Jay knew something was wrong the moment she stepped into the hallway.
It wasn't just the looks — the whispers, the sudden silence when she passed. It was the way her chest felt tight, like something bad was waiting for her and she was walking straight into it.
She hadn't gone to Section E that morning.
She couldn't.
After everything with the DNA test — the mistake, the correction, the secrets — her head was too loud. So she stood near the stairwell instead, scrolling through her phone, pretending not to care.
That's when the voices came.
"Hey, isn't that the loud girl from Section E?"
Jay looked up.
Three boys from Section D were leaning against the lockers. Smirking. Watching her like she was entertainment.
She rolled her eyes. "Do you guys ever mind your own business?"
One of them laughed. "Heard your class is into family drama now. DNA tests and all."
Jay froze.
"Watch your mouth," she said calmly.
Another boy stepped closer. "Why? Afraid the truth might hurt?"
That did it.
Jay shoved him back. "Say another word and see what happens."
The hallway exploded.
Someone grabbed her arm. She swung back. A locker slammed. A fist grazed her shoulder.
Jay fought like she always did — messy, furious, fueled by everything she never said out loud.
She didn't notice the crowd forming. She didn't notice teachers shouting from far away.
All she knew was that Section D had crossed a line.
Back in Section E, the atmosphere was suffocating.
Jay's seat was empty.
Lia kept glancing at it, jaw tight. Angelo stood by the window, silent. Aries couldn't sit still.
Finally, Eren whispered, "Where's Jay?"
No one answered.
Then Kit spoke. "So… the DNA test."
The room stilled.
Lia didn't move.
Aries exhaled. "I'll say it. Get it over with."
Everyone leaned forward.
"Angelo and Lia are siblings," he said. "Same mother. Gema."
Gasps filled the room.
"And Lia?" someone asked.
"She's younger. Two years younger than Angelo."
All eyes turned to Lia.
She stared at her desk.
Before anyone could react—
The door burst open.
Mayo ran in, panting. "JAY'S FIGHTING SECTION D."
The chairs screeched.
Angelo moved first. Lia was already on her feet.
Jay's knuckles burned.
One boy was on the floor. Another lunged at her — she ducked, slammed her elbow into his side.
"You think you're tough?" he sneered.
Jay wiped blood from her lip and laughed. "You think you scare me?"
Then a shadow fell over them.
Lia.
She didn't say a word.
She grabbed the boy by the collar and shoved him into the lockers hard enough to rattle metal.
"Touch her again," Lia said softly, "and you'll regret breathing."
Section D hesitated.
Bad choice.
The fight surged again — until Section E arrived like a storm.
Aries blocked hits.
Angelo positioned himself in front of Jay.
Kit and Eren pulled people back.
Jay staggered, adrenaline crashing.
She felt hands steady her.
Lia.
"You okay?" Lia asked.
Jay nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for coming."
Teachers' voices finally cut through the chaos.
Principal Ramos appeared, fury etched into his face.
"What. Is. This?"
Silence.
Jay stepped forward.
"I started it," she said.
Angelo turned sharply. "Jay—"
She shook her head. "I did."
Ramos studied her — bruised, shaking, unafraid.
"We'll talk," he said coldly. "All of you."
As they were escorted away, Jay glanced back at Section E.
At Lia. At Angelo. At Aries.
Everything was changing.
The DNA test. The secrets. The fights.
And somehow…
Jay felt like she was standing at the center of it all.
Not because she wanted to be.
But because she refused to stay quiet anymore.