I stepped out of my house. Bag slung over my shoulder. First day back. After… everything.
My chest tightened for a second. I pushed it aside. I wasn't fragile. Not anymore.
Keifer leaned against his car. Arms crossed. That faint teasing smile in place. "Ready, Jay?"
I shot him a look. Half-smirk forming. "I've been ready. Don't worry about me."
The drive to school was quiet. Just the hum of the engine. Keifer glanced at me once. Sharp eyes. Calm. Watching my back.
I noticed him glancing at my bag. Probably trying to see if I was hiding something. I hid a tiny smirk, knowing he'd be suspicious no matter what.
The school gates loomed ahead. Section E was already there. Curious as always.
Rory. Blaster. David. Denzel. Eman. Kit. Eyes following me as I walked past.
Shoulders straight. Head high. Nothing given away.
Yuri leaned against a railing. Calm as ever. Soft smile. "You okay?"
I smiled back. Fierce. Gentle. "Better than okay. Let's see if anyone dares mess with me today."
Cin was already bouncing around, clearly in his chaotic mood. "Jay's back! Jay's back! Did you guys see her? Did you?!"
Rory groaned. Blaster rolled his eyes. David laughed quietly. Denzel whispered something I didn't catch, and Eman just shook his head. Kit looked amused, trying to stay low-key but failing.
I couldn't help but chuckle. Cin always made things louder than they needed to be.
The day dragged. Teachers droned. Papers shuffled. Whispered names floated around me. I ignored them. No one outside Section E knew. And I planned to keep it that way.
At one point, I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. I slid it out subtly.
A new message:
"Jay… meet us right after school. Don't let anyone know. Mason."
My stomach did a little flip. I quickly hid the phone back in my bag. Keifer noticed the movement. His eyes narrowed, just slightly. "Who's Mason?" he asked softly, voice low but suspicious.
I gave him a small, innocent smile. "Just… someone I owe a favor to. Nothing to worry about."
He didn't press further but stayed alert, eyes scanning the area as if expecting something to happen.
By lunch, Section E had gathered around me. Rory nudged Blaster, who nearly dropped his sandwich, while David whispered to Denzel, and Eman and Kit just observed, quietly trying not to laugh at Cin, who was loudly declaring random theories about the cafeteria food.
"Jay! Did you see the dessert today? It's like… magical!" Cin shouted, waving a spoon dramatically.
I laughed softly, letting myself relax a little. The air felt lighter.
Finally, the last bell rang. Relief. Sweet relief. Section E started moving toward the gates, still a little chaotic. Rory talking nonstop, Blaster complaining about Cin's energy, David and Denzel arguing over who should carry the snacks.
"A park trip? Really? You guys think today is normal?" I teased, shaking my head.
Keifer brushed my shoulder. Faint, reassuring. "Normal is overrated."
I nudged him lightly. "Maybe you need to lighten up more, you know?"
He smirked faintly. "Lighten up? I'm practically vibrating already."
I laughed softly. "Yeah, sure. You're practically vibrating with suspicious glances and worry, Mr. President."
He shot me a sharp look but didn't argue. Probably better that way.
We walked together, Section E trailing behind. Cin was jumping from one side to another, clearly not listening to anything anyone said. "Jay, you remember the time I almost got detention for… wait, wait! You won't believe this!" He rambled on, completely ignoring that I was actually trying to enjoy the day.
Rory rolled his eyes. "Cin, pipe down. Jay's already back. She survived the apocalypse; she doesn't need your stories."
I chuckled, letting myself relax more. The light breeze, laughter, friendly chaos—it felt almost like freedom.
Keifer stayed close. Hand brushing my shoulder occasionally, eyes sharp, scanning. Calm but alert. I could tell he didn't trust anything unusual happening today.
And then… my heart skipped. A figure appeared near the entrance of the park. Someone familiar. My chest tightened.
Before I could fully process it, Cin was still rambling behind me. "—and then I swear, Jay, you would've laughed so hard if you were there, seriously, it was—"
I didn't hear the rest. My focus snapped to him.