Chapter: The Word I Swallowed
(Jay's POV)
Let me make something very clear.
I am the only girl in Section E.
The only one.
Surrounded by chaos, overconfidence, ego, IQ 160 monsters, and Keifer Watson.
So if anyone thinks I get "shy" easily—
They're wrong.
I don't get shy.
I get angry.
There's a difference.
The next day after the late-night call, I walked into Section E like nothing happened.
Ci-N was solving something on the board.
Felux and David were arguing about football.
Aries was half asleep.
And Keif?
He was watching me.
Not obvious.
But I noticed.
I always notice.
I dropped into my seat. "Why are you staring like I owe you money?"
"I'm checking if you slept."
"I did."
"For how long?"
"Why are you acting like my father?"
"I'm not."
"Then stop."
He didn't argue.
That's what bothered me.
Usually he would tease.
But today, he was calm.
Too calm.
During lunch, I struggled with my water bottle cap. It wouldn't open.
I was seconds away from declaring war when—
He took it from my hand.
Opened it.
Placed it back.
No comment.
No smirk.
Nothing.
"Did I look helpless?" I asked.
"Yes."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
I glared at him. "Stop acting like my bodyguard."
He leaned slightly closer. "Maybe I am."
Why does he say things like that so casually?
Later, after most of the boys left for practice, I stayed back to finish a note.
Only him and me in the classroom.
Sunlight coming through the windows.
Quiet.
I hate quiet.
It makes feelings louder.
"You didn't wake up again, right?" he asked suddenly.
I kept my eyes on my notebook. "Why?"
"Just answer."
"…No."
Lie.
I did wake up once.
But I didn't call.
Because I didn't want to depend on him that much.
He walked closer.
Not touching.
Just close enough to make my brain malfunction.
"You can call," he said quietly.
"I know."
Silence.
My hands felt warm.
Why am I nervous? This is Keif. The same idiot I fight with daily.
"Keif?" I said.
"Hmm?"
"When you said yesterday… that you won't let anything happen to me…"
He didn't interrupt.
He just looked at me like he was listening to every breath.
"Why are you like that?" I asked.
"Like what?"
"Like you're…" I hesitated. "Like you're mine."
The second I said it, my brain screamed.
Abort mission. Abort mission.
He didn't laugh.
Didn't tease.
His eyes changed.
"Yours?" he repeated softly.
"I didn't mean it like that," I said quickly. "I mean—not in that way—I mean like—like—"
Wow, Jay. Brilliant explanation.
He stepped closer.
Now I could feel his presence fully.
"What way?" he asked.
My heart was so loud I was sure he could hear it.
I looked up at him.
And there it was.
That word.
Sitting on my tongue.
Waiting.
I thought about the call.
About sleeping while he stayed.
About how safe I felt.
About how when he carried me, I didn't feel weak.
I felt protected.
My lips parted.
"Keif, I lo—"
The classroom door banged open.
Aries walked in with Ci-N behind him.
"Why is it so quiet in here?" Aries asked suspiciously.
I stepped back immediately.
"I lost my pen," I blurted.
Ci-N raised an eyebrow. "You almost screamed 'I lost' like a confession."
"Shut up."
Keif didn't say anything.
He just looked at me.
And the worst part?
He knew.
He absolutely knew what I was about to say.
Aries looked between us. "Why do you two look like someone paused a drama scene?"
"Because she—" Keif started.
I kicked his leg.
Hard.
He winced but smirked.
"Because she almost cried over a pen," he finished smoothly.
"I will actually cry if you don't shut up."
The boys laughed.
Normal again.
Noise.
Chaos.
Section E energy restored.
But when I sat down, I could still feel it.
That unfinished sentence.
That almost confession.
And when I looked at him—
He wasn't laughing.
He was watching me like he was waiting.
Like he knew I'd say it someday.
And the scariest part?
Next time…
I might not stop.