(heyy besties it really hurt to say this that this ch is second last ch. it took me more time then expected so i will try to write last ch tomorrow i will miss you all and pls dont forget to write review after this fanfic is completed)
jay's pov
My head hurt. Bad. Like I should apologize to the world kind of bad. I groaned and shifted—and froze. Warm. An arm around my waist.
I blinked, looked up. Keifer. Of course. I stared for a second, then dropped my head back on his chest."I'm not moving,"
I mumbled.
"Good," he said, voice low. "Don't."
"…why are you here."
"You dragged me."
"I don't believe that."
"You also kicked Percy."
"…valid."
"EXCUSE ME—" Percy's voice. Alive. Too loud.
I slowly turned my head. Big mistake. Aries. Percy. Yuri. All there. Watching. Why are they all here."…why is everyone here," I asked.
"Front row seats," Yuri said, clearly enjoying this. I hate him.
"Look who's awake," Percy grinned. "BARAKUDA RETURNS—"
I froze. "…don't."
"Say it again," he continued. "Like last night—""I don't know what you're talking about."
"'BARAKUDA IS BACK'—" he yelled dramatically.
"I DID NOT SAY THAT—""You stood on a chair and announced it," Yuri added, smiling.
I closed my eyes. Peacefully. "I'm going back to sleep."Keifer's arm tightened slightly. "No, you're not."
"Let me die."
"After you drink this."
A glass appeared in front of me.I squinted. "What is that."
"Lemon water."
"I don't trust you."
"You trusted Barakuda."
"…don't call me that."
I took it anyway. One sip. Then another."…okay this helps.""I know."
"Control your buffalo," Aries said calmly.
I blinked. "What."He looked straight at Keifer. "She can't be controlled by one person when Barakuda activates."
Silence. Then—Percy lost it. Yuri turned away laughing.
I stared at Aries. "…you just called me a buffalo."
"Yes."
I grabbed a pillow and threw it. He dodged. Percy didn't."OW—"
"Wrong target," I muttered.
I turned back to Keifer. "…what did I do."
He looked down at me, amused."You don't remember?"
"No."
"That's unfortunate."
"That's not an answer."
He leaned a little closer. Too close. Always too close."You held my collar," he said quietly.
I froze.
"And told me I look better when I'm jealous."
Percy screamed. "I KNEW IT—BARAKUDA HAS GAME—""I WAS DRUNK—"
"You also refused to let go," Keifer added.
I looked at him. "Stop talking.""No.""Stop.""No.""I will bite you.""Try."
I leaned forward—stopped. Because he didn't move. At all. Just watching me. Waiting.
I pulled back instantly. "You're annoying.""You like me.""…unfortunately."
He smiled. Soft. And that was worse.
"Also," Percy added, still not done, "you tried to fight a chair."
"…it started it.""YOU FELL OFF IT—""IT ATTACKED FIRST—"
Yuri laughed again. "This is better than last night," he said."Nothing is better than last night," Percy argued. "Barakuda was legendary—"
"I WILL END YOU—""Too weak," Aries said. "Hangover nerf.""I hate all of you."
My head throbbed again. I groaned and leaned back into Keifer.
He noticed instantly. "Drink more.""You're bossy.""And you listen."
I took another sip anyway. Because he was right. Again.
"Say it once," Percy said. "Just once.""No.""Say 'Barakuda is back.'""No.""Say it.""No."
"Say—""PERCY—""BARAKUDA—"
I threw another pillow. He ran. Aries blocked me. Again.
Yuri stepped aside like this was a planned show. Keifer didn't move. Just watching. Amused.
A little later—
Jay stepped into the hallway, still processing her social death—
—and froze.
Ava.
Standing there.
Jay's eyes narrowed.
Something was off.
Then she saw it.
A hickey.
Right on Ava's neck.
Jay blinked once.
Twice.
Then—
She grabbed Ava's wrist.
"Inside. Now."
Ava didn't even resist as Jay dragged her into the room and shut the door.
Jay crossed her arms. "Explain."
Ava touched her neck, instantly flustered. "It's nothing—"
"Michael?"
Ava went quiet.
Jay gasped dramatically. "MICHAEL?"
Ava groaned. "Stop it—"
Jay grinned wickedly. "Oh my God. Our cold genius finally—"
"Jay."
"You have a HICKEY."
Ava covered her face. "I hate you."
Jay leaned closer, whispering, "Respect, honestly."
Ava threw a pillow at her.
Knock knock.
Jay instantly straightened.
Raphael's voice came from outside. "Jay?"
Ava panicked. "Don't let him in—"
Jay smirked. "Oh this is going to be fun."
She opened the door slightly, stepping out and blocking the view.
Raphael looked at her carefully. "You okay?"
Jay nodded quickly. "Yeah, just… helping Ava."
Raphael's eyes flickered behind her, suspicious.
Jay immediately grabbed his arm. "Come with me, I'm starving."
Distraction successful.
Ava mouthed thank you before collapsing on the bed.
he moment I walked in—
I knew something was wrong.
Too many people.
Too many eyes.
Sec E boys.
Girls.
Aces.
Even—
Raphael. Rafael. Angelo. Ion. Lia.
All there.
All looking at me.
…
Why.
"Good morning," I said carefully.
Silence.
Then—
"GOOD MORNING, BARAKUDA—"
"I WILL END YOU—"
Laughter exploded instantly.
Freya blinked. "Barakuda?"
Honey turned to Mica. "Did we miss something?"
Mica nodded slowly. "I think we missed everything."
Grace whispered, "I'm scared."
Rakki just stared. "I like her."
Ella grinned. "Same."
I covered my face.
"This is not happening."
"You stood on the table," Cin said.
"I did not."
"You did," Felix added.
Drew stood up dramatically." 'YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE ME—' "
"I WOULD NEVER—"
Calix pointed at me." 'BARAKUDA IS BACK—' "
Silence.
Then—
The entire table LOST it again.
Freya grabbed Honey's arm. "She said that?"
Honey nodded, impressed. "I love her already."
Grace whispered, "She's insane."
Ella smiled. "She's iconic."
I want to disappear.
"Play the video," Percy said.
"No—"
Too late.
Video.
Me.
Standing on the table.
"DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HANDLE ME—"
I lunged forward. "DELETE THAT—"
Edrix moved the phone away. "Sit down."
"I WILL THROW YOU—"
"You tried," Rory said. "You missed."
"I WAS SLIPPERY—"
Another clip.
"BARAKUDA IS BACK—"
The girls went silent.
Then—
"Oh my god," Mica said.
"That's powerful," Rakki added.
Freya clapped once. "I respect it."
I stared at them.
"…you're supposed to be on my side."
"We are," Ella said. "This is amazing."
Traitors.
On the other side—
Raphael frowned slightly. "She did that?"
Rafael looked confused. "She stood on the table?"
Angelo blinked once.
Ion covered her smile.
Lia whispered, "I've never seen her like this."
Yuri, standing nearby, just said—"You missed a masterpiece."
"Also," David added, "she hugged Percy."
I froze.
"No."
"Yes."
"You called him your emotional support animal," Drew said.
Silence.
Then—
The girls LOST it.
Honey bent forward laughing. "No way—"
honey pointed at Percy. "You?"
Percy placed a hand on his chest. "I was chosen."
"I take it back."
"You can't," Felix said. "It's recorded."
Silence.
Then chaos again.
I dropped into my seat.
"This is my villain origin story."
"Too late," Yuri said. "You're already there."
"I hate you."
"I know."
A plate appeared in front of me.
Keifer.
"When did you—"
"Eat."
"I'm not hungry."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You will be."
"…stop being right."
He smirked.
"Feed her," Percy whispered loudly.
"Shut up."
"She's weak—Barakuda lost her powers—"
"I WILL THROW THIS—"
"See?" Denzel pointed. "She's activating again."
"Hangover nerf," Edrix added.
"Weak Barakuda," Rory nodded.
"I WILL END ALL OF YOU—"
I took a bite anyway.
Paused.
"…okay this is good."
"I know," Keifer said.
I looked at him. "…did you make this."
"No."
"Oh."
"I told them how to."
…
"That still counts."
He didn't argue.
"Say it once," Percy said again.
"No."
"Say 'Barakuda is back.'"
"No."
"Say it."
"No."
"Say—"
"PERCY—"
"BARAKUDA—"
I threw a napkin.
He ducked.
Aries blocked me.
Yuri stepped aside like this was a planned show.
Angelo.
Sitting casually.
Beside him—
Ion.
Jay blinked.
Then blinked again.
Something shiny caught her eye.
Her gaze dropped.
Ion's hand.
A ring.
Jay froze.
Her brain stopped working.
Then—
"OH MY GOD."
Both Angelo and Ion looked up.
Jay ran toward them like a missile.
"OH MY GOD OH MY GOD—IS THAT—IS THAT A RING—"
Ion laughed, a little shy, a little glowing.
Angelo looked… calm.
Too calm.
Jay grabbed Ion's hand, staring at the ring like it was a national treasure."YOU'RE ENGAGED—"
Ion nodded, smiling softly.
Jay gasped so loudly someone down the hallway shouted "WHAT HAPPENED—"
She turned to Angelo.
"YOU DID THIS AND DIDN'T TELL ME—KUYAAA—"
Angelo smirked slightly. "You were busy fighting a chair."
"THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CHAIR—"
She pulled Ion into a tight hug."Congrats ate Ion oh my god—"
Ion laughed, hugging her back. "Thank you, Jay."
Jay pulled back, eyes shining now."Wait—how—when—details—I need EVERYTHING—"
Angelo leaned back, watching her chaos."Later."
Jay narrowed her eyes. "No. Now."
"Breakfast."
Jay paused.
"…fine. But I'm interrogating both of you."
The noise didn't stop.
It just… slowed down.
Like everyone was trying to act normal.
"We're leaving today."
Raphael said it simply.
No drama.
No pause.
I nodded.
Like it was fine.
Like I expected it.
Ava. Michael. Adam. Samuel.
Leaving.
Today.
"And us," Cin said.
"We leave tonight," Edrix added.
"what about result" felix said
"online it will be sent by tonight " angelo said knowing what they are going through as he was also in same spot few years ago
Tonight.
I looked at Sec E.
All of them.
Still here.
Still joking a little.
Still… us.
Then I looked at Aces.
Different table.
Same feeling.
"…everyone's going," I said quietly.
No one denied it.
"Yeah," Yuri replied.
Soft.
I exhaled slowly.
Didn't like how that sounded.
Didn't like how real it was.
"I thought we had more time," I admitted.
"Same," Grace said.
"But we don't," Aries said.
Not harsh.
Just true.
I nodded.
Because that was the problem.
I looked at Keifer.
He wasn't smiling.
Not teasing.
Not saying anything.
Just sitting there.
Quiet.
"You okay?" I asked.
He looked at me.
Held my gaze.
Then—
"…no."
Honest.
Simple.
I looked away for a second.
"…yeah."
Same answer.
Silence settled again.
But not awkward.
Just… heavy.
"We all have to go," Michael said.
"No one's stopping that."
"Future doesn't wait," Samuel added.
I knew that.
We all did.
Because we all had something waiting.
Different places.
Different paths.
Ava had Paris.
Michael had his tech in paris -saclay.
Adam- us , yale university.
Samuel- Harvard usa.
Raphael- paris and will travel time to time to london.
All moving.
Still—
it didn't make it easier.
I looked around again.
At Sec E.
Keifer..Cin. David. Drew. Eman. Denzel. Calix. Felix. Mayo. Kit. Josh. Yuri. Edrix. Rory.blaster
All of them.
Then Aces.
Ava. Michael. Adam. Samuel. Raphael.
Two different groups.
Same place.
For now.
"…I'm going to miss this," I said.
No one joked.
"Same," kit replied.
mayo rubbed the back of his neck.
"Won't be the same."
"No," david agreed.
"It won't."
A small pause.
Then—
"But we'll stay in touch," Cin said.
Firm.
"Obviously," Felix added.
"Calls. Messages. Meetings," Drew said.
"Trips," Honey smiled.
"Chaos continues," Percy muttered.
That got a small smile.
I nodded slowly.
"…yeah."
Because that was the only thing we could do.
Keifer's hand found mine.
Quiet.
Not for show.
Just there.
I held it.
A little tighter than usual.
"You're staying," Percy said.
"Yeah."
"With him," Yuri added.
"Yeah."
He nodded.
"…good."
I didn't reply.
Didn't trust my voice.
Because staying didn't feel easier.
It just felt like—
watching everyone leave.
"We'll catch up," Ava said, looking at me.
"Always," I replied.
The airport was loud.
But around us—
everything felt… focused.
No rushing.
No chaos.
Just—
goodbyes.
Adam moved first.
Straight to Honeys.
"Tell your uncle to contact me," he said. "About the project."
She blinked, then nodded quickly. "I will."
He gave a small nod.
Simple.
Done.
Samuel walked up to Cin.
"If anything goes wrong," he said calmly, "with your parents—call me."
Cin frowned slightly.
"I mean it," Samuel added. "You're capable of owning everything."
A pause.
Then Cin nodded once.
"…got it."
Michael stepped toward Edrix and Rory.
"Let me know if you need anything," he said. "We can collaborate."
Rory smirked lightly. "Already planning to."
Edrix nodded. "We'll reach out."
Michael gave a short nod.
Understood.
And then—
Ava looked at keifer.
"Come."
"No explanation?"
"No time."
Then Raphael held out a flowers.
His gaze dropped to it.
Paused.
Then lifted again.
"Take it," Ava said.
For a moment—
he didn't move.
Then he did.
Slowly taking the flower from her hand.
Silence followed.
A few steps approached.
Measured.
Unhurried.
Raphael.
He stopped beside Ava.
Eyes fixed ahead.
On him.
"We don't give flowers," Raphael said calmly.
Silence.
"Only twice."
Everyone went quiet.
"First—" he continued, eyes steady, "as a warning."
Keifer didn't look away.
"Second—at your funeral."
The air shifted.
Cold.
Sharp.
"If one tear falls from her eyes—"
He didn't finish.
Didn't need to.
Keifer took the flower.
Calm.
Unbothered.
"You won't have to come back for the second time," he said.
A pause.
Then Raphael nodded once.
"We know you care about her."
"We can see it," Raphael added.
"Just don't make us regret trusting that," Ava finished.
"I won't," Keifer replied.
Now—
the goodbye.
Everyone gathered closer.
Naturally.
Adam. Michael. Samuel.
Standing in front of Jay.
For a moment—
they didn't move.
Then—
all three looked at Keifer.
A silent question.
Keifer met their gaze.
Held it.
Then gave a small nod.
That was enough.
They stepped forward.
Jay barely reacted—
before they pulled her into a hug.
Tight.
Real.
Not teasing.
Not light.
Just—
holding on.
Her grip tightened instantly.
"Take care," Michael said quietly.
"Don't disappear," Adam added.
"We'll be around," Samuel said.
She nodded.
Didn't speak.
They pulled back slowly.
Ava stepped in next.
No pause.
She hugged Jay again.
Tighter than before.
"Call me," she murmured.
"Always."
They separated.
Reluctantly.
Then the rest followed.
One by one.
Short hugs.
Small words.
A final group pull—
everyone close.
Arms overlapping.
A quiet mess of people not ready to let go.
A few soft laughs.
Mixed with something heavier.
Then—
they pulled apart.
Ava looked at Jay one last time.
Michael nodded.
Adam gave a small look.
Samuel smirked faintly.
Raphael held her gaze.
Then—
they turned.
And walked.
No one stopped them.
Jay stood there.
Watching.
Beside her—
Keifer didn't speak.
Just stood close.
Still holding the flower.