Third Person POV
By evening, the noise hadn't died down.
If anything, it had migrated.
Eman's restaurant was already half-full when Section E walked in together, uniforms loosened, bags slung over shoulders, laughter echoing before they even reached the tables.
Eman appeared from behind the counter, wiping his hands on an apron. "I swear, if you all break something—"
"We're here to celebrate," Rory said innocently.
Eman squinted. "That's worse."
They pushed tables together anyway.
Jay sat between Keifer and Felix, glancing around at everyone—faces flushed with excitement, energy buzzing like something was about to explode.
"So," Blaster said, leaning back. "Outfits."
Jay sighed. "Oh no."
Rakki grinned. "YES."
Ci-n immediately pulled out his phone. "I vote coordinated chaos."
Mica nodded seriously. "Theme: dramatic."
Calix frowned. "We will not be allowed inside any venue dressed dramatically."
"Exactly," Freya said. "That's the goal."
Edrix smirked. "I'm thinking white suit. Open collar."
Keifer raised an eyebrow. "You're not outshining the groom."
Edrix shrugged. "I'll try."
Felix leaned forward. "What if we all wear black… but with neon shoes?"
Jay nearly choked on her drink. "Absolutely not."
Kit added, "Or matching sunglasses. Indoors."
Eren deadpanned, "At night."
Josh clapped. "I support this bad decision."
Denzel smirked. "Keifer, how does it feel knowing your section is planning fashion crimes at your wedding?"
Keifer glanced at Jay, then back at them. "I regret everything."
Jay laughed, resting her elbow on the table. "You're all coming dressed normally. End of discussion."
Blaster gasped. "She's already controlling the wedding."
"Respectfully," Mayo added, "we're still doing something unhinged."
From the counter, Eman called out, "If you're planning outfits, don't block the aisle!"
Rory shouted back, "We're planning emotional damage."
Food arrived—plates clattering, fries disappearing, drinks half-finished because the conversation refused to slow.
Aries showed up briefly, leaning against Jay's chair. "You look happy."
Jay smiled. "I am."
He nodded once. "Good." Then glanced at the table. "They're not wearing neon."
"No promises," Keifer muttered.
Laughter filled the restaurant again.
For a moment, it wasn't about school.
Or stress.
Or rules.
Just friends, food, and a wedding that was already becoming legendary—
mostly because no one trusted Section E to behave.
And honestly?
Jay wouldn't have wanted it any other way. 💛
They were halfway through eating when the door opened again.
Keigan walked in first, scanning the restaurant like he was looking for something familiar. Right behind him was Eces, still in her school dress, backpack slung over one shoulder.
Jay looked up immediately. "Keigan? Eces?"
Keifer frowned slightly. "What are you two doing here?"
Keigan shrugged, pulling out a chair. "She was hungry."
Eces nodded simply. "And this place smelled good."
That earned a few laughs from Section E as they made space for them.
"Valid reason," Rory said.
Eces greeted everyone politely, soft smiles, calm voice—like nothing was wrong. She reached for the table, and that's when Jay noticed it.
A white bandage around Eces's wrist.
Jay's smile faltered. "Eces… what happened to your hand?"
The table went quiet.
Rakki leaned forward. "Yeah, what's with the bandage?"
Mica frowned. "Did someone hurt you?"
One by one, Section E turned toward her, concern replacing the teasing.
Eces glanced down at her wrist, then calmly adjusted her sleeve. "It's nothing," she said evenly.
"That doesn't look like nothing," Felix muttered.
Jay's voice softened. "Eces?"
Eces didn't answer.
The silence stretched—uncomfortable, heavy.
Then Keigan spoke.
"Emilia," he said flatly. "She did it. Again."
A ripple of reactions moved through the table.
"What?"
"Again?"
"That girl—"
Eces lifted her head immediately. "Keigan."
He stopped.
She looked around at everyone, expression steady, voice calm. "It's okay. Really. It's a small injury."
Jay frowned. "Eces—"
"I'm fine," Eces repeated gently. "Please don't make it a thing."
No defensiveness.
No explanation.
Just a quiet request.
Keifer watched her closely.
So did Jay.
Section E slowly backed off, the noise returning in fragments, but the mood had shifted.
Jay passed Eces a plate. "Eat," she said softly.
Eces smiled at her. "Thank you."
She ate like nothing had happened.
Like the bandage didn't exist.
Like the silence hadn't spoken louder than words.
But Jay knew.
And Keifer knew.
Eces wasn't telling them the truth.
Not yet.
The heaviness didn't last long.
Rory cleared his throat dramatically. "Okay. Since we all almost turned this into an interrogation—how about introductions?"
Eces looked up, surprised.
Felix nodded. "Yeah. Properly this time."
Jay smiled at her. "You don't actually know everyone yet."
Eces hesitated for a second, then nodded. "Alright."
Rory pointed to himself first. "Rory. Loud. Hungry. Loyal."
"Felix," Felix said with a grin. "I give good advice. Rarely taken."
Blaster leaned back. "Blaster. I cause problems accidentally."
"On purpose," Kit corrected. "I'm Kit."
"Ci-n," Ci-n said, offering a small wave. "Ignore half of what they say."
Mayo lifted his hand. "Mayo. I'm here for vibes."
Eman nodded toward the counter. "Eman. Yes, this is my place. No, you don't get free food."
Eren spoke calmly. "Eren. I observe."
Josh smiled. "Josh. Friendly."
"David," David added. "I ask questions."
"Too many," Drew said. "I'm Drew."
Denzel smirked. "Denzel. I judge silently."
Yuri, who had been quiet, finally looked up. "Yuri."
Calix gave a short nod. "Calix."
" Edrix knight. " Edrix adjusted his glasses.
Keigan gestured toward Eces. "And this is—"
"Eces," she said gently, cutting in before he could finish. "Just Eces."
Jay noticed the way she said it—firm but polite.
Rakki smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Eces."
Mica nodded. "You're officially welcome at our chaos table."
Freya added, "Surviving this means you're family now."
Eces laughed softly, the tension easing from her shoulders. "That sounds… intense."
"It is," Keifer said dryly.
Eces turned to him, meeting his gaze calmly. "I can handle intense."
Something flickered in Keifer's eyes—interest, maybe caution.
Jay reached over and gently nudged Eces's shoulder. "They're annoying, but they're good people."
"I can tell," Eces replied.
The noise rose again—teasing, laughter, someone stealing fries—but this time, it felt lighter.
Eces sat among them, quiet but included.
Not questioned.
Not pushed.
Just… accepted.
And for now, that was enough.
Keifer POV
I should've known peace wouldn't last.
The moment Eces looked even slightly settled, Section E leaned in like sharks who'd smelled curiosity.
Rory went first. "Alright. Personal questions."
Eces blinked once. "Already?"
Felix grinned. "This is the welcome ritual."
Jay muttered, "I'm sorry," and gave Eces an apologetic look.
I stayed quiet, watching.
Rakki tilted her head. "Birthday?"
"Fifth of November," Eces answered smoothly.
Blaster snapped his fingers. "Scorpio."
"That tracks," Kit said. "Quiet but dangerous."
Eces just smiled. Didn't deny it.
Mica leaned forward next. "Boyfriend?"
"No," Eces said immediately.
Too immediately.
The table erupted.
"NONE?"
"Impossible."
"You are too beautiful for not having a boyfriend."
"Are you sure?"
Keigan coughed. "She's sure."
Freya squinted. "Not even a crush?"
"No," Eces repeated, calm as ever.
I noticed something then—no embarrassment, no defensiveness. Just certainty.
Felix tried another angle. "Favourite ice cream?"
"Butterscotch."
"Elite," Rory approved.
Calix asked, "Favourite colour?"
"Black."
Denzel nodded. "Knew it."
Josh smiled. "Favourite food?"
Eces shook her head lightly. "Not spicy."
That earned a few surprised looks.
"Really?" Blaster said. "You look like someone who eats danger for breakfast."
She laughed softly. "I prefer sweet."
Shoes came up next—apparently very important.
"Shoes?" Ci-n asked.
Eces's eyes lit up just a little. "Good ones."
"That's not an answer," Drew said.
"It is," she replied politely.
Someone asked about music. Someone else asked about movies. Another about pets.
She answered everything—but never more than necessary.
No stories.
No history.
No cracks.
I watched the way she handled it all—balanced, composed, always one step back from revealing anything real.
Jay leaned toward me and whispered, "She's adorable."
I nodded, but my eyes stayed on Eces.
Adorable wasn't the word.
Careful was.
And people that careful usually had reasons.
Section E eventually eased off, laughter returning, attention drifting.
Eces relaxed back into her chair, unnoticed again.
But I didn't stop watching.
Because the more questions she answered—
The clearer it became that she was choosing what not to say.
Eces POV
The noise around the table blurred into something distant as I ate.
Laughter.
Clattering plates.
Someone arguing about ice cream flavors again.
I was halfway through my food when my phone vibrated against the table.
Mumma ❤️
Mumma Reycee.
I froze for half a second—then answered.
"Hi," I said softly, keeping my voice low.
Jay noticed immediately. She didn't say anything, just watched me with that gentle, asking look.
"How are you?" my mother asked. Her voice carried that familiar mix of concern and calm that always made me feel twelve again.
"I'm okay," I replied. "I ate. I'm safe."
Keifer glanced at me briefly, then looked away again, pretending not to listen. No one moved. No one pushed me to leave.
I stayed seated.
"That's good," Mom said. "Where are you right now?"
"With… friends," I said after a beat. "Jay and her people."
I felt eyes flick toward me—curious but respectful.
Mom hummed thoughtfully. "And?"
"And," I continued, fingers curling slightly around my phone, "Jay is getting married."
Silence at the table—not forced, just instinctive.
"She is?" Mom sounded surprised.
"Yes," I said, a small smile slipping out. "To Keifer. July first."
I heard Jay inhale softly beside me.
"That's soon," Mom said.
"I know," I replied. "That's why… you have to come."
There it was.
The thing I hadn't planned to say—but needed to.
There was a pause on the line.
"Eces," my mother said carefully.
"It matters," I said quietly. "They matter. I want you there."
Around me, Section E pretended very badly not to listen. Someone dropped a fork. Someone else suddenly found the wall very interesting.
Mom sighed, not tired—just thoughtful. "We'll talk about it."
I nodded, even though she couldn't see me. "Okay."
Her voice softened. "Are you sleeping?"
"Yes."
"Eating?"
"Yes."
"Are you smiling?"
I glanced at Jay, at Keifer, at the table full of people who were loud and annoying and oddly protective.
"Yes," I said honestly.
"That's enough for now," Mom replied. "Call me later."
"I will."
The call ended.
I set my phone down slowly.
Jay leaned in first. "Your mom?"
"Yes."
Keifer added casually, "She sounds strict."
I smiled faintly. "She worries."
Rory cleared his throat. "So… wedding guests confirmed?"
I laughed quietly. "Not yet."
The noise returned. Plates moved. Conversations overlapped.
But something had shifted inside me.
For the first time in a long while, I wasn't just passing through a place.
I was inviting someone else into it.
The noise slowly returned to normal—chairs scraping, someone stealing fries, Rory arguing about music like it was a life-or-death decision.
I stayed seated, phone face down, fingers resting around my glass.
Jay leaned closer, her voice low. "Eces?"
I turned to her. "Hmm?"
She hesitated—just a little. "Do you think… Dad will come?"
The question landed softly, but it carried weight.
"I really want him there," she continued, eyes fixed on the table for a moment before meeting mine again. "It won't feel right without him."
I nodded, understanding more than she said.
"Can you talk to him?" Jay asked. "And Mom too. I want them both there. Together."
Around us, Section E was still loud, still joking—but somehow it felt like there was a quiet space just for us.
"I can," I said simply. "I'll talk to him."
Jay's shoulders relaxed a little. "Thank you."
She smiled then—small, hopeful. "It means a lot to me."
I smiled back. "I know."
No promises.
No guarantees.
Just intention.
Someone called Jay's name from across the table, and she turned back into the noise, laughter returning easily.
I watched her for a second longer.
This mattered to her.
So I'd try.
That was enough.
+++++++++++++
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