First Day

JAY-JAY

I woke up to morning light spilling across the sheets.

And Keifer holding me like he never wanted to let go.

His arms were wrapped around my waist.

His breath warm against my shoulder.

Like sleep hadn't loosened his grip.

Like even in dreams, he didn't want distance.

I was just admiring his face—

The way his lashes curled,

The way his lips parted slightly in sleep,

The way he looked like peace wrapped in warmth.

And then, without opening his eyes, he said—

"If you want to kiss me, then do. Don't wait too long."

I blinked.

Laughed softly. "Were you awake this whole time?"

He cracked one eye open.

Smirked.

"Only since you started staring like I was a painting in a museum."

I rolled my eyes, but leaned in anyway.

Pressed a kiss to his lips.

Gentle.

Real.

"Happy?" I whispered.

"Not yet," he said, pulling me closer. "But getting there."

"We should get up and get ready" I said

"Fine" He said and got up

"We should get up and get ready," I said, voice muffled against his chest.

"Fine," he groaned, dramatic as ever, and sat up like gravity was personally attacking him.

I laughed. He rubbed his eyes.

His hair was a mess.

His shirt was wrinkled.

And somehow, he still looked like the boy I fell in love with.

I got up and went to the bathroom.

Keifer followed.

We brushed our teeth side by side, half-asleep, half-smiling.

I was getting ready to shower when I noticed him still trailing behind me.

I raised an eyebrow. "Where do you think you're going?"

He blinked innocently. "I thought we were going to bathe."

I stared.

He stared back.

Unbothered.

Unapologetic.

Ridiculously confident for someone with toothpaste on his chin.

"You're unbelievable," I muttered, pushing him gently back toward the sink.

He grinned. "You love me."

"Unfortunately," I said, shutting the door in his face.

I showered and dressed up.

Jay's outfit 

So did Keifer.

He walked out of the bathroom, hair damp, shirt half-buttoned, eyes locked on me like I was the sunrise.

"You know," he said, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around my waist, "it's unfair how beautiful you look in the morning."

I blushed.

Rolled my eyes.

But didn't pull away.

"Don't you think it's too early to be flirting?" I asked, voice flustered.

He leaned in, lips brushing my ear.

"For you? Never," he said, voice low and smug. "Besides, I love seeing you like this—blushing for me."

I rolled my eyes, but the heat in my cheeks betrayed me.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

And he was enjoying every second of it.

"You're insufferable," I muttered.

"And yet," he whispered, brushing his nose against mine, "you're still here."

"Let's go before we get late on our first day," I said, grabbing my bag.

Keifer nodded, already slipping on his watch.

I reached for my ring on the bedstand—cool metal, familiar weight.

Slid it onto my finger like it belonged there.

Because it did.

He watched me.

Smiled.

That soft, proud kind of smile that made my heart skip.

"You look ready," he said.

"I feel ready," I replied.

Even if I was lying a little.

We went downstairs.

Kerian and Keigan had already left for school, so the house was quiet.

Unusually quiet.

No flour explosions.

No cookie wars.

Just soft morning light and the smell of toast.

We ate breakfast at the kitchen counter— Talking about stupid stuff, Laughing over nothing, Keifer stealing kisses between bites like it was a game.

I swatted him with a spoon.

He grinned like he'd won something.

I rolled my eyes, but my heart was warm.

Then we grabbed our bags. Locked the door. Got into the car.

First day. New beginnings.

Same boy beside me.

By the time we reached the college, my stomach was in knots.

Nerves buzzing.

Thoughts racing.

First day chaos already brewing in my chest.

"Jay," Keifer said gently.

I turned to him.

His eyes were calm.

Steady.

Like he knew exactly how to anchor me.

"Don't be nervous," he said softly.

Then leaned in and kissed my cheek.

Warm.

Sure.

Like a promise.

"You've got this," he whispered. "And I've got you."

I nodded

We got out of the car, holding hands.

The campus buzzed around us—students rushing, laughing, already late.

But for a moment, it was just us.

"Okay," Keifer said, pointing, "law department's on the left, business is on the right."

I nodded, nerves fluttering in my chest.

He squeezed my hand. "If anyone tries to trouble you or flirt with you," he said, voice low and serious, "just call me."

I rolled my eyes. "You do realize we're on the same campus, right?"

"Exactly," he said. "Close enough to fight someone. Far enough to miss you."

I laughed.

He kissed my forehead.

And just like that, the nerves didn't feel so heavy.

"Okay," I said, adjusting my bag, "we meet here. Same place. After classes."

Keifer nodded. "Fine."

He looked at me like he wanted to say more.

Like he wanted to hold on a little longer.

But instead, he just smiled.

"Good luck, wife," he said softly.

"Good luck Keif" I said

And then we walked in opposite directions.

Left and right.

Law and business.

Two paths.

Same ending.

I reached my class just in time.

The hallway was buzzing, but the moment I stepped inside, it felt like everything slowed.

Most of the seats were already occupied.

Groups had formed.

Laughter echoed.

Notes were already being passed.

I scanned the room, found an empty spot near the middle row, and slipped into it quietly.

"You new here?" a girl asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Isn't everyone?" I replied, glancing at her.

She smiled. "You're right. I'm Lila."

"I'm Jay," I said, shaking her hand.

She had bright eyes and a confident posture—like she already belonged here.

I wasn't sure if I did yet. But her smile helped.

Before we could say more, the door closed and the room quieted.

A woman stepped in, heels clicking, presence sharp.

"Okay everyone, good morning and welcome to Hamlet Law Department," she said, voice clear and commanding.

"I'm Miss Prez," she added, writing her name on the board with a flourish.

The room straightened.

Pens clicked.

Lila leaned over and whispered, "She looks like she eats contracts for breakfast."

I stifled a laugh.

And just like that, the nerves didn't feel so heavy.

"Let's introduce ourselves," Miss Prez said, her tone crisp but welcoming. "We'll go around and share our names—and why you want to be a lawyer."

The room shifted.

Chairs creaked.

Pens paused.

Suddenly, it wasn't just a lecture hall.

It was a spotlight.

One by one, students began to speak.

Some were confident.

Some were nervous.

Some had stories that sounded like movie scripts.

Some just said, "I want to help people."

When it was my turn, I stood up.

Cleared my throat.

Felt my heart thud against my ribs.

"I'm Jasper Jean Mariano," I said, standing up. "You can call me Jay-Jay. I want to be a lawyer because... I wanted to follow in my mother's footsteps."

There was a pause.

A flicker of recognition in Miss Prez's eyes.

Then she smiled.

"You're Jasfher's daughter," she said, voice softer now.

I nodded.

There was something in the way she said it—like it meant something.

Like my fathers name name still echoed in these halls.

Like I wasn't just starting something new... I was continuing something sacred.

Miss Prez gave a small nod, then moved on to the next student.

But the warmth in her eyes lingered.

And for the first time that morning, I felt like I belonged.

When I sat down, Lila leaned closer.

"You're Jasfher's daughter," she said, eyes wide with recognition.

I nodded, unsure what to say.

"He's a great man," she added, voice soft with respect.

I smiled.

Because he was.

Because hearing it from someone else made it feel real.

Like his name still meant something here.

Like I wasn't just walking into this place—I was walking in with history.

_______________________________________________

🎉 Happy Birthday, Andres! 🎉

To the legend who gave us drama, tears, and plot twists better than our love lives.

Thanks for working harder than our Wi-Fi and delivering stories that ruined our sleep schedules.

Enjoy your day—you've earned every slice of cake and chaotic celebration!