March 26 – Early Morning, St. Ivy High
The Weight
Jay couldn't sleep.
He'd stared at the ceiling long after the lights dimmed, Clara's voice still ringing in his ears.
"How long do you think you can keep both lives intact?"
He hated how calm she sounded—like she already knew the answer.
He hated more that he didn't.
Now, dressed before the sunrise, Jay stood at the school gates before anyone else had arrived. The air was crisp. The courtyard was quiet. For once, no voices, no chatter, no noise.
Only his footsteps and the faint creak of the front doors as he stepped inside.
Classroom 1-A was mostly dark—except for one figure by the windows.
Emma.
She was sitting in her seat, arms crossed on the desk, chin resting gently on top. Her hair was slightly damp from the morning air. Her eyes, distant.
She looked… calm.
Until she noticed him.
And sat up a little too quickly.
"…You're early," she said, voice softer than usual.
Jay managed a faint smile. "Could say the same."
He set his bag down, not yet sitting. He lingered by the window, looking out over the school lawn where the first light of morning was just beginning to creep across the grass.
Emma watched him quietly.
There was something different in his posture—his shoulders weren't relaxed; his gaze wasn't playful.
Jay looked tired in a way that sleep couldn't fix.
"Jay."
He glanced over.
She hesitated. Then asked carefully, "Are you okay?"
His response was instant, automatic.
"I'm fine."
Emma didn't look convinced.
Jay forced a grin. "Just couldn't sleep."
She opened her mouth, thought better of it. Then looked down at her notebook, flipping it open—pretending to study.
But her next words came out quick and nervous.
"Saturday," she said.
Jay blinked. "Huh?"
"The aquarium," she clarified, voice firmer now. "I… I wanted to ask again."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "That'll be the third time."
Emma looked away, blushing, but her voice was more honest than it had ever been.
"…Will you come?"
Jay didn't pause.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I will."
Emma looked up at him.
The smallest smile touched her lips—warm and uncertain and real.
The Day Begins
By the time the bell rang, the classroom had filled back with life.
Tyler bounded in like he'd just downed two energy drinks. "Yo! Jay! You're early! Did the earth shift or something?"
Jay smirked. "Couldn't wait to hear your morning monologue."
"You know me too well," Tyler said proudly, sliding into his seat and unwrapping a protein bar with one hand.
Sofia strolled in seconds later, flicking her hair. "Someone said 'early Jay'? I didn't believe them. But look—miracles do happen."
Emma avoided eye contact but didn't look away when Jay glanced at her again.
Amaya gave Jay a small wave from across the room.
Yuki, seated silently near the back, didn't say a word—but watched everything.
Jay could feel it all pressing in.
The normalcy.
The rhythm.
The comforting noise.
He had longed for this.
And yet… it suddenly felt fragile.
Lessons and Layers
First period came and went.
Mr. Brooks droned through English grammar, pausing only to sigh dramatically whenever Tyler dropped his pencil for the third time.
Jay stared out the window for most of it.
When the teacher called on him, he answered perfectly—but his voice lacked its usual spark.
Emma noticed.
So did Yuki.
So did Amaya.
After class, Jay slipped out quietly, ignoring the low chatter that usually followed him.
Break Time Observations
In the hallway, Luna leaned against her locker, sketchbook open in hand. She paused mid-line as Jay passed, eyes trailing him for a moment.
Later, Miles bumped into him—literally—and muttered an apology, then glanced back with narrowed eyes.
Even Noah, who usually missed everything unless it involved music or food, whispered to Sofia, "Is Jay… okay?"
"He's fine," she said automatically.
Then paused.
And turned to look.
Midday Anchors
At lunch, Jay sat with Tyler and Amaya beneath the usual Sakura tree.
Tyler did most of the talking.
Amaya passed Jay a rice ball without saying a word, and when he thanked her, she just nodded.
When Emma walked past them with her tray, their eyes met again.
This time, she didn't look away.
Jay offered the faintest smile.
She returned it.
The End of the Day
By the time school ended, Jay was quieter than he had been all week.
People joked with him. Some asked questions. But his answers were shorter. Softer.
Inside, he wasn't spiralling.
He was simply… tired.
The weight of who he was.
Who he had to be.
Who he pretended to be.
Three lives. One face.
He walked out into the golden afternoon with his hands in his pockets, the world feeling just a little too loud.
But behind him, someone called out.
"Hey."
He turned.
Emma.
She held up a hand awkwardly. "Don't forget."
Jay blinked.
"The aquarium," she said, smiling faintly.
Jay nodded.
"I won't."