One week into college.
Section E had settled into a rhythm. Classes. Cafeteria lunches. Study sessions at the Fernandez house.
But one problem remained.
Chloe.
Keifer's project partner wouldn't leave him alone.
Every break. Every free moment. She was there.
Chloe: "Keifer, we should meet after class."
Keifer: "I have plans."
Chloe: "Cancel them."
Keifer: "No."
Chloe: "You're so difficult."
Keifer: "I'm taken."
Chloe: "She's not here right now."
Keifer: "She's always here. In my head."
Chloe: "That's weird."
Keifer: "That's love."
Jay noticed.
Of course she noticed.
Every time Chloe approached Keifer, Jay's eye twitched.
Mica: "You're going to burn a hole through her with your eyes."
Jay: "Worth it."
Rakki: "She's persistent."
Freya: "She's annoying."
Edrix: "She's something."
Freya: "Shut up."
Edrix: "Never."
Ci-n: "SISTER JAY, DO YOU NEED BACKUP? I HAVE A SPOON!"
Rakki: "Ci-n, no."
Ci-n: "CI-N YES!"
Percy was on video call. "I'M WATCHING! THIS IS CINEMA!"
The breaking point came on Friday.
Chloe approached their cafeteria table. Again.
Chloe: "Keifer, we need to work on the project. Tonight."
Keifer: "I'm busy."
Chloe: "With what?"
Keifer: "My future wife."
Chloe looked at Jay. "She can wait."
Jay stood.
Jay: "Excuse me?"
Chloe: "This is important."
Jay: "So is our dinner."
Chloe: "Dinner can be rescheduled."
Jay: "So can your project."
Chloe: "You're not his keeper."
Jay: "No. I'm his future wife. There's a difference."
Chloe: "What difference?"
Jay: "He actually wants me around."
Silence.
Then Ci-n: "OHHHHHHHHHH!"
Rakki: "Ci-n!"
Ci-n: "THAT WAS GOOD!"
Chloe's face reddened. "You think you're so special."
Jay: "I don't think. I know."
Chloe: "Know what?"
Jay: "That he loves me. That he chose me. That no amount of 'project meetings' will change that."
Chloe: "You're so confident."
Jay: "I have reason to be."
She looked at Keifer.
Keifer was watching her. That soft smile. That proud expression.
Jay: "Right, future husband?"
Keifer: "Right, future wife."
Chloe: "This is ridiculous."
Jay: "This is us. Get used to it or get lost."
Chloe walked away.
Again.
The table ERUPTED.
Ci-n: "SISTER JAY IS UNDEFEATED!"
Rakki: "That was beautiful."
Mica: "I'm crying."
Calix: "I'm scared."
Freya: "I'm impressed."
Edrix: "Very impressed."
Rory: "I logged the whole conversation."
Drew: "New bet! How many more times will Chloe try?"
David: "Three. Then she gives up."
Drew: "Bold."
Eren: "Wait, what's happening?"
Josh pointed at Jay. Gave two thumbs up.
Aries: "She's really something."
Ella: "She's really YOUR sister."
Aries: "Same thing?"
Ella: "Same thing."
Percy was losing it on the phone.
Percy: "THAT WAS ICONIC! CI-N, DID YOU GET IT?"
Ci-n: "FROM THREE ANGLES!"
Percy: "SEND THEM TO ME! I'M MAKING A COMPILATION!"
Rakki: "Those two."
Mica: "Dangerous."
Calix: "Chaotic."
Freya: "Perfect."
Edrix: "Agreed."
Freya: "Shut up."
Edrix: "Never."
Keifer pulled Jay close.
Keifer: "You know I love you, right?"
Jay: "I know."
Keifer: "And I don't care about Chloe."
Jay: "I know."
Keifer: "But watching you defend me is..."
Jay: "Is what?"
Keifer: "Hot."
Jay choked.
Ci-n: "KEIFER SAID IT WAS HOT!"
Rakki: "WE ALL HEARD!"
Mica: "JAYFER IS TOO POWERFUL!"
Freya: "I need a notebook."
Edrix: "I have one."
Freya: "Give it."
Edrix handed her a notebook.
Freya: "You just carry these?"
Edrix: "For moments like this."
Freya: "...Smooth."
Edrix: "I try."
Jay recovered. Sort of.
Jay: "You can't just say things like that."
Keifer: "Why not?"
Jay: "Because I'll malfunction."
Keifer: "Tss. Cute."
Jay: "That's MY thing."
Keifer: "OUR thing."
Jay: "Same thing?"
Keifer: "Same thing."
He kissed her.
Percy: "DOCUMENTING!"
Ci-n: "FROM THREE ANGLES!"
Rakki: "Those two."
Mica: "Forever."
Calix: "Always."
The rest of the day was normal.
Classes. Notes. Coffee.
But every time Chloe walked past, Jay smiled.
Not a nice smile.
A "try me" smile.
Chloe stopped trying.
Drew collected his winnings from David. David went back to sleep.
That night. Fernandez house.
Jay and Keifer on the patio.
Jay: "Today was exhausting."
Keifer: "Today was you being amazing."
Jay: "Same thing?"
Keifer: "Same thing."
Jay: "Tss."
Keifer: "Stop."
Jay: "No."
He kissed her forehead.
Jay: "I love you."
Keifer: "I love you too."
Jay: "Even when I threaten your project partner?"
Keifer: "Especially then."
Jay: "Good."
Keifer: "Jayfer forever?"
Jay: "Jayfer forever."
Inside, Percy was on the phone with Ci-n.
Percy: "THEY'RE KISSING AGAIN!"
Ci-n: "I HAVE THREE ANGLES READY!"
Rakki: "Go to sleep."
Percy: "HISTORY NEVER SLEEPS!"
But he yawned.
Ci-n yawned too.
They fell asleep on the phone together.
Rakki covered Ci-n with a blanket.
Mica: "Those two."
Calix: "Perfect."