Chapter Nine - Confused Heart
Morning again.
My alarm clock hates me.
But this time, I actually woke up before Aries could start yelling. Progress.
I got ready, brushed my hair, and stood staring at the tulips on my desk. The petals were still pink, bright - annoyingly pretty.
Why did that make my heart feel weird?
"Get it together, Jay," I muttered. "It's just flowers. And chocolate. And... okay, maybe a cute note."
Ugh. I needed help.
At school, I didn't even make it past the gate before Maya spotted me.
Maya: "Morning, tornado girl!"
Jay: "Morning, coffee fairy."
She grinned. "Sooo... did you check your locker yet?"
I blinked. "Why would I-"
And then I saw it.
Right on my locker door - not in it, but taped on it - was a sticky note. Big, bold handwriting.
Good morning, Mariano. You forgot to smile yesterday.
- K.
Maya gasped so loud people turned around.
"Jay! He's gone public! No more hiding behind locker gifts - this is like a full-on declaration of love!"
"Maya, you're dramatic."
"I'm right!" she said, poking the note. "He's not even pretending to be secret anymore!"
Before I could answer, someone walked by - someone tall, someone smirking.
Kiefer.
And of course, he stopped right in front of us.
Kiefer: "Good morning, Mariano."
Jay: "Watson."
He tilted his head. "No roses today. Thought I'd give you a break."
Maya whispered, "A break?! He's self-aware now!"
Kiefer smiled wider, clearly amused by my suffering.
Jay: "You're awfully confident for someone I barely talk to."
Kiefer: "You talk to me plenty. You just call it arguing."
Maya was shaking next to me, trying not to squeal. I elbowed her.
Jay: "Watson, do you enjoy embarrassing me?"
Kiefer: "Immensely."
And then he walked away, whistling like he didn't just make my heart skip half a beat.
All day, it continued.
He'd hold the classroom door open for me.
He'd steal my pencil only to return it with a smirk.
He'd greet me in the hallway like we were some kind of couple.
Even teachers were starting to notice.
"Mr. Watson," said Ms. Taylor, "do you plan to stay seated behind Miss Mariano all semester?"
Kiefer grinned. "That's the plan."
The entire class laughed.
I wanted to melt into my chair.
Maya was practically crying from excitement.
At lunch, I was ready to run. But of course, fate hates me.
Kiefer sat across from me again, this time with two drinks in his hand.
Kiefer: "You didn't get coffee today, right?"
Jay: "What- how do you even know that?"
Kiefer: "You looked tired."
He pushed the drink toward me. "I asked the barista what your usual is. Hope I got it right."
Maya whispered, "Girl, if you don't marry him, I will."
I rolled my eyes but still took a sip. It was my favorite.
And he noticed my surprise, that stupid, charming grin spreading across his face.
Kiefer: "See? I pay attention."
Jay: "Creepy."
Kiefer: "Flattered."
I hated him.
I also maybe, sort of, definitely liked him a little bit.
Okay, maybe more than a little bit.
After lunch, we had gym. The worst subject ever invented.
I was stretching when Kiefer walked by and casually said,
"Try not to fall again, Mariano. I won't always be there to catch you."
My face went red instantly.
Because yes, I had tripped once. Right into his arms.
And Maya still wouldn't shut up about it.
The day ended. I wanted peace. Just quiet.
But of course, as I went to grab my bag from my locker, Kiefer was leaning on it.
Jay: "Do you live here now?"
Kiefer: "Maybe. Depends if you're here."
I sighed. "Watson, what do you want from me?"
He stepped closer, his tone softening - surprisingly serious.
Kiefer: "You keep asking what I want. But maybe it's time you ask what you feel."
My breath hitched.
For once, I didn't have a comeback.
He looked at me for a moment - those deep eyes that always annoyed me before - and then, without saying anything else, he leaned in and kissed me.
It wasn't long.
Just soft. Warm. Quick.
Enough to completely short-circuit my brain.
When he pulled back, he smiled.
Kiefer: "See? You didn't slap me. That's progress."
Jay: "I'm still thinking about it."
Kiefer laughed, hands in his pockets. "Good. Means you'll think about me all night."
And then he walked away.
Maya appeared five seconds later like she had teleported.
Maya: "YOU KISSED?! I SAW THAT!"
Jay: "He kissed me!"
Maya: "SAME THING!"
Jay: "No, it's not!"
Maya: "You're blushing!"
Jay: "No, I'm not!"
But I was.
And the worst part?
I couldn't stop smiling.
That night, I sat on my bed staring at the tulips, the chocolates, the notes...
And now, one very confusing memory that made my heart race.
"Watson," I whispered to myself,
"What are you doing to me?"