chapter 395

Jay jay's POV

It had been three days since the camp ended.

Three whole days.

Three days of sleeping in my own bed again, eating actual food that didn’t taste like it came out of a survival kit, and pretending my brain wasn’t slowly melting because of one terrifying topic.

Post-finals.

The words alone made me want to jump out of the nearest window.

I lay flat on my bed staring at the ceiling like it personally owed me answers about my future.

Outside my window the morning was annoyingly peaceful. Birds were chirping.

The sun was shining. Somewhere downstairs someone was making coffee.

Meanwhile I was having a full existential crisis.I groaned and rolled over, shoving my face into my pillow.

“Why does everyone suddenly expect us to know what we’re doing with our lives?” I mumbled.

Seriously.

Just yesterday we were worried about homework.

Now suddenly everyone was asking:

“What career do you want?”

“What university?”

“What are your plans?”

My plans were surviving math class and remembering to bring my lunchbox home.

But apparently that wasn’t a “real plan.”

I flipped onto my back again and stared at the ceiling.

Doctor.

Engineer.

Business.

Architecture.

Those were the typical answers people gave.

I tried imagining myself as a doctor.

Five seconds later I pictured myself fainting in the middle of surgery.

Yeah.Not happening.

Engineer?I could barely assemble a bookshelf.

Business?I’d probably bankrupt the company in a week.I sighed dramatically and sat up.

“Okay Jay,” I muttered to myself. “Think about this properly.”

What did I actually like doing?

Talking? Yes.

Arguing? Absolutely.

Winning arguments? That was practically a personality trait.

I leaned back against my headboard and crossed my arms thoughtfully.

I also liked figuring things out.Digging into situations.Connecting dots.

And apparently I had a very natural talent for sticking my nose into problems that had absolutely nothing to do with me.

That’s what people kept telling me anyway.

Then the thought appeared.Slowly.

Unexpectedly.

Lawyer.

I blinked.“…Wait.”

I sat up straighter.

Lawyer.

Courtrooms.

Arguments.

Evidence.

Winning debates.

My brain started turning faster.I did like debates.

And I did enjoy proving people wrong.

And technically speaking…Being a lawyer was basically professional meddling.

A slow grin spread across my face.

“That actually makes sense.”

For once my chaotic personality might actually be useful.

But then the excitement faded slightly.

This was a big decision.

Like… a really big decision.

Maybe I should talk to Kuya Angelo first.

He was usually the calm, logical one in the house.

If anyone could tell me whether this idea was genius or completely ridiculous, it would be him.

I climbed out of bed and stretched before walking toward the door.

As soon as I opened it, the smell of coffee drifted upstairs.Yep.

The house was awake.

I shuffled down the hallway, still half sleepy, and headed toward the stairs.

Voices floated up from the living room.

Kuya Angelo and Tita Gema were talking about something.I walked down the stairs quietly, listening for a moment.

“…No, the document needs to be submitted by Monday,” Kuya Angelo was saying.

Tita Gema sighed. “That’s what I’ve been telling them.”

Wow.

Responsible adult conversations.

How exciting.I stepped into the living room and flopped dramatically onto the couch.

“Good morning.”Kuya Angelo looked up from the papers on the table.

“You’re awake.”

“Barely.”

Tita Gema smiled at me warmly“Did you sleep well?”

“I slept like someone who doesn’t want to think about her future.”

Kuya Angelo raised an eyebrow.“That sounds suspicious.”

“It is suspicious.”He leaned back slightly and studied my face.

“You’re thinking too much.”“Excuse you.”

“You only look like that when you’re about to start a serious conversation.”I blinked.

“…Wow.”

“What?”

“You didn’t even ask how I am.”

“You’re fine.”

“That’s rude.”

“It’s accurate.”

Tita Gema laughed softly.I sighed and rubbed my face.

“Okay fine, you caught me.”

Kuya Angelo folded his arms.“So what do you want?”

I hesitated for a second.

“I’ve been thinking about… career stuff.”

That immediately got his attention.“You’re thinking about that already?”

“Well post-finals are coming,” I said.

“And suddenly everyone is asking about universities and life plans like we’re supposed to have everything figured out.”

“That’s normal,” Tita Gema said gently.I nodded slowly.

“I know.”

“But it’s still terrifying.”Kuya Angelo leaned forward slightly.

“So what are you thinking?”I scratched the back of my neck.

“I’m not completely sure yet.”

“Try me.”I took a small breath.

“…Maybe I should become a lawyer.”

For a moment the room went quiet.Kuya Angelo stared at me like he was trying to decide whether I was serious or joking.

“A lawyer,” he repeated.

“Yes.”

“Like… courtrooms?”

“Yes.”

“Legal cases?”

“Yes.”

“Arguing with people professionally?”

I pointed at him proudly.“Exactly.”

He leaned back again, crossing his arms.“Why?”

I shrugged.

“I like arguing.”

“That part is obvious.”

“I like figuring things out.”

“Also obvious.”

“And,” I admitted, “I like meddling in things.”

Kuya Angelo snorted.“You definitely like meddling.”

“See?” I said triumphantly. “Perfect qualification.”

Tita Gema chuckled.

“But being a lawyer is more than just arguing,” she said.

“I know.”

“You’d have to study a lot.”

I groaned dramatically.“That part is unfortunate.”

Kuya Angelo watched me carefully.“Are you serious about this?”

I hesitated.“…I think so.”

Before he could reply, footsteps came from the hallway.Aries walked into the living room holding a cup of coffee.

The moment I saw him, the same thought popped into my head automatically.

Ah. The horoscope has arrived.Acting like he knowes everything.

BRUHHHH...

“What’s the discussion?”the horoscope asked.

Kuya Angelo gestured toward me.“Jay wants to become a lawyer.”

Aries looked at me.Then he nodded immediately.“Yeah. That fits.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“What does that mean?”

“You like sticking your nose into everything.”

“That’s called curiosity.”

“And you argue like you're already in court.”

“That’s called being right.”

Tita Gema laughed again.I crossed my arms.

“You’re all very supportive.”

Aries took a sip of his coffee casually.“I’m just being honest.”

“Your honesty is annoying.”I said already regretting my decision.

Kuya Angelo smirked slightly.But before I could continue arguing, footsteps came from the kitchen.

Mam Cindy and Sir Alvin walked into the room.

“What’s happening here?” Mam Cindy asked.

Kuya Angelo pointed at me.“Jay is planning her future.”

Mam Cindy looked interested.“Oh?”

“She wants to become a lawyer.”

Mam Cindy smiled warmly. Woahhh that was my first time seeing her smile like that!

Achievement of the day!!!

“That’s a wonderful profession.”Sir Alvin nodded thoughtfully.

“If that’s something you truly want, we’ll support you.”

I blinked.

“Really?”“Of course,” Mam Cindy said.“Your future is your choice.”

I leaned back slightly, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nervousness.

Maybe this idea wasn’t so crazy after all.

That was when my eyes drifted across the room.And landed on Yuri.

He was sitting near the window quietly.

He hadn’t said a single word during the entire conversation.He was just watching.

And the moment our eyes met—The memory of that night came rushing back.The fight.The anger.The words we threw at each other.

My chest tightened suddenly.I looked away quickly.

My phone buzzed in my hand.I glanced down.

A message.

From: King Bingi.

A small smile appeared on my face immediately.

King Bingi.Of course.

I opened the chat.

King Bingi:Good morning.

King Bingi:Are you alive?

I rolled my eyes.

Jay:Barely.

Jay:I’m having a life crisis.

The three dots appeared instantly.

King Bingi:That sounds serious.

King Bingi:Should I call the police?

Jay:No.

Jay:This is worse.

King Bingi:Worse than police?

Jay:Yes.

Jay:Career decisions.

There was a short pause.Then my phone buzzed again.

King Bingi:Oh.

King Bingi:That is serious.

King Bingi:What are the options?

I glanced around the living room.

Everyone was still talking.Aries was now leaning against the couch while Kuya Angelo and Sir Alvin discussed something about universities.

Tita Gema and Mam Cindy were whispering to each other like they were already planning my entire life.

Adults worked fast.

I typed quickly.

Jay:I might become a lawyer.

The reply came almost immediately.

King Bingi:A lawyer?

King Bingi:You?

Jay:Excuse me.🙄

King Bingi:I mean that in a respectful way.

Jay:You’re doing a terrible job.

King Bingi:I’m just imagining you yelling “OBJECTION” at everyone.

Jay:That’s literally the job.

King Bingi:You’d win every case.

Jay:Obviously.

King Bingi:Your honor, my client is innocent because Jay said so.

I snorted quietly.Across the room Aries glanced at me suspiciously.

“Why are you smiling at your phone?”

“Mind your business.”

“That means she’s texting someone,” he said.

“I’m always texting someone.”Kuya Angelo looked over.

“Who?”I raised my phone.

“King Bingi.”

Aries frowned.“Who the hell is King Bingi?”

Kuya Angelo immediately sighed.“That’s Keifer.”

Wait...How did he know that!?Well he is an angel...

Tita Gema laughed.

“That nickname again?”

“It’s accurate,” I said.

Aries shook his head.

“You’re weird.”

“Thank you.”

My phone buzzed again.

King Bingi:So future lawyer.

King Bingi:Are you planning to defend me when I inevitably get arrested?

Jay:Why would you get arrested?

King Bingi:Because I’d do something stupid.

Jay:That sounds accurate.

King Bingi:Exactly.

King Bingi:Good thing I’ll have a very pretty lawyer to save me.I felt my ears heat up instantly.Idiot.

I typed back slowly.Jay:Focus on not committing crimes first.

King Bingi:No promises.

King Bingi:But if I do, I expect special treatment in court.Maybe. Kisses 😘

Jay:You’ll get jail time.

King Bingi:Heartless.

Jay:Professional.King Bingi:I’m proud of you already.

I locked my phone for a second, trying to hide the stupid smile on my face.

Unfortunately Aries noticed everything.“You’re blushing.”

“I am not.”

“You are.”

Kuya Angelo looked over again.“She is.”

“This is harassment.”

Tita Gema laughed softly.“Let her text in peace.”

“Thank you,” I said dramatically.Aries crossed his arms.

“You’re definitely texting Keifer.”I ignored him and opened my phone again.

King Bingi:So why lawyer?

King Bingi:What made you think of that?

I paused for a moment.Why did I think of that?At first it had just been a joke.Professional meddling.But now that the idea was in my head…It didn’t feel like a joke anymore.

Jay:I like figuring things out.

Jay:And arguing.

King Bingi:You do argue a lot.

Jay:Excuse me. 🙄

King Bingi:But you’re good at it.

Jay:Obviously.King Bingi:You’d destroy people in court.I smiled faintly.

Jay:That’s the plan.

King Bingi:Remind me never to argue with you again.

Jay:Too late.

King Bingi:True.

Across the room the conversation had shifted again.Kuya Angelo was now asking Sir Alvin about law schools.Wait.

They were discussing law schools.

Already???

“Hold on,” I said, lowering my phone.

“You guys are planning my entire future in five minutes?”Mam Cindy laughed.

Another achivement i now hear her laugh!“We’re just talking.”

“That’s dangerous.”

Kuya Angelo smirked.“You started it.”Aries pointed at me.“Future lawyer.”

“Stop saying it like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like I’m about to arrest someone.”

“You probably will.”

“Maybe I will,” I said proudly.Tita Gema shook her head with a smile.

“You’ve always had a strong sense of justice.”

“Also a strong sense of drama,” Aries added.“Both are useful,” I said.While everyone kept talking, my eyes drifted across the room again.

And landed on Yuri.He was still sitting near the window.

Still quiet.Still watching.

The moment our eyes met—That night came rushing back again.

The cold air.The argument.The way our voices had risen.The things we said.My chest tightened.I quickly looked away.Why do i always remember that fucking argument!

My phone buzzed again.

King Bingi:You disappeared.

Jay:Family interrogation.

King Bingi:About law school?

Jay:Yes.King Bingi:So it’s official.

Jay:Maybe.

King Bingi:Future lawyer Jay.

Jay:Stop saying it like that.

King Bingi:Why?

Jay:Because it sounds weird.

King Bingi:It sounds cool.

Jay:You’re weird.

King Bingi:You love me anyway.

I froze for half a second.Idiot.

I typed back slowly.Jay:Debatable.

King Bingi:Liar.

King Bingi:You definitely love me.❤️❤️

My face grew warm again.Across the room Aries was still watching me suspiciously.

I quickly locked my phone again.

But my thoughts stayed on the conversation.Lawyer.Future.Responsibility.

And somehow… my thoughts circled back to Keifer again.

His life wasn’t simple.

There were things he never talked about.

Things about his family that always seemed just beneath the surface.

Problems that followed him like shadows.Maybe if I became strong enough someday…

I could help him.Protect him.No matter what happened.No matter who stood in the way.

Even if it meant stepping into dangerous situations.

Even if it meant fighting battles that weren’t easy.

I looked down at my phone again.And a quiet thought settled into my chest.

Maybe this wasn’t just about a career anymore.

Maybe it was about becoming strong enough…

To protect the people I cared about.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket and leaned against the arm of the couch.

The conversation in the living room had somehow turned into a full debate.

Sir Alvin was explaining something about universities.

Mam Cindy kept nodding seriously like she was already imagining me in a black lawyer robe.

Kuya Angelo had that thoughtful look he got whenever he was planning something.

Aries, meanwhile, was eating chips like this entire situation was entertainment.

“First of all,” Aries said, mouth full,“if Jay becomes a lawyer she’s going to argue with judges.”

“I will not,” I said.“You literally argue with Google Maps.”

“That was one time.”

“You told the GPS it was wrong.”

“It WAS wrong.”

Tita Gema laughed.“You were five minutes late.”

“Exactly,” Aries said dramatically. “She will argue with the court.”

“Objection!” I said, raising my hand.

Everyone laughed.Even Kuya Angelo shook his head.

“You see?” Aries pointed at me.

“Practice,” I said proudly.

Kuya Angelo leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.Then he looked at me more seriously.

“So tell me honestly,” he said.“Why law?”

The room quieted slightly.Everyone seemed curious now.I shrugged a little.

“I like solving problems.”

“That’s vague,” Aries said.

I glared at him.

“I like figuring things out,” I continued.

“And when something feels unfair… it bothers me.”

Kuya Angelo nodded slowly.“That sounds more like you.”

Mam Cindy smiled warmly.

Wow seeing her smile was growing on me now maybe she should smile like that more!

“You’ve always been protective.”“Especially when someone is in trouble,” Tita Gema added.

Aries smirked.“Yes. Especially when someone is named Keifer.”

I threw a cushion at him.“Shut up!”

He dodged easily.The room filled with laughter again.

But as the laughter faded…My eyes drifted across the room again.

And landed on Yuri.He was still sitting near the window.Still quiet.Still watching.

Something in his expression was impossible to read.Not angry.Not amused.

Just… watching.Like he was studying me.And suddenly the memory of that night slammed into me again.

The cold air.The silence of the camp.The way our voices had cut through the darkness.His words.My words.

The things we threw at each other like weapons.I quickly looked away again....

Stop jay jay stop don't think about it!

You have to tell keifer soon...

I will also talk to aries and percy...

Also i will ask edrix to teach me how to use a laptop...

So that I could look up information myself like they do!

Then again..

My stomach twisted slightly.Why was he looking at me like that?

Did he remember everything the same way I did?

Or did he think I was ridiculous?

Across the room Aries suddenly snapped his fingers in front of my face.

“Earth to Jay.”I blinked.

“What?”

“You disappeared again."

“I did not.”

“You did.”

Kuya Angelo looked at me carefully.“You okay?”

“Yeah.”I forced a smile.

“Just thinking."

Aries smirked.“About Keifer?”

“I swear I will throw something heavier next time.”

He laughed again.My phone buzzed.I didn’t even have to check the name.

King Bingi.

...Of course.I opened the message.

King Bingi:Did the family meeting end?

Jay:No.

Jay:They are planning my future.

King Bingi:That sounds terrifying.

Jay:It is.

King Bingi:Future lawyer Jay.

Jay:Stop saying that.

King Bingi:Never.

Jay:You’re annoying.

King Bingi:You like it.

I rolled my eyes.

Jay:Debatable.

King Bingi:Liar.

King Bingi:Also I have a serious question.

Jay:What?

King Bingi:If you become a lawyer…

King Bingi:Will you defend me for free?

I snorted.

Jay:Absolutely not.I would take my full payment!Feed me pizzaszz

King Bingi:Heartless.

Jay:Professional.

King Bingi:You’re already scary.

Jay:Good.

King Bingi:But I’m proud of you.

That message made my chest feel weirdly warm.I stared at the screen for a moment.

Then typed slowly.Jay:Thanks Keifer.

King Bingi:You’re welcome future lawyer.

Jay:Stop it.

King Bingi:Never.

I locked my phone again.The room was quieter now.Sir Alvin and Mam Cindy were discussing something in low voices.

Tita Gema had gone to the kitchen.

Aries was still eating chips like a professional.

Kuya Angelo leaned back in his chair, watching me.

“You look like you’re thinking very hard.”

“Maybe I am.”

He smiled slightly.

“You don’t have to decide everything right now.”

“I know.”

“But?”I exhaled softly.“But I want to.”

Aries spoke without looking up.“She wants to save someone.”

My head snapped toward him.“What?”

He shrugged.“You always get like this when you’re trying to protect someone.”

I stared at him.“How do you even—”

“Because I know you,” he said simply.

Kuya Angelo looked between us.“Protect who?”

I quickly shook my head.“No one.”

Aries smirked.“Sure.”

I grabbed another cushion.“Do you want to die today?”

He laughed again.But Kuya Angelo didn’t laugh.He was still watching me carefully.

“You know,” he said gently, “being strong for someone is good.”

Yayy another compliment.“But don’t carry everything alone.”

I nodded slowly.“I know.”

But deep inside…I knew something else too.

If Keifer ever needed help…If his family problems ever became too big…

If he ever found himself trapped in something dangerous…

I wouldn’t hesitate.I would stand in front of him.Fight for him.

Protect him.

Even if it meant stepping into battles that scared me.

Even if it meant risking everything.

Even if it meant risking my life.Because some people were worth that kind of fight.

And whether he knew it or not…

Keifer was one of them.I looked down at my phone again.

At the contact name glowing on the screen.

King Bingi.A small smile tugged at my lips.Then I whispered quietly to myself—

“Don’t worry.”“I’ll protect you.”“No matter what it costs.”

Even if it costed me my life I would!

_________________

Hi sirensssss ❤️❤️

Loved the new chapter??

I hope you didBecause I sure did enjoy writing it!

Now one thing..

I know some of you are mad at me for not updating regularly the thing is...

I had my boards and 10th was not easy..

Yea I am in school currently in 11th (soon)

And I take my studies quite seriously

But right now I have all time in the world so I will update more regularly!

And comon follow up guys!

(Also I have changed the cover of my book and it may change again in the future!)

Next update Saturday!

Till then paalam!

Comments:10✨Likes:20❤️

(Edit: as I said the cover might change again and I did change it to this!Ps: i did not make it,so credits to the original owner!)