Jay's POV
So this was it.
The last day roaming the halls of our so called second home. Section E's legendary footsteps echoing through the our empty old and new classrooms, our laughter bouncing off the stairwells like graffiti nobody could erase. Me, Cin, David, Yuri, Keifer, and the rest of the boys doing one final victory lap before the real world decided to snatch us by the ankles.
I didn't expect it to hit this hard. That feeling of... floating. Like the moment when you're done with something big, and the world goes quiet, but your chest won't stop buzzing.
It was officially over.
final see you later to the girls only few those including Rakki, Mica, Grace, Freya and maybe Ella. Goodbye uniforms. Goodbye waking up at 6.30 a.m. and pretending I wasn't five minutes late to every class.
University era had officially begun.
Kuya Angelo was already in full corporate older brother mode. "We need to talk about your college applications, Jay. You said you were interested in law. We're shortlisting schools today."
"Yes, Kuya," I mumbled, chewing on my candy bar like it was the most complex negotiation of my life.
What I didn't tell anyone much—not Percy, not even Keifer—was that I'd already taken one entrance exam for a law school. Secretly. Quietly. Because part of me wanted to prove I could do it... and the other part? Scared someone would jinx it if I said it out loud. The results hadn't come yet, but I walked out of that room feeling like I belonged.
Which, let's be honest, is saying a lot for me.
Anyway.
Half of Today was reserved for something else entirely.
Because Keifer Watson had decided on his own, without teasing me into insanity first that we were going on a date.
Not just any date. He said, "You'll see."
And that was all he gave me.
So naturally, I spiraled.
By the time I got home, I was frantically digging through my closet. I wanted to look cute, but not like I tried too hard. Chill, but not boring. I finally settled on a white tank top and olive green cargo jeans. Cute enough. Comfortable enough. And if he teased me again for blushing too much, at least I wouldn't be doing it in a dress.
I told Mom I'd be out for a bit. Kuya Angelo was not amused.
"Again?" he asked, raising an eyebrow like he could hear my thoughts about breaking all curfews ever invented.
"Yes," I smiled sweetly. "I'll be back in time to go to the party with the ulupongs ."
"Again?? at Yuri's this time?"
"Yep."
"Jay..."
"I'm fine! Don't stress. I'm just going out."
He sighed, muttered something that sounded suspiciously like "Watson," and waved me off.
Keifer was waiting by the curb when I stepped outside. He was leaning against his motorcycle which he recently bought, arms crossed, helmet in one hand. Hair tousled, black shirt with white tank top on the inside slightly rolled up at the sleeves, exposing just enough forearm to be distracting.
"Hey, soon to be wifey!," he said, and the way he looked at me made my stomach somersault.
"Hey," I smiled. "So... where are we going?"
He handed me the helmet, his fingers brushing mine. "It's a surprise. But dress code says: minimal screaming allowed."
"Oh God."
We took off.
The ride was quieter than usual, my arms wrapped around him, my head resting gently on his back. I don't know what it is about being on his motorcycle it makes the world blur out like some cheesy rom-com montage. Just the two of us, the road, and whatever insanity he had planned next.
When we finally slowed to a stop, I blinked at the massive building area and inside blue glass domes in front of us.
"...An aquarium date???"
Keifer grinned like a little kid. "You like fishes, right?"
"I mean... sure?"
"I thought you'd like this. Something calming. Quiet. Full of weird-looking creatures who look like they hate mornings as much as you do."
"I do not hate mornings!"
"Jay, you bit me once before breakfast."
"That was one time!"
Inside, it was stunning. The lights were dimmed, the walls a cool, oceanic blue. Giant tanks stretched along every corridor, filled with jellyfish, sea turtles, glowing fish I couldn't even name.
Keifer kept walking ahead, occasionally glancing over his shoulder to make sure I was still trailing behind. Every now and then, he'd stop and lean in close to the glass with that thoughtful, tilted-head look he did when he was pretending to be serious.
"This one looks like David when he's thinking too hard," he said, pointing at a grumpy-looking fish with puffed cheeks.
"Oh my god, it does!"
"And that one?" He pointed at a sleek silver fish doing laps. "That's me when I'm trying to get your attention."
I turned to him. "So... desperately swimming in circles?"
"Ouch," he said, placing a hand on his chest. "Wounded."
We wandered into a tunnel made entirely of glass, where sharks swam over our heads and the lights shimmered like stars on water.
"This is so cool," I whispered.
Keifer's voice softened. "I knew you'd like it."
I turned to him, startled by how close he'd gotten. His eyes were glowing under the soft blue light, the kind of glow that made my heart do absolutely unapproved things.
"What?" I asked, because he was staring.
"You've got jellyfish eyes," he murmured.
"What does that even mean?"
"All sparkly and hypnotizing. Kind of dangerous."
I shoved his shoulder, blushing. "Stop that!"
"You're blushing."
"No, I'm not."
He leaned in even closer. "You always blush when I compliment you. It's cute."
"Keifer—!"
"I should do it more often."
I gave him a warning glare, but he just grinned. The worst part? He knew what he was doing. He always knew.
We reached the coral reef exhibit, full of colors that looked fake they were so bright. I crouched by the glass, watching tiny clownfish dart between sea anemones. Keifer crouched beside me, his shoulder brushing mine.
"You know what I like about this?" he asked.
"What?"
"I get to see your real reactions. No filter. No smart-mouth defense system. Just you being amazed."
I glanced at him sideways. He was already looking at me.
"You make it hard to focus on the fishes," he added.
"Keifer," I mumbled, cheeks warm again. "That's so unfair."
"You like me being unfair."
"Shut up."
He smirked. "I'm right though."
I nudged him, but instead of backing off, he caught my hand and held it.
Just held it.
No teasing. No jokes. Just warmth.
"I'm proud of you, you know," he said after a while. "For everything. Graduation. Finals. Getting through everything you did this year."
I looked down at our joined hands. "You're just saying that."
"Nope," he said, voice low. "I mean it. You're incredible, Jay. I hope you know that."
Something caught in my throat. I blinked fast, trying not to cry in the middle of the fish tunnel like a Disney character.
"I... actually took an entrance exam," I blurted before I could stop myself. "For law school. Just one. Didn't tell anyone."
Keifer blinked. "You did?"
"Yeah. I didn't want to jinx it."
He squeezed my hand. "You didn't need luck, Jay. You've always had it in you."
We sat there for a moment, in silence, letting the water and colors surround us like magic.
By the time we left the aquarium, the sun was dipping low, casting gold streaks across the sky.
Keifer walked me to the bike, then paused.
"One more thing," he said, and before I could ask, he tugged something out of his pocket.
It was a tiny little plush turtle.
"For your desk or bed," he said, scratching the back of his neck. "In case you miss me while at home."
I stared at it, then at him. "You're so annoying."
"You're blushing again."
"I hate you."
"You love me."
"I do," I said before I could stop myself.
We both froze.
Then he smiled.
And kissed me.
Softly. Gently. Like the sun setting behind us, slow and golden.
When I got back home, Kuya Angelo was waiting in the living room, arms crossed.
"You're late and now you're going to that stupid party with the boys."
"I'm not late."
"You're blushing."
"Bye again Im leaving in an hour, Kuya."