Jay's POV
Chapter 9: Two Days Left
Cin's birthday invitation landed on my desk like a dare.
He stood there awkwardly, holding the card with both hands, eyes flicking between my face and the floor. "It's… in two days," he said, clearing his throat. "You should come."
I didn't reach for it.
"I don't think that's a good idea," I said honestly.
Cin's smile faltered for half a second—then David stepped in.
He didn't say anything. He just looked at me. That soft, pleading look he always had. The one that never asked for too much.
I sighed and took the invitation.
Cin froze—then absolutely lost it.
He jumped. Actually jumped. "YES—okay—okay wow—"
I laughed despite myself. A real one.
The date was written neatly on the card.Two days left.
When the bell rang, everyone scattered. I walked home with the card folded in my pocket, my mind louder than the streets around me.
One Day Left
The mall was crowded, noisy, warm.
I ran into Rakki near a small gift shop, and somehow we ended up laughing like no time had passed. She helped me choose something simple but thoughtful—a clear jar filled with small chocolate eggs, one for each day. Something light. Something safe.
At her place, we wrapped it together. Her mom came in, smiling proudly, teasing Rakki endlessly.
"Cin is definitely future material," she said.
Rakki turned red instantly. I laughed.
When I left, it felt… normal. Too normal.
That's when Jason showed up.
He stopped beside me, helmet under his arm. "Ram's mad," he said casually. "You should be careful."
I hesitated when he offered a ride. He noticed.
"I'm not my brother," he said.
I got on—awkwardly—and he laughed, teasing lightly. I muttered "idiot," and he laughed harder.
He took me to a restaurant instead.
Over food, he asked questions. Too many.
"If Keifer doesn't care," he said slowly, "why is he still around you?"
Before I could answer, his friends showed up.
Things escalated fast.
Words. Shoves. I fought back—but one hit knocked the breath out of me and I went down hard, air burning in my chest.
That's when Keifer appeared.
Jason smirked. "Don't tell me you were following us."
Keifer didn't look at him. He looked at me.
"You good?" he asked sharply.
Jason swung. Keifer swung back. They clashed—stumbling, breaking apart, coming back again. Someone else moved toward me, raising a hand—
Keifer's voice cut through everything."Jay."
I looked at him.
"Can you do it?"
I didn't understand at first.
"Jay," he said again, steady. "Can you?"
I nodded.
"One," he said.
"Two," I whispered.
"Three."
Everything happened fast.
Keifer moved. I moved. The threat was gone. Silence crashed down like it had been waiting.
For half a second, we just stared at each other.
Then he pulled me into a hug.
Tight. Sudden.
My hands shook. "H-hey… why are you hugging me?"
"I don't know," he said quietly. "You didn't stop me."
"Let go."
He didn't.
"You sure?" he murmured. "You look like you need—"
Something snapped.
I shoved him and punched his shoulder hard.
"Ouch—what the hell?" he snapped.
"I said let go," I said, voice steady, even though my chest was shaking.
I stepped back.
He offered a ride.
"No thanks."
I called someone else.
The second Keifer turned away, my knees buckled. I hid near the door, breathing through the tremor until a car pulled up.
Keifer was still there.
I looked at him once.
Not angry. Not sad.
Just… done.
At home, Aries glanced at me. "Don't ever call me crying again," he said bluntly. "What did Keifer do?"
"Nothing," I said. "I just got into a fight."
He studied me, then shrugged.
I went to my room, Cin's gift still in my bag.
One day left.
And everything felt like it was about to change.