The next morning at school, Jay walked through the gates trying to look casual.
She'd told herself a hundred times: Act normal. Don't smile too much. Don't make it obvious.
Then Keifer showed up beside her with the biggest grin in the universe.
"Morning, babe."
She froze. "Babe?" she hissed. "We're at school!"
"So?" He winked. "You're my girlfriend, not my secret agent."
"Keifer, people are looking."
"Good," he said, slinging an arm around her shoulders like it was the most natural thing ever. "Let them witness greatness."
Jay swatted his arm away, cheeks pink. "You're insufferable."
"Yeah, but you like me."
Before she could answer, Ryan walked up, grinning like a hyena.
"Well, well. The dormmates finally admitted it. I lost a bet because of you two, by the way."
Jay groaned. "There was a bet?"
"Half the class thought you'd murder him before you'd ever date him."
Keifer beamed. "See? Beating expectations already."
⸻
Later that day in class, Keifer kept sending her folded paper notes:
Note 1: You look cute when you're pretending to focus.
Note 2: Stop ignoring me.
Note 3: Fine, I'll stare until you look.
By the third one, Jay scribbled back:
Reply: If you don't stop, I'll throw my pen at you.
He sent one more:
Note 4: Worth it.
She did, in fact, throw the pen. It hit his notebook. The teacher turned.
"Mr. Watson, Miss Mariano — something you'd like to share with the class?"
Keifer grinned. "Just teamwork, ma'am."
Jay buried her face in her hands while the class burst out laughing.
⸻
After class
Jay stomped out into the corridor. "You are so dead."
Keifer caught up, laughing. "Come on, you have to admit, we make a good duo."
"Yeah," she said, trying not to smile. "A chaotic one."
He leaned closer. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
Jay rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the grin spreading across her face. "You're impossible."
"Exactly why you like me," he said, holding the door open for her.
And for once, Jay didn't argue.