Jane's POV
The wheels of the private jet touched down with a definitive thud, and for the first time in weeks, my lungs felt like they could actually expand.
New York was a whirlwind of flashbulbs, contracts, and plastic smiles, but the air here—humid and thick with the scent of home—was what I needed.
I didn't call Jay. I wanted to surprise her.
The drive to the mansion was a blur of familiar landmarks. When the gates opened, a sense of peace settled over me. I stepped into the foyer, my heels clicking against the marble.
"Jane! You're back!" Tita's voice rang out as she rushed from the kitchen. She pulled me into a suffocating hug, smelling of vanilla and home.
"I missed you, Tita," I laughed, hugging her back.
"And look at you, looking like a real star," Angelo said, leaning against the doorframe with a proud smirk. I gave him a quick hug too, my eyes darting toward the stairs. "Where's Jay? Is she still in her room?"
"She already left for school, Jane," Angelo replied. "She was moving a bit slow today. Probably missing her better half."
I didn't even stop to unpack. I rushed to my room, the scent of Jay's lingering peppermint tea hitting me as I opened the door.
The bed was made—too neatly, a sign she was trying to keep her mind busy. I quickly changed out of my travel suit and into my school uniform. The crisp fabric felt like a suit of armor.
"Kuya! Drop me off?" I yelled down the stairs.
The ride to HVIS felt longer than the flight from the States. My heart was racing. I missed the chaos of Section E, but mostly, I missed my sister. As the SUV pulled up to the curb, I hopped out before Angelo could even put it in park.
I walked toward the building with purpose. I was about to turn the corner into the hallway leading to Section E when—thump.
I hit something solid. Hard. It felt like walking into a brick wall made of expensive cologne and sheer arrogance. I stumbled back, my bag slipping from my shoulder.
I looked up, narrowing my eyes. "Are you habitual of bumping with everyone?"
Yuri stood there, his hands shoved into his pockets, a slow, infuriatingly handsome smirk spreading across his face. "I'm not habitual," he said, his voice dropping an octave. "But it feels like you love to hug me and just disguise it as bumping."
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, but I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction. I straightened my blazer and stepped around him. "Yeah, right. Like you're some hero in a drama," I murmured under my breath.
"Why did you say that?" Yuri asked, spinning around to face my back.
I paused, looking over my shoulder with a sharp glint in my eyes. "None of your business, Yuri. Move."
I didn't wait for his comeback. I pushed the doors to Section E open, my heart hammering a rhythm of Jay, Jay, Jay.
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Yuri's POV
I was heading out to find some peace and quiet—or maybe just a cigarette—when someone slammed right into my chest. My first instinct was to growl at whatever idiot wasn't looking where they were going.
Then I smelled it. Not the heavy, floral perfume Ella wore, but something fresh. Like rain and expensive shampoo.
I looked down and my heart actually skipped a beat. Jane.
She was back. She looked tired, but her eyes were just as fierce as I remembered. Seeing her there, after days of only seeing her face on billboards and news clips, felt like a punch to the gut in the best way possible.
I wanted to smile, to tell her the room felt empty without her, but my pride won out.
"Are you habitual of bumping with everyone?" she snapped.
I couldn't help the smirk. "I'm not habitual. But it feels like you love to hug me and disguise it as bumping."
Watching her blush was the highlight of my week. She muttered something about me being a "hero" and tried to brush past me.
"None of your business," she said when I pressed her.
As she walked away, I watched the sway of her hair, the way she carried herself like she owned the world. I leaned against the locker, a genuine smile finally breaking through.
"Welcome back, princess," I whispered to the empty hallway.
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Jay's POV
I was trying to focus on the book in front of me, but the seat next to me felt like it was radiating heat. Keifer was sitting way too close. I could hear his steady breathing, a stark contrast to the buzzing in my head from my missed dose of meds.
I felt a shadow fall over my page. Keifer leaned in, his face inches from mine. I could smell the faint scent of smoke and mint on him.
"What are you reading?" he whispered directly into my ear.
My breath hitched. A shiver raced down my spine that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with the way his deep voice vibrated against my skin. I reacted instinctively, shoving his shoulder back.
"Gago! Stay away!"
"Why?" Keifer asked, his voice dropping even deeper, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Don't you like me talking like this?"
"No," I lied, gripping my book so hard the pages crinkled. "It's... it's distracting."
He didn't pull away. If anything, he leaned closer, his smirk turning predatory. "Distracting? Why? Do you feel attracted to me?"
I let out a scoff, trying to regain my footing. "My Snorlax is much more attractive than you."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "Don't compare me to that stuff toy."
"Why? But I said the truth? My Snorlax is more attractive."
Before I could blink, Keifer moved. He leaned in until our noses were almost touching, his hand gripping the edge of my desk, pinning me in. "Either you shut up," he growled low in his throat, "or I will make you shut up."
I froze. I should have punched him. I should have flipped the desk. But my eyes were locked onto his, and for a second, the rest of the room faded away.
"You look like husband and wife!" Felix's voice boomed across the room, shattering the tension like a brick through a window.
"SHUT UP!" Keifer and I yelled at the same time, turning our glares toward Felix.
I was about to say something more to Felix, but then a voice at the door made my entire body relax.
"What is going on here?"
I turned. My breath caught in my throat. Standing there, looking perfectly composed and utterly beautiful, was Jane.
I didn't care who was watching. I scrambled out of my seat and gave her a tight hug. She caught me, her arms wrapping around me in the only safety I truly knew. She kissed my forehead, her voice a soothing balm. "I'm here."
I told her everything—how boring it was, how Keifer was being a total jerk, how Felix was being loud. Jane just listened, her eyes moving from me to Keifer.
Jane leaned in, whispering loud enough for only me to hear, "Both the best friends are the same kind."
I chuckled, the weight on my chest finally lifting. We both went back to our seats, hand in hand.
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Keifer's POV
I was this close.
I had her flustered. I had her pinned. The way Jay had looked at me—wide-eyed and breathless—was a victory I'd been chasing for days. I wanted to see how far I could push her before she either kissed me or killed me.
I hated being compared to a Snorlax, but the way she argued back with that fire in her eyes made me want to lean in even further. I was about to shut her up for good when Felix ruined it.
"Shut up!" we both yelled. The synchronization was annoying, but the look on Felix's face was worth it.
But then, the atmosphere shifted. Jay's face transformed from anger to pure,
unadulterated joy. I watched as she ran to the door. Jane was back.
The "Warrior" I knew disappeared, replaced by a girl who looked like she'd finally found her home. She gave Jane a hug so tight it looked like she was never going to let go. I sat back, crossing my arms, feeling a strange surge of something I didn't want to call jealousy. I'd spent all morning trying to get a reaction out of Jay, and Jane got it just by existing.
Jay started rambling, pointing at me and complaining. I just stared at them. Jane looked over at me, a knowing, slightly mischievous look on her face. She whispered something to Jay—something I couldn't hear.
Whatever it was, it worked. Jay let out a genuine, bright chuckle, her whole face lighting up. My heart did that weird tightening thing again. Seeing her smile like that... it was distracting.
"Welcome back, Jane," I muttered to myself, watching them head to their seats. "But I'm not letting Jay go that easily."
A/n
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