Keifer's POV
First Day: The Triplet Invasion
Section E was mine. Not officially, but everyone knew it. Two years of keeping this circus of boys in line—basketball wins,good enough grades , Dad's expectations breathing down my neck—and I'd earned my spot at the top. Today was just another Monday. Homeroom, roll call, maybe deal with Blaster blasting music again or drew starting another dumb bet. Routine.
Then the door opened.
Three new students walked in. Triplets, from the identical sharp features and the way they moved like a mismatched pack. A boy and girl bookending a girl in the middle—the girl clutching her backpack like it was a life raft. She nearly tripped coming up the stairs earlier. I'd seen it from the window. Amateur. TSS
The class went quiet for once. Eyes flicked to them, then to me, waiting for my move.
The girl scanned the room, wide‑eyed but trying to play it cool. Cute effort. Her uniform was crisp but her ponytail was already fighting for freedom. She looked… out of place. Not nervous exactly—just like she didn't belong in our polished HVIS world yet.
Pa would say "observe first." So I did.
The boy on the left—cool, hands in pockets, already sizing everyone up. The girl in the middle—buffer mode, calm smile, hair perfect. Textbook "responsible one." And the lead girl—messy energy, like she was about to ask where the snack bar was.
C‑in waved them over like he ran a welcome committee. "Hey! Over here!"
Of course he did. C‑in collects chaos like trading cards.
They slid into the back desks near his crew—Drew doodling, Josh tapping, David buried in his laptop. Names flew: Jasper Jean, Jasprit, Jane Mariano. Triplets. I made a mental note. New transfers always brought drama.
Then she spoke. Backpack girl. "Jay. Only my birth certificate calls me Jasper Jean."
Her voice had bite. Not scared. Interesting.
I stood up. Time to set the tone. President duty. Walked over, hands in pockets, casual. "Mariano, right?"
She looked up. And up. I'm used to that.
"Section E's new troublemakers, huh?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me. I'm a very responsible—"
Backpack unzipped. Notebooks and a chocolate bar spilling out. I pointed.
She looked down. "...That was a test. I passed."
Snickers from C‑in's corner. Even Josh looked up from his sketch.
I raised an eyebrow. "Just don't cause a disaster on day one. ."
She bristled. Fire in her eyes. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I'll try not to ruin your precious kingdom."
Someone whispered, "Is she talking back to Keifer already?"
I almost laughed. Bold. Or stupid. Hard to tell. "TSS."
Turned and walked away. Felt her glare burning holes in my back.
"Wow. He's annoying," she muttered. Loud enough to hear.
C‑in's voice: "You get used to it."
I hid a smirk as I sat down. Annoying? Good. Better than boring. Section E needed shaking up. These Marianos might actually be fun.
Homeroom started. Sir Alvin droned through attendance. I glanced back once. Jay was whispering with C‑in, already laughing at something dumb he said. Fitting right in.
Two weeks from now, she'd be calling me annoying to my face daily. Stealing my snacks. Arguing over everything. And I'd be waiting for it every time.
But that first day? She was just the new girl who dared talk back to the king.
Didn't know she'd end up rewriting all my rules.
To be continued…
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What do you think of Keifer's side? Should I do Jare or Jane's POV next, or jump to another event? 👇❤️