Jayjay Pov
Keifer slowed the car as we reached my gate.
The night was quiet, streetlights casting soft shadows across the road. For a moment, none of us spoke. Then I turned to him.
"Keifer," I said, resting my hand on the door handle, "what did you say to Hex?"
He glanced at me, lips curving into a knowing smile. "That's a secret between boys."
I scoffed. "Figures. Anyway… thank you. Really. For convincing him."
He leaned a little closer, his voice lower.
"I didn't convince him," he said. "I just reminded him that the person he cares about the most smiles more when he's brave."
Our eyes locked.
The moment stretched—too long, too quiet.
Then—
"Ahem."
Ci-n's voice came from the back seat.
"I've been here , you know."
I jumped back instantly. "YOU—why didn't you say anything?!"
He grinned. "I was enjoying the show ."
Keifer laughed, shaking his head.
I opened the door. "Okay, see you on Monday."
I waved, then paused. "Both of you—drive safe."
As I stepped inside the gate, I felt his eyes on me until the car finally pulled away.
The living room lights were on.
Aunty Gemma was sitting on the couch, Angelo beside her. The moment she saw me, she stood.
"Jay, you're back."
I nodded. "Yes, Aunty."
She walked over and touched my shoulder gently. "You ate?"
"Yes," I answered softly. "I'm fine."
Angelo cleared his throat.
"So," he said, not angry this time, just tired, "about yesterday."
I faced him fully. "I shouldn't have snapped at you."
He sighed. "And I shouldn't have yelled. I was worried, Jay."
We stood there for a second—then he nodded.
"We're good?"
"We're good," I said.
Relief softened Aunty Gemma's face.
Footsteps echoed from the hallway.
Aries had just come in.
I was about to pass him when his voice stopped me.
"So… you're just going to forgive everyone and skip me?"
I turned slowly. "What do you want, Aries?"
He ran a hand through his hair. "I want us to fix this."
I laughed quietly. Not happy. Not amused.
"Fix what? The part where something bad happened and you could've stopped it—but didn't?"
His jaw tightened. "You don't know everything."
"Maybe," I said. "But I know enough."
Silence fell between us.
Then he spoke, softer. "I just don't want us broken."
I looked at him for a long moment.
"Neither do I," I said honestly. "But fixing things doesn't mean pretending nothing happened."
I stepped past him.
"Good night, Aunty," I said.
"Good night, Angelo."
"Good night… Aries."
In my room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it.
Too much had happened. Too many emotions pulled in different directions.
But somewhere out there, a boy who once refused school was willing to try—
and somehow, that felt like hope.
I lay down, letting the quiet finally claim me.
Tomorrow could wait.