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🌙 Chapter 53: Uninvited Peace
Jay's POV
By the time I reached home, the sky had already turned into that deep blue shade where the city lights start pretending they're stars.
The drive back felt longer than usual.
Not because of traffic.
But because my head wouldn't shut up.
Every red light.
Every turn.
Every second—
just replaying everything.
Ci-N standing there with that stupid plate of pancakes.
The way his hands were shaking.
The way he still said, "I'll bring another one."
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
"Bwisit…" I muttered under my breath.
I parked the car harder than necessary and stepped out, slamming the door shut.
The house greeted me with silence.
Cold.
Still.
Empty.
I walked inside, dropping my bag somewhere near the couch without even looking. The sound echoed louder than it should have.
No one said anything.
No one asked anything.
Because there was no one here.
I walked upstairs slowly, my steps heavier than I wanted to admit. My room was exactly how I left it.
Perfect.
Untouched.
Unbothered.
I sat on the edge of the bed and leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees.
For a moment—
I didn't think.
Didn't move.
Didn't breathe properly.
Then it came back.
Everything.
The classroom.
The silence.
Keifer's voice.
"I'm not asking you to forgive me today…"
I shut my eyes tightly.
"Gago…" I whispered, though I wasn't even sure who I was talking about anymore.
Him.
Them.
Or myself.
A knock echoed through the house.
Sharp.
Out of place.
I frowned immediately.
No one was supposed to be here.
I stood up, irritation already settling in, and walked toward the door. When I opened it—
I froze.
Aries stood there like he had been waiting his whole life for this moment.
Leaning casually against the doorframe.
Smirking.
And beside him—
Angelo.
Still.
Calm.
Watching me like he already knew exactly what I was thinking.
Of course he did.
"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly.
Aries placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Wow. No 'hello'? I'm offended."
"You'll survive."
Before I could even step back—
flick
"OW—BWISIT KA?!" I snapped, immediately grabbing my forehead and glaring at him.
He grinned. "Reaction time is still good. Nice."
"Do that again and I'll actually hit you."
"You've threatened me before."
"I mean it this time."
He walked in anyway.
Because of course he did.
Angelo followed quietly, closing the door behind him without a word.
"We came to check on you," he said calmly.
"I didn't ask."
"No one ever does," Aries replied, already making himself comfortable on the couch.
I crossed my arms, irritation rising again. "Then leave."
"No."
Simple.
Annoying.
Final.
I exhaled sharply and walked further inside.
"Say what you came here to say."
Aries leaned forward slightly, studying me more carefully now.
"You're isolating again."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You—"
"Stop repeating me."
"Then stop lying."
I went quiet.
Because that one landed too close.
Angelo spoke this time, his tone softer but sharper.
"You didn't answer your calls."
"I was busy."
"With what?" Aries asked.
"Breathing."
He nodded seriously. "Ah yes. Very demanding."
I rolled my eyes.
"Idiot."
"Hero," he corrected instantly.
I scoffed. "Keep dreaming."
He leaned back, completely unbothered. "Admit it. You'd be bored without me."
I didn't answer.
Because the silence was already answering for me.
Angelo watched quietly, like always.
That calm presence.
Too calm.
Demon in disguise.
"You went to school," he said.
"Yes."
"And?"
"And nothing."
A pause.
"I forgave Ci-N."
That made both of them look at me properly.
Aries raised a brow. "That fast?"
"It wasn't fast."
Angelo's gaze softened slightly. "And the others?"
"No."
Silence filled the room again.
But it wasn't heavy.
Just… real.
"That's still progress," Aries said.
"It doesn't feel like it."
"It never does."
I looked away.
Because I didn't want to agree.
Aries suddenly stood up, stretching like he had just made a life decision.
"Okay. You're coming with us."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
I narrowed my eyes. "Aries—"
"Jay."
"Don't start."
"Too late."
Angelo sighed softly. "We're not asking you to stay."
"Good."
"Just come over sometimes."
I hesitated.
"…Why?"
Aries answered immediately. "Because this place is depressing."
"It's not."
"It is."
"It's not—"
"And because," Angelo interrupted calmly, "you need people."
That—
That hit harder than I expected.
I looked at him.
Really looked.
And there it was again.
That quiet understanding.
That annoying ability to see right through me.
"I'm fine alone," I said.
"No," he replied.
"You're just used to it."
Silence.
Aries stepped closer, tilting his head.
"For someone who calls me a hero, you're very difficult."
"I don't call you that."
"You did."
"I take it back."
"You can't."
"Watch me."
flick
I froze.
Then slowly turned toward Angelo.
"…Did you just hit me?"
"Yes."
He walked past me like nothing happened.
I blinked.
"Wow."
Aries laughed. "Even he's done with you."
I rolled my eyes.
"…Idiots."
A pause.
Then—
"Once a week," I said quietly.
Both of them stopped.
"I'll come once a week."
Aries frowned. "That's it?"
"Yes."
"That's rude."
"Take it or leave it."
Angelo nodded once. "We'll take it."
Aries sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I'm increasing it later."
"No, you're not."
"Yes, I am."
"No—"
"We'll see."
I shook my head slightly.
But something inside me—
felt a little less heavy.
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