POV: Jay
One week after Percy came back, peace lasted exactly three days.
Today we were at that house.
Mine and Hex's safe place.
Aunty Katherine's house.
The one where couches suffer daily abuse.
Section E had taken over the living room like it was their headquarters.
Keifer sat straight-backed on the armrest like a responsible class president who definitely did not approve of nonsense.
I leaned quietly against the wall, arms folded, watching everything with calm eyes.
David sat beside Yuri , both of them mostly quiet but alert.
Rory and Edrix were in one corner with a laptop, whispering like they were investigating government secrets.
Drew was already bored and looking for something risky to sponsor.
Eman was in the kitchen doorway asking Aunty Katherine if she needed help.
Josh and Mayo were sitting peacefully, existing.
Blaster was lying on the floor dramatically.
Ci-N was arguing with Denzel over absolutely nothing.
And Hex?
Hex was jumping from couch to couch.
In socks.
Holding the tv remote
"Hex," I said slowly, "what activity are you doing for the ceremony this Saturday?"
He leaped mid-air and landed perfectly.
"You know, Jay," he said, balancing dramatically, "I'm doing dancing."
Keifer nodded approvingly. "That's good."
Hex raised a finger.
"That's not all. I'm also supposed to recite a poem."
Everyone paused.
"Topic?" Rory asked looking up.
Hex lifted his chin proudly.
"'That one person in everybody life.'"
Silence.
Ci-N blinked. "Okay. That's the problem."
Drew sat up. "Poem? This just got interesting."
I crossed my arms. "You will do both. And stop jumping on the couch. You say you're grown. Act like one."
Hex jumped down smoothly, ran his hand through his hair like he was filming an ad.
"Jay," he said confidently, "I am called Hex. Anything is possible."
I narrowed my eyes. "I'm also called Lu—"
I froze.
Everyone looked at me.
"I mean Jayjay. I will make you go perform."
Close. Very close.
Aunty Katherine entered with a tray of juice.
"Enough arguing," she said warmly. "Everyone drink."
She handed Hex a glass personally.
"And you, young man, will perform at your ceremony."
Hex sipped dramatically.
Then slowly walked to the far corner of the hall.
He turned.
Eyes shining.
"Let's make a bet."
No
No
No
Drew's head snapped up. "I'm listening."
"If I skate in my socks from here to the door without spilling this juice," Hex said, lifting the glass, "you make me tell the teachers I'm sick."
"You are crazy," I said immediately.
Drew stood up. "BET OPEN."
Blaster rolled onto his stomach. "THIS IS THE MOMENT."
Endrix was recording it.
Rory added, "Distance approximately six meters."
Ci-N clapped. "He's going down."
Felix watched
Yuri didn't speak. Just observed.
Josh whispered to Mayo, "He won't make it."
Mayo nodded seriously.
I walked to Keifer. "Tell them to stop. In fact say that word."
He smirked slightly. "Childish?"
"Yes."
He leaned back. "Let him try."
Unbelievable.
Hex raised the glass.
"Ready!"
Blaster jumped up like a sports announcer.
"5!"
Everyone joined.
"4!"
"3!"
"2!"
"1!"
"GOOO!"
Hex pushed off.
And he actually glided.
Smooth.
Balanced.
Juice steady.
Blaster screamed, "HE'S MOVING!"
Drew shouted, "I PUT MONEY ON THIS!"
Edrix murmured, "Velocity stable."
"HE'S MOVING! HE'S GLIDING! THIS MAN IS DEFYING PHYSICS!"
"Physics is not involved, it's friction!"
"Controlled center of gravity."
Ci-N gasped. "Why is he good at this?!"
Keifer even leaned forward slightly.
He was almost at the door.
Almost.
I looked at the ceiling.
"God… do something."
And then—
The door opened.
Mila stood there.
Calm.
Dry.
Confused.
Hex's eyes widened.
"Heh— move!"
He tried to stop.
Instead—
His socks betrayed him.
His arms flailed.
The juice launched upward in slow motion.
Hex crashed.
The drink poured all over him.
Silence.
Then—
"Fuck."
The room exploded.
Blaster fell backward laughing.
Drew shouted, "PAY UP!"
Ci-N held his stomach.
David calmly said, "Gravity remains undefeated."
Even Yuri smiled slightly.
Keifer covered his mouth, trying not to laugh.
I walked over, laughing.
"Well, Mister 'Anything Is Possible,' you lost. Go change and come practice."
Hex stood up, soaked.
"Shit. My dress is now spoilt."
He looked at Mila.
"Mila…" he said like he wanted to complain but remembered he had dignity.
"…What are you doing here?"
Mila blinked. "Hello? I'm your dance partner."
Section E went feral.
"OHHHH DANCE PARTNER!" Drew shouted.
Blaster added, "ROMANTIC ENTRANCE!"
Ci-N grinned. "He fell for you."
Felix calmly added, "Mostly the floor."
David shook his head smiling.
Yuri finally spoke quietly. "You timed that badly."
Hex looked like he wanted to scream at the sky.
But he couldn't.
Because Mila was standing there.
Watching him.
In socks.
Covered in juice.
He inhaled slowly.
"I'm going to change."
He walked upstairs pulling off his socks mid-step.
He removed his shirt as he climbed.
Now in his singlet.
Trying to recover his pride.
Behind me, Drew whispered, "Best bet of the week."
Rory looked thoughtful. "Statistically predictable."
Edrix nodded.
Mila smiled softly at the stairs.
"He's… Fun."
"That's one word," I said.
Inside my head?
This ceremony is going to be dangerous.
And somehow…
I can't wait.
End of Chapter 108 🧃🧦🔥