Jay's POV
I walked into class with a smile I couldn't control.
It wasn't wide. It wasn't dramatic. Just… there. Sitting on my lips like it belonged, like it had every right to exist. I tried to flatten it as soon as I stepped inside, but it refused to leave—stubborn, warm, and entirely his fault.
Section E noticed instantly.
Of course they did.
"Ooooh," someone whispered dramatically "Who made you smile like that?" "Don't tell me it's a boy."
I didn't stop walking. I didn't answer. I just rolled my eyes lightly and kept going, dropping into my seat like nothing was different—even though everything felt different.
My bag slid to the floor. I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms, pretending I wasn't replaying his voice in my head.
Then my phone buzzed.
Once.
My heart jumped before my brain could catch up.
I glanced down.
Him:So? Be honest.How was the food?
The corner of my mouth lifted again.
I typed back.
Me:It was fine.You're not getting a thank-you.
Barely five seconds passed.
Him:Wow. Cold.Miss me already or should I wait another minute?
I scoffed under my breath, fingers hovering.
Me:You're annoying.
Him:And yet you're smiling.
I snorted.
Out loud.
The sound echoed way louder than it had any right to.
Silence.
I froze.
Slowly—painfully—I lifted my head.
Every. Single. Person. Was staring at me.
Felix leaned toward Cin, whispering loudly, "Who is she talking to?"Cin squinted at me. "That smile is suspicious."
Felix shifted in his seat, trying to peek at my phone. I angled it away instantly, raising an eyebrow at him. He leaned back, hands up like he'd been caught committing a crime.
I was about to text back when I felt it.
A stare.
Not curious.Not teasing.
Heavy.
It burned into my back like a brand, sharp enough that my shoulders stiffened. I didn't turn around. I didn't need to. I already knew who it was.
Before I could breathe through it—
"Miss Jay."
Miss Cindy's voice sliced clean through the room.
I looked up instantly.
"Is your phone more interesting than my lesson?"
A couple of students sucked in a breath. Someone muttered, "Damn."
I straightened. "Sorry, Miss."
She didn't smile. "Keep your fun until after class."
"Yes, Miss," I said, nodding.
I slid my phone back into my bag—but not before one last message lit up the screen.
Him:I'll behave.For now.
My smile threatened to come back.
I forced it down.
When I looked up again, the whole class was still watching me.
Waiting.
Judging.
I shrugged, leaned back in my chair, and met their stares without flinching.
Let them wonder.
Ten minutes later, the bell rang.
The second the bell rang, I barely had time to stand before Section E swarmed my desk like they'd been waiting for it all period.
"Nope," Felix said, planting a hand on my table. "You're not leaving."
Cin nodded way too seriously. "Yeah, Jay. Be honest."
"Who is he?" someone else chimed in."You were smiling like a rom-com lead," another teased."I'm curious," Felix added. "Deeply. Painfully curious."
I zipped my bag slowly, pretending they weren't boxing me in.
"You people act like you've never seen someone happy before," I said dryly.
Felix gasped. "So you admit it."
I looked up at them, lips curling. "What if I don't?"
Cin leaned closer. "Then we'll assume he's rich. Or hot."
"Or both," Felix said.
I rolled my eyes. "Relax. He's just… annoying."
They all groaned.
"That's worse," someone said.
Before I could reply, my phone buzzed.
I jumped.
Like—actually jumped.
"OH," Felix said instantly. "IT'S HIM."
I snatched my phone.
Kairo:I'm outside your school.Come meet me before I get bored.
My heart did a stupid little flip.
"Oh no," I muttered, shoving my phone back into my bag.
Cin grinned. "What?"
"I need to go," I said, already stepping back. "Like—now."
Felix crossed his arms. "Why? Is he waiting?"
"Yes," I said, laughing. "And he does not wait."
That only made it worse.
"OHHH.""So that's your mysterious friend." "Must be nice having someone wait for you like that." "Tell your friend to stop stealing our Jay."
I shook my head, still laughing, and slipped past them. "You're all ridiculous."
I broke into a light run down the hallway, ponytail bouncing, laughter still stuck in my chest.
When I reached the gates, I saw it.
The car.
Sleek. Black. Way too expensive to be parked outside a school like this.
Students were already slowing down. Phones out. Heads turning.
Whispers exploded.
"She moved on?""Already?""Wow… she doesn't even care.""That car—no way.""She's selfish."
I ignored all of it.
He stepped out of the car, leaning casually against it like he owned the place.
"KAY," he called out, grinning. "HEY. How are you?"
I smiled back without thinking. "I'm fine. Miss Cindy's class was sooo boring."
"Was it now?"
My stomach dropped.
From the corner of my eye, I saw her.
Miss Cindy.
Standing there. Arms crossed. Eyebrow raised.
"Oh really?" she said coolly.
I turned fully, smile stiff. "Oh—hi, Miss Cindy."
"Boring?" she repeated.
"Uh," I panicked. "Not boring—fun. I meant fun. Very fun. Educational fun."
For a second, she just stared.
Then she sighed. "Just don't let your fun distract you in class."
"Yes, Miss," I said quickly.
She walked away, shaking her head.
The second she was out of earshot, Kairo leaned down and whispered, "Wow. Is she always that strict?"
I covered my mouth, laughing. "You have no idea."
He chuckled, opening the car door for me. "Come on. Let's get you out of here."
I slid into the seat, still smiling, as he closed the door and walked around.
Behind us, the whispers followed.
But when the car pulled away, the noise faded.
And for the first time all day, I didn't care who was watching.