Jay POV
The party had started again.
Music played softly.
People talked and laughed.
Waiters moved around carrying trays of drinks and desserts as if nothing dramatic had happened earlier.
But for me…
Everything still felt a little quiet inside.
I stood near one of the tall glass windows of the ballroom, looking out at the night lights outside. The city shimmered like a sea of tiny stars.
A few people were dancing.
Felix was arguing with Carlos near the food table.
Ci-N was laughing loudly at something Nathan said.
Hex's classmates were gathered together, talking like they had just survived the craziest story of their lives.
Everyone was slowly returning to normal.
But my thoughts were still somewhere else.
Then suddenly—
Cold.
I jumped slightly as something icy touched my cheek.
"What the—"
I turned quickly.
Hex stood behind me holding a glass of cold juice, looking extremely pleased with himself.
"You looked like you were about to turn into a statue," he said.
I narrowed my eyes.
"So you decided to freeze me instead?"
Hex grinned.
"Exactly."
He handed me the drink.
I sighed but took it.
For a few seconds we just stood there.
Then Hex leaned slightly closer.
"You're thinking again," he said.
I looked down at the glass.
"A little."
Hex watched me carefully.
"You know," he said casually, "people usually celebrate when they expose evil villains."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Usually?"
"Yes."
He crossed his arms dramatically.
"They celebrate with cake. And music. And dramatic victory poses."
I couldn't help it.
A small laugh escaped me.
Hex pointed immediately.
"There! That's better."
I shook my head.
"You're unbelievable."
"Thank you."
Then he suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Come with me."
I blinked.
"Where?"
"You'll see."
Before I could ask anything else…
Hex pulled a handkerchief from his pocket.
Then he tied it over my eyes.
"Hex!"
"Relax," he said cheerfully.
"You're safe. Probably."
"Probably?!"
He laughed.
"Okay, definitely safe."
Then he started guiding me forward.
"Step."
I walked slowly.
"Another step."
"Hex…"
"Yes?"
"If I fall—"
"You won't."
Two seconds later…
BUMP.
"Ow!"
I walked straight into a wall.
Hex burst out laughing.
"HEX!"
"I said probably safe!"
I rubbed my forehead.
"You are the worst guide in the history of guides."
He was still laughing as he turned me.
"Okay okay. This way."
We walked again.
This time more carefully.
After a few moments we stopped.
"Alright," Hex said.
"Stay right there."
I heard footsteps.
Whispers.
A few quiet movements around me.
Then Hex stepped behind me again.
"Ready?"
"For what?"
But before I could ask more…
The handkerchief slipped away.
My eyes blinked open.
And I froze.
The entire ballroom had changed.
The lights were softer now.
People stood in a wide circle around the center of the room.
Fairy lights glowed above us.
Flowers were scattered across the floor.
Everyone was watching.
Smiling.
Then I noticed someone walking toward me.
Keifer.
My heart skipped.
He stopped right in front of me.
For once…
He actually looked nervous.
He rubbed the back of his neck before speaking.
"Hi."
I laughed softly.
"Hi."
He glanced around the room.
Then back at me.
"You know… tonight was supposed to be a celebration for our new program."
I nodded.
"But," he continued, "it turned into a crime investigation."
A few people chuckled.
Keifer smiled slightly.
"But there's something I've wanted to say for a long time."
My heart started beating faster.
He took a small step closer.
"You're strong," he said.
"Stronger than anyone I know."
His voice softened.
"You survived things that would break most people."
My eyes began to sting.
"But you never stopped caring about the people around you."
He looked toward Hex briefly.
"Especially family."
Hex gave a proud little nod from the side.
Keifer looked back at me.
"And somewhere along the way… I realized something."
He took a slow breath.
"I don't want a future where you're not in it."
The room became completely silent.
Then slowly…
Keifer knelt down on one knee.
Gasps filled the ballroom.
Hex whispered loudly,
"FINALLY."
Keifer pulled out a small velvet box.
Inside was a ring that shimmered under the lights.
He looked up at me.
His eyes steady.
His voice sincere.
"Jay…"
"Will you marry me?"
For a moment…
My brain completely stopped working.
People held their breath around us.
Felix looked like he might explode from excitement.
Ci-N was literally covering her mouth.
Hex looked like he was about to start chanting say yes.
I looked at Keifer.
Then at the ring.
Then back at him.
And suddenly…
I laughed.
Not because it was funny.
But because after everything that had happened…
This moment felt unbelievably real.
I wiped the corner of my eye.
Then I nodded.
"Yes."
The room erupted instantly.
Cheers.
Clapping.
Hex literally jumped in the air.
Keifer stood up quickly and slipped the ring onto my finger.
Then he pulled me into a hug.
And for the first time that night…
Everything felt peaceful.