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Jay's POV
It's been two weeks since finals ended.
Two glorious, stress-free, serotonin-filled weeks.
And I swear, I haven't touched a single book since.
Me and the rest of Section E—aka the ulupongs—went on a mini road trip, rode every roller coaster in the city, and devoured enough food to feed a small nation. I'm not even exaggerating when I say I probably gained five pounds just from yakisoba and ice cream. But honestly? Worth it.
I was living the dream.
Until today.
Results Day.
Yeah. That day I was secretly hoping would get postponed forever… came. Like a horror movie villain that refuses to die.
Sir Alvin casually announced that our final grades were posted on the bulletin boards. And just like that, the entire student body became Olympic sprinters. People screamed, tripped over each other, shoved their way through the hallway like their lives depended on it.
Some yelled, "PASSED!"
Others were screaming over distinctions.
The volume was illegal.
Keifer found me in the chaos and gently took my hand. "Let's check," he said.
He got there first and leaned forward to scan the board.
"Ha Jay, I got 99%," he said, turning to me with the smuggest grin.
I blinked. "What? serious? But not surprised."
He tilted his head. "Do I look like I'm kidding? Now check yours."
My stomach twisted. "Nope. I can't. I'm freaking out."
Keifer gave me the most patient 'you're-so-dramatic-but-cute' look. "Okay, okay. I'll check for you."
While he scanned the list, I shut my eyes like a little kid during a horror scene. My heart was beating like it had just been thrown in a blender.
"Jay," he said suddenly, voice bright, "open your eyes!"
I peeked, eyes wide. "Wait… Did I pass?"
"Jay. Not just pass. 92.8%."
My jaw dropped. "WAIT. WHAT?!"
He laughed as I jumped up in the air and grabbed his arm. "I GOT AN A GRADE?!"
I literally screamed. Like full-body, victorious, Mariah Carey-level vocals.
I used to suck. Let's be real I'd barely scrape past 90 on any-day. But now? 92.8%. That wasn't just an A, that was almost distinction. And I earned it.
Keifer pulled me into a little side hug while I was still celebrating. "Told you you could do it."
My brain was still doing cartwheels when the rest of the ulupongs showed up.
"WHAT'D YOU GET?" Rory yelled.
"92.8!" I grinned.
"Let's gooo!" Cin shouted, practically jumping. "I got 100%!"
"Of course you did," I muttered. "Human calculator."
David: 98.5%
Yuri: 99.5%
Edrix: 96.7%
Rory: 94.3%
Calix: 88%
Felix: 89.5%
Drew: 73%
Kit: 80%
Mayo: 85%
Eman: 90%
Danzel: 87.2%
Josh: 78%
Blaster: 76.2%
Eren: 75%
We all did well. Decent, even. Enough to be proud. Enough to party.
"IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE, GUYS!" someone yelled, and the crowd of ulupongs burst into loud cheering.
While the boys were busy having their delulu discussions about summer plans and who's gonna marry rich first, I—nosy queen that I am sneaked a peek at the others scores.
Freya: 99.2% (smarty)
Ella: 95.5%
Aries: 98.6% (ugh ofc)
Grace: 91% (Honestly, respect. She's been dealing with so much lately including the baby.)
Mica: 93.1%
Rakki: 96%
The rest? Meh. Didn't care enough to look.
I was still floating in my post-grade euphoria when Mica came up to me and asked, "So what are you wearing?"
"Huh? Wearing what?"
"For prom, dummy."
Rakki popped in like an excited rabbit. "PROM NIGHT! The last dance of our high school lives!"
Grace added, "It's going to be in a 5-star hotel. Ballroom, rooftop, the works."
Ella nodded, her expression proud. "Whole venue's booked. Including the garden space for photos."
Freya flipped her hair. "Of course it had to be 5-star. Anything less would've looked cheap."
I blinked. "Wait, hold on. When is prom?"
Rakki gasped like I committed treason. "Girl, are you for real?! It's this Sunday!"
That's like… three days from now. I hadn't even thought about a dress, much less prom. I didn't even know it was happening.
Later, I regrouped with the boys.
"Did any of you know about prom?" I asked suspiciously.
Felix shrugged. "Yeah, but we usually don't get invited."
"Well, that's changed," Edrix said smugly. "This year we're on the list."
Everyone's jaw dropped.
"WAIT I HAVE THREE DAYS," Drew screamed. "WHAT AM I GONNA WEAR?!"
"SHOPPING TIME!" Cin shouted.
Yuri turned to me, suddenly way too close. "Jay… any ideas yet? What color dress are you going for?"
I blinked. "I… haven't thought about it."
"You'd look pretty no matter what," David chimed in sweetly.
"Thanks, David—"
But before I could finish, I felt a storm brewing behind me.
Keifer. Standing. Glaring. The aura? Possessive thunderstorm.
"Why do you both care what color she's wearing?" Keifer said sharply, sliding right between me and the two of them like a jealous cat. "Or how pretty she looks?"
"She's my girlfriend. Not yours."
David and Yuri stepped back.
Oop.
The way the air tensed.
He drove me home again after that. Classic Keifer—protective and smug all in one.
"Hey," I asked as we stopped outside my gate, "what's your favorite color?"
"I don't have one."
"Oh," I said.
He gave me a side-eye. "Why?"
I smiled. "Nothing."
I waved goodbye, but the moment I stepped into the house, I felt it.
The energy.
Mom and Kuya Angelo were both seated, waiting like judges in a courtroom. Aries sat across from them, trying not to look proud.
"Oh. Right. Grades."
Mom looked up. "So?"
"92.8%."
She immediately stood and pulled me into a hug. "That's really good, Jay! Especially for you."
"Gee, thanks," I muttered.
Kuya laughed and clapped me on the back. "Proud of you Jay."
Even Aries gave me a rare nod of approval. "Not bad."
"So," Aunt Gemma said from the kitchen, "what's the plan now?"
"Finance and business," Aries said confidently.
Mom beamed. "Of course."
Kuya looked at me. "What about you, Jay-jay?"
I hesitated. "I… I think I want to do law. I mean, I might like it. I like arguing."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, that makes sense," Mom said. "Good choice."
Kuya leaned forward. "Okay, but I still want you to take finance and marketing too. Just in case. The company will need you both someday."
I nodded, still unsure but a little more confident now. I had time.
"Actually… speaking of plans…" I started. "I need a dress. For prom."
Everyone blinked at me.
"Wait," Aries said. "You? Prom?"
"I know, I know. I don't do parties. But I guess… I kinda want to go this time."
Aunt Gemma clapped her hands. "Then we're going dress shopping!"
Mom's eyes sparkled. "We're going to make you look like a star."
I couldn't help but smile.
Prom, here I come.