Jay saw Keifer at the end of the hallway.
She turned around and walked the other way.
Fast.
Crimson Oaths gasped. Nightthorns whispered. Aiden whispered, "She's running." Daniel whispered, "I'm transferring."
Jay ducked behind a locker.
Bella whispered, "Jay, he's literally just standing there—"
Jay hissed, "I'm not talking to him."
Adrian peeked around the corner. "He confessed to you."
Jay slapped his arm. "SHHHHH—DON'T SAY IT OUT LOUD—"
But then—
The lights flickered.
Jay froze. "No. No. No. Not again—"
A gust of wind blew down the hallway.
Papers flew. A teacher screamed. Someone's wig fell off.
Bella yelled, "JAY YOUR MAGIC IS HAVING A PANIC ATTACK—"
Jay covered her face. "WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN EVERY TIME I AVOID HIM—"
Adrian: "Because you're in denial." Jay: "I AM NOT—" Bella: "You literally are." Jay: "NO I'M—"
A book floated off a shelf.
Jay screamed. "PUT THAT DOWN—"
The book did not listen.
Jay sprinted into another hallway.
She saw Keifer again.
She ducked behind a group of first-years.
"Hide me," she whispered.
They screamed and ran away.
Jay groaned. "USELESS—"
The lights flickered again.
A gust of wind followed her like a dramatic soundtrack.
Nightthorns yelled, "SHE'S MALFUNCTIONING—" Crimson Oaths yelled, "SHE NEEDS HER MAN—" Jay yelled, "HE IS NOT MY MAN—"
A voice behind her said, "Say that again."
Jay froze.
Slowly turned.
Keifer stood right behind her.
Too close.
Too calm.
Too… Keifer.
Jay squeaked, "STOP APPEARING LIKE THAT—"
Keifer tilted his head. "You're avoiding me."
Jay crossed her arms. "No I'm not."
The lights flickered.
A locker door flew open.
Jay groaned. "I hate magic."
Keifer stepped closer. "You didn't answer me."
Jay stepped back. "I don't have to."
Keifer stepped closer again.
Jay hit a wall.
Of course.
He looked down at her, eyes soft but intense. "Your magic reacts when you run from me."
Jay's face burned. "NO IT DOESN'T—"
A gust of wind blasted down the hallway.
Jay: "THAT WAS COINCIDENCE—" Keifer: "Jay." Jay: "STOP SAYING MY NAME LIKE THAT—"
He leaned in slightly.
Not touching her. Not trapping her. Just close enough to make her heart sprint.
"You're scared," he said quietly.
Jay's breath caught. "I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not—"
"You are."
Jay shoved him. "STOP DOING THAT—"
The lights flickered again.
Aiden screamed. Daniel walked away whispering, "I'm transferring TODAY."
Keifer didn't move. "Talk to me."
Jay swallowed. "I don't want to."
"Liar."
Jay's magic sparked.
A spark of light shot out of her hand and hit a trash can.
It caught fire.
Jay screamed, "WHY—IS—THIS—MY—LIFE—"
Keifer smirked. "Because you're avoiding me."
Jay covered her face. "I hate this school."
Keifer leaned in, voice low. "But you don't hate me."
Jay froze.
Butterflies everywhere.
She whispered, "Shut up."
Keifer smiled.