〘CHAPTER 3〙
By the time Jay got home, the sky had darkened into a deep shade of navy, the streetlights flickering weakly against the night.
His footsteps were slow as he walked up the driveway, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets.
He had expected the house to be silent, his parents already asleep but the soft hum of the television met his ears the moment he stepped inside.
The glow from the screen cast long shadows across the living room, highlighting his parents seated on the couch.
His mother's arms were crossed tightly over her chest and his father, eyes still fixed on the television, exuded an air of quiet authority.
The atmosphere was thick with unspoken words, the weight of expectation pressing against him the moment he entered.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" His mother said sharply, her voice cold as ice, arms crossed in a way that said she'd been waiting - furious and worried "Where have you been?".
Jay hesitated for a second.
He could feel her gaze on him - piercing, expectant "I just hanging out with my friends, that's all" He answered, keeping his voice neutral.
His father - eyes still glued to the TV, spoke in his usual stern tone "Be home earlier next time. If you're late again, you'll find the door locked".
"And don't get so caught up in playing that you forget to study" His mother added, her voice laced with something almost akin to disappointment.
Jay stayed silent, letting the weight of the moment speak for him. He gave them a fleeting look, then turned and walked toward his room without another word.
His lack of response made the air in the room heavier, a growing distance that neither parent could seem to bridge.
"I really don't know what to do with him" His father muttered with a heavy sigh, fingers pressing into his temples "I'm tired, I'm heading to bed now".
His mother didn't respond, she simply watched as Jay disappeared down the hall, her lips pressing into a thin line.
After a long pause, she stood up and retreated to the bedroom too.
Once in his room, Jay exhaled deeply, rubbing his temples. His head ached, the weight of their expectations pressing against his skull.
He tossed his jacket onto the chair and walked straight into the bathroom, letting the cold water of the shower wash over him.
The tension in his shoulders slowly ebbed away but his thoughts swirled relentlessly.
His father was a man of few words, strict but predictable. His presence at home was fleeting, mostly confined to weekends - where the family ate dinner together but nothing more.
Jay couldn't remember the last time they had a real conversation, one where his father actually tried to understand him.
Maybe that was why he didn't feel much toward him, there was no deep resentment, no warmth just indifference.
Still, he could tell his father cared - at least enough to call occasionally, even if those calls were brief and to the point.
Since the both of them don't have much contact with each other, maybe that's why he doesn't have much feelings for his father.
But at least Jay doesn't feel uncomfortable around him because he doesn't force him in many things.
His mother was different.
Complete opposite of his father.
She was involved in everything, sometimes to an exhausting degree. She made his decisions for him, often without asking what he wanted.
He knew she meant well but her constant hovering made him feel suffocated.
He wondered if she ever truly considered how he felt.
Stepping out of the shower, Jay wrapped a towel around his waist, running a hand through his damp hair.
As he exited the bathroom, he found his younger brother - Kay, sitting on his bed and staring at him.
"Why are you in my room?" Jay asked, grabbing another towel to dry his hair.
"I want to borrow your Rubik's Cube" Kay grinned.
Jay raised an eyebrow but didn't protest, he tossed it to him "Take it".
Kay snatched it effortlessly but stayed rooted in place, his smirk growing wider "I know you're dating Shelly".
"How do you know?" Jay's hands stilled mid motion, his brows furrowing.
Kay shrugged dramatically "I just do~" His voice was singsong, teasing.
"Did you come in here just to say that?" Jay narrowed his eyes.
His little brother leaned against the doorframe, clearly enjoying himself "Maybe~ or not".
Jay sighed, shaking his head "Get out".
Kay chuckled, twirling the Rubik's Cube in his hands as he strolled out "Thanks~ brother" He called over his shoulder before disappearing down the hall.
Jay stared at him for a moment.
His little brother was sharp, always picking up on things others missed, he's not surprised that he found out about this.
Shaking off the feeling, he changed into comfortable clothes and sat at his desk, pulling out his textbooks, he still had homework to finish.
As he worked, the quiet of his room became his sanctuary.
A place where he could finally breathe without the weight of his parents expectations pressing down on him.
But even as he scribbled down answers, his mind kept drifting.
To his father's cold dismissal, his mother's watchful eyes and the nagging thought that no matter what he did.
He would never truly be understood.
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Morning arrived like any other day, sunlight streaming through the classroom windows as the usual chaos unfolded.
The air buzzed with chatter and laughter.
Boys dashing between desks, their footsteps thudding against the tiled floor while girls huddled together, giggling over whispered gossip.
Despite the noise, Jay and Shelly existed in their own little world, their hands intertwined beneath the desk as they exchanged hushed conversations and soft smiles.
Meanwhile, Dom - unbothered as always, had his head buried in his arms, snoring lightly, completely indifferent to the energetic atmosphere around him.
Nothing short of an earthquake could wake him up.
Then came the sharp, shrill ring of the school bell.
Conversations died down, replaced by the shuffling of chairs as students hurried to their seats.
The teacher strode in, his expression severe as he scanned the room, noting the lingering pockets of chatter.
"Everyone, go back to your seats" He commanded, his voice carrying enough authority to silence even the most unruly students.
Once satisfied with the order, he continued "Today, we have a new student. He just moved here, so I expect you all to treat him well".
The room instantly erupted into a frenzy of whispers, excitement rippling through the class like a wave.
"Who could it be? A boy or a girl?" Someone whispered eagerly.
"The teacher said HE so it's a boy" A girl replied "I bet he's handsome".
A boy sighed dramatically "Why can't it be a pretty girl?".
Jay and Shelly exchanged a glance, both thinking the same thing "What's the big deal?".
"Silence!" The teacher barked before turning to the door "Okay, come in and introduce yourself".
The door creaked open - a confident figure stepped inside.
He had dark blonde hair styled to perfection, a self assured smirk played on his lips as he casually waved to the class.
"Hello~ my name is Chan. Nice to meet you all" He said smoothly, throwing in a playful wink for good measure.
The room erupted into noise again, the girls squealed and the boys groaned in frustration.
Shelly winced and rested her head on Jay's shoulder "My ears...".
Dom - stirring slightly, peeked out from behind his arms.
His drowsy eyes squinted at Chan, his brows furrowing as he mumbled "Why does that guy look so familiar?".
The teacher scanned the room before pointing toward the empty seat beside Shelly, all the girls looked at her with jealous and angry "That seat is empty, you go there and sitdown".
Chan smirked as he walked towards the seat, winking at Shelly to remind her that both of them had met before.
Shelly froze for a moment, feeling that this guy might be crazy.
But at the same time she kind of remembered who he was now, she glanced over and poked her boyfriend.
"I know what you mean" Jay nodded "I recognize him too".
Recess arrived and their group gathered in their usual spot, the topic of conversation centered around their relief that Minu was recovering well.
Spirits were high, laughter ringing in the air but the cheerful atmosphere was short lived.
"Long time no see, princess~" Chan grinned as he stepped into their circle, his voice dripping with mischief.
The voice cut through the conversation like a knife, smooth yet laced with arrogance.
The group turned in unison and there stood Chan - grinning like he owned the place.
Dom raised an eyebrow "Uh, excuse me? Who exactly are you calling princess?".
Chan's gaze remained locked on Shelly "Who else but this pretty blonde?".
"Uh... you know him, Shelly?" Yuna asked, frowning.
"He's the member on The Punk Prince Crew" Shelly exhaled sharply, reminding her friends "We've been racing with his Crew before".
Dom snapped his fingers, eyes going wide "Ohhh, now I remember him!".
Chan extended his hand toward Shelly, smiles brightly "May I have the honor of taking you on a date?".
"I already have a boyfriend so pass" Shelly scoffed to him.
Chan's smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing slightly "Boyfriend??" He turned to Dom, pointing at him with a look of disbelief "Don't tell me you're dating this mustache guy".
Yuna's expression darkened instantly "What did you just say?" She snapped, her fists clenching at her sides.
"What? I didn't say anything wrong" Chan replied mockingly, feigning innocence.
Dom let out a tired sigh, placing a calming hand on Yuna's arm while Mia gently rubbed her back to calm her down.
"Could you please go away?" She asked, her voice edged with irritation.
Chan simply smirked "Sorry~ I don't take orders from you".
Shelly angrily said "Hey speak politely! They're my friends".
"So then, who's your boyfriend?" Chan's gaze flickered to her, still not giving up.
Shelly furiously clenched her fists, she really wanted to punch this knucklehead right now and if Jay hadn't calmed her down, she would have done it.
And when Shelly was about to speak, Jay stepped forward to him.
"Me! I'm her boyfriend!" Jay's voice was firm, his eyes locking onto Chan with a cold, steady gaze.
Chan's smug expression faltered "Jay Jo? You're dating him?".
"It's none of your business! Go away" Shelly rolled her eyes, feel annoyed.
Chan exhaled dramatically before grinning again, his arrogance still intact "Fine~ but I won't give up. Just wait, princess. I'll win you over".
With that, he turned on his heel and sauntered off, his confidence unshaken.
Shelly let out a deep sigh, running a hand through her hair.
Jay - on the other hand, was still glaring at Chan's retreating figure, his jaw set in a firm line.
Dom thanked Yuna as she defended him and lightly scratched his head.
"Yikes... he's even crazier than I thought" Dom muttered with a scowl.
"You should stay away from him, Shelly" Mia warned.
Shelly nodded, then turned to her boyfriend.
He hadn't moved - still staring at Chan, his expression unreadable.
Gently, she reached for his hand and gave it a soft squeeze "What is it?" She asked, her voice quiet and concerned.
Jay shook his head, his grip on her hand tightening slightly.
He absently ran his thumb over her palm, his mind clearly elsewhere.
"Something didn't feel right..." He thought, his instincts prickling with unease.
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I bring Chapter 3 to everyone here. 🩷
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