Jay's POV
I stepped out into the hall slowly, dragging my bag, wishing I could disappear. Every corridor felt too bright, too loud, too… alive. My head spun, memories of his sharp words clashing with the things I had said.
My legs felt like lead, my mind replaying everything Keifer had said in class—the fight, the words, the way he had cornered me with his voice, his eyes, his presence. My chest ached, hot and cold at the same time.
"Why does he have to be like this?" I muttered under my breath, voice trembling even if I didn't want it to.
I felt it then.
A presence behind me.
My stomach dropped.
"Jay…"
I froze.
My body stiffened, muscles locked. I didn't want to turn, didn't want to see him, didn't want him anywhere near me.
But he stepped closer anyway, calm, controlled, voice low. "Jay, stop. You need to calm down."
I laughed bitterly, without humor. "Calm down? You think I can calm down after the way you played with me in class?"
His eyes darkened, jaw tight. "I didn't—"
"No!" I snapped, voice shaking, but quiet enough not to carry across the hall. "Don't you dare tell me you didn't! You know exactly what you did. And now you're pretending like you're helping me?"
"You're spiraling," he hissed, stepping closer, trying to keep his voice low, trying to reason. "You're—"
"I don't care!" I shot back, my hands trembling, fists tightening on my bag strap. "You're playing with my mind, Keifer. You always do!"
His brow furrowed, his voice softening slightly. "Jay, I—"
"I hate it!" I interrupted, my voice breaking. "I hate that you make me feel like I'm losing it… like I can't think straight… like I need you and you don't even see it!"
I felt tears prick my eyes. My voice trembled. "Why are you doing this to me? Why do you push me so much?"
He opened his mouth, hesitant. His expression softened, almost… vulnerable.
I wiped my eyes roughly, hating myself for crying. "Why?" I whispered, voice small, but full of hurt.
"You—" He started, then paused, trying to measure his words. "You need to calm down. You're… you're too close to breaking right now."
"I don't need you telling me what to do!" I shouted, voice rising despite myself. "Stop pretending you care about controlling me!"
He flinched at the sharpness, but didn't step back. "I… I'm trying to keep you safe!"
"Safe?!" I scoffed, voice cracking. "You call this safe? Pushing me, cornering me, making me feel like I'm walking on fire? This is why I can't—why I can't trust you!"
I stopped, shaking, trying to breathe.
He stepped closer, voice low but firm. "I didn't mean to… I just… I—"
"You just what?" I spat, voice trembling. "You just want to control me? You just want to see me break?"
"I don't want to see you break," he said finally, the words almost soft, almost human. "I just… I can't help myself around you."
I froze.
My chest heaved. My tears spilled. My lips trembled. I wanted to scream, cry, laugh, run, and stay all at once.
Then I felt another presence.
"JAY!"
I jumped slightly. Yuri's voice, calm but sharp, broke through the tension. I shoved Keifer lightly, needing space. He stumbled back, eyes wide, searching me for a sign.
Yuri just watched silently, standing a few steps behind. I could feel the intensity between them without him speaking—a silent warning, a shield, a challenge.
I took a shaky breath. "Go away," I muttered, but my voice was quieter now, almost pleading.
Keifer's jaw clenched. "Jay…"
"I said—enough," I whispered, stepping past him, letting Yuri guide me away gently.
Behind us, I could feel Section E moving toward Keifer, their footsteps hesitant but deliberate. I didn't hear what they said—they didn't matter. All I knew was that they were there, trying to make sure he didn't do something reckless.
Yuri stayed close, silent, protective, letting me lean into him without words. I cried quietly against his shoulder, still trembling from the storm of emotions.
After what felt like an eternity, the hall emptied slightly. Breaktime ended. Yuri gently took my hand, guiding me toward class.
Cin and David were waiting, looking concerned. Cin approached first. "Jay… are you okay?"
I didn't respond, shaking my head slightly.
David stepped closer, softening. "It's fine, Jay. Just breathe. You'll be okay."
I ignored both, letting the silence speak. My eyes stayed downcast, still misty from tears.
When the next class started, I pulled out my phone. Texts from Kairo lit up the screen, and for the first time that morning, my mood lightened. I typed quickly, my lips curving at the screen.
The bell rang, and I left class immediately. Outside, Kairo's sleek black car waited. Zane, Liana, and Mira were there too, waving. Relief and excitement surged through me.
"Finally," I whispered to myself, stepping into the car. The door shut, and I let the world of stress and Keifer fade behind me, at least for now.