Friday, May 3 – Afternoon / St. Ivy High
Back to Class 1-A
After the cheers, the final claps, and a confetti cannon someone still refused to admit to owning, the halls of St. Ivy were filled with voices again.
Students walked slowly now—not rushing for class, but drifting. Laughing. Saying goodbyes. Planning.
Jay wandered back toward Class 1-A.
By the time he entered, most of the usual crew was already there.
Sofia sat on top of a desk, swinging her legs while sorting through a mess of flyers and coloured pens.
Tyler was leaned back in his chair, half-asleep but still smiling like he just scored a winning goal.
Amaya was refolding the empty bakery boxes with calm precision.
Noah was already halfway into a story about how "he almost got invited to the honor roll and would've gone if his dramatic talent was considered a subject."
Yuki sat by the window, hands folded neatly, eyes closed like she was storing memories.
Miles scrolled his phone. Didn't look up.
Emma stood by the board, arms crossed, watching them all with quiet amusement.
Luna was on the floor, sketching again.
And Jay…
He just stood at the door for a second, watching them.
Then stepped in like he never left.
The Club Chat's Final Ping
Jay checked his phone.
The anonymous group chat— "C.A.N.", as they'd started calling it—was still open. Still sixteen members.
Still unnamed faces behind profile pics of moons, cats, trees, and strange emojis.
He sent the final message.
JAY (admin):
We'll reopen next year.
Same name, new tricks.
Until then—stay quiet, stay weird.
You made this year unforgettable.
Within seconds:
Someone posted a frog in sunglasses.
Someone else sent emojis
Another wrote: "Best club I never joined."
Jay smirked, then locked his phone.
What's the Plan?
"Alright," Tyler said, sitting up and stretching, "real talk: what are we doing for summer?"
"You mean besides ignoring everything school-related?" Miles asked without looking up.
"I'm going to the mountains for a few days," Yuki said quietly. "No signal. No people. It'll be nice."
Sofia popped up. "I've got a summer internship with the Student Council accountants. Voluntarily, I might add."
Noah dropped his face into his desk. "You are the villain of my vacation arc."
Emma nodded. "I'm studying. There's an entrance test for a special program I want."
"You say that like it's shocking," Tyler said.
Luna added without looking up, "I'm painting a mural. Big one. In my neighbour's café."
Everyone turned.
Sofia blinked. "You have neighbours?"
"Yes."
"...Cool."
Emma glanced toward Jay.
"You?"
Jay looked up from his phone.
"I'll mostly be at my apartment," he said casually. "So if anyone has plans… I'm up."
There was a pause.
Tyler snapped his fingers. "That is the most Jay thing I've ever heard."
"I second that," Sofia said. "Vague, cool, somehow mysterious."
"I'm literally just staying home."
"That's what makes it worse!" Noah yelled.
The Final Moments
They stayed in the classroom for another twenty minutes. Talking. Joking. Making ridiculous promises none of them would keep.
Eventually, the room began to thin.
Yuki stood and gave a quiet wave. "See you."
Noah threw a salute. "I'm leaving dramatically, don't follow me."
Miles mumbled, "I'll text later. Or not."
Luna packed her sketchbook. "Bye."
Sofia gathered her folders like they were treasure maps. "Group trip before school starts again, yeah?"
Emma just nodded and slipped out the door with quiet grace.
And then… there were three.
The Walk Home
Tyler stretched his arms and stood. "Iris is waiting near the back gate. I promised ice cream."
Jay nodded. "Tell her hi."
"You coming with us?"
Jay shook his head. "I'm walking with Amaya."
Tyler gave a mock salute. "Don't get lost in conversation."
He winked once. Then left.
Jay turned toward Amaya, who was already zipping up her bag. She gave him a soft look.
"Ready?"
Jay nodded.
They walked through the hall slowly. No one else around now.
Just their footsteps and the occasional creak of a locker closing somewhere in the distance.
Outside, the city felt wider. Brighter.
Amaya glanced sideways as they turned the corner.
"You really don't have any plans?"
Jay shrugged. "I don't like planning."
She smiled. "Then it's a good thing I do."
He smiled back. "Lead the way."
As they walked together under the gold-lit sky, Jay didn't think about school, or grades, or what came next.
He just walked.
And for once, that was enough.