JAY-JAY POV
I went outside, still talking to Ben.
"So tomorrow at the café for our meeting?" he asked, jogging a little to keep up.
I nodded. "Yeah. After school."
"Jay, do you still love Keifer?" Ben asked.
I stopped walking, my bag slipping slightly off my shoulder.
"Why would you say that?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.
Ben's eyes didn't waver. "I don't know… you look like you still like him. No—love him."
My chest tightened.
The words hit harder than I expected.
I turned away, staring at the pavement. "Ben, don't assume things you don't understand."
He stepped closer, his tone firm but quiet. "I understand enough. The way you look at him, the way you blush when he calls you 'queen'… Jay, it's not nothing."
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep walking. "Even if it was something, it doesn't matter. Section E is in our class now. I can't afford feelings—I have to lead."
Ben sighed, frustration flickering in his eyes. "You can't lead if your heart's divided."
I swallowed hard, refusing to answer.
Because deep down, I knew he wasn't entirely wrong.
"Ben, why are you even bringing this up?" I asked, my voice tight, more defensive than I wanted.
He exhaled slowly, eyes locked on mine. "Because I see it, Jay. The way he looks at you… and the way you freeze up when he does. You can pretend it's nothing, but it's written all over you."
I shook my head, forcing a laugh that didn't sound convincing. "You're imagining things."
Ben stepped closer, lowering his voice. "No. I'm not. You still feel something for him, don't you? And if you do, it's going to complicate everything."
My chest tightened, but I kept my gaze forward, refusing to let him see the crack in my composure. "Even if there were feelings, they don't matter. I'm president. I don't get to indulge in distractions."
Ben's jaw clenched. "Distractions? Jay, love isn't a distraction. But denial? That'll destroy you faster than anything."
I swallowed hard, my steps faltering.
His words cut deeper than I wanted to admit, and for a moment, I couldn't find an answer.
I could feel it—someone's glare burning straight through me.
"Jay, I need to talk to you," Keifer said from behind, his voice low but sharp.
"See you soon, Jay," Ben added, giving me a quick side hug before walking off.
I nodded, but when I turned to Keifer, his eyes caught mine.
There was jealousy there, obvious and raw. But beneath it… something else. Pain.
Pain of what?
Was it the pain of watching me laugh with someone else?
The pain of knowing I'd built walls between us?
Or was it deeper—the pain of losing Section E, of losing the bond we once had?
His stare was heavy, almost pleading
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Because whatever that pain was, it wasn't just about me.
It was about everything we'd lost.
"What do you want, Mr. President?" I asked, my tone clipped.
"Please stop with the president thing, Jay," Keifer said, his voice low, almost pleading.
"What? You are Section E's president," I shot back.
"Skip Mr.," he said firmly.
"Why?" I chal-lenged. "That's what I call people I don't know."
His eyes darkened. "But Jay… you know me."
I shook my head, my chest tightening. "No. I don't know you. The Keifer I knew is gone. Actually, he wasn't gone—he was acting. So we can say the Keifer I knew was imaginary."
The words hung heavy between us.
Keifer's smirk faltered, his jaw tightening. For the first time, I saw the crack in his mask
He stepped closer, his voice rough. "Imaginary? Jay, I was real. Every moment, every word, every look—I meant it."
"Really? Last time I checked, I was just a pawn in your revenge game," I said, my voice trembling as I fought back tears. "A bet to see how long it would take before I lost myself to you."
Keifer froze, his smirk gone, his eyes widening like I'd just ripped the ground out from under him.
"A bet?" he repeated, his voice breaking. "Jay… is that what you think I did? That I used you?"
I swallowed hard, my chest aching.
"What else am I supposed to think? You played me, Keifer. You let me believe you were someone I could trust, someone I could—" My voice cracked, and I turned away before the tears could fall.
He reached out, his hand hovering near mine but not daring to touch. "Jay, I swear… It was never a game. Not with you. I wanted revenge, yes. I wanted to hurt them. But you—" His voice faltered, raw and desperate. "You were the only thing that made me forget why I wanted revenge in the first place."
I clenched my fists, torn between anger and the ache in his words.
"Don't," I whispered. "Don't say things like that. Not when you're the reason I don't know who to believe anymore."
Keifer was crying now, silent tears slipping down his face.
Just seeing it made my chest ache—I wanted to go to him, to wipe his tears, to tell him it was okay. But I couldn't. I couldn't let myself break like that.
"Don't cry now, Keifer. Not now," I said, my voice trembling. "You were the reason we're here right now."
His head snapped up, eyes burning through the tears. "The reason? Jay, I did this for you. For us. I wanted you close, I wanted Section E near you. I didn't know it would end like this."
I shook my head, my throat tight. "You wanted control. You wanted revenge. And now we're all paying the price."
Keifer stepped closer, his voice breaking. "No… I wanted you. I wanted to protect you. Even if it meant tearing everything else apart."
I froze.
What the hell is he talking about?
Keifer's tears kept falling, his voice breaking as he tried to explain. "Jay… you weren't a pawn. You weren't a bet. You were the only thing real in all of it."
My chest tightened, anger and confusion twisting together. "Then why does it feel like I was just another piece in your game?"
He shook his head violently, stepping closer. "Because I was stupid. Because I thought I could balance revenge and love at the same time. But you—" His voice cracked, raw. "You were never part of the plan. You were the reason I lost the plan."
I stared at him, my breath caught in my throat.
His words didn't make sense, yet the pain in his eyes was undeniable.
"Keifer…" I whispered, torn between wanting to believe him and wanting to run.
He reached out, his hand trembling. "I ruined everything, Jay. But don't ever think you were imaginary. You were the only thing that kept me alive."
"So let me make this clear right now," Keifer said, stepping forward, his face inches from mine, almost touching my lips but stopping. "I love you, Jasper Jean Mariano Watson."
Watson?
Is this guy serious? I'm not married to him.
"You are mine, believe it or not," he said, his voice low, possessive, every word dripping with certainty.
My breath caught in my throat.
His eyes burned into mine, and for a moment, I couldn't move.
"Gago!" I screamed at him, shoving him back with all the strength I had.
"You're insane," I spat, my voice shaking with anger.
But before I could step away, his arms pulled me back, and I stumbled against his chest.
His grip was firm, unyielding.
"Insane for you? Yeah… I think so," he whispered, his breath hot against my ear.
My heart pounded, fury and confusion colliding inside me.
I wanted to push him away again, to scream louder, to make him understand that this wasn't love—it was obsession
I was just staring at him, and he was staring right back.
Then, just as he leaned in to kiss me, I punched him.
"Are you out of your mind?" I snapped.
"Maybe," he said, smirking like he actually wanted me to hit him again.
I shook my head and stormed toward my car. Of course, he followed.
"Do you want me to drop you?" he asked casually, like nothing had just happened.
I ignored him, unlocking my car door.
"Jay, my wife, please talk to me," he said, his voice dripping with that ridiculous possessiveness.
"I'm not married to you," I shot back. "Forget about marriage—I'm not even your girlfriend."
He grinned, leaning against the car like it was his. "So… Do you want to be my girlfriend?" he asked, smiling foolishly, like this was some kind of joke.
I stared at him, disbelief flooding through me.
"Jay, I didn't know you could drive," Keifer said, eyes flicking to the keys in my hand.
"Well, I can," I shot back, trying to get in—only for him to slide in front of me like a snake, blocking my way.
"Jay, you're gorgeous when you're mad at me," he teased, leaning closer, his grin widening.
"Are you insane? I'm literally cursing you out, and you're complimenting me?" I snapped.
He chuckled, eyes sparkling. "When it's you, I'm always insane. And honestly? I like it."
"697‑0168‑6754," I said flatly. (AUTHOR NOTE: Fake number—don't call this number please.)
His grin grew. "Is that your number? Finally giving in?"
"No. That's the number for a mental health hospital," I said, deadpan.
He tilted his head, pretending to think. "Why would I need that?"
"Because you clearly do," I retorted, stomping on his foot
He yelped when I stomped on his foot, but instead of backing off, he laughed—actually laughed—like pain meant nothing to him.
Sliding into the seat, I slammed the door shut, glaring at him through the window.
Keifer leaned down, still grinning, his breath fogging the glass. "You think I need a mental hospital? Maybe I do. Because when it comes to you, Jay, I've already lost my mind."
"Jay, one more thing… I don't think you can drive from the passenger seat," Keifer said, pointing smugly at where I was sitting.
Only then did it hit me—I was in the wrong seat.
I groaned and smacked my forehead against the dashboard in exaggerated frustration. "Why does the universe hate me?"
Keifer leaned closer, his grin softening into something more dangerous. "The universe doesn't hate you, Jay. It's just jealous. Because I love you. So forget the universe—just look at me."
I swung the door open.
"Oww, Jay! A little warning next time?" Keifer winced, rubbing his side.
I ignored him completely, sprinting around to the driver's seat and sliding in before he could block me again. The engine roared to life as I started the car.
From the window, his grin appeared like a shadow I couldn't shake. "Remember this, Jay—I'm not leaving this time. You're stuck with me until we're old and gray."
I rolled my eyes and raised my middle finger at him.
He only smirked wider. "With you? Gladly."
"I think you really need that number," I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.
Keifer leaned closer to the window, his grin turning downright mischievous. "If it's your number, then yeah—I need it. I'll call every day."
I groaned. "It's not my number, idiot. It's for a mental health hospital."
He chuckled, unfazed. "Perfect. I'll check myself in… as long as you're my doctor."
I rolled my eyes so hard they actually hurt
"Jay, tomorrow at the park. Six p.m. Please… I'll explain everything," Keifer said, his tone almost pleading.
"In your dreams I'd show up at a park for you," I scoffed.
"There'll be ice cream. And cake. And chocolate," he added, grinning like he'd just discovered my weakness.
I narrowed my eyes. Does this guy seriously think I'd throw away my dignity for food? Absolutely not.
…But then again, chocolate, ice cream, and cake did sound dangerously tempting.
Jay, focus. Dignity.
I bit my lip, refusing to let him see me hesitate.
Keifer's grin widened like he'd already won. "I saw that, Jay. Don't even try to hide it. You're thinking about the cake."
I rolled my eyes, forcing a scoff. "I'm thinking about how annoying you are."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping into that teasing tone that made my skin crawl. "So… you're thinking about me."
I glared at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction. "Don't flatter yourself."
Keifer smirked, tilting his head. "Too late. You already did. I'm living rent‑free in your head, Jay."
I groaned, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "You're delusional."
"Delusional for you," he shot back smoothly, his grin widening. "And honestly? I don't mind staying crazy if it means you keep thinking about me."
I shook my head, muttering under my breath, "You're impossible."
"Impossible to ignore," he corrected, winking. "Which is exactly why you'll be at the park tomorrow."
My heart skipped, but I masked it with another glare. "Keep dreaming, Keifer."
He winked. "Dreaming of you is my favorite hobby."
I rolled my eyes and started the car.
"What does this snake think of himself?" I muttered under my breath. "Just because he waved cake in front of me doesn't mean I'll give in."
"Food is not a weakness," I said firmly, gripping the wheel.
But then my own voice betrayed me, whispering back, "Jay, stop lying to yourself. You know it. He knows it. Chocolate, ice cream, cake… it's your biggest weakness."
When I came home, my mind still tangled with Keifer's nonsense, Percy was there.
He looked… sad.
I froze.
Percy never looks like this.
He's the one who always smiles, always cracks a joke, always makes the room lighter.
Seeing him like this felt wrong, like the universe had tilted sideways.
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💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
Sooo how was the chapter, guys?? 😭💭
Comment below—I wanna hear all your thoughts 🐧💬.
Drop your most favorite line from Keifer 👀✨.
Mine is:
"She is my wife" 😭💔🔥