Jay's POV
Walking back to class was a mistake.
I knew it halfway down the hallway.
My head felt worse now.
Every step made the floor feel slightly tilted.
Maybe the nurse was right.
Maybe I should've stayed.
But turning back now felt embarrassing.
So I kept walking.
When I reached the classroom door, I pushed it open.
Felix noticed immediately.
"Look who's back!"
Ci-N leaned over his desk.
"Lap pillow returns!"
Yuri glanced at me.
Then frowned slightly.
"You look worse."
"I'm fine," I muttered, walking toward my desk.
Keifer was watching me again.
Silent.
Observing.
I sat down.
The room spun slightly.
Felix leaned closer.
"So… did the president miss you?"
"Felix," David warned.
Ci-N whispered loudly.
"Maybe she missed him."
I stood up suddenly.
Bad idea.
The moment I stood—
My vision blurred.
The classroom tilted.
My balance disappeared.
Someone said my name.
"Jay."
Then everything went dark for a second.
But before I hit the floor—
Strong arms caught me.
Gasps filled the room.
When my vision cleared slightly, I realized what happened.
Keifer was holding me.
Actually holding me.
In his arms.
Felix jumped out of his chair.
"WOAH!"
Ci-N pointed dramatically.
"PRINCESS CARRY!"
Yuri stood up immediately.
"Shut up, this isn't funny."
Keifer didn't say anything.
His jaw was tight.
He looked down at me.
"You're going to the clinic."
"I'm fi—"
"No."
And before I could argue…
He lifted me completely.
The classroom exploded with noise.
Felix shouted,
"BRO THIS IS A DRAMA SCENE!"
Ci-N clapped.
"THIS IS BETTER THAN TV!"
Yuri smacked Ci-N's head.
"Be quiet!"
Keifer ignored all of them.
He walked straight out of the classroom.
Fast.
The hallway felt colder.
My head rested slightly against his shoulder.
I barely had the energy to protest anymore.
When we reached the clinic again, the nurse looked up.
"Oh my— what happened now?"
Keifer's voice was calm but firm.
"She fainted."
"I didn't faint," I murmured weakly.
"Close enough."
The nurse guided him to the bed.
"Lay her down."
He did.
The room spun again.
The nurse checked my pulse.
"You pushed yourself again, didn't you?"
I didn't answer.
She prepared a syringe.
I blinked slowly.
"What's that?"
"Something to help you sleep."
"I don't need—"
Keifer spoke quietly.
"Give it to her."
I turned my head weakly.
"You're bossy."
"You're stubborn."
The nurse gently injected the medicine into my arm.
A warm heaviness spread through my body.
My eyelids suddenly felt very heavy.
Keifer was still standing beside the bed.
Watching.
The last thing I heard before sleep pulled me under was his voice.
"Next time," he muttered quietly, "listen when someone tells you to rest."
Then everything faded.
End of Chapter 40 📖