My spirit animal is a F–Rank gecko-Chapter 27: The first special bond exam (13)

(Jay POV)

Jay paced in circles behind the cave. There were many emotions going on inside him.

His face was furrowed, but he was biting his nails while sweating hard.

Jay didn’t know if he was mad or not. In fact, he didn’t know what emotion he was feeling currently.

Was it annoyed? Anger? Sadness? He kept putting on this fake facade for so long, to the point he doesn’t know what emotion he’s feeling if it isn’t acting.

"ARRGGHH!" He kicked a big rock beside him. But instead, he injured his leg more, as he felt his bone crack while hitting the rock.

Jay plopped to the ground, helpless. He didn’t know what to do, so he did a thing that he promised he wouldn’t do.

Jay started crying. A waterfall of tears kept dropping down his face while he sobbed uncontrollably.

Jay let his emotions take control of him, which he had promised he wouldn’t do ever in his life.

"Mom~~" He said while sobbing.

"I don’t know what to do....." A mix of hiccups and sobs came out of his mouth.

Ivy peeked and saw Jay crying. Now she felt even more bad for him.

Ivy didn’t know if she should let Jay finish his crying session or if she should accompany him while he’s crying.

She clenched her fists, trying to think of a way.

Then an idea came.

Ivy slowly tiptoed behind the crying Jay, and without him knowing, she hugged Jay from the back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

Jay was startled. He stopped crying, turned around, and saw Ivy trying to comfort him.

"It’s ok... You can continue crying."

Because of Ivy, Jay finally snapped out of his crying state. His eyes widened. He looked at his injured hands.

Jay couldn’t believe that he broke a promise he made a long time ago.

He clenched his fist, and his eyes filled with fury.

Fuck. I let my emotions take control of me. I won’t let that happen again.

Jay noticed that Ivy was still hugging him. He smirked, looking at the pure, innocent girl.

Thanks, bitch.

Nowhere in Jay’s heart did he feel a sense of gratefulness. He was just thankful that Ivy made him regain his acting self now.

He finally pushed his emotions aside and replaced them with the acting facade he had put on for more than 10 years.

Jay took a deep breath while closing his eyes. He was now ready to look pitiful and sad towards Ivy.

Jay let out a huge sigh. He held Ivy’s arm that was wrapped around his neck.

"Thank you... Thank you so much, Ivy. I extremely appreciate it." He forced a weak smile while his eyes were red and puffy.

"No worries!" She let go of her arm and sat beside Jay.

"So... Are you feeling better now?"

Jay gave her a soft smile while slowly nodding his head.

"Good! I really don’t want anyone from our team feeling left out!"

She touched Jay’s palm and noticed the bruises that were caused by Karina’s rock.

"Let’s get you patched up!"

She gripped his hands.

Outside, Jay smiled warmly at Ivy, but inside, he was giving her the ick for acting all nice and cute.

"Sure... I’m just—" Jay looked down; he saw the endless forest beneath them.

"I’m scared to face Karina. She can be really defensive..." He said with a weak voice while fake coughing.

"Karina didn’t mean it like that. Maybe in her pov, you were being rude..."

Hearing Ivy say that, Jay looked at her instantly. He gave her a guilty look.

"Oh. So you’re on Karina’s side in this... I thought we were a team, Ivy...."

Jay tried to make Ivy feel bad. It worked, and she immediately shook her head, denying it.

"It’s not like that, I swear! It’s just, I don’t wanna ignore Karina’s side of the feeling too..."

"Look, Ivy—" Jay looked at her seriously.

"You always have to stay by MY side. I’m sure now, Karina and Reza are plotting to get rid of me. And if they succeed, there will only be you and Jaster."

Jay forced a tear to drop from his face; he wiped it off slowly.

"I don’t know about Jaster since he looks capable, but what about you?"

What Jay said felt like a sword striking Ivy’s heart. Her eyes wandered off.

"What.... You think I’m not capable..?" She said, genuinely wanting Jay’s opinion.

Jay took this opportunity and smiled at Ivy.

"If I’m being brutally honest... No. You’re not, Ivy. You need people to guide you on what you should do. People like you are perfect prey for others to take advantage of.. That’s why..."

Jay grabbed onto Ivy’s hands. He looked her dead in the eyes.

"You NEED me to stay. If I leave, I guarantee you that you won’t last even a week in this school without getting expelled."

Ivy was sweating. She was confused by Jay’s sudden weird act. But she digested what he said deep inside her heart.

Ivy looked down and nodded to Jay. Once again, she believed the conniving actor.

"Ok.. I believe you. I’ll always be on your side, no matter what!"

Ivy said with determination.

At this point, Jay was trying his best to hold in his laughter. He couldn’t believe she fell for it.

What an easy bitch.

"But seriously—" Ivy glanced at his palm, which looked like it was getting worse.

"You really need Karina’s healing. So just make amends there, and we’ll think about the future later."

Ivy smiled at Jay, and Jay smiled back.

But there was a difference between the two smiles. One was genuine, and the other was just a fake smile, performed by a fool.

---

"Hey.... Karina.."

Ivy awkwardly approached the purple-haired girl. Karina raised her eyebrows.

"What is it, cutie?"

"Uhh..." Ivy fiddled with her arm until she gathered enough courage to speak.

"I think you should tend to Jay’s wound. I see that it’s getting worse." Ivy looked down at the floor, not daring to look at Karina.

Reza’s eyes narrowed in irritation.

"Why are you the one asking Karina about it? Where’s that Jay guy? He should apologize to her first!"

Reza didn’t realize that he raised his voice. He accidentally startled Ivy.

"No.." Karina spoke. She looked at Reza.

"It’s fine... He does need help, and I’m also responsible for his injured palm anyway."

"BUT KARINA—" She covered Reza’s mouth with her hand.

Then she looked at Ivy.

"Bring Jay here. I’ll patch up his wound!"

Ivy was surprised that Karina seemed mature in this situation. She called out to Jay, who came inside the cave while rubbing the back of his head.

"Haha.." He let out an awkward laugh.

"I’m really sorry about my attitude back there. Guess I wasn’t in my right mind."

"It’s fine. Just come here. I’ll start treating your palm."

Jaster watched as Jay sat beside Karina while she used her healing skill to patch his wound.

Meanwhile, beside Karina, Reza looked visibly pissed at Jay.

Jaster rubbed his chin.

"This is a really interesting team, huh."

"Krrk!"