Jay-Jay's POV
The whole ride to school, I didn't open the message.
Not because I didn't want to.
But because Aries was driving, and Ella was in the backseat, and even if we weren't close, she still noticed things too quickly. And I didn't need both of them staring at me just because my phone vibrated.
So I kept it in my hand, screen facing down, pretending I didn't care.
Pretending I wasn't curious.
Pretending my heart wasn't beating faster than it should.
The car was filled with light conversation—Aries and Ella talking about their class, some activity, some teacher. I only replied when I had to, giving short answers.
But my mind?
Somewhere else.
On my phone.
On that message.
On that name.
Gagonbaliw.
I still didn't know who he was.
And I still didn't know why I hadn't blocked him yet.
When we reached school, I opened the door immediately.
"Bye," I said quickly.
Aries gave me a look. "You're weird today."
I shrugged. "And you're still annoying."
Ella laughed softly from the back.
"Okay," Aries muttered. "Go."
I stepped out and walked toward the building. The campus was already loud—students everywhere, voices mixing, footsteps echoing.
Normal.
Everything looked normal.
I adjusted my bag and headed toward my building—Section E side.
"Jay-Jay."
I turned and saw Rakki coming toward me from the opposite hallway—probably heading to her own class.
"You're here," she said dramatically. "Good. I thought you disappeared."
"I was here yesterday."
"And I still missed you."
"That sounds like a you problem."
She gasped. "Wow."
Before I could reply, Mica appeared too, coming from another direction, already neat and calm as always.
"Morning," she said.
"Morning," I replied.
We all stopped for a moment in the hallway—just a quick meet before classes.
"Lunch later?" Rakki asked.
"Obviously," I said.
Mica nodded. "Same place."
"Same drama," I added.
Rakki smiled proudly. "Always."
The bell rang loudly through the hallway.
"That's my cue," Rakki said, already stepping back. "Don't disappear."
"No promises."
Mica gave a small nod before turning toward her own class.
And just like that—
We all went separate ways.
Different sections.
Different classrooms.
Different routines.
I walked into my Section E classroom, the noise inside already loud. Students talking, chairs moving, the usual chaos before class starts. I went to my seat, dropped my bag, and sat down.
This was my space.
My class.
My normal.
The teacher entered a few minutes later, and the room slowly quieted down.
"Good morning," she said.
"Good morning, ma'am," we answered.
"Today we'll review and then do chorus recitation."
A few students groaned quietly.
I opened my notebook and book, trying to focus. Trying to act like nothing was going on in my head.
But under the desk—
My hand was already reaching for my phone.
Unlock.
Look.
Still there.
Still unread.
Still annoying me.
I locked it again quickly.
"Everyone, stand," the teacher said.
Our class stood together.
"Open your books. Page 47."
I flipped the page and focused on the text.
"On my count. One… two… three—"
And we started reading.
All of us together.
Voices mixed, uneven, messy—some loud, some quiet. The usual chorus.
I read along, my voice blending with the rest.
But my mind wasn't fully there.
Because between every line—
That thought came back.
That name.
Gagonbaliw.
"Louder," the teacher said.
We repeated it again.
I forced myself to focus.
Word by word.
Anything to stop thinking.
After a while, she told us to sit.
The lesson continued.
Normal.
Routine.
Safe.
Until—
My phone vibrated under the desk.
My whole body went still.
Slowly, I looked down.
One new message.
From Gagonbaliw.
My heart started beating faster again.
I locked the phone immediately.
Not here.
I couldn't react here.
I forced myself to look back at the board, pretending to listen.
But I wasn't.
Not anymore.
By the time lunch break came, I was already done pretending.
I walked straight to our usual meeting spot. Rakki was already there, talking too loudly as usual, while Mica sat beside her, calm and quiet.
"You're late," Rakki said.
"I'm on time."
"You're mentally late."
"That doesn't even make sense."
"It does to me."
I sat down and opened my lunch.
For a few minutes, everything was normal again.
Until—
My phone vibrated on the table.
All three of us looked at it.
My heart dropped.
One new message.
From him.
From Gagonbaliw.
Rakki leaned forward. "Okay—who is that?"
"No one," I said quickly, grabbing my phone.
"That is not 'no one' behavior."
"I said it's nothing."
Mica looked at me calmly. "Then why are you nervous?"
I stood up immediately. "I'm going to the bathroom."
"With your phone?" Rakki asked.
"With my privacy."
I walked away before they could follow me.
My heartbeat was loud. Too loud.
Inside the restroom, I locked myself in a stall and finally looked at my phone.
My fingers hesitated.
Then I opened the chat.
The earlier message read:
From: Gagonbaliw
Have a good day at school, my life.
My breath slowed.
Then I looked at the new one.
From: Gagonbaliw
You still didn't reply.
I stared at the screen.
And for the first time—
It didn't just feel confusing.
It felt… personal.
Like he was waiting.
Like he expected something from me.
And that?
That made my chest tighten slightly.
Because I didn't even know who he was.
But somehow…
He already felt too close.
(Sorry Everyone I was very busy with my exams but I am back
A hot, spicy chapter is coming
Love u <3)