Jay POV
Something was wrong.
I noticed it during the second period.
Keifer was quiet.
Not normal quiet.
Keifer quiet usually meant he was planning some joke, texting something ridiculous, or waiting to say something sarcastic.
But this?
He was just… staring at the desk.
His skin looked pale.
Even his lips looked dry.
Yuri leaned over from the seat behind him.
"Bro, you good?"
Keifer nodded slowly.
"Yeah."
But his voice sounded rough.
Like sandpaper.
I frowned.
"Did you sleep?"
"Yeah."
"Eat?"
"…I think."
That made Yuri and I exchange a look.
I crossed my arms. "You think?"
Keifer shrugged lazily.
The bell rang before I could interrogate him further.
Break time.
Everyone started standing up and grabbing their things.
Yuri stretched dramatically.
"I'm starving."
"Shocking," I said.
I grabbed my wallet.
"I'm going to the cafeteria. Anyone want anything?"
Rory yelled from across the room. "Chocolate milk!"
Calix added, "Chips!"
Yuri raised his hand. "Two burgers."
I blinked. "You're not a bottomless pit."
"Just bring them."
I shook my head and left.
The cafeteria was loud as usual.
Students everywhere.
Smell of fries.
Someone arguing over the last soda.
I grabbed snacks, drinks, and Rory's dramatic chocolate milk.
Balanced everything in my arms like a professional snack courier.
By the time I got back to class, the room was quieter.
Some students were still outside.
Some were talking in groups.
But my eyes immediately went to Keifer.
He was asleep.
Head on the desk.
Arms folded under it.
Yuri was staring at him like he was a broken computer.
"…He just passed out."
I walked over slowly.
"He never sleeps in class."
"Exactly."
I set the snacks down.
"Keifer."
No response.
I nudged his shoulder.
"Hey."
Still nothing.
Yuri leaned forward.
"Maybe he's dead."
"Shut up."
I shook him slightly.
"Keifer."
He stirred weakly.
His head tilted a little.
And that's when my hand brushed his neck.
I froze.
He was burning.
"Yuri."
"What?"
"Touch him."
Yuri placed his hand on Keifer's forehead.
His eyes widened instantly.
"Oh crap."
"What?"
"He's hot. Like… really hot."
My stomach dropped.
"A fever."
I tried waking him again.
"Keifer, wake up."
He groaned softly.
His eyes barely opened.
"…Jay?"
His voice sounded weak.
That scared me more.
The rest of Section E noticed the commotion.
Ci-N walked over.
"What happened?"
I answered quickly.
"He has a fever."
David touched Keifer's arm.
"Dude is boiling."
Right then the classroom door opened.
Sir Alvin stepped inside.
He paused when he saw the group around us.
"What's going on there?"
I looked up.
"Sir… something's wrong with Keifer."
He walked closer.
Ci-N spoke first.
"Sir, it looks like he has a high fever."
Sir Alvin studied Keifer for a moment.
Then he looked at us.
"So what are you going to do?"
I blinked.
"…I don't know."
My brain felt messy.
I hated feeling confused.
Sir Alvin sighed lightly.
"You guys deal with him."
Then he walked back toward the door.
"And don't let him collapse."
And just like that.
The responsibility landed on us.
Yuri cracked his knuckles.
"Alright."
David nodded.
"Let's move him."
They carefully lifted Keifer from the chair.
He barely reacted.
Which worried me even more.
"We're taking him to the secret room," Yuri said.
Everyone agreed immediately.
The hidden hangout spot.
Safe.
Quiet.
Private.
Perfect.
The secret room smelled like old wood and soda cans.
The couch was still there.
Messy but usable.
Yuri and David gently placed Keifer on it.
His breathing looked heavier now.
I touched his forehead again.
Still burning.
Calix and Rory burst in.
"We got the water!"
"And towels!"
They placed everything on the table.
Hot water.
Two towels.
Some napkins.
And somehow Rory had brought juice too.
"Why juice?" I asked.
"In case he wakes up and needs energy."
Fair enough.
I rolled up his sleeves.
"Okay."
Everyone looked at me.
"Jay's in charge," Yuri announced dramatically.
"I'm not in charge."
"You literally are."
I ignored him.
I dipped the towel into the warm water.
Wrung it out carefully.
Then placed it gently on Keifer's forehead.
He flinched slightly.
"Too hot?" I murmured.
He whispered weakly.
"…I'm fine."
Good.
I wiped his neck.
His face.
Trying to cool him down.
Rory whispered from the corner.
"She looks like a doctor."
"More like a stressed nurse," Ci-N said.
I shot them a look.
"Quiet."
They immediately shut up.
Keifer shifted slightly.
His eyes opened halfway.
"Jay…"
"I'm here."
His gaze looked blurry.
"…Why is everyone here?"
Yuri leaned over dramatically.
"Because you decided to boil like a kettle."
Keifer groaned.
"Shut up."
Good.
Sarcasm meant he was still himself.
I replaced the towel again.
Then gently helped him sit up a little.
"Slowly."
He leaned slightly against me.
His body felt heavy.
"You should've told someone you were sick," I said softly.
He murmured.
"…Didn't want to skip school."
Yuri nearly exploded.
"You came to school with a fever?!"
David shook his head.
"Bro is insane."
I held the towel to Keifer's neck.
"You're resting now."
"Yes boss," Keifer mumbled.
Rory whispered loudly.
"He listens to her."
Calix nodded.
"Very suspicious."
I ignored them.
Keifer leaned his head slightly against my shoulder.
"…You smell like snacks."
I blinked.
"You're delirious."
"No… cafeteria fries."
The boys burst out laughing.
Even I couldn't stop a small smile.
I wiped his forehead again.
His temperature still felt high.
But maybe slightly better.
"Drink this," I said, handing him the juice.
He took a small sip.
Then leaned back against the couch.
Eyes closing again.
But this time he looked calmer.
Not restless.
Just tired.
Yuri crossed his arms.
"So… nurse Jay… diagnosis?"
I sighed.
"High fever."
"Treatment?"
"Rest."
Ci-N nodded like a scientist.
"Very professional."
Keifer murmured with his eyes closed.
"…Best nurse."
I rolled my eyes.
But inside?
My heart did a quiet little flip.
I placed the towel back on his forehead.
"Just sleep."
The room grew quiet.
For once.
Section E.
Silent.
Watching over one burning idiot who refused to stay home.
And somehow…
It felt like we were exactly where we were supposed to be.
End of Chapter. 🌡️✨