jayjay (pov)
The last paper felt… different.
I sat there with my pen in my hand, staring at the question paper for a second longer than usual. Not because I didn't know anything—but because it finally hit me.
This was the last one.
I exhaled slowly and started writing.
This time, I didn't rush. I read every question properly, understood it, and then answered. No panic, no flipping through everything in my head. Just… steady.
Around me, the classroom was quieter than usual. A few people were still tapping their pens or turning pages too fast, but it wasn't as chaotic as the earlier exams.
Time passed before I even noticed.
And then—
The bell rang.
For a second, no one moved.
I blinked, looked down at my paper, then at my pen, and slowly placed it on the desk.
Done.
I was actually done.
A chair scraped loudly behind me.
"IT'S OVER!" Cin shouted, and that was it.
The whole class exploded.
Felix literally threw his pen in the air. "Freedom, finally!"
Rory slapped the desk like he had just won something. "I'm never opening a book again."
"You say that every time," Josh said, but even he was smiling.
Mayo stood up dramatically. "We survived. Respect."
"Barely," Edrix added, stretching like he had just come out of a war.
I couldn't help it—I laughed. Properly laughed after so many days.
I turned slightly and my eyes landed on Keifer.
He wasn't loud like the others. Just standing there, calm as usual—but something about him looked lighter.
"Done?" he asked.
"Done," I replied.
He nodded once. "Good."
That was it. But somehow, it felt enough.
"Okay, listen!" Cin climbed onto a bench like he was about to give a speech. "We are NOT going home like normal people today."
"We are definitely going home," Josh said immediately.
"No, we are not," Cin pointed at him. "Today is a historic day."
Felix leaned forward. "Amusement park?"
There was a second of silence.
Then everyone spoke at once.
"Yes."
"Obviously."
"Done."
"Finally something useful."
"Today?" I asked.
"No, idiot," Mayo said. "We go home, get ready, then meet."
"Where?" Rory asked.
"MN's," Felix said instantly.
"Perfect."
"Locked."
"Final."
"Two hours," Josh added.
"Three," Rory argued.
"Two," Keifer said.
That settled it.
I shook my head, smiling at how fast everything turned into chaos.
"Don't be late," Keifer said, looking at me.
"I won't."
"You will."
"I won't."
"We'll see."
I rolled my eyes, but didn't argue further.
Later, I stood in front of my mirror, staring at myself.
I changed my outfit once.
Then again.
"This is stupid," I muttered, fixing my hair for the third time.
Still, I didn't stop.
After a moment, I stepped back. "Okay… this is fine."
Good enough.
I grabbed my phone and left.
MN's was already loud when I reached.
Of course they were early.
Cin was the first to notice me. "Finally! She decided to show up!"
"I'm not late," I said, walking in.
"You are emotionally late," Felix added.
"That doesn't even make sense."
"Neither do you sometimes," Rory said.
I ignored them and looked around.
Josh was leaning near the entrance. Mayo and Felix were already arguing about something pointless. Edrix was busy on his phone.
And Keifer—
standing near the table, watching everything like he wasn't part of the chaos.
Until I walked in.
His eyes shifted to me immediately.
"Late," he said.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
He didn't argue further. Just looked at me for a second, then nodded slightly. "Fine."
"LET'S GO!" Cin shouted again. "We're wasting time!"
"You came one hour early," Josh reminded him.
"Exactly. Respect my dedication."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Yes."
I laughed again as we all started moving out together.
Same group. Same chaos.
But this time, no pressure waiting after.
As we headed toward the amusement park—
for once—
we were just… free.