Section E's Chaotic Night
The evening at camp was its usual mess. Emaan and a few others clattered around with pots, trying to make food over the fire. Rice spilled, beans burned, voices overlapped in arguments about spices. Laughter mixed with complaints-it was noisy, messy, and alive.
Jayjay, exhausted from the day, slipped into her tent early.
Keifer's POV
I watched her tent flap close and thought, maybe I should check on her, just to make sure she's okay.
I took one step forward-thunk! A used plastic can bounced right at my feet.
I whipped around instantly. "Who threw that?"
Yuri was standing a few feet away, back turned, humming like he was deeply invested in stirring the fire. His shoulders were stiff, though. He knew exactly what he'd done.
"Suspicious..." I muttered.
Every time I tried, Yuri had a new trick.
- He stretched his arms wide like a yoga instructor, blocking the path. "Oh, sorry, just... stretching my aura."
- He dropped his shoe right in front of me, crouching to tie it for five whole minutes. "Safety first," he muttered.
- He started coughing dramatically, waving his arms like he needed space. "Air! I need air!"
I wasn't going to let him win. So I fought back.
- I dropped flat across the entrance like a stuntman. "Oops. Guess I'll just... lie here. No space left."
- I grabbed a stick and started sword‑fighting invisible enemies. "Protecting the princess!" I shouted, swinging wildly.
- Out of nowhere, I dropped into push‑ups right in front of the tent flap. "Sorry, bro, tent's closed. Fitness zone only." I counted loudly, flexing just to annoy him.
- I even sang off‑key: "🎵 No entry, no entry, this tent is closed! 🎵"
Yuri glared so hard I thought his eyes might burn holes in me. I grinned. Guard duty accomplished.
Yuri's POV
Keifer was ridiculous. Every time I tried to step closer to Jayjay's tent, he turned into a one‑man circus.
He sprawled across the entrance like a stuntman, swung sticks at invisible enemies, sang like a drunk bard, and then-out of nowhere-started doing push‑ups right in front of the flap, counting loudly as if the tent had turned into his personal gym.
I froze mid‑step, watching him sweat and grunt. This idiot thinks he's in a training montage.
From a distance, we probably looked like two homeless beggars guarding treasure. But to me, it was a battle of patience.
Fine, Keifer. You want to play games? I'll play too. But one day, you'll run out of ridiculous tricks.
Felix's POV
Watching Keifer and Yuri was like watching a comedy skit. They didn't shout, but their gestures were so exaggerated-plastic cans, fake yawns, sword fights, push‑ups-that it looked like a circus act.
I muttered to Cin, "They look like homeless beggars guarding treasure."
Cin snorted. "Treasure that doesn't even want them."
Jayjay's POV
Inside the tent, I woke quietly. My eyes fell on the packet of food David had given me earlier. I smiled faintly. If I don't eat this now, Cin will snatch it the moment he sees it.
I ate in silence, remembering David's gentle words, his ridiculous jokes. Safe. Warm. That's how he made me feel.
By the time the packet was empty, the heaviness inside me had eased. I stepped out of the tent, lighter than before.
I didn't even glance at the sides, where Keifer and Yuri sat like beggars on guard duty. Their silent war meant nothing to me right now.
Emaan's POV
I was busy stirring the pot when Jayjay walked out. She looked... different. Calm. Rested.
"Guess sleep fixed her," I muttered.
Cin's POV
I eyed Jayjay's tent earlier, hoping to snatch her food packet. But she was too quick. When she came out later, she looked lighter. Probably because she kept me from stealing her dinner. Lucky.
Felix's POV
Last time I saw Jayjay, she was breaking down. Now she seemed fine. Maybe staying away from Keifer and Yuri's nonsense helped her. Those two are exhausting.
David's POV
I didn't say anything, but I knew the truth. It wasn't sleep or distance from Keifer and Yuri. It was the laughter we shared, the comfort I gave her. Seeing her walk out lighter made me proud, quietly.
Around the Bonfire - Jayjay's POV
Section E gathered around the bonfire, bowls in hand. The food was uneven, some burnt, some undercooked, but it was theirs.
David quietly slid an extra portion onto my plate. I didn't say anything, just accepted it with a small smile.
The fire crackled, bowls passed around, laughter rising. But the real entertainment wasn't the food-it was Keifer and Yuri's antics from earlier.
Felix leaned forward, smirking. "So... who's going to explain why you two looked like homeless beggars guarding Jayjay's tent?"
Cin burst out laughing. "Forget beggars-they looked like circus performers. Keifer doing push‑ups like he was auditioning for a fitness video, and Yuri throwing cans like a grumpy uncle."
Jayjay shook her head, smiling faintly. "I thought I heard singing. Was that you, Keifer?"
Keifer puffed his chest. "Strategic distraction. Very effective."
Yuri snorted. "Effective? You looked like a drunk bar scaring away mosquitoes."
Emaan chimed in, stirring his bowl. "Honestly, from a distance, it looked like you two were fighting invisible enemies. I almost thought you'd start shadow‑boxing each other."
Blaster added, "Nah, it was like watching two bodyguards who got fired and decided to freelance outside a tent."
The group roared with laughter.
Jayjay covered her mouth, giggling. "You both were ridiculous. If anyone needed guarding, it was my food packet from Cin, not me."
Cin raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, don't drag me into this!"
Felix grinned. "Too late. You're the thief, Keifer's the stuntman, and Yuri's the can-thrower. Section E's finest."
David, quiet until now, smirked. "At least they kept each other busy. Jayjay actually got some rest thanks to their... performance."
Jayjay glanced at him, her smile softening. She knew only he understood the real reason she felt lighter-but teasing Keifer and Yuri made the evening even warmer.
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