🖤 Keifer's POV — School Day
She walked in.
Cold.
Untouched.
Like this place meant nothing to her anymore.
—
Everyone noticed.
Of course they did.
—
Ci N rushed forward first. "Jay, please… just listen to me once, okay?"
No response.
—
Calix stepped in. "We messed up, I know that… but we didn't mean for it to go this far—"
Nothing.
—
Felix tried next. "At least hear us out… we were wrong, we admit it."
Silence.
—
Yuri's voice softened. "Jay… we're really sorry. We should've told you."
—
David looked straight at her. "We didn't handle it right. But don't just shut us out like this…"
—
She didn't stop.
Didn't slow down.
Didn't even properly look at them.
—
She walked past.
Like they weren't there.
—
Sat down.
Opened her book.
Started reading.
—
That was it.
—
No anger.
No shouting.
No confrontation.
—
Just indifference.
—
And somehow—
That was worse.
—
I didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Just watched.
—
Because there was nothing I could say that wouldn't make things worse.
—
Then—
The classroom door opened.
Edrix walked in, clapping once.
"Alright, everyone, attention!"
—
The noise died down.
—
"There's a prom night this Friday," he announced.
Immediate reactions.
—
"And yes—Section E is included this time."
Now the room actually woke up.
—
"Theme is partner-based," he continued. "Everyone comes with a partner. And you're allowed to bring outsiders."
—
Excitement spread instantly.
Voices overlapping.
Plans starting.
—
Except her.
—
She didn't react.
Didn't even look up.
—
Yuri still turned to her.
Careful.
"Jay… if you don't have anyone… you can come with me."
—
She closed her book slowly.
Looked at him.
—
"I already have a partner."
Flat.
Clear.
—
The room paused.
—
Ci N frowned. "Partner?"
Calix looked confused. "Since when?"
Felix leaned forward. "Who?"
—
I looked at her.
—
"Jason?" I asked.
—
Silence.
—
Her eyes met mine.
Cold.
Sharp.
—
"Yes."
—
A pause.
—
Then she added—
"Try to keep up."
—
That landed.
—
Not loud.
But sharp enough.
—
The class reacted immediately.
"Wait—Jason?" Felix said.
"As in that Jason?" Calix added.
Ci N looked between us. "Since when do you even know him?"
David frowned. "Isn't he your—"
He stopped.
—
Everyone knew enough to be confused.
—
"How do you even know him?" Yuri asked.
"And why is he coming here?" Felix added.
"Isn't he your enemy?" Calix looked at me.
—
Before I could respond—
A voice cut in.
—
"I was always here."
—
Everyone turned.
—
Jason.
—
Leaning against the door.
Watching.
—
"I just wasn't around for some time," he added calmly.
"For reasons."
A pause.
Then—
"Now I'm back."
—
The room went silent.
—
Tension.
Immediate.
—
He walked in.
Straight to her.
—
Like nothing else mattered.
—
Stopped beside her.
Close.
Too close.
—
And she—
Didn't step away.
—
That was enough.
—
I stood up.
Chair scraping against the floor.
—
"You don't get to just walk in here," I said.
—
Jason looked at me.
Calm.
Unbothered.
—
"And you don't get to decide that."
—
I stepped forward.
Closer.
—
"This isn't your place."
—
He stepped forward too.
Now we were face to face.
—
"Seems like it is."
—
The tension snapped.
—
"You're crossing a line."
—
"You think I care about your lines?"
—
That was it.
—
I grabbed his collar.
Pulled him forward.
—
And he grabbed mine right back.
—
Now we were locked.
Close.
Tense.
—
The class froze.
No one moved.
—
"You don't belong anywhere near her," I said, voice low.
—
"And you don't get to decide who stands next to her," he shot back.
—
Grip tightened.
—
"Let go."
—
Jay's voice.
Sharp.
—
Neither of us moved.
—
"Jason."
—
That did it.
—
He looked at her.
Then let go.
—
I released him a second later.
—
Jay grabbed his arm.
Firm.
—
"Let's go."
—
He leaned slightly closer to me before stepping back.
"Stay out of it."
—
Then straightened.
—
"Come on, Jass," she said.
—
And then—
Casually.
Like it meant nothing—
—
"Alright, darling."
—
The word stayed.
—
They walked out.
Together.
—
Close.
Too close.
—
The room stayed silent for a few seconds after they left.
—
Then—
It exploded.
—
"What was that?" Felix asked immediately.
"Since when is Jason here?" Calix added.
Ci N looked at me. "And why was he with Jay?"
Yuri frowned. "What is going on?"
—
I didn't answer.
—
Just stood there.
Jaw tight.
—
Hands clenched.
—
Trying to process—
Everything.
—
"Keifer?" David said. "Say something."
—
Silence.
—
Then—
I spoke.
Flat.
Controlled.
—
"He's her ex."
—
That hit.
—
"What?" Felix said.
"Ex?" Ci N repeated.
Calix blinked. "Since when?"
—
Yuri frowned deeper. "That doesn't make sense."
—
He stepped closer.
"Jason lives in New York… how would he even know Jay?"
—
More confusion.
More questions.
—
"And if he's your enemy," Felix added, "then how—"
—
I slammed my hand on the table.
—
The sound echoed.
—
Everyone went quiet instantly.
—
Because this time—
I wasn't calm.
—
My jaw tightened.
Eyes sharp.
—
"That's the thing," I said.
—
A pause.
—
"I'm not able to understand that either."
🖤 Jay's POV — Terrace
The terrace was quiet.
Finally.
No whispers.
No stares.
No tension crawling under my skin.
Just wind… and space to breathe.
—
Jass placed the food box on the low wall like he owned the place.
"Sit, darling."
I rolled my eyes immediately. "Stop calling me that."
"Make me."
"Don't test me, Jass."
He smirked. "There it is."
I ignored him and sat anyway.
—
I opened the box and took a bite.
"…Okay, this is actually good."
He put a hand dramatically on his chest. "Only good? I'm offended."
"Be grateful I didn't throw it."
"Violence again. Very concerning."
"Deserved."
—
For a moment…
It felt normal.
Light.
Like nothing messy existed outside this terrace.
—
Then I looked at him.
"You didn't have to create a whole scene back there."
He raised an eyebrow. "Scene?"
"In class," I said. "You and Keifer."
"Oh," he shrugged. "That."
"You enjoyed it."
A small grin. "A little."
"Jass."
"Jay."
"Don't do that again."
He leaned back slightly, watching me.
"Noted, darling."
I narrowed my eyes. "I said stop—"
"Relax."
I exhaled, looking away.
—
And then—
Without warning—
My mind drifted.
—
This same terrace.
Different day.
Different feeling.
—
I was standing near the railing, trying to fix my hair because the wind was being annoying.
"Stay still," Keifer had said behind me.
"I am still," I snapped.
"You're moving."
"That's because you're doing it wrong."
He scoffed lightly. "You don't even know what I'm doing."
"Exactly. That's the problem."
—
And then suddenly—
He turned me around.
Too close.
Way too close.
—
"Trust me," he said quietly.
I remember rolling my eyes.
But I didn't move.
—
His fingers brushed lightly against my hair as he fixed the strand that kept falling.
Careful.
Gentle.
—
And for a second—
Everything went quiet.
—
No arguments.
No teasing.
Just…
That moment.
—
"Done," he said finally.
But he didn't step back immediately.
—
Neither did I.
—
I blinked.
Back to now.
—
My chest tightened slightly.
—
Was that real?
Or was I just… another part of something planned?
—
Every moment like that—
Did it even mean anything?
—
My grip on the fork tightened.
—
"Jay."
Jass's voice pulled me back.
I blinked. "Hmm?"
He was watching me closely.
"You disappeared."
I shrugged lightly. "Just thinking."
"Dangerous habit."
"You too."
—
A pause.
—
Then suddenly—
He snatched the box from my hands.
"Hey—!"
Too late.
—
He stepped back, holding it out of reach.
"You think too much, you lose food privileges."
"JASS—give it back."
"Nope."
I stood up immediately. "I'm serious."
"So am I."
—
I stepped forward.
He stepped back.
—
"Give it."
"Say please."
"Absolutely not."
"Then no food."
—
I glared.
He smirked.
—
So I jumped to grab it—
—
And missed.
My foot slipped slightly—
—
"Whoa—"
—
Before I could actually fall—
Jass caught me.
—
His arm wrapped around my waist instantly.
Pulling me toward him.
—
And suddenly—
I wasn't falling anymore.
—
I was… very close.
—
Too close.
—
My hand instinctively grabbed his shirt.
His other hand still holding the food box.
—
We both froze for a second.
—
Our faces inches apart.
—
His grip steady.
Secure.
—
"Careful, darling," he said softly. "Trying to jump without balance now?"
My heart skipped.
Annoying.
—
I straightened immediately, pulling away.
"I would've been fine."
"Clearly."
"Shut up."
He chuckled, handing the box back.
"Here. Before you injure yourself again."
"Idiot."
"Your Jass."
I paused for half a second.
Then looked away. "Don't say things like that."
"Like what?"
"Like… that."
He didn't push.
Just smiled slightly.
—
And just like that—
The heaviness in my chest eased.
A little.
—
I sat back down.
Took another bite.
—
Then—
"Oh."
He glanced at me. "What now?"
"There's a prom this Friday."
He raised an eyebrow. "Prom?"
"Yeah. Partner theme. We can bring outsiders."
A pause.
Then I looked at him.
"…Come with me."
—
He blinked once.
Then leaned slightly closer.
"Are you asking me out, darling?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't make it weird."
"It's already weird."
"It's just for the event."
"Of course it is."
I narrowed my eyes. "Jass."
He smirked. "Say it properly."
"I already did."
"Not convincingly."
"Do you want me to beg?"
"Wouldn't mind."
"Get lost."
He laughed softly.
—
Then, after a second—
"Of course I'll come," he said.
Simple.
Certain.
—
I looked at him.
"…Okay."
"Only okay?"
"Don't push it."
"Ungrateful."
"Overconfident."
—
A small silence followed.
Comfortable.
—
Then he stood up.
"Come on."
I frowned. "Where?"
He looked at me like it was obvious.
"Mariano Group of Industries."
—
I blinked.
"Oh."
Right.
Back to reality.
—
I stood up, brushing my hands.
"Okayy."
—
We walked toward the stairs.
—
And for the first time today—
My chest didn't feel as heavy.
—
Not gone.
—
Just… quieter.
—
And right now—
That was enough.
🖤 Jay's POV — Parking Lot
We reached the parking area.
Jass walked straight to the driver's side like it was his legal right.
—
"Nope."
He stopped.
Turned slowly.
"…Nope?"
"I'm driving."
Silence.
Then—
"No."
I crossed my arms. "Yes."
"I value my life, darling."
"Oh my god."
"I have dreams, Jay," he continued dramatically. "A future. A long, peaceful life. I would like to survive long enough to be engaged to you."
I stared at him. "You're unbelievable."
"I'm alive. That's my goal."
"JASS."
"JAY."
—
"Keys," I said, extending my hand.
"No."
"Give them."
"Absolutely not."
—
I stepped closer.
He stepped back.
—
"Trust me."
"I don't."
"Rude."
"Alive."
—
I exhaled sharply.
"Please."
He froze for a second.
"…Was that—"
"Yes. Now give."
"No."
—
I tilted my head slightly.
"Fine."
A pause.
Then casually—
"I'll do whatever you want if you let me drive."
—
Silence.
—
Slowly…
A very dangerous smile appeared on his face.
—
"Whatever I want?" he repeated.
I waved it off. "Yeah, yeah."
He leaned slightly closer.
"Are you sure about that, darling?"
"Don't make it weird."
"Oh, I will absolutely make it weird."
"JASS."
"Hmm?"
"Keys."
—
He stared at me for a second longer.
Then sighed dramatically.
"Fine."
He placed the keys in my hand.
"But please," he added, stepping aside, "let me live long enough to complete my wish."
"What wish?"
"To see our fake engagement become real."
"GET IN THE CAR."
He laughed.
—
I got into the driver's seat.
He sat beside me—already suspicious.
—
"Seatbelt," he said immediately.
"I know."
"Double check."
"Jass—"
"DOUBLE check."
I clicked it again.
"There."
"Good. I'm not dying today."
—
I started the engine.
—
And then—
I pressed the accelerator.
Hard.
—
The car shot forward.
—
"JAY—!"
—
I didn't slow down.
—
Fast.
Very fast.
—
Like the road was a track.
Like I was in a race.
—
Cars blurred past.
Turns came and went in seconds.
—
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?"
I laughed.
"This is normal!"
"THIS IS NOT NORMAL!"
—
I switched lanes smoothly—
Too smoothly—
Too fast—
—
"JAY, I HAVE A FAMILY—"
"You're not even married."
"I HAD PLANS!"
—
I took a sharp turn—
Perfect control—
—
He grabbed the handle above the door like his life depended on it.
Which, to be fair—
It did.
—
"BRAKE—"
"I AM IN CONTROL."
"THIS IS NOT CONTROL, THIS IS A DEATH WISH."
—
I smirked and sped up even more.
—
Wind rushing.
Engine roaring.
—
"Slow down!"
"No."
"JAY—"
"Relax, darling."
"DON'T CALL ME DARLING RIGHT NOW."
I laughed.
—
Another turn.
Clean.
Precise.
Fast.
—
His head slightly hit the seat.
"I'm going to die."
"You're being dramatic."
"I SEE MY ANCESTORS."
—
I swerved past a car smoothly.
—
"APOLOGIZE TO ME RIGHT NOW."
"For what?"
"FOR THIS."
"No."
—
He looked at me.
Then at the road.
Then back at me.
—
"…You're actually in control."
I smirked. "Obviously."
"I hate that you're good at this."
"Say it properly."
"You're terrifying."
"I'll take that."
—
I slowed down slightly.
Just slightly.
—
He relaxed for half a second.
—
Then I sped up again.
—
"JAY."
I burst out laughing.
"You deserve that."
"I regret everything."
"You agreed."
"I WAS TRICKED."
—
We finally reached the building.
—
Mariano Group of Industries
—
I parked perfectly.
Smooth.
Clean.
Like nothing chaotic just happened.
—
Engine off.
Silence.
—
Jass didn't move.
—
Just sat there.
Staring ahead.
—
"…Am I alive?"
I laughed. "Unfortunately."
He slowly turned to me.
"I saw my entire life flash before my eyes."
"Drama king."
"I met my future children."
"You don't have any."
"I DID IN MY VISION."
—
I opened the door and stepped out.
Still smiling.
—
He got out slowly.
Like he didn't trust the ground.
—
"You're insane," he said.
"You survived."
"Barely."
"You're fine."
"I'm emotionally damaged."
"Good."
—
He shook his head.
But there was a small smile.
—
We started walking toward the building.
—
And despite everything—
The chaos.
The speed.
The madness—
—
It felt… fun.
—
And that?
Was dangerous too.