If there was one thing Jay-jay disliked, it was unfinished conversations.
And Keifer's "nothing" from earlier?
That was unfinished.
The next morning, Section E was louder than usual. A surprise announcement had spread like wildfire — inter-class academic competition. Debate, quiz bowl, problem-solving rounds. The works.
Winner gets recognition. Bragging rights. And, more importantly, control over the class project partners for the term.
Control.
Jay-jay's favorite word.
"Our representatives will be chosen based on performance," the adviser announced. "Top two scorers from this week's assessments."
Murmurs spread instantly.
Everyone already knew who that meant.
Jay-jay didn't look up from her notebook.
Across the room, Keifer smirked.
Of course.
After class, students gathered in small groups, speculating loudly.
"You two are obviously representing us," one of their classmates said, pointing between Jay-jay and Keifer.
Jay-jay zipped her bag calmly. "Obviously."
Keifer tilted his head. "Confident."
"Accurate."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough so it felt private.
"You planning to win?"
She met his gaze without hesitation. "I don't plan to lose."
Something shifted in his expression.
Not teasing.
Not entirely.
"Good," he said. "Wouldn't want to carry you."
She scoffed softly. "You couldn't."
Their shoulders almost brushed when they walked out of the classroom.
Almost.
Near the staircase, Aries was waiting again.
Jay-jay raised a brow. "Do you attend school here now?"
"Just observing," he replied lightly.
Keifer's jaw tightened — barely noticeable.
Aries noticed.
Of course he did.
"You joining the competition?" Aries asked casually.
"Yeah," Keifer answered before Jay-jay could. "Wouldn't miss it."
Aries studied him for a second longer than necessary.
Then he smiled — calm, unreadable.
"Good. I like serious competition."
Jay-jay crossed her arms. "Why does it feel like you're talking about something else?"
Neither of them answered.
Aries checked his watch. "Don't be late for lunch. Mom called."
She nodded, and he walked off.
Silence lingered for half a second too long.
"You smile differently around him," Keifer muttered.
There it was again.
Jay-jay turned slowly.
"I smile around my brother," she said evenly.
"That's not what I meant."
"Then explain what you meant."
He hesitated.
Pride versus honesty.
Round one.
"You look relaxed," he said finally. "You're not like that here."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"And whose fault is that?"
That caught him off guard.
"For someone who says 'nothing,' you seem very bothered," she added.
"I'm not bothered."
"You are."
"I'm not."
She stepped closer — just enough to invade his space this time.
"Then stop watching me like you are."
His heartbeat betrayed him before his expression did.
"Maybe I don't mind watching."
The air shifted.
Not playful.
Not fully serious.
Just charged.
Jay-jay held his gaze for three steady seconds.
Then she stepped back.
"Focus on the competition, Waston," she said calmly. "Try not to get distracted."
And she walked away first.
For the first time since yesterday,
He wasn't sure who was winning.