JAY-JAY'S POV
"Please." Ci-N whispered while reaching for the box of chocolates I got.
"I gave it a lot earlier." I complained while walking away from him.
"I didn't get it earlier." He said but I can see one of his teeth still has chocolate on it.
I pointed to his mouth and made him wink. "What's in your teeth?"
"Tinga! I didn't brush my teeth." He got away with it even though it was obvious that he also got a lot.
He is the one next to me and closest to me. With just one outstretched hand, he has already taken everything. And one more thing, the many chocolate wrappers under his seat. He had already stepped on others without realizing it.
I heard the sound of the bell. Worrying that it's time to swallow. I quickly hid the chocolate box in my bag. When I saw that Batang Kumag peeking, I immediately threatened to punch him.
"Lunch, Jay?" Yuri said that he was already between Ci and me.
"Yes, you're free." I answered and he laughed.
I looked at Ci hoping to invite him but he obviously had no intention of leaving his seat.
"Hey, won't you come along?" I asked him.
He shook his head. "The food isn't there yet."
"Maybe we'll buy it."
He looked at me as if he was wondering what I was saying. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why are you looking like that?"
"Why are you still buying? There is food coming." He answered before scratching his eyebrows.
I looked at him. Is there food coming? Will someone literally throw food at us or slap us? Will the sky rain food? It's new!
I looked at Yuri wondering if he knew something. But he was also looking at Ci full of wonder.
Until we could only look behind because of the noise of steel scraping on the floor. The Ulupongs are busy arranging the tables.
"Lift the table! Stupid!", Blaster said to Drew with annoyance. "You might as well lift it! You're more stupid!" Drew answered.
"It's already lifted! Most stupid!" Blaster reciprocated.
"That's why only my side is lifted! Super stupid!" Drew didn't hesitate to answer.
"You're both stupid! You whores!" Felix shouted at them.
"What's this? A fight between idiots. You even argued, you're both brainless." Denzel said angrily.
Their assistants laughed softly at the noise. Their fight almost ended in a fight, but Felix intervened and hit them both in the neck.
What are the fools doing?
They move their tables closer to the back and move the chairs aside. They were so orderly that you thought an event was being prepared.
"What are you doing?" I asked them.
Felix looked at me and answered. "Fixing the food storage."
I looked at Yuri when he suddenly snapped his fingers. "Yes, by the way Keifer ordered food for us. I just remembered now." He said and scratched the back of his neck.
I want to clap so hard.
It's food! The crazy will feed us!
But how can I do that if the one who will feed me is the one I hate most of all. His face will be so thick if he hugs me again like he did with the chocolate earlier.
His face is really thick! He knows as well that I will not refuse.
But maybe it would be better if I had enough so that that crook wouldn't let me down. If I'm full, there's a good chance I'll say no.
Right! Right! There is a big chance.
I took my wallet from the bag and stood up. "I'm just in the cafeteria."
I didn't wait for what they had to say and walked out. I heard Yuri calling me but I ignored him.
I will not eat here and I will not eat the Kei-kwanan stew. Maybe it has a curse. Maybe my butt hole will close when I eat it or my stomach will hurt. The worst thing is to put a potion on it.
I just smelled lechon in the cafeteria.
My nostrils flared as I tried to find where the smell was coming from. It got louder the closer I walked to the stairs. I waited a moment to see if the direction of the source of what I smelled was correct.
That's how wide my eyes were when I saw some groups of men going up with food. Those who are having a fiesta are even better with the amount they bring. They went up one after the other and when I followed where they were going, they went straight to our classroom.
And when the lechon passed in front of me, I could hardly feel it the pain in my neck when I follow the destination.
Bess, my lechon!
I bit my lip. Why would I go to the cafeteria if this is grace? The sky is reaching out. The smell is overwhelming. But when I eat there, I think the King of Snakes is planning something again. That's probably just what he did with chocolate. There is a substitute! There is a substitute! Will he ask for a kiss in exchange for the lechon's head?
I almost slapped myself for what I thought. When have I became lewd? And the shallowness of a kiss for lechon. The exchange of those foods will probably be big.
My two hands just held my face. It just means that I have to endure and increase my pride. Higher than the endurance I did earlier. Taller than skyscrapers.
Can I handle it?
"What—" I heard a voice.
"Ah—It's a snake!" I said in shock.
"—are you doing here?" Kei-kwanan continued to ask even though he was laughing at my reaction.
"Why are you showing up all of a sudden?!" I asked annoyed.
He laughed a little. "I've been here for a couple of minutes now. Watching you."
I wanted to slap myself. Shame! He's been here by my side for a while now. He must have seen my reaction while following the lechon and thinking deeply.
"Come on. Let's eat." He agreed and suddenly grabbed my hand to pull me. It's like my heart has a switch on to beat hard and fast.
He's too moody for today. That's not good. It looks like it should be knocked down. Charot!
I immediately struggled and tried to pull back my hand that he was holding. He was obviously stunned by what I did.
"Don't touch it!" My tone was mixed with threats.
"I just want us to eat lunch together." He answered calmly.
"I will eat!" I made him suffer. "But I want to be sure that there is no other meaning in the food, if yes then I will buy food myself."
"Hmmmm!" He raised an eyebrow. "Okay..." He answered slowly.
"Just like you did with chocolate!"
He nodded as if he realized what I meant. "You have nothing to worry about. This is truly just for our lunch."
"Don't bother me!"
"I'll not!" He said and tried to reach me to touch me.
I immediately moved away and put my arms away from him as if he has an infectious disease.
Heartache.
"Don't do anything!" I said annoyed.
"Mother-what?" He asked while laughing.
He came closer and tried to reach my hand. I dodged again but he still followed.
"What?!" I cried in annoyance.
It's fine.
"What's wrong? I just want to hold your hand."
"No holding hands! It's Bad!"
I'm starting to gasp but he seems to be very happy that I'm suffering from his teasing. It's like I want to slap him with a shoe. Because I couldn't hold back the tiredness, I put both hands on him to stop him.
"Stop!" I shouted at him and he did it.
"What? Seriously? What's wrong with you?" He asked one question after another.
Is it still me who is wrong?
"You're ticklish! I told you not to touch it." I answered annoyed and gasped for air.
He suddenly grabbed one of my hands. It was tight and he almost broke my fingers.
"Ouch!" I complained.
"I'm holding your hand now. Did something bad happen to you?" He asked as if scolding. "I just want to hold you."
I noticed the twinkle in his eyes.
"Because I fucking miss you." His voice was broken and he was obviously holding back....crying.
He gradually loosened his grip on my hand. I suddenly felt guilty because of what he said. It's like it's my fault that I don't want to let him touch me. But if I let him touch me, it's like I've ignored everything. All diseases. All unanswered questions. All my crying. All my thoughts. All my swearing.
And most of all-
"It's beating. Damn fast." He said while looking at my hand he held
That's what I'm saying! He could feel my heart breaking. I feel like my heart is full of muscle because of his effort to exercise today. I was about to take my hand back but he slowly brought it closer to his chest. My chest became more and more painful.
"Can you feel it?" He asked as I placed my palm on his chest.
There was a strong heartbeat but I didn't know if it was mine or his. It's not clear to me because my hands are cold.
"My heart beats for us. For me to be alive and for you to know how much I love you."
I—is it like that?
I almost fell because my knees went weak at what he said. My whole system is failing. It didn't even want his words to enter in my brain at first. Don't want to accept every word he said. It doesn't seem real! I think I'm malignant.
Jusmiyo! I need an album!
My mouth is always open. Looking for the right words to answer him. But I couldn't catch anything, not even a single letter.
He just stared at me which made me suffer even more. He tried to come closer so I quickly backed away. He did that a few more times until the wall behind stopped me.
He still didn't remove my hand from his chest. I intended to use that to stop him from approaching, but because of my softening, I still couldn't do anything.
"S-s-s-stop ...." I almost couldn't form what I was going to say.
You're the son of a serpent!
And when we were only about a span apart, the sweet smile on his lips appeared.
"You're good. Don't make a mistake."
"Your lips and profanities, are making me damn crazy for your kiss." He said and was about to kiss me but we both stopped because of someone's accented scream.
I slowly turned to look for the culprit. If it wasn't for the pain in my neck, my head would probably have turned a long way.
Batang Kumag was all smiles, looking at us while holding the cellphone and pointing the camera at us. I also saw another Ulupong peering at the door with a wide smile.
My eyes widened as I realized what was happening. I immediately pushed Kei-kwanan hard. He took a step back in shock and I could see the pain in his eyes.
"Oh, no kiss?" Ci said and hung up the cellphone.
My eyebrows meet quickly. "That's it? After all your sins, you're going to come back as if nothing happened?"
"Awkward." I heard Ci's whisper and quickly ran back to the room.
"Jay-."
"You're good, aren't you? What facemask do you use? The thickness of the face is durable for you." He tried to come closer but I threatened to slap him. He stopped and obviously waited for me to meet my palm and his face.
"Go ahead. Hurt me." He said and sighed. "I deserve it."
My vision began to blur due to the accumulation of tears.. My palm closed automatically and my hand dropped.
"Good you know." I almost whispered and quickly walked down the stairs.
I really don't know where I'm going. Add more students because it's lunch break so I don't have room. I quickly wiped my face because of the tears that were falling.
I was almost at the ground floor when I met Aries and Ella. They raised their eyebrows at me almost at the same time, maybe because of my looks. Aries looked at Ella for a moment and nodded. He immediately understood the meaning and walked away.
"Have you eaten yet?" Aries asked.
And I don't need to answer. My stomach rumbled on its own, a sign that my pets were losing weight. I just got hold of it.
"Let's go outside." There you go.
Even though I was surprised, I still followed him. We went straight to the parking lot and got into the car one after the other. I know we're going outside the school, but where exactly, I don't know.
My question was only answered when we stopped at a restaurant about a corner away from the school. You can walk but it will take time to walk and it will be hot.
We got out of the car together and went inside. They only have rice meal so it's not difficult to order. The tucino and three orders from earlier were right.
I like the lechon.
There is no place to be sad. I just look like a fool, if we end our fight, I will still eat his food. Where is my pride? I lowered it when I took the chocolate and then I lowered it more.
I was nervous while waiting for my order. I'm the only one because Aries has already eaten before we meet. They got out of their last subject early.
"Speak." Horoscope order.
I snorted while pretending to read what was stuck on the table. Tips for the uneducated while eating. That's what's written in the notes.
"Nothing yet? I'm hungry." I said without looking at him.
"I said talk but not about anything." He said annoyed.
"At least he spoke." I answered and he quickly gave me a bad look. "What am I going to say?"
I know he wants to hear what I have to say about bringing home his trophy from London.
"Of course! About him!"
"He brought him home by London bridge." I answered and rose quickly, his palm to rest my neck.
Good thing my order has arrived. While his is only juice. He let me eat first while he was holding the cellphone and texting continuously.
"Make sure to think twice before making an action. Your recklessness will put you in danger. You might get angry with Kuya if you do something stupid." He reminded.
"It's me again." I complained.
I was immediately reminded. How is he? Who could have been kidnapped to find a cellphone? Isn't that also negligence? When it's silly, I immediately.
Am I just stupid?
"Who can be fooled here?" He asked sarcastically.
I looked in another direction and took a sip from my glass. I try to sip even though the glass is empty but ice. Just make that noise.
"Answer." He ordered.
I stopped sipping. "Am I?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Is that a question?"
No, answer.
"I'm here! I am always here!" I replied.
"Because it's really you! You'll go further! You want me to lay it down list of your pranks?"
"Don't." I answered almost in a whisper. "Long."
He suddenly slapped me on the forehead. I quickly touched my forehead while looking at him evilly.
"Get settled." He said threateningly.
He stood up so I followed but I put away what I was eating before handing it to the counter. That's what was written in his reminder.
When we returned to school, the break was almost over so we quickly returned to our classes. I didn't want to enter the room yet but I saw the next teacher. When I went inside, the crooks still hadn't finished eating. Ci's mouth was still greasy as he waved at me to bring me closer.
"Where are you coming from? Keifer was looking for you." He said and just as their King entered.
I looked away and went straight to my seat. I arranged my things and pretended not to care about what was happening around me. Even if I can smell the food.
I feel hungry again.
"Where have you been?" Kei-kwanan asked softly.
I coughed a little. "Just there. Eat."
He didn't speak for a moment before nodding and left Immediately.
Ci came to me and whispered.
"He hasn't eaten yet, because he was looking for you." He said while still throwing what he was eating in my face.
I wiped it for a while. I feel a little guilty that he hasn't eaten. But why would I think that? I didn't tell him to look for me. He can postpone it and eat first. Or he just won't look for me, because I don't want it.
Our next teacher has entered. The King of Snakes has no time to eat. But instead of the teacher watching the people eating, he just let Felix reach out to him with the noodles.
"Go meet Keifer there." Eren whispered behind me. "Even Yuri, he didn't eat to find you either."
Yuri too?
I looked at Ci-N to confirm and when he nodded I was immediately embarrassed. I also bothered Yuri without realizing it.
Eren touched me. "Come with me down."
I turned my whole body to face him and threatened to slap him. Because the depth of his closeness and I can feel the pain on my skin.
That's a nail.
"You're just a relative." I said annoyed.
I looked at Yuri when I noticed he was looking at me. He motioned me to eat and pointed to what was ready. I shook my head at him and told him to eat. He smiled sadly.
I signaled him to eat but he shook his head. I feel like I already know. He doesn't seem to want to eat anymore. I scratched the back of my neck violently. I don't want him to starve because of my business.
I looked at the teacher who was busy eating before standing up and approaching Yuri.
"Eat now." I ordered him.
"How about you?"
I looked at those who were ready. "W-what? I've already eaten."
"Eat again." He said with a goofy smile.
"I'll think about it."
He just nodded before standing up and approaching Kei-kwanan.
"Eat now." Yuri agreed and nodded lifelessly.
They came towards the food together and I followed them.
Peeking at the food.
Maybe suddenly run.
"Jay? You really don't want to?" Yuri asked while holding a plate full of lechon skin.
I shook my head. "I-I'm fine."
I didn't finish what I was going to say when someone grabbed my hand and placed a plate full of lechon on it.
"Eat or I will kiss you in front of everyone." The words from the most bitter King of Snakes.
My eyes were still wide as I looked at the food. I also looked at Yuri when I noticed him laughing while shaking his head.
It's like he didn't hear what his best friend said.
I looked at the Ulupongs evilly when I noticed that they were watching us.
It looks like I have no choice but to swallow my pride again and eat this sneaky man's preparation. Even though I'm really full and have no place to eat again.
Esushme, I have no choice.