The moment Pearl disappeared toward her part-time shift, Jason was already on the move. He didn't waste a second. With a glare sharp enough to slice glass, he cornered Armstrong near the tree.
Armstrong, sensing the shift in the air thick with tension glanced up from his phone and saw Jason stalking toward him like a lion sizing up prey. And as expected, Armstrong turned on his heel, ready to flee.
But Jason's voice cracked through the air like a whip.
"Stop. Right. There."
Armstrong froze. His sneakers squeaked slightly as he turned around, his expression unreadable, cool as always. Jason's brows were furrowed, lips pressed into a tight line.
"What is it this time?"Armstrong asked, voice laced with impatience.
Jason didn't flinch. "You know exactly why I'm like this right now… don't you?"
Armstrong scoffed. "C'mon, man. If I had psychic powers, maybe I'd know. Can you just spit it out already? I don't have all day."
Jason took a threatening step closer, his tone lower.
"What happened at the last session's end-of-exam party?"
Armstrong's brows raised, feigning confusion. "What happened?" he echoed flatly.
Jason let out a long, frustrated sigh, dragging a hand down his face. "So that's how we're playing it?" His voice dropped, almost venomous.
"Since you don't want to admit it, I'll tell you myself…"
Jason's voice dropped an octave, laced with frustration.
"How did I end up with Sheila that night of the party? I clearly remember asking you to drop me off, didn't I?"
Armstrong blinked. Genuinely confused or maybe just pretending really well you couldn't tell. His brows furrowed, and he tilted his head.
"Wait, you ended up with Sheila? On the same bed? Whoa... what a twist." He let out a low whistle, smirking.
"But... how? That's the real tea, bro. How did that even happen?" His interest was piqued like he was about to settle in for juicy gist.
Jason exploded.
"I should be the one asking you that!"
Armstrong raised both hands defensively.
"Okay, okay! Chill. Here's what happened." He spoke fast, like trying to defuse a ticking bomb.
"I was about to take you to the car when my dad called it was urgent, like 'world-is-ending' type urgent. Then boom, guardian angel Sheila appeared out of nowhere, offering to help."
He scratched the back of his head, adding casually,
"I mean, I always saw you two chatting, right? So I figured y'all were kinda close. I just thought—" he trailed off awkwardly.
Jason crossed his arms, fuming.
Armstrong quickly added with a grin,
"But who knew you guys would end up dating today, huh? Turns out it was fate! Look at me, playing Cupid by accident aren't I just amazing?"
He stretched out his arms wide like he expected applause.
"You're welcome!"
Instead of praise, he got a smack to the back of his head.
Armstrong staggered back like Jason had just smacked him with a brick.
"Can't you see what's going on?!" he exploded, voice laced with frustration and disbelief.
Armstrong blinked, raising an eyebrow with childlike confusion.
"Umm... no? What's going on?" he asked, tilting his head as if Jason was the crazy one in the field there.
Jason let out a tired breath, fingers raking through his hair like he was trying to dig the truth out of his skull.
"Maybe I was drunk that night—I honestly don't remember anything after the party. But I woke up next to Sheila... in the same bed. In a freaking hotel."
He paused, eyes burning with anxiety.
"Since that day, she's just been parading me around like I'm her personal sugar crush. Introducing me everywhere like we're some rom-com couple."
His voice cracked slightly.
"I went along with it because I felt responsible. I mean… I was there. But now—" he swallowed hard.
"Now she's saying she's pregnant."
Armstrong's teasing expression dropped like a stone. He took a small step back.
"Whoa… I thought you two were, like… in love or something. I mean, the way she clung to you dang, I'm sorry, man. That's… a lot."
His voice was lower now, sensing how deep this rabbit hole had gotten.
Jason looked away, eyes dark, his jaw clenched.
Armstrong narrowed his gaze.
"Wait..." he said slowly.
"Don't tell me… you asked her to—" he hesitated.
"Abort the baby?"
Jason said nothing. His silence screamed louder than any confession.
Armstrong's eyes widened in horror.
"No. Freaking. Way. Bro… no wonder she ran away.
Jason's eyes darkened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface.
"How could I allow her to go through all that trouble?" he burst out, pacing.
"She's just in her second year, Armstrong. Second year! Is she supposed to drop out of school, ruin her future, just because of this?"
Armstrong opened his mouth, carefully picking his words.
"Hmm, that's true but—"
Jason didn't let him finish.
"No 'but'. It's final. She's aborting it."
His voice was cold, clipped—like he was convincing himself more than anyone else.
Armstrong stared at him, stunned silent for a moment, the weight of Jason's decision sinking in like a heavy stone.