Three months after graduation.
Summer had passed in a blur of celebrations, business meetings, and lazy days at the Fernandez house.
But now—
College decisions were due.
Jay sat at the kitchen table, papers spread everywhere. Keifer beside her, reviewing his own stack.
Jay: "I can't decide."
Keifer: "You've been saying that for weeks."
Jay: "Because it's TRUE."
Keifer: "What are your options?"
Jay: "State U. City College. International Studies program."
Keifer: "All good choices."
Jay: "I KNOW. That's the problem."
Keifer: "Tss."
Jay: "Stop."
Keifer: "No."
She threw a pen at him. He caught it.
Jay: "What about you?"
Keifer: "Same schools. Same program."
Jay: "So we could go together?"
Keifer: "If you want."
Jay: "I always want."
Keifer: "Then we will."
Jay: "Smooth."
Keifer: "Honest."
The news spread quickly.
Section E gathered at the Fernandez house for a "college decisions" meeting.
Ci-n burst through the door first. "I GOT IN! I GOT INTO STATE U!"
Rakki followed. "We both got in."
Ci-n: "WE'RE GOING TO COLLEGE TOGETHER!"
Rakki: "I know."
Ci-n: "THIS IS THE BEST DAY!"
Rakki: "Calm down."
Ci-n: "I CAN'T! EMOTIONS!"
Percy appeared with Honey. "COLLEGE DECISIONS! DOCUMENTING!"
Ci-n: "PERCY! I GOT IN!"
Percy: "CONGRATULATIONS, SHORTY!"
Ci-n: "THANKS, UNCIRCUMCISED BRAT!"
They high-fived.
Rakki: "Those two."
Mica: "Never change."
Mica and Calix arrived next.
Mica: "State U. Both of us."
Calix: "Same program."
Mica: "Same classes."
Calix: "Same everything."
Mica: "We're those people now."
Calix: "Those people?"
Mica: "The couple that does everything together."
Calix: "Is that bad?"
Mica: "No. It's us."
Calix: "Good."
He kissed her cheek.
Freya walked in with Edrix.
Freya: "State U. Obviously."
Edrix: "Same."
Freya: "We're not those people."
Edrix: "What people?"
Freya: "The couple that does everything together."
Edrix: "We're going to the same school. Same program. Same classes."
Freya: "That's DIFFERENT."
Edrix: "How?"
Freya: "I don't know. It just is."
Edrix: "Tss."
Freya: "Did you just—"
Edrix: "Maybe."
Freya: "That's Keifer's thing."
Edrix: "It's everyone's thing now."
Freya: "...Fine."
Rory came in with his laptop. "State U. Computer Science. Optimal choice."
Drew followed. "State U. Business. I'll bet on everything."
David shuffled behind him. "State U. Sleeping. Major undecided."
Drew: "That's not a major."
David: "It should be."
Eren bounced in. "I got into State U! And I made a friend! A squirrel! His name is Harold Junior!"
Josh nodded approvingly.
Baster hummed a college anthem.
Aries and Ella arrived last.
Aries: "State U. Both of us."
Ella: "Different programs. Same school."
Aries: "Close enough."
Ella: "Same thing?"
Aries: "Same thing."
Jay: "So everyone's going to State U?"
Everyone looked at each other.
Ci-n: "I GUESS SO!"
Rakki: "Apparently."
Mica: "That's convenient."
Calix: "That's fate."
Freya: "That's annoying."
Edrix: "That's perfect."
Freya: "Shut up."
Edrix: "Never."
Jay looked at Keifer.
Jay: "State U?"
Keifer: "State U."
Jay: "Together?"
Keifer: "Always."
Jay: "Tss."
Keifer: "Stop."
Jay: "No."
He kissed her.
Percy: "DOCUMENTING!"
Ci-n: "FROM THREE ANGLES!"
Rakki: "Those two."
Mica: "Forever."
Calix: "Always."
Tita Gema came out with snacks. "COLLEGE DECISIONS! CELEBRATION FOOD!"
Jasfer followed. "I'm so proud of all of you!"
Serina smiled. "State U is lucky to have you all."
Jay's grandma rocked in her chair. "COLLEGE! I NEVER WENT! BUT I APPROVE!"
Keigan: "Lola, you're crying again."
Jay's grandma: "I'M PROUD CRYING!"
Keiren: "Same thing?"
Jay's grandma: "SAME THING!"
Grazel Jay ran around throwing flowers. "COLLEGE FLOWERS! FOR EVERYONE!"
Denzel: "She's going to be a college student someday."
Grace: "Heaven help us."
Grazel Jay: "I'M GOING TO COLLEGE TOO! FOR FLOWERS!"
The celebration continued.
Food. Laughter. Plans.
Percy and Ci-n documented everything. Honey watched with amusement. Mayo and Kit arrived late but fabulous.
Mayo: "We heard there was a college party."
Kit: "We're here for the vibes."
Mayo: "And the food."
Kit: "Always."
Freya: "You two don't go to college."
Mayo: "We don't need college. We HAVE aesthetics."
Kit: "Same thing?"
Mayo: "Same thing."
Jay and Keifer slipped onto the patio.
Stars above. Quiet around.
Jay: "College."
Keifer: "Scared?"
Jay: "No."
Keifer: "Liar."
Jay: "Maybe a little."
Keifer: "Me too."
Jay: "You?"
Keifer: "New place. New people. New everything."
Jay: "But together?"
Keifer: "Together."
Jay: "Then we'll be fine."
Keifer: "I know."
Jay: "Tss."
Keifer: "Stop."
Jay: "No."
He kissed her.
Inside, Percy's voice: "THEY'RE KISSING ON THE PATIO!"
Ci-n: "DOCUMENTING!"
Rakki: "Leave them alone."
Percy: "HISTORY NEVER SLEEPS!"
But he stayed inside.
Let them have their moment.
Jay pulled back. Looked at him.
Jay: "Jayfer forever?"
Keifer: "Jayfer forever."
He kissed her forehead.
The stars watched.
Perfect.