Jay's POV
Dinner ended in laughter.
Even Aries had calmed down. Even Keifer had stopped acting like he owned the house… well, almost.
He stood near the door, keys snning around his finger like he was in some slow motion movie scene. Mom and Aunty Gemma were clearing plates. Angelo was pretending not to stare at him.
"So you're finally leaving?" Aries asked.
Keifer smirked. "Miss me already?"
Aries rolled his eyes.
I walked him to the door because… I don't know. Habit? Curiosity? Something softer?
The night air was cool. Quiet. Streetlights flickered like lazy stars.
"You parked far," I said.
He shrugged. "Worth it."
"For what?"
He stepped closer.
Too close.
My heart started doing that annoying fast drum thing again.
"Goodnight, Jay."
Before my brain could catch up with my body… he leaned in.
Soft.
Quick.
His lips brushed mine.
My eyes widened.
And just like that… he pulled back.
He didn't wait for a reaction.
Didn't apologize.
Didn't explain.
He just smiled.
That confident, dangerous smile.
"Sleep well, wifey."
Then he turned and walked away down the street, hands in his pockets, looking way too pleased with himself.
I stood there frozen.
Did that just happen?
My lips still felt warm.
Why didn't I stop him?
Why didn't I slap him?
Why am I smiling?
I closed the door slowly and went straight upstairs before anyone could question my face.
My Room
After my shower, steam still clinging to the mirror, I sat on my bed trying to act normal.
My phone rang.
Chantelle.
I answered immediately.
"Jay!" she groaned dramatically. "This is not fair."
"What happened?"
"I can't even come see you. My mom signed me up for extra classes until school opens."
I frowned. "Extra classes? Already?"
"Yes! Instead of letting me rest."
I lay back on my bed. "Did you tell her you enjoy dancing? Or drawing? Maybe she thinks you're bored."
"It's not that easy," Chantelle sighed. "She says I need to stay ahead."
I softened. "Maybe talk to her calmly. Tell her what you love too. Not just what she wants."
Silence.
Then she muttered, "I'll try."
Call waiting.
Ciel.
I added her in.
"Why do I feel like I joined a support group?" Ciel laughed.
And just like that, the mood shifted.
We talked about silly things. About Aries' overprotectiveness. About Keifer's ego. About ridiculous things we'd do when school opened again.
"Imagine Aries wearing pink," Ciel said.
Chantelle screamed. "He would combust."
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.
For an hour, everything felt normal.
Light.
Safe.
After we ended the call, the room became quiet again.
Too quiet.
I don't know why I picked it up.
Maybe curiosity is a curse.
Maybe I just hate not knowing.
The paper felt heavier this time.
Colder.
I unfolded it slowly.
There were words inside.
I squinted.
"This is your—"
A sharp sting.
My breath snapped in half.
The paper slipped from my hand.
I didn't even look.
I couldn't.
Pain burned across my finger and I felt it instantly.
Warm.
Wet.
No.
No no no.
"Don't look," I whispered quickly to myself.
I shut my eyes tight.
Tighter.
As if darkness could erase what just happened.
I felt it.
The warmth sliding down my skin.
I covered my eyes with my other hand.
"I'm fine. I'm fine. It's nothing."
But I could smell it.
That metallic scent.
My stomach twisted.
For a split second, something inside me whispered.
Taste it.
I froze.
"No."
My voice shook.
"No, don't even think about that."
I clenched my jaw.
Control yourself.
I stepped forward blindly.
Hands over my eyes.
One step.
I bumped into my desk.
"Ah!"
Another step.
Straight into the edge of my shelf.
"Why is everything in this room attacking me today?!" I hissed.
My breathing was uneven now.
I stretched my foot forward slowly, trying to remember the layout of my own room.
Three steps to the door.
Turn left.
Five steps to the bathroom.
Instead—
Thud.
I hit the wall.
"Great. Perfect. Amazing," I muttered sarcastically, still refusing to open my eyes.
Don't look.
Don't look.
Don't look.
My heart was beating so loud it felt like it was shaking my ribs.
I finally reached the bathroom door, pushing it open clumsily.
My shoulder hit the frame.
I stumbled inside.
"Just find the sink."
I shuffled forward carefully until—
Cold water.
It rushed over my finger.
I felt it before I saw it.
The water running.
Washing.
Diluting.
"It's okay," I whispered. "It's washing away."
Slowly.
Carefully.
I lowered my hand from my eyes.
Just a little.
Just enough.
The mistake happened in seconds.
I looked down.
Red.
Too much red.
It swirled with the water, blooming like a flower I never wanted to see.
My breath stopped.
The room tilted.
The sound of the running tap became distant.
"No…"
My chest tightened violently.
My fingers trembled.
The sight burned into my mind and suddenly I wasn't in the bathroom anymore.
I was back there.