Three days after camp, reality hit.
Exams were coming.
Section E gathered at the Fernandez house for a massive study session. Books covered every surface. Coffee flowed like water. Ci-n had already fallen asleep twice.
Tita Gema set up a snack station. "STUDYING REQUIRES FUEL! EAT OR FAIL!"
Jasfer: "That's motivational."
Serina: "That's Tita Gema."
Jay's grandma sat in her rocking chair, watching. "I REMEMBER EXAMS. TERRIBLE. I FAILED MOST OF THEM."
Jay: "Lola, you never went to school."
Jay's grandma: "I FAILED IMAGINARY EXAMS. SAME THING?"
Keifer: "Not the same thing."
Jay's grandma: "IT IS IN MY HEAD."
The living room was chaos.
Mica and Calix shared a couch, books between them.
Mica: "I don't understand this equation."
Calix: "Let me see." He looked. "I also don't understand."
Mica: "We're doomed."
Calix: "Together."
Mica: "That's romantic but unhelpful."
Freya sat at the dining table, Edrix beside her. Rory across from them.
Freya: "This is pointless."
Edrix: "It's studying."
Freya: "Same thing?"
Edrix: "Not the same thing."
Rory: "I've created flashcards. 347 of them."
Freya: "That's excessive."
Rory: "That's preparation."
Edrix: "Same thing?"
Rory: "Same thing."
Drew took bets on who would fall asleep first. David was already down.
Drew: "David wins by default."
Eren: "Wait, we're studying? I thought this was a party."
Josh handed him a textbook.
Eren: "Oh. It's really studying."
Josh nodded.
Baster hummed a study playlist.
Ci-n woke up. Again.
Ci-n: "I'M READY! LET'S LEARN!"
Rakki: "You've been asleep for twenty minutes."
Ci-n: "POWER NAP! VERY EFFECTIVE!"
Rakki: "You drooled on the textbook."
Ci-n: "KNOWLEDGE ABSORPTION! MULTIPLE METHODS!"
Percy arrived with Honey. He wasn't studying—just documenting.
Percy: "THE JAYFER STUDY SESSION! HISTORIC! CI-N, ANGLE!"
Ci-n: "ON IT!"
They circled Jay and Keifer like documentary filmmakers.
Jay was explaining something to Keifer. He listened. Actually listened.
Jay: "—and then the formula changes if you apply it to—are they filming us?"
Keifer looked up. Percy and Ci-n. Phones out.
Keifer: "Yes."
Jay: "PERCY."
Percy: "JAY! DON'T MIND US! CONTINUE BEING SMART AND ROMANTIC!"
Jay: "We're studying."
Percy: "STUDYING TOGETHER IS ROMANTIC!"
Keifer: "It's really not."
Percy: "IT IS WITH THE RIGHT LENS!"
Ci-n: "I HAVE THE RIGHT LENS!"
Rakki grabbed them both. "Outside. Now."
Percy: "BUT THE DOCUMENTATION—"
Rakki: "Can wait."
Aries and Ella arrived mid-afternoon.
Aries: "We need help with math."
Ella: "We need help with everything."
Jay: "Sit. We'll figure it out."
They joined the group. Aries beside Ella. Both looking overwhelmed.
Aries: "I hate math."
Ella: "Math hates you."
Aries: "Same thing?"
Ella: "Same thing."
Keifer helped them through a problem. Patient. Clear.
Aries: "You're actually good at this."
Keifer: "I have my moments."
Aries: "Don't let it go to your head."
Keifer: "Too late."
Jay smiled. Brother-in-law bonding.
Hours passed.
Books were read. Notes were written. Snacks were devoured.
Grazel Jay toddled through occasionally, throwing "study flowers" for luck.
Grazel Jay: "FLOWERS FOR KNOWLEDGE!"
Denzel followed. "She's been doing this all day."
Grace: "We're very proud."
Jay caught a flower. "Thanks, baby."
Grazel Jay: "YOU'RE WELCOME! NOW PASS!"
Keigan and Keiren helped by being loud elsewhere.
Tita Gema: "THE BOYS ARE IN THE BACK YARD! BURNING ENERGY!"
Jasfer: "Burning energy or burning something else?"
Tita Gema: "...UNKNOWN!"
By evening, brains were fried.
Mica: "I can't read anymore."
Calix: "Same."
Freya: "I'm leaving."
Edrix: "You have two more chapters."
Freya: "I'm leaving AND taking the chapters with me."
Edrix: "That's... actually responsible."
Freya: "Shut up."
Rory packed his flashcards. Drew counted his winnings (David had slept through the entire session). Eren had befriended a bird outside. Josh cleaned up quietly.
Baster hummed a "studying is done" melody.
Ci-n was asleep again. Percy took photos.
Percy: "PEACEful CI-N. RARE FOOTAGE."
Rakki: "He's going to wake up cranky."
Percy: "WORTH IT."
Jay and Keifer on the couch. Finally done.
Jay: "My brain is empty."
Keifer: "Same."
Jay: "We survived."
Keifer: "Barely."
Jay: "Tss."
Keifer: "Stop."
Jay: "No."
He kissed her temple.
Aries and Ella nearby. Ella asleep against Aries' shoulder.
Aries: "She's heavy."
Jay: "You love it."
Aries: "I tolerate it."
Jay: "Same thing?"
Aries: "Not the same thing."
But he didn't move.
Percy appeared with Honey.
Percy: "STUDY SESSION: SUCCESS! JAYFER: STILL CUTE! ARIES: PRETENDING TO BE TOUGH! ELLA: SLEEPING BEAUTY!"
Aries: "Percy, I will end you."
Percy: "YOU CAN'T END ME! I'M DOCUMENTING!"
Honey: "He's been like this all day."
Keifer: "We noticed."
Honey: "I'm sorry."
Percy: "YOU'RE NOT SORRY!"
Honey: "I'm really not."
Night fell.
Section E trickled out. Promises to study more tomorrow.
Jay and Keifer on the patio. Stars above.
Jay: "Today was productive."
Keifer: "Today was exhausting."
Jay: "Same thing?"
Keifer: "Same thing."
Jay: "I love you."
Keifer: "I love you too."
Jay: "Even when you're bossy about math?"
Keifer: "Especially then."
She laughed. Leaned against him.
Inside, Percy's voice: "THEY'RE ON THE PATIO! CI-N, WAKE UP!"
Ci-n: "MMM... FIVE MORE MINUTES..."
Percy: "THERE'S NO TIME! JAYFER MOMENTS ARE HAPPENING!"
Rakki: "Let them sleep."
Percy: "HISTORY CAN'T SLEEP!"
Jay smiled.
Keifer kissed her hair.
Perfect.