JayJay POV
After the whole Yuri scene, I needed air.
Not peace. Just space.
I stormed into the hallway like a damn hurricane, heels hitting the tile like gunshots. My jacket was still sharp, my playlist still screaming, and my patience? Dead and buried.
And there he was.
Ci-n.
Leaning against the lockers like he hadn't detonated my trust and walked away whistling.
He looked nervous.
Good.
"Jay," he said, voice soft.
Wrong move.
"Can we talk?"
I didn't stop walking.
Didn't blink.
Just kept moving like his words were static.
He followed. "Please. I didn't want to be part of it. You know that."
I spun around so fast he flinched.
"You didn't want to?" I snapped. "Then what the hell were you doing standing there while they tore me apart?"
"I didn't know what to do—"
"Bullshit," I said. "You knew exactly what to do. You just didn't do it."
He looked wrecked.
I looked ready to burn the hallway down.
"Keifer said if I didn't back him up, I'd be out," Ci-n said. "I thought I could fix it later."
I laughed — sharp, brutal. "Fix it? What were you planning to fix, Ci-n? My dignity? My sanity? The part where I thought you were my best friend?"
He opened his mouth.
I raised a hand. "No. You don't get to speak. Not today. Not after what you let happen."
He looked like he wanted to cry.
I didn't.
I just turned and walked away, heels echoing like gunfire.
Because I wasn't here to mourn friendships.
I was here to bury them.
And Ci-n?
He brought the damn shovel.
I shoved open the doors and stepped outside, the cold air slapping me like it owed me something. My heart was racing, my hands were shaking, and I didn't know if I wanted to scream or collapse.
But I kept walking.
Because if I stopped now, I'd break.
And I was done breaking for people who couldn't even show up.