JAY-JAY POV
It's been two days since Keifer dropped the plan.
School?
Haven't bothered showing up yet.
Why?
I don't know
Forget that damn talk—I'm starving.
I head straight to the kitchen, rummaging through whatever I can find, already halfway into a bite when Aries storms in.
"What the hell are you doing here? Do you even know what time it is?" he snaps.
I smirk, mouth still full. "Funny, I could ask you the same thing."
"I'm hungry," he muttered, snatching a bag of chips from the cabinet. He was already halfway to the door when I called out, voice trembling.
"Aries."
He froze, irritation sharp in his tone. "What?"
The words I'd been holding back clawed their way out. "Why didn't you tell me you were my brother?"
He turned, eyes colder than steel. "Because I'm ashamed to be your brother… and to call you my sister."
The sentence hit like a punch to the chest. My breath caught, the room spinning as if the floor had been ripped out from under me.
I wanted to scream, to demand why, but nothing came—just silence choking me.
He walked away without looking back, leaving me standing there with the weight of his rejection pressing down, heavier than any secret.
I didn't want to eat anymore.
The hunger was gone, replaced by something heavier.
I shoved the chips back into the cabinet and dragged myself to my room.
The tears came fast, hot, unstoppable.
My chest ached with every sob.
Nobody cares about me.
Nobody ever will.
The walls felt too close, the silence too loud.
I couldn't stay there.
I slipped outside, letting the cold night air sting my skin.
It was late—too late—but I didn't care.
I needed to walk, to keep moving, to outrun the words echoing in my head.
Anything to get Aries's voice out of my mind.
I was drowning in my thoughts when it happened—someone shoved me, breaking the silence.
Not now.
My heart lurched as I spun around.
Four guys stood there, smirking like they owned the night.
Shadows stretched behind them, their laughter low and cruel.
My pulse hammered, but I forced the words out anyway. "What the hell do you want?"
One of them sneered. "Aren't you Keifer's girlfriend?"
There they go again. Always dragging his name into this.
"Gago, I'm not anyone's damn girlfriend," I snapped.
They didn't believe me. Rough hands shoved me hard—I hit the ground with a loud thud, pain shooting up my arm.
God, I think it's broken.
I barely had time to breathe before another blow landed in my stomach.
The air rushed out of me, sharp and burning.
"Oh god…" I gasped, clutching myself.
But I refused to stay down.
Rage surged through the pain.
I pushed myself up, swung with everything I had, and my fist connected with one of their stomachs.
He doubled over, collapsing to the ground.
Another one lunged at me, fist swinging.
Instinct took over—I shoved him back with one arm, the pain in my body screaming but a surge of energy drowning it out.
I didn't wait to see his reaction.
My legs moved before my mind caught up, pounding against the pavement as I ran.
Their footsteps thundered behind me—their voices, their laughter, chasing me through the night.
I darted into the shadows, heart racing, and found a narrow spot to hide.
Pressed against the cold wall, I held my breath, praying they wouldn't see me.
Pain screamed through my arm.
God, I really think it's broken.
I cradled it with my other hand, trembling, every movement sending a fresh wave of agony through me.
The silence was suffocating.
I didn't know if I was safe, or if they were still out there waiting.
"Find where she is," one of them ordered.
"Boo." A voice hissed right in my ear.
"Ahh!" I screamed, spinning around.
"She's right here!" another shouted.
"Wow, Z—you're really good at finding stuff," their leader sneered.
Z? What kind of name is that?
They closed in, fists ready. I braced myself, but before the punch landed, a guy I didn't even know stepped out of nowhere and hit him hard.
Chaos erupted. They were fighting, bodies crashing against each other, when suddenly Percy appeared—like he'd been waiting for this moment—and joined the brawl.
Where did he even come from?
I couldn't move.
I just sank onto the benches, clutching my arm, the pain radiating through me like fire.
Every breath hurt, every heartbeat reminded me—I wasn't safe, not really.
When the fight finally ended, Percy and the stranger walked over to me.
"Are you okay?" the boy asked, concern etched across his face.
I nodded weakly. "Thanks for the help. What's your name again?"
"I'm Benjamin—short for Ben," he said, offering his hand.
I reached out with my left hand, the pain in my right too sharp to ignore. Our handshake was brief, but steady.
Percy's eyes dropped to my arm. "Baby Sistah, what happened to your right hand?"
I swallowed hard, the throbbing unbearable.
"I think it's broken," Ben said quietly, his gaze locked on the swelling.
"Let's go to the hospital," Percy cut in, already pulling out his keys, his face set in a serious expression.
I nodded, too weak to argue, and Ben carefully helped me into Percy's car.
"Thanks for the help, man," Percy said, pulling Ben into a quick hug.
Ben nodded. "No worries. What was your name again?"
"Percy," he replied firmly.
"I'm Jay-Jay, by the way," I added, my voice low but steady.
Ben gave me a small smile. "See you around, Jay-Jay."
Percy slid into the driver's seat, the engine roaring to life as we sped toward the hospital. His jaw was tight, eyes fixed on the road.
"What the hell were you doing out at this time of night?" he demanded, voice heavy with frustration and worry.
I stared out the window, the city lights blurring past. "I was just walking… I needed space after everything," I murmured, my voice breaking at the edges.
"Jay, did you and Aries fight… or was it Angelo?" Percy asked, his voice low but firm.
I stayed silent, staring at my lap, unable to answer.
Percy exhaled sharply, then straightened. "Fine. I'll get the legal papers ready so you can stay with me for now."
My head lifted, eyes wide. "Really?"
He nodded once, serious and steady.
A flicker of hope broke through the pain. "Does that mean… I could be with my father?" I whispered.
"Yes," Percy said gently, "but he can't come right now."
I smiled, finally.
We reached the hospital, and the doctor confirmed what I already feared—my arm was broken.
They wrapped it carefully, the cast heavy but strangely comforting, like proof that the pain had a reason.
Outside, Percy was already handling the legal papers, his expression serious, determined.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PERCY POV
I know I wasn't supposed to do this, but let's be real—if I don't step in, nobody else will.
Things at her house are a mess, and I'm not about to let my sister get dragged down by it.
I already told Tito Japfher, and he agreed.
Of course he did—because I'm right.
She's been through hell tonight.
Luckily, it's just her arm.
But if that Ben kid hadn't shown up?
She could've been seriously hurt.
And I'm not letting anyone else fail her again.
She's with me now.
And when she's with me, she's safe.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
JAY-JAY POV
After the doctor finished putting the cast on me, I stepped outside to find Percy waiting.
"Ready, Baby Sistah?" Percy asked, adjusting his hair in the reflection of the hospital window before flashing me a grin.
I nodded quietly. "Where are we going?"
"To my apartment," he said, tossing his keys in the air like it was a performance. "It's safer there—and honestly, you're lucky you've got the most handsome brother alive to rescue you."
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help a small smile.
Percy smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "Don't worry, Baby Sistah. I'll protect you. And while we're at it, you get front-row seats to my flawless face every day. Win-win."
I rolled my eyes again as we sat in the car.
"Did you have the papers ready?" I asked.
"Yes," Percy replied smoothly, one hand on the wheel, the other adjusting his hair like he was in a photoshoot.
"When are you thinking about going to school?" he asked, glancing at me through the mirror.
"I don't know yet," I admitted honestly.
Percy just nodded, lips pursed like he was already plotting ten steps ahead.
"Jay, one more thing," he said suddenly, smirk tugging at his mouth. "I already canceled the engagement with that rooster."
My head snapped up. "You really did that?"
He nodded, flashing his perfect teeth. "Of course. Anything for my Baby Sistah. Besides, you deserve better than some rooster. You deserve someone almost as flawless as me."
I couldn't help it—I laughed, even through the pain. That was Percy: vain, ridiculous, but always on my side.
"Thank you," I said softly. "For everything."
He looked at me and smiled, his reflection caught in the rearview mirror. "I'll take that thank you… but only if you admit I'm the handsomest brother alive."
I snorted. "In your dreams."
Percy gasped dramatically, one hand pressed to his chest like I'd just insulted royalty. "Baby Sistah, you wound me. Look at this jawline, this perfect skin—do you think it maintains itself? No, it's a gift. A gift to the world."
I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth tugged upward.
Even in the middle of chaos, Percy's ridiculousness had a way of making me feel safe.
We reached Percy's apartment. I expected it to look like a mess—clothes everywhere, dishes piled up—but no. It was spotless, almost like he'd been waiting for someone to notice.
"There. That's your room," Percy said, pointing with a dramatic flourish, like he was unveiling a palace suite instead of a simple bedroom.
I nodded and walked inside, sitting down on the bed. The mattress was soft, the room neat, and for the first time all night, I felt a little safe.
From the doorway, Percy leaned against the frame, smirking. "See? Even my apartment is perfect. Clean, stylish, and now officially upgraded with my Baby Sistah living here. Honestly, I should win an award."
I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I was grateful.
"What about my uniform for school?" I asked, my voice soft but uncertain.
"Don't worry about it," Percy said confidently, flashing me a grin. "I'll have it ready by tomorrow morning. You think I'd let my Baby Sistah walk in looking anything less than perfect? Please. People would think I don't care about fashion—and that's impossible."
I shook my head, half amused, half relieved.
Even in his vanity, Percy always found a way to make me feel safe.
"Percy, I'm thinking about something," I said quietly.
"And that is?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly expecting something dramatic.
"I'm thinking about switching my section," I admitted, my voice low.
He froze for a moment, not expecting me to bring it up. The silence stretched, heavy.
Then he nodded slowly. "If that makes you happy, then it's okay for me."
His words were simple, but the way he said them—steady, certain—made me feel like he'd back me no matter what.
He left the room, the sound of his footsteps fading down the hall.
I sank deeper into the bed, the weight of the cast heavy against me.
My body ached, my mind was scattered, but for the first time in a long while, I felt a strange kind of safety.
I didn't even realize when my eyes closed.
Sleep pulled me under before I could think, before I could worry, before I could remember.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
How was the chapter, guys? 😭💭
I know this one might feel a little boring, but trust me—the next chapter is going to be pure chaos and emotion 💥✨.
Get ready, because the blast is coming soon and it's going to hit harder than ever 🌪️💔.