Tuesday, April 30 – Morning / St. Ivy High
Just a Day
Jay arrived at school later than usual.
Not by much. Fifteen minutes, maybe.
But by the time he stepped into the front hallway, the building was already alive with movement—at least, parts of it. Club posters had been slapped on every wall. Someone was yelling about props in the distance. Another voice cried out, "I SAID FOOD STALL B, NOT FOOD STALL C!"
Jay paused at the base of the staircase and took it in.
The building looked like it was in a state of controlled panic. Everyone had an objective. Everyone had momentum.
Except him.
Class 1-A, Still Bare
Only nine students were in class today. Same as yesterday.
Different combinations. Same energy.
Sofia was in her usual seat with a portable whiteboard and a dry-erase marker she kept clicking aggressively.
Noah had brought a handheld fan and was lounging like an emperor in the corner.
Emma had a pile of papers on her desk, neatly stacked and color-coded—most likely related to her Student Council duties.
Amaya wasn't there yet, but a bag of fresh bakery treats had been left on her chair with a small label: "Don't touch, it's for HE club."
Jay slipped into his seat by the window.
No one looked up.
A beat passed.
Then Sofia muttered, "Look who's back. The ghost of yesterday."
"I haunt tastefully," Jay replied.
"Why Are You Even Here?"
Fifteen minutes into the morning, Emma turned her head toward him.
"Are you actually on any club roster?"
Jay tilted his head. "Nope."
"Then why are you here?"
He tapped his chin. "Free air-conditioning. Vending machines. My fans would riot if I didn't make a public appearance."
Emma didn't smile, but her brow twitched slightly. "You don't have fans."
"I do. They're just very low profile."
Sofia leaned across the desk. "You know what he is? He's a background character who forgot his arc ended."
Jay folded his arms. "What happened to 'respect your class rep'?"
"You resigned."
Jay opened his mouth. Paused.
"…That's fair."
A Tour of Nowhere
By 10:20 AM, Jay had wandered into:
The art wing, where Luna was mixing colours like a potion master and humming to herself
The Science Club's lab, where someone accidentally set a petri dish on fire
The third-floor hallway, where Amaya passed him without stopping, apron tied and hair pulled back
"Morning," she said.
"Morning."
She didn't slow. She didn't stop.
Just kept walking, clipboard in one hand, tray of cupcakes in the other.
Jay watched her turn the corner and disappear.
Noah's Wisdom
He found Noah lying on a bench outside the gym, staring at the sky with the same intensity one might apply to dramatic opera.
Jay sat on the bench's edge.
"You look busy," he said.
Noah didn't move. "I'm busy being still."
Jay nodded solemnly. "A noble effort."
"The world moves too fast," Noah muttered. "If I move, I might get assigned to something."
Jay chuckled. "Avoidance is an art."
"It's a lifestyle."
They sat in silence for a few more seconds.
Then Noah whispered, "Also I pulled my shoulder doing a dumb sword pose for Drama Club."
"Less noble."
The Club Parade
In the next hour, Jay:
Got roped into carrying chairs for the Photography Club
Was offered a mochi skewer from a second-year who didn't realize he wasn't part of their stall team
Witnessed Sofia yell "YOU CAN'T JUST INVENT NEW STATIONERY CODES!" at a third-year from Accounting Club
Got asked by Debate Club again if he'd consider joining. He said, "I'm allergic to microphones."
Got invited to Drama Club's "silent rehearsal." It was exactly as strange as it sounded.
At some point, he ended up in the music room, where someone was trying to play a saxophone and failing magnificently.
Jay stayed for fifteen minutes just to see if they got better.
They didn't.
VII. A Hallway Moment
Near lunch, Jay leaned against the wall beside the courtyard window, watching students crisscross below with bags of decorations and carts of snacks.
Emma passed by with a clipboard under her arm.
She slowed for a step.
"Still here?"
Jay looked at her. "Yup."
She raised an eyebrow. "You're either incredibly loyal to this building… or really, really bored."
Jay nodded. "I think the building's winning."
Emma gave a short exhale—almost a laugh. "Try not to combust before Friday."
"No promises."
VIII. A Very Quiet Lunch
Back in class, Jay found Amaya's note beside his desk.
"Eat. Or Else."
Under it: a small wrapped sandwich and a cup of chilled juice.
She still hadn't returned from HE Club.
Jay didn't say anything.
Didn't text her.
Just ate.
Nothing to Report
The rest of the afternoon passed in quiet motion.
Jay watched people move from one task to another.
He got asked to help carry a banner once.
Someone asked for directions.
Sofia threw a crumpled Post-it at his head for "breathing too loudly."
He laughed under his breath and didn't retaliate.
He wasn't sad.
He wasn't restless.
He just wasn't necessary.
Jay stood in the center of Class 1-A.
Empty desks. Scattered bags. A half-wiped chalkboard.
He looked around once. Then sat at his own desk.
Leaned back. Closed his eyes for a few seconds.
When he opened them, the sky outside was fading into a soft orange.
He didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't leave.