Keifer's POV
The moment Jay walked out of the cafeteria…
I followed her.
Immediately.
Behind me, Section E was still in complete chaos.
Felix pointed dramatically at the cafeteria exit. "GO AFTER HER!"
Ci-N looked stressed. "THIS IS BAD."
Rory was already pacing. "Who is Adrian?!"
Ci-n grabbed Calix's shoulders. "BRO WE'RE INSIDE A MYSTERY NOVEL."
David looked exhausted. "Please stop touching me."
Felix sighed deeply. "All of you are useless."
But I ignored them.
Because Jay looked wrong.
Not angry.
Not violent.
Scared.
And somehow…
that was worse.
I finally spotted her near the staircase hallway.
She was walking fast.
Too fast.
"Jay."
She didn't stop.
I caught up to her and grabbed her wrist gently.
"Jay."
This time she froze.
Her breathing was uneven.
I slowly moved in front of her.
And the moment I saw her face properly…
my chest tightened.
She looked pale.
Like the ground beneath her had disappeared.
"How does she know that name?" Jay whispered.
Not to me.
To herself.
I stayed quiet.
Because honestly…
I didn't know either.
Jay laughed suddenly.
But it wasn't a happy laugh.
It sounded nervous.
"No one here should know Adrian."
Her fingers curled slightly.
"She shouldn't know him."
"Jay—"
"She said it so casually."
Her voice shook slightly now.
Like hearing his name unexpectedly had reopened something painful.
I gently held her shoulders.
"Hey."
She looked at me.
Her eyes were unsettled.
And for the first time since meeting her…
Jay actually looked lost.
"She probably heard it somewhere," I said softly.
"But where?" Jay asked immediately.
"She doesn't know anything about my past."
Her breathing became heavier again.
"She doesn't know Adrian."
I slowly rubbed her arm.
"Calm down."
Jay closed her eyes tightly.
Then suddenly leaned forward slightly until her forehead rested against my chest.
I froze for half a second.
Then gently wrapped my arms around her.
"It's okay," I whispered.
"She only said a name."
"But that's the problem," Jay muttered weakly.
I rested my chin lightly against her head.
"You're overthinking."
"…Maybe."
But her voice lacked confidence.
For a while we stayed like that in the quiet hallway.
Just breathing.
Then I spoke softly.
"I'll figure it out."
Jay slowly looked up at me.
"You will?"
I nodded.
"Yeah."
Her expression softened slightly.
Not fully.
But enough.
Then suddenly—
"EXCUSE ME."
We both turned.
Felix stood at the end of the hallway dramatically with the rest of Section E behind him.
Ci-N pointed immediately. "I KNEW IT."
Rory covered Endrix's eyes. "Scandalous behavior."
"WHY ARE YOU COVERING MY EYES?" Endrix complained.
Calix sighed tiredly. "Can we please focus on the possible psychological crisis?"
Felix pointed at me accusingly. "President Keifer! This is a school hallway!"
Yuri smacked Felix's head. "She's literally upset."
"Oh."
Felix blinked. "…Right."
Jay immediately stepped away from me.
I sighed.
Idiots.
Absolute idiots.
But somehow…
Jay smiled slightly for the first time since leaving the cafeteria.
And honestly?
That was enough for me.
Matteo's POV
I found Matilda near the back corridor.
Freya stood beside her talking casually.
Neither of them noticed me approaching.
"Matilda."
Both girls turned.
Freya blinked. "Oh. Matteo."
But my eyes stayed on my sister.
"Where did you hear that name?"
Matilda frowned immediately. "What?"
"Adrian Santos."
The moment I said the name, Freya looked confused again.
"…Wait seriously, who IS Adrian?"
Matilda crossed her arms. "Why are you acting weird?"
"Answer me."
My voice came out sharper than intended.
Matilda looked irritated now.
"I just heard it somewhere."
"Where?"
"How should I remember?!"
I stepped closer.
"Matilda."
Freya immediately stepped between us slightly.
"Okay, calm down."
But I didn't move my eyes from my sister.
"Did someone tell you that name?"
Matilda hesitated for half a second.
Too quick for most people to notice.
But I noticed.
"You did hear it from someone," I said quietly.
Matilda looked annoyed now.
"A senior mentioned it before, okay?"
"What senior?"
"I DON'T KNOW."
She threw her hands up dramatically.
"I heard the name once and remembered it! Why is everyone acting insane over this?!"
Freya looked between us confused.
"…Did I miss several seasons of this story?"
Nobody answered her.
I studied Matilda carefully.
She looked irritated.
Confused.
But not guilty.
Which meant one thing.
She genuinely didn't understand why that name mattered.
And somehow…
that made this worse.
Much worse.