Jay's POV
May 27.
Prom day.
I woke up before my alarm, staring at the ceiling like it had answers I didn't. My heart felt heavy and light at the same time—heavy with unspoken things, light with excitement I refused to admit out loud.
Prom.
The day everyone had been waiting for.
I sat up slowly, hugging my knees.
Prom before my birthday.
Funny timing, universe.
From the bathroom, I heard the sound of water running. Keifer was awake already.
Of course he was.
I stood in front of the mirror, touching my face lightly.
Don't overthink.
It's just prom.
But my chest tightened anyway.
Keifer stepped out, hair slightly messy, sleeves rolled up, looking unfairly calm.
"Morning, wifey," he said softly.
There it was again—that word that made my heart betray me every time.
"Morning," I replied, pretending to focus on my phone.
He looked at me for a second longer than usual, like he wanted to say something… then didn't.
"Big day," he said.
I nodded.
"Yeah. Prom."
Just prom.
Nothing else.
Breakfast was quiet.
Too quiet.
At school, everything exploded into chaos the moment we stepped in.
Girls running around.
Guys pretending not to care while very clearly caring.
Teachers pretending they weren't excited.
Section E gathered near the lockers like always—loud, dramatic, and impossible to ignore.
"PROM DAYYYYY," Calix yelled.
"I survived exams for this," Mayo declared.
"I survived love for this," Eren added dramatically.
I laughed despite myself.
Percy leaned toward me.
"You ready?"
"As I'll ever be."
He studied my face.
"You sure?"
Before I could answer, Keifer wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
"She's fine."
His voice was steady. Protective.
Percy raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Why does that feel like a shield… and a wall?
Getting Ready
By evening, everything changed.
My room was a disaster—makeup kits, dresses, shoes everywhere.
Mica, Freya, Rakki, Ella—everyone talking at once.
"Jay, sit still."
"No, that shade suits her better."
"She's literally glowing."
I looked at myself in the mirror once they were done.
For a second, I didn't recognize the girl staring back.
Is this really me?
My phone buzzed.
Keifer: Ready?
I typed back: Almost.
My heart pounded as I walked downstairs.
Keifer was waiting.
Black suit. Clean cut. Calm expression.
And then he looked up.
Time stopped.
He didn't say anything—just stared.
That silence said more than words ever could.
"You look…" he started, then stopped.
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
He stepped closer, voice low.
"Dangerous."
I laughed softly.
"You're not so bad yourself, hubby."
For a moment, the world shrank to just us.
Then Percy coughed loudly.
"Alright Romeo, let's go before I start crying."
Prom Night
The venue was glowing—lights, music, laughter everywhere.
Section E arrived like a storm.
Cheers.
Whistles.
Pure chaos.
"WE OWN THIS NIGHT," Rory shouted.
I danced. I laughed. I forgot—just for a while.
Keifer never left my side.
Every time I felt overwhelmed, his hand found mine.
But still—
No mention.
No hint.
No words.
Near the end of the night, slow music filled the hall.
Keifer turned to me.
"Dance?"
I nodded.
His hand rested gently at my waist, my head against his shoulder.
This felt safe.
This felt like home.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
I hesitated, then nodded.
"Yeah."
He hummed, like he didn't believe me—but didn't push.
As the song ended, cheers erupted around us.
Prom King and Queen were announced.
Cheers. Applause.
I clapped, smiling.
But deep down, something still ached.
As we walked out under the lights, Keifer squeezed my hand.
"Tomorrow," he said quietly.
I looked up.
"Tomorrow?"
He smiled—slow, unreadable.
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
And for the first time in days…
I felt hope again.Jay's POV
The night didn't end with prom.
It expanded.
Just when I thought my heart couldn't hold any more happiness, Section E pulled me into a tight circle near the entrance, their faces glowing with that familiar chaos I loved.
"Before anyone leaves," Rory announced dramatically, "we have an update."
Calix smirked.
"Correction. A reunion update."
I frowned.
"Reunion?"
Then I heard it.
A name I hadn't heard in so long that my heart forgot how much it missed her.
"Lia is coming."
I froze.
"What?"
Freya squealed.
"Your Lia. Your best friend. Kuya Angelo's sister. Your cousin."
My breath caught.
Lia.
The girl who held my hand through my worst days.
The girl who left two years ago and became… everything.
The richest person in the world.
The woman headlines couldn't stop talking about.
And she was coming back.
For us.
For Section E.
My eyes burned as I laughed and cried at the same time.
"She's joining the reunion tonight," Mica added.
"At her house."
I covered my mouth, overwhelmed.
This doesn't feel real.
Keifer stood beside me, watching quietly, his thumb brushing circles on my hand.
"You okay, wifey?" he asked softly.
I nodded, voice shaking.
"I'm more than okay."
Then my mom stepped forward, smiling knowingly.
"Since Lia insisted," she said, "we've decided something."
Everyone turned.
"Jay's birthday celebration will be at Lia's house."
The words didn't fully register.
"My… birthday?"
Percy clapped.
"Big enough place for drama, tears, and food."
Grace laughed, rocking baby Grazel Jay gently in her arms.
"She's already excited," she teased.
I reached out and kissed the baby's cheek, my heart melting.
This night just keeps giving.
No one mentioned dates.
No one mentioned numbers.
Just love.
Just family.
Just Section E being Section E.
Soon, cars lined up outside.
Keifer's cars, obviously.
We piled in—laughing, teasing, talking over each other.
Freya.
Mica.
Calix.
Percy.
Grace with baby Grazel Jay.
The whole chaotic family.
As the car moved, I leaned back, smiling to myself.
This is happiness.
This is home.
Keifer's POV
I watched her laugh from the driver's mirror.
Jay.
So unaware.
So happy.
And it almost broke me.
They were talking about Lia's house, about the reunion, about how crazy the night was—but my mind was already somewhere else.
May 29.
Her birthday.
A day she thought was just another date on the calendar.
I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.
They don't know what's coming, I thought.
Everyone in this car—
Section E.
Freya.
Mica.
Calix.
Percy.
Grace.
They all knew the plan.
Except her.
I cleared my throat.
"I won't be joining you guys on the 29th," I said calmly.
"I'll come on the 30th."
The car went quiet.
Jay turned to me immediately.
"Why?"
I met her eyes, keeping my expression neutral.
"Business."
She frowned slightly but nodded.
"Okay."
Everyone else exchanged quick glances.
They knew.
And silently, one by one, they agreed.
No questions.
No slips.
The car pulled up to Lia's massive gates, lights glowing like something straight out of a dream.
As everyone stepped out, laughter filling the night, I stayed back for half a second longer, watching Jay walk ahead.
Just one more day, I thought.
Hold on for one more day.
Then I stepped out and followed her inside.