Jay-Jay's POV
The next morning came way too fast. đ«
I barely slept after that whole "Kiefer-calls-my-brother-Boss" madness. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could picture was Kiefer looking pale while Kuya Angelo stared him down like a mafia leader.
I groaned into my pillow. "Why is my life a soap opera?"
By the time I reached school, everyone was already whispering.
And I mean everyone. đł
"Oh my gosh, is that the new girl?"
"Didn't she stay at Kiefer Watson's house?"
"Wasn't he with her this morning too?!"
Excuse me?! Rumors travel faster than Wi-Fi in this school! đ
I kept my head high and walked into class, pretending not to notice the stares. But of course, fate hated me â Kiefer was already there, sitting in his seat like nothing had happened.
Our eyes met.
He smiled. A small, knowing, annoyingly confident smile.
"Morning, Jay," he said casually, voice smooth.
"Oh, so now we're doing friendly greetings?" I shot back, sliding into my chair a little too fast. "I thought I was just your brother's sister-slash-disaster."
He chuckled lowly. "You're definitely that. But you survived him. Not bad."
"Yeah, well, you looked more scared than I did," I whispered.
He leaned closer. "Can you blame me? Your brother interrogates people like it's part of his job."
"Because it is," I muttered.
Yuri plopped down nearby, staring between us with a smirk. "So⊠you two gonna tell us what happened, or should I keep believing the internet version?"
"What version?!" I demanded.
He grinned. "That you stayed over and wore his hoodie. Classic couple move."
Kiefer coughed. "Ignore him."
"Too late," I said through gritted teeth. My cheeks were practically on fire đ„.
"Relax," Yuri teased. "Section E's already calling you Miss Watson. Might as well own it."
"WHAT?!" đ±
Kiefer just sat there, biting back a laugh.
"I swear if one more person says thatâ"
"Then what?" he said, still smiling, that lollipop between his fingers.
"I'll tell them you cried when Angelo scolded you," I shot back.
That shut him up real quick. đ
The bell rang, and as I pulled out my notebook, I caught him staring again â less smug this time, more thoughtful.
Kiefer Watson: rich boy, rule-breaker, secretly terrified of my brother.
And maybe⊠starting to look at me differently.
Oh boy. This year was so not gonna be peaceful. đłđ