Jay woke up in the infirmary, her head pounding.
Bella and Adrian sat beside her bed, worried. Keifer sat in the corner, arms crossed, eyes locked on her like he'd been guarding her the whole time.
Jay groaned. "What… happened?"
Bella exchanged a look with Adrian. "You… saw blood."
Jay froze.
Keifer stood and walked closer, slow and careful. "Why does it affect you like that?"
Jay looked away. "It's nothing."
Bella shook her head. "Jay. Tell him."
Jay swallowed hard. "When I was little… my brother died. In front of me. There was blood everywhere. I couldn't help him. I couldn't do anything."
Her voice cracked.
Keifer's expression softened in a way Jay had never seen before — protective, angry at the world, hurting for her.
Bella continued, "Ever since then, Jay shuts down when she sees blood. Or worse… she snaps."
Jay whispered, "I'm not dangerous."
Keifer shook his head. "You're not. You were scared."
Jay blinked. "Why were you even there?"
Keifer didn't look away. "Because I always look for you first."
Jay's heart stopped.
Bella and Adrian exchanged a knowing look.
Aiden fainted in the hallway. Daniel tried to transfer again.