Jay-jay's POV
I won't be able to make it to the next class after lunch. Rory said we'd only be here for a bit, but lunch is almost over, and we're still in Edrix's dorm.
"There's a girl in Rix's room," I heard someone say from outside the room.
I even saw their shadows from the window.
"Don't mind those guys. They're just jealous because a girl came here," Rory said while rummaging through Edrix's stuff under the bed.
"I thought Edrix was staying with his parents at home," I said, looking at the things on his study table.
He had three laptops of different brands and five routers attached to the wall or placed on top of a cabinet full of books and logbooks. There was also a box of shoes filled with flash drives, scattered cable wires, and connectors. He even had action figures of well-known anime characters.
His desk was a bit messy, but the rest of the room was the complete opposite. Everything was organized. Dirty clothes were in the laundry basket. His blanket and pillows were folded neatly in one corner of the bed. His shoes were lined up in a corner of the room. The dishes were washed and arranged next to the glasses and pitcher.
"Edrix hasn't gone home since his mother passed away," Rory answered without even looking at me.
Passed away?
He moved on to Edrix's closet after finding nothing under the bed. He even laughed when he saw a picture of Freya taped to the back of the closet door.
I couldn't help but think about what he said regarding Edrix's mother. He said it so casually, but it didn't feel casual to me. Despite the time we've spent together, I never knew he was dealing with something like this.
It's hard to lose a family member—especially a mother who should be with you through every step of life. Even I struggle without a father, so how much harder must it be for him?
"W-what happened to his mom?" I asked hesitantly.
"She just disappeared, and they never heard from her again," he replied while still searching.
"How long has it been? Not even a clue or where she was last seen? Nothing?"
"It was expected," he answered, making me frown. "Because of the line of work she was in."
"Line of work?"
He glanced at me briefly. "You don't know?"
Do I look like I know?
I stared at him blankly. "Would I be asking if I knew?"
He chuckled softly. "Wrong question, now I'm getting sassed."
"What was her job?" I asked again.
He pointed at Edrix's study table. "Same as what our buddy does. She crossed some powerful people, and just like that, she was gone."
I sat on the bed. It's heartbreaking to hear stories like this—especially about a friend. You wouldn't even guess Edrix was going through something like this. He always joined in on our antics and laughed with us, but like the rest of us—like me—he had his own hidden pain too.
I'm kind of jealous of how strong he is.
"But why did he leave home?"
"He felt ashamed because his mom's husband isn't his real dad. He didn't want to be a burden, so he left," he explained while pulling out Edrix's clothes one by one from the closet.
"Where does he get the money for expenses and to pay for this place?"
"From your boyfriend."
Keifer?
"He's not my boyfriend!" I protested quickly.
He stopped what he was doing and looked at me. "I didn't even say a name."
"Because I really don't have a boyfriend!"
"Maybe because you feel guilty."
"Idiot!" I shouted, throwing a pillow at him.
He laughed loudly before going back to his task. I didn't ask more questions, even though I wanted to know why Edrix was getting money from that jerk Keifer.
I snapped out of my thoughts when Rory pulled a box from under Edrix's closet. He quickly put the clothes back, closed the closet, and sat beside me to open the box.
"Tada!" he said, showing me photos, dried flowers, and letters that were clearly meant to be kept hidden. "The secrets of Edrix's closet."
"W-what are these?"
"Our buddy's love for Freya," he answered, wiggling his hips like he was tickled. "There's even a poetry in there."
Wow. So that snake has this side too?
I looked at the photos, which were taken with an old camera. They were in black and white, giving them a classic vibe. They were all of Freya—every single one a candid shot. I just couldn't figure out the purpose of the dried flowers. I decided not to touch them in case they crumbled.
"What are we going to do with these?" I asked.
Rory opened one of the drawers on Edrix's study table. He grabbed a paper clip and some double-sided tape.
He took a letter, read it briefly, then picked a photo and a dried flower. He clipped them together, folded them, and placed them in an empty envelope. He sealed it with the double-sided tape and closed it.
"If Edrix isn't going to make a move, we'll court Freya on his behalf," he said, clapping his hands like a sea lion.
Only the sound effect was missing.
"Are you sure about this? Won't he get mad at us for meddling?" I asked, scratching my head.
"He'll get mad, but that doesn't matter. We're just helping him. That idiot's such a coward. If it were me, I'd make that girl happy in one night," he bragged, and I remembered the time he got stabbed right in front of me.
He had just come from his girl's place then, and we both happened to be late. What a shame—he's so quick to get girls.
You're close to becoming Eren.
"Here's the plan…" he started. "I'll handle the supplies, and you'll deliver them to Freya. Sound good?"
"O-okay. But what if Edrix gets mad?"
He let out a heavy sigh. "You started this. Why'd you even tell Freya she had a secret admirer if you're not going to help me with this?"
Because… I had a lot of reasons.
"It'd be better if Edrix himself does the courting. What if Freya says yes? How are we going to explain what we did?"
He scratched his head for a moment. "We'll figure it out. For now, let's just help him."
I let out a heavy sigh. As if I had a choice. If I didn't agree, I'd face Hidalgo's wrath. She might claw my face or stab me with her eyebrows.
I just nodded. "I'm telling you, Rory—if this all blows up, I'm blaming you."
He arranged the contents of the box before standing up. "Yeah, Just trust me."
He doesn't exactly look trustworthy.
I stood up too and helped tidy up Edrix's scattered things. Rory held the box and the room key. Once everything was in order, we left the room. I was stunned when an old woman greeted us outside, her hands on her hips.
She looked me up and down, her nostrils flaring. I couldn't help but feel scared and uneasy.
"Wazzup, Granny!" Rory greeted her.
"My dorm isn't a motel!" the old woman yelled at us, and I took a small step back.
I noticed a group of guys behind her, all sizing me up like they were examining my soul.
"Chill, Granny! This one's a tomboy!" Rory said, pointing at me.
I nearly winced at what he called me.
"We just picked something up," he added.
The old woman turned her sharp gaze on me. "You! Where's your sense of propreity, agreeing to be alone with him in a room?!"
Wow! She's making me sound like some filthy girl.
"What's propreity? Is it something you eat?" I asked innocently.
She looked slightly shocked, as if she'd heard a bad word.
"Such barbarity!"
Barbecue?
I heard soft laughter from the people around us. Before the old woman could explod in anger, Rory dragged me away. He was shaking his head, chukling.
"Don't mind her. She just doesn't like girls staying in her dorm," he said, hailing a taxi.
There was no way we'd make it to the next class, so I just accepted it. And I'd just have to accept the lecture and scolding from Kuya Angelo when I got home later.
While in the taxi, Rory kept peeking into the box he was carrying. He was also counting the letters and photos. When we arrived at school, he paid for our fare.
"Hurry up or Keifer's going to kill me." he urged me as he got out of the taxi.
As if he wasn't the reason we took so long in the first place.
We half-walked, half-ran to our classroom, but we were still on the ground floor when Rory suddenly stopped. I stopped too and looked at him.
"Why?" I asked.
He opened the box he was holding and pulled out three envelopes. He handed them to me and pointed at the girl approaching our spot.
Freya…
"Give them to her," he ordered, and like a robot, I obeyed.
I met the witch head-on. "Freyangot," I said, and she immediately shot me a glare.
"What?"
I handed her the three envelopes. She flinched, thinking my hand would hit her face.
"They're for you. And he said he loves you too," I added, pushing the envelopes closer to her.
She looked visibly confused about what to do. She had no choice but to take the envelopes, eyeing them with disgust.
"Seriously? This kind of thing is from the Jurassic age."
I looked at her innocently. "You look Jurassic." I said, and she quickly raised her hand to hit me.
I dodged just as fast and ran off. Rory and I were like kids, laughing and teasing each other as we climbed the stairs, so by the time we reached our floor, we were both out of breath.
"Why'd you call her Jurassic?" Rory asked, still laughing.
"She's such a complainer," I replied as he adjusted his bag to fit the box inside.
I had a strong feeling Edrix would find out we took his secret box. He'd be furious with us. I wouldn't blame him if he did.
Please forgive me.
"Why are you guys only here now?" someone asked from behind us.
Rory panicked while zipping up his bag. I turned to see who spoke and my mood shifted when I saw his bright red hair.
"W-we just had to get something," I mumbled.
He looked at his wristwatch. "You missed the class."
I nodded. "You? Why are you here?"
"Just went to the restroom," he said with a forced smile. "Go in." He grabbed my arm and pulled me inside the room.
I signaled Rory that I was going in, and he nodded.
Yuri guided me to my seat. Ci looked at me curiously before glancing at Yuri.
"You took your time," he pouted, then glanced at Rory.
"It's Rory's fault… What did Ma'am say? Did she look for me?"
She shook her head. "Ma'am doesn't care about you."
Ouch!
I winced and just nodded. I wanted to ask David, but he was already sound asleep.
I was really starting to wonder why he was always so sleepy. He once said it was because of late-night video calls with his girlfriend, but they'd broken up, so that wasn't the reason anymore. Sometimes he said he was studying, other times it was online games or live streaming. Lately, it was YouTube videos keeping him up.
The things he stays up for are so random. He could just do them on weekends. I only watch K-pop videos on YouTube, and I still fall asleep. I wish I were better at staying up late.
I had barely warmed my seat when I felt someone staring at me. I glanced discreetly at the Snakes and felt a surge of anxiety when I met the King's gaze.
He was looking at me seriously, as if accusing me of something.
I shot him a sharp glare in return. Did he really think I'd be intimidated? I only went with Rory.
Speaking of Rory, there he was—already arguing with the other Snakes.
"Just let us see it!" Calix said, frustrated.
"No way! Your breath might dirty it!" Rory shot back.
"So that's why you and Jay-Jay took so long. You went shoe shopping," Felix teased, trying to snatch his bag.
I watched them in confusion. They really thought there were shoes inside Rory's box. He was guarding that bag like his life depended on it.
I bit my lower lip. If they saw what was really in that box, it would definitely cause trouble, and Edrix would be furious with us.
I was about to step in when the teacher entered the room, and everyone quickly returned to their seats.
I just hoped no one managed to grab that bag.
Class started, and I focused on the lesson. Our teacher seemed to be rushing through the material because of the upcoming exams. She barely explained the lessons, mostly just writing notes on the board and moving on quickly.
The same happened with the next teachers, except for Ma'am Cindy, our last class.
She taught at a more relaxed pace, giving us plenty of time to take notes. But then she said something that caught my attention.
"Keiren is asking about you," she said, and when I looked up, she was looking at Keifer.
"I will talk to him later."
I glanced at the King of the Snakes. What did Ma'am mean? How did she know Keiren?
Our eyes met briefly before I quickly looked away.
Keifer once mentioned that Keiren was under the care of a friend, but he never said they were already together now.
Wait a minute… Could it be…
I glared at Ma'am. I knew the Snakes had a crush on her even before I transferred to this section. Even Keifer had praised her once.
So they were close? I had no idea.
I forced myself to finish my notes, but for some reason, my pen pressed too hard, tearing through three pages of my notebook.
I had no choice but to rely on David's notes again. There was no way I could rewrite everything in time.
I wasn't mad. Nope.
When class ended, the Snakes scattered like kids let loose from a pen. It was finally time to go home.
"Jay-Jay?" Ci-N called.
"What?"
"Who are you mad at?"
I paused and looked at her, confused. "N-no one."
"Is that the trend now? Frowning eyebrows?" he teased, flashing a playful grin.
I touched my eyebrows and realized they really were furrowed.
I wasn't mad. Really.
"I-it's nothing. I-I was just thinking—" I didn't finish my sentence because Rory suddenly dashed between me and Ci.
"Hey! Let us see your new shoes!" Eren called, chasing after Rory.
"Lend them to us!" Drew added, joining the chase.
Ci and I could only watch them run. I scratched my head and walked out. Even now, they still believed there were new shoes in Rory's bag.
I didn't know if that was good or bad. But either way, they still wouldn't leave him alone.
We were nearing the stairs when someone grabbed my bag, pulling me back. My walking companion didn't notice I had stopped.
I turned around, ready to throw a punch, but he quickly caught my fist.
"Let's—!" I didn't finish because he raised an eyebrow at me.
Hold it in. No cursing.
"Continue," the King of the Snakes challenged.
I flared my nostrils at him. "What do you want?" I snapped, pulling my hand back.
"Where did you and Rory go?"
"Why do you care?" I asked irritably. "I don't need to report everything to you."
"I'm serious. Don't forget that Ram is still after you. It's dangerous."
I pouted. Why wouldn't Ram just face me already and get it over with? Let's settle this with a one-on-one fight.
"Is it really Ram?" I asked suspiciously.
He raised an eyebrow. "And what do you mean by that?"
We raised our eyebrows at each other.
"Nothing," I said, feigning innocence.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing, really."
"Nothing."
"Nothing."
"Nothing—YOU JERK!" I yelled after he stole a quick kiss.
He was so fast I didn't even see it coming.
I kept wiping my lips furiously as I walked away, grumbling at how he always managed to get the upper hand.
When I reached the ground floor, Ci-N waved at me.
"Where did you disappear to?" she asked.
"Just talked to someone," I answered.
She smiled sweetly. "Keifer, right? What did you two do?"
"Nothing!"
"Oh, sure—" he stopped, eyes widening as he looked behind me.
I turned and was met by Freya's angry glare.
Uh-oh. Danger.
"Hey!" she called, irritated.
I took a step back. Those eyebrows could kill.
"H-h-hey!" I replied.
"Who sent those letters?"
"Tell him, if he takes a picture of me, it'll be beautiful. I look like an ancient in the letter he gave me!"
"What letter?" Aries asked who suddenly appeared next to us.
Freya folded her arms and faced him. "Nothing. And it's none of your business." She said, turning away and blowing her hair in our faces.
I even ate a few strands that made me wince. It didn't taste like conditioner.
That one tasted like chicken to me.