me that still feels concerned.
Not that I'm saying they shouldn't explore.
I stayed quiet as we continued walking. Kristine turned her head just a little, a quick flinch flashing through her eyes.
We were just a block away from school when suddenly, Kristine and Rory grabbed my arm and pulled me in another direction.
"Hey! Where are we—"
"Ssshhh... Don't look back. Someone's following us." Rory whispered.
I felt a chill of fear. I wanted to turn around to see who it was, but Rory told me not to.
We picked up our pace, turning into a narrow valley.
"Call Keifer." Rory insturcted.
I quickly grabbed my phone. I was about to call Keifer when Rory suddenly shoved me and Kris, making us stumble against the wall.
I was shocked to see him fighting off the people who had been following us—all by himself.
"Rory!" I shouted.
Kristine stepped in, beating the life out of the guy who went for Rory—clean, controlled, no hesitation.
She could fight? Not gonna lie… that was impressive.
One of the guys tried to approach me, but Rory immediately stopped him. I couldn't move. I couldn't do anything to help them.
"There's the girl!" yelled one of them, who had just arrived.
"Jay-jay! Get out of here." Rory ordered.
The punch caught Kristine on the lips, forcing her back a step. She wiped her mouth, eyes burning as she looked at me.
"Get out!" She shouted.
I couldn't move. I couldn't leave them behind.
"Jay-jay!"
I didn't think twice. I ran toward both of them and started helping them. I just kicked and punched wherever I could.
"I told you to leave! Why are you still here?" Asked Rory.
"I can't leave you guys!" I yelled back.
"Ha! Do you really think you can beat us?! There's one three of you! We're more than ten." one of them sneered.
"Numbers don't matter," Kris scoffed. "Try lasting longer instead of bragging."
"What do you want?!" Rory demanded.
"That girl! We know she's Keifer's girlfriend." one of them pointed at me.
Huh?!
What did he just say? Keifer's girlfriend?! Son of a—where the hell did that rumor come from?!
"No way! That jerk isn't my boyfriend!" I denied.
"Like we'd believe that?" one of them shot at me.
Of course, they wouldn't! I already knew their brains were too small to believe what I just said. Where the hell did this nonsense about me being that jerk's girlfriend start?!
"We need to get out of here." Rory whispered.
"How?" I asked.
"Like this..." He looked around as if searching for something. Then he turned to us suddenly and shouted, "...RUN!"
Kristine and Rory took off running. I was a little confused, but I quickly followed.
"Hey! Get back here!"
Yeah, right!
Why do they always yell when we run away? Do they really think we'd just stop and go back to them because they said so?! Are they really that dumb...
"Guys! Turn back!" Rory shouted.
I was about to ask why, but then I saw the reason—more guys blocking our way ahead.
But when we turned back, the ones we have fought earlier were closing in on us.
We stopped in the middle of the alley. This is bad, We're trapped!
"You're not getting away now!"
Shit!
Four of them suddenly pulled out switchblades. Rory instinctively tried to shield me, but it was useless—we were surrounded.
"Just give us Keifer's girlfriend, and then there won't be any trouble!" one of them said.
I AM NOT KEIFER'S GIRLFRIEND! Damn it! This is exactly what I was talking about. This is that jerk's fault!
"There will be more trouble if we do that." Rory answered.
The guys holding the switchblades exchanged glances before suddenly charging at us.
I turned my head and saw one of them rushing straight at me. I couldn't move—it was too late to dodge.
I shut my eyes and braced myself for the impact of the blade.
"JAY-JAY!"
++++++++++++++++
Kristine's POV
Before the switchblade could reach Jay-Jay, Rory threw himself in front of her. The blade went straight into him.
"Rory!" I screamed, my voice cracking as I slammed my fist into the bastard who stabbed him. Oh no! This is bad!
While I was checking Rory's wound, I fumbled for my phone with shaky hands.
"C–Ci-N… pick up," I whispered into the mic, my voice trembling.
Before I could finish the call, a sharp pain exploded across the back of my shoulder. I gasped—the switchblade had hit me.
Jay-Jay froze for a split second, staring at her hands coated in blood. Is she… afraid of blood?
I felt my strength draining as I collapsed to the floor. My vision blurred, but I saw something I'd never seen before—Jay-Jay turning, pure rage on her face.
She launched herself at the guy who stabbed me and Rory, punching him repeatedly. The others tried to step in and help him, but she kicked and struck them without hesitation, eyes burning.
++++++++++++++++
Keifer's POV
Why isn't she here yet? Even if she woke up late, she should have at least caught half of Sir Alvin's lecture.
But now, two subjects have already passed, and still she's not here.
Something is wrong.
I was a about to take my phone out of my pocket but stopped myself. She might get suspicious if I use it to track her again.
But I can't stop thinking about her. I'm both worried and irritated. There are days when she's late, but she makes it before the second period even starts.
If she were absent, she would've called or texted anyone of us. This is really weird.
My eyes landed on Ci-N. He was gripping his phone tightly, shoulders tense.
"Come on, Kris, pick up," he muttered, his voice shaking almost as much as his hands.
He approached me, still clutching his phone. "Why isn't Jay here yet?" he asked, voice unsteady.
That's the same question I've been asking myself for two hours now. I glanced at Yuri—he was looking at his notes, but I knew what exactly was running through his mind.
"Did she call or text you?" I asked him.
He shook his head without even looking at me.
Damn it!
Why are you making me this worried? I have no choice. I immediately grabbed my phone and used it.
For about a minute, I just started at the screen, waiting for the result. This is the only way I can find her.
Then, the result popped up. The moment I saw and read her current location, I shot up from my seat.
Hospital?
"Ci-N!" I shouted. He turned to me, confused. "...Call your parents! Confirm if they have a patient wearing a HVIS uniform!"
Everyone else was just as confused. Ci-n started dialing in his phone.
"Keifer..." Yuri called out to me. "...Why?"
"It's Jay-jay."
He immediately stood up and looked at me straight in the eye.
"Keifer! I called the nurse in the emergency room." Ci-N said while waiting for someone to answer.
I can't wait anymore. What if something really happened to her? Fuck! if something bad did happen, I don't know what I might do. Not again!
"There is a patient... A guy, last name Abejar." Ci-n said.
So, it's not her.
I should feel relived, but I don't. I need to see her with my own eyes and confirm it myself.
"Abejar? Isn't that Rory?" Edrix asked, and everyone turned to look at Rory's empty seat.
"Wait—there's also a girl, last name Williams. Kristine!" Ci-N blurted out, snapping his gaze to her empty seat.
What the... I just realized it. Rory and Kristine isn't here either.
Wait! What if they all were together?
I didn't hesitate. I immediately ran off the classroom.
I heard them calling after me, but I didn't stop.
What if something happened?
I slipped into my car, started the engine, and drove like a mad-man. No one could stop me now.
When I reached the hospital, I rushed straight to the emergency. There were so many patients. I was about to go to the information desk, but there were too many people blocking it.
I had no choice.
I ran to every bed I saw, pulling every curtain that was closed. The nurses almost screaming at me for what I was doing.
"Keifer!" Someone called out.
I turned around to see who it was—it was Yuri and the others.
They got here this fast? Was I preoccupied that I didn't even notice the time or how quickly they followed me?
"What the hell is going on? Where is Rory?" Edrix asked.
But I couldn't answer him.
Because I wasn't looking for Rory.
Where the hell are you?
"Ow!" A small cry came from the room ahead of us. Jay?
I pulled the curtain aside—only to find Kristine inside, rubbing her arm where the nurse had just injected her.
"Kris!" Ci-N rushed to her side immediately, eyes wide as he examined her like she was made of glass.
"Where's Jay?" she asked Ci-N, locking eyes with him.
"We're still looking," I replied, already dialing her number. It kept ringing—with no answer. My chest tightened. I stepped out of the room and glanced outside, eyes scanning every corner.
Where are you, Jay?