Chapter: "Purposeful Teasing"
(Jay's POV)
I should have known better.
Keifer had that dangerous, mischievous look in his eyes. The one that said, I know exactly what I'm doing.
And today… he was about to prove it.
It all started when I was walking to my locker.
He appeared from nowhere, casually chatting with Mica… then Calix… then some random Section B girl.
"Wow," I muttered under my breath. "He's really doing this on purpose."
Felix, hiding behind a locker, whispered loudly. "She knows."
"Shut up," I hissed, glaring at him.
Keifer turned slightly, his smirk widening. "What's wrong, Jay?"
"What's wrong?" I scoffed. "You're standing there… talking… laughing… smiling… and looking way too comfortable."
He tilted his head. "Am I making you uncomfortable?"
My stomach flipped. Why did that question feel… personal?
"No! I mean… it's nothing!" I snapped, clearly lying to myself.
He chuckled. That soft, knowing chuckle.
"Interesting," he said. "You're watching me… a lot."
I froze.
"I am not—"
"You are."
I turned away, fists clenching.
Behind me, Cin, Felix, and David were holding back laughter.
"Bro, she's literally about to explode," Cin whispered.
"Do it," Felix encouraged. "She can't handle it."
"Not helping," I muttered.
Keifer sauntered closer to me, still talking to the girls casually. "You're tense, Jay. Relax."
"Relax?!" I shouted. "You're… you're… intentionally—"
"Teasing?" he finished my sentence with a grin.
"Yes!" I yelled, throwing my hands up.
"Exactly," he said calmly. "And you can't hide it."
I crossed my arms, glaring, but my ears burned.
"Stop looking at me like that!" I snapped.
He raised a brow. "Like what?"
I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.
Felix clutched his chest. "Bro… she's dying inside."
Cin nodded. "This is better than any reality show."
David added, "Section E daily drama, Episode 374: Jay vs. Keifer."
I whipped my head around. "YOU ALL—"
Keifer chuckled softly, leaning in close. "I like how jealous you are."
I couldn't even respond.
He leaned back, casually returning to talk with the girls again, but I could feel his eyes on me the entire time.
And I hated that I loved feeling noticed.
Section E, of course, was already losing it.
"CUTE!" Felix shouted.
"JEALOUS! JEALOUS!" Cin yelled.
"Too much tension!" Rory added dramatically.
I buried my face in my hands.
Keifer leaned closer again, whispering just for me to hear, "You really can't hide your feelings, Jay."
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to shove him.
I wanted to deny everything.
But I didn't.
Because… I couldn't.
And the rest of Section E? They were already planning the next "episode."