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Chapter 9 - why are they acting human

Chapter 9: Why Are They Acting Human?

Jay's POV

Something was wrong.

Very wrong.

The moment I stepped into Section E…

No one threw paper balls.

No one whistled.

No one said, "Mother has arrived."

Instead—

"Good morning, Jay," Felix said politely.

I stopped walking.

"…What?"

Cin pulled a chair for me.

"Sit."

I stared at him.

"Are you possessed?"

Yuri nodded at me like we were in a business meeting.

Blaster didn't even look at my lunchbox.

That's when I knew.

Something happened.

I slowly placed my bag down.

"What did you all do?"

Rory blinked innocently. "Nothing."

"That face says crime."

Erdix avoided eye contact.

Suspicious.

Very suspicious.

Even Keifer wasn't annoying me.

He just looked at me once… then looked away.

Oh no.

That's worse.

I sat down.

Felix leaned over. "Do you need notes from yesterday?"

I narrowed my eyes.

"You've never offered notes to anyone in your life."

He looked offended. "Growth."

Cin added softly, "You can ask if you need help."

Help?

From them?

Okay.

Now I'm concerned.

I turned around in my seat slowly.

"Did someone die?"

The class went silent.

Yuri coughed. "No."

"Did I do something?"

"No."

"Then why are you acting like I'm a guest?"

Blaster whispered, "She noticed."

Of course I noticed.

Keifer finally spoke.

"Relax."

I looked at him.

"You relax. Something's weird."

He leaned back in his chair.

"Maybe we just decided to behave."

I stared at him for a few seconds.

Then I laughed once.

"You?"

The class tried not to smile.

He shrugged.

"Maybe we misjudged you."

There it was.

That sentence.

My chest tightened slightly.

Misjudged?

About what?

I crossed my arms.

"And what exactly did you judge?"

Silence.

Rory suddenly became very interested in his desk.

Erdix pretended to scroll through his phone.

Cin looked at Felix like don't say it.

Oh.

Oh no.

They know something.

"What did you see?" I asked calmly.

Too calmly.

Keifer's eyes met mine.

Steady.

Measuring.

"Nothing important," he said.

That was a lie.

And I hate lies more than teasing.

I stood up.

Walked closer to his desk.

"You searched me."

It wasn't a question.

The class held their breath.

Keifer didn't deny it.

"We were curious."

My jaw tightened slightly.

"Curiosity kills," I said softly.

Felix quickly jumped in. "We didn't mean it like that!"

Cin nodded. "We just wanted to understand."

Understand what?

That I'm not harmless?

That I don't cry easily?

That I've fought before?

I forced a small smile.

"So now what?"

Yuri answered honestly, "Now we know you're not soft."

I tilted my head.

"And that makes you treat me nicer?"

Silence again.

Keifer spoke quietly.

"No."

He held my gaze.

"It makes us treat you seriously."

That hit differently.

I didn't respond immediately.

And he noticed.

Of course he did.

I stepped back.

Sat down.

"Next time," I said calmly, "ask me."

No one joked.

No one teased.

For the first time since I entered Section E—

They weren't laughing at me.

They weren't testing me.

They were watching me like I was one of them.

And honestly?

That scared me more.

Because I don't mind being the enemy.

But being understood?

That's dangerous.

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