Jay walked into Magic Theory already stressed.
She sat as far from Keifer as possible. He didn't look at her. Didn't smirk. Didn't tease.
He acted like nothing ever happened.
Which somehow made everything worse.
Bella whispered, "Jay, stop staring at him."
Jay whispered back, "I'M NOT—"
She absolutely was.
The teacher clapped her hands. "Pair up! Today we're practicing a simple aura‑link spell."
Jay froze.
Crimson Oaths screamed. Nightthorns whispered, "Oh no." Aiden whispered, "She's gonna explode." Daniel whispered, "I'm transferring."
The teacher pointed at Jay. "You. With Keifer."
Jay's soul left her body. "WHY—"
"Your auras are unstable. You need practice."
Jay groaned. "I hate this school."
Keifer walked over calmly. "Ready?"
Jay glared. "No."
He held out his hand. "Too bad."
Jay slapped her hand into his. "Let's get this over with."
The spellbook glowed.
Jay muttered the words. Keifer muttered the words.
A soft spark appeared between their hands.
Then—
The spark turned into a glowing thread.
Then two threads.
Then ten.
Then the entire room lit up with floating pink lights.
Jay screamed, "WHAT IS THIS—"
The teacher screamed, "THAT IS NOT THE SPELL—"
Crimson Oaths screamed, "IT'S A LOVE SPELL—" Nightthorns screamed, "THEY'RE SOUL‑LINKED—" Aiden fainted. Daniel walked toward the door whispering, "I'm transferring TODAY."
Jay tried to pull her hand away.
The glowing thread tightened.
Jay yelled, "KEIFER—DO SOMETHING—"
Keifer looked at their glowing hands. "You did this."
"I DID NOT—"
"You reacted."
"I DID NOT—"
"You did."
Jay shoved him with her free hand. "STOP SAYING THAT—"
The glowing thread pulsed brighter.
The floating lights turned into tiny heart shapes.
Jay screamed, "NO—NO—NO—TURN THEM OFF—"
Keifer smirked. "They're cute."
"NO THEY'RE NOT—"
The hearts floated around them like a magical rom‑com.
The class lost their minds.
Bella yelled, "JAYFER IS LITERALLY GLOWING—" Adrian yelled, "THEY'RE CONNECTED—" Someone yelled, "KISS—" Jay yelled, "SHUT UP—"
Keifer leaned in slightly. "Relax."
Jay's heart sprinted. "DON'T GET CLOSE—THE HEARTS WILL MULTIPLY—"
He stepped closer anyway.
The hearts multiplied.
Jay screamed, "SEE—THIS IS YOUR FAULT—"
Keifer's voice dropped. "You're blushing."
"I AM NOT—"
"You are."
"I—"
The glowing thread wrapped around their hands like a ribbon.
Jay froze. "WHAT DOES THAT MEAN—"
The teacher yelled, "IT MEANS YOU TWO ARE MAGICALLY SYNCHRONIZED—"
Jay nearly died. "NO—NO—NO—UNSYNC US—"
Keifer didn't look bothered at all. "I like it."
Jay shoved him again. "STOP LIKING EVERYTHING—"
The hearts popped like bubbles.
The thread faded.
The spell ended.
Jay ripped her hand away. "I HATE MAGIC."
Keifer smiled. "But not me."
Jay's face turned red. "STOP SAYING THAT—"
Crimson Oaths screamed. Nightthorns screamed. Aiden woke up just to scream again.
Jay covered her face. "I hate this school."
Keifer leaned in. "You're still glowing."
Jay screamed internally.
And the class?
Already chanting "JAYFER" like it was a prophecy.