Jay's POV
"Present, sir…"
That voice.
Clear.
Calm.
Too familiar.
My heart stopped for half a second.
No.
It can't be.
Slowly — too slowly — I lifted my head.
The classroom suddenly felt smaller.
He was standing near the door.
In uniform.
Bag slung over one shoulder.
Looking… normal.
But not normal.
His face looked the same.
But his eyes—
They weren't.
There was something heavier in them.
Sir Alvin nodded. "Welcome back watson, Take your seat."
And that's when he moved.
Each step sounded louder than it should have.
Or maybe it was just my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
David subtly elbowed me.
Ci-n was practically vibrating beside me.
I didn't look at them.
I kept my eyes forward.
Stay calm.
He walked past rows.
Past whispers.
Past curious stares.
And then—
He stopped.
Right beside our row.
I could feel him there.
Standing.
Waiting.
My fingers tightened around my pen.
Don't look.
Don't look.
Don't—
I looked.
And our eyes met.
God.
Why did I look?
For a split second, everything else blurred.
The classroom.
The noise.
The people.
It was just him.
And those eyes.
No teasing spark.
No cocky charm.
Just something steady.
Intent.
Like he had already decided something.
He didn't smile.
He didn't smirk.
He just looked at me.
And my chest felt tight.
Five days.
Five days of ignoring his calls.
Five days of convincing myself I don't care.
And yet…
One look and my entire defense felt shaky.
He finally broke eye contact and moved to his seat.
But I could still feel it.
His presence.
Closer now.
Too close.
The first class went by painfully slow.
He deliberately took the seat behind me.
Of course he did.
I could feel him there the entire time.
Not touching.
Not speaking.
Just… there.
And somehow that was worse.
I tried to focus on what Sir Alvin was teaching.
I really did.
But the words weren't entering my brain.
My legs wouldn't stop shaking under the desk.
I kept fidgeting with my pen.
Click. Click. Click.
Ci-n nudged me once.
I ignored him.
As soon as the bell rang, I stood up so fast my chair scraped loudly against the floor.
Too loud.
I didn't look back.
Didn't wait.
I rushed out of the classroom and headed straight to the washroom.
I pushed the door open and locked myself inside.
Silence.
I walked to the sink and placed both hands on the counter, staring at my reflection.
My heart was thudding loudly against my ribs.
He's here.
He's actually here.
I inhaled deeply.
Then exhaled.
Then I actually looked at myself properly.
Oh.
Wow.
Great.
I look like someone who was just released from prison.
My hair was messy.
I didn't even bother brushing it properly this morning.
There's a very visible, very disrespectful pimple on my cheek.
Fantastic.
He chooses today to show up and I look like this?
I instinctively started fixing my hair with my fingers, trying to smooth it down.
Then I froze mid-motion.
What the hell am I doing?
Why am I fixing my hair?
So what if he's here?
Why do I care how I look?
I dropped my hands immediately and stared at myself like I'd just betrayed my own ego.
Get a grip, Jay.
You're not doing this.
I straightened up immediately, stepping back from the mirror.
You're not the girl who fixes herself because a guy walked into a classroom.
Especially not him.
I grabbed some tissue and lightly dabbed the water under my eyes.
Just to look less… tired.
That's all.
Then my eyes fell on my lips.
They looked dry.
Cracked.
I sighed.
It's not for him.
It's just basic hygiene.
I pulled out my lip balm from my bag and applied it carefully.
Slowly.
Pressing my lips together.
Not because he's here.
Just because I don't like dry lips.
That's it.
Then I lifted my hands again and fixed my hair properly this time, smoothing it down, adjusting the parting, pushing a few strands behind my ear.
I paused.
Why am I doing this so seriously?
I exhaled.
Okay. Fine.
I just want to look decent.
For myself.
Not for him.
I deserve to not look like I haven't slept in three days.
That's all.
I checked my reflection one last time.
Still tired.
Still annoyed.
Still confused.
But at least… put together.
"See?" I muttered to myself. "Not for him."
And yet…
My heartbeat still refused to calm down.
I picked up my bag and headed toward the door.
Time to go back.
Time to pretend I don't feel anything.
I entered the classroom again.
No teacher yet.
The class was loud, chaotic as usual.
And that's when I noticed—
The king of snakes wasn't here either.
Wow.
Just came back and already bunking?
Typical.
Whatever.
I don't care.
I huffed and went to sit down.
Pulled out my notebook.
Started writing.
Writing what?
No idea.
Just something.
Anything.
So I don't look around.
So I don't think about him.
Then suddenly—
A shadow fell over my desk.
I knew.
I just knew.
I didn't look up.
I kept writing.
My handwriting slowly turning into nonsense.
Then—
Thud.
Something landed on my desk.
I blinked.
Another thud.
Then another.
And then it didn't stop.
My eyes widened as chocolates started pouring onto my desk.
Not one or two.
A lot.
Boxes.
Imported bars.
Limited edition packs.
The shiny gold and matte black wrappers practically screaming expensive.
My brain registered brands I've only seen in high-end stores.
The kind you don't just casually buy in bulk.
My stomach betrayed me immediately.
I hadn't eaten properly this morning.
The smell of cocoa hit me.
Dangerous.
Very dangerous.
I slowly looked up.
Keifer was standing there.
Holding a massive paper bag.
And emptying it on my desk.
Calmly.
The whole Section E lost their minds.
"BRO WHAT—"
"ARE THOSE IMPORTED??"
"NO WAYYY—"
Hands started reaching toward my desk instantly.
But Keifer lifted his gaze slightly.
One lazy glare.
Everyone froze.
He didn't even raise his voice.
"You don't get to touch it," he said smoothly.
The class groaned dramatically.
Then he tilted his head slightly toward me.
"Until Jay takes her part."
The room exploded.
Ci-n literally grabbed my arm.
"TAKE IT," he whisper-yelled. "PLEASE TAKE IT. FOR HUMANITY."
I shot him a look.
He clasped his hands together dramatically.
"Jay. Sister. Queen. Goddess. Take your share so the rest of us peasants may survive."
I looked back at the pile.
The chocolates were stacked high now.
Ridiculously expensive.
Ridiculously tempting.
One of them was my favorite brand.
The dark chocolate one with almond bits.
How does he—
No.
No.
Control yourself.
I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms.
"What is this?" I asked coldly.
Keifer smiled slightly.
Not smug.
Soft.
"You like food," he said casually.
The class gasped like he had confessed something scandalous.
I narrowed my eyes.
"And?"
Ci-n clutched my sleeve again.
"PLEASE JUST TAKE ONE. I CAN SMELL THE COCOA FROM HERE."
"I don't want it," I said flatly.
My stomach growled.
Traitor.
Keifer's eyes flickered downward for half a second.
He heard that.
Of course he did.
His smile widened just slightly.
"You don't want it," he repeated slowly.
I held his gaze.
"I don't."
He leaned a little closer, resting one hand on the desk.
Lowering his voice just enough.
"But you're craving it."
My ears felt warm.
The class went feral again.
"BROOO—"
"THIS IS BETTER THAN NETFLIX—"
Ci-n was practically on his knees now.
"Jay. I am begging you. Take your part. Even if it's one tiny piece. I will never bully you again."
"You already don't bully me."
"Exactly. I will continue not bullying you."
I tried not to look at the chocolates again.
But they were right there.
Shiny.
Expensive.
Tempting.
And he knew it.
Of course he knew it.
He straightened up and said loudly for the class to hear,
"No one touches anything until she picks."
The entire Section E groaned in unison.
"JAYYYYY—"
"PLEASEEEE—"
I looked at him.
"You're embarrassing."
He shrugged lightly.
"I'm healing. I need entertainment."
I glared at him.
He just smiled.
Patient.
Confident.
Like he knew I'd eventually give in.
And the worst part?
I wasn't sure I wouldn't.
The entire Section E was chanting my name like this was some national emergency.
"JAYYYYY."
"TAKE ONE."
"WE'RE STARVING."
Ci-n was literally clutching his chest.
"I can see my ancestors. Please. Just pick one."
I refused to look at the chocolates again.
"I said I don't want it."
Keifer tilted his head slightly.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
He studied my face for a second.
Then his eyes dropped to the chocolates.
Then back to me.
And that stupid calm smile appeared again.
"Okay," he said casually.
He picked up one of the expensive bars.
The exact one I had been mentally staring at five minutes ago.
My heart betrayed me again.
He unwrapped it slowly.
The crisp sound of foil filled the classroom.
Why is that sound illegal?
Section E gasped dramatically.
Keifer broke off a small piece.
Then looked at me.
"If you don't take it," he said smoothly, stepping a little closer, "I'll feed you myself."
The classroom exploded.
"AYYYYYY—"
"NO WAY—"
"BRO IS WILD—"
I froze.
Excuse me?
He leaned down slightly, lowering his voice so only I could hear.
"Don't test me."
My ears felt warm.
My heartbeat was out of control.
"You wouldn't dare," I muttered.
His eyebrow lifted.
"Try me."
He moved the chocolate slightly closer.
Not touching me.
But close enough.
The whole class went dead silent now.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ci-n whispered dramatically, "This is better than the finals."
I glared at Keifer.
"You're insane."
He shrugged lightly.
"You already knew that."
He held the chocolate between his fingers patiently.
Not rushing.
Not laughing.
Just waiting.
And the worst part?
He looked completely serious.
Like he would actually do it.
And I had no idea if I was more angry…
Or more flustered.
To be on the safer side…
And to prevent this idiot from actually trying something reckless in front of the whole class—
I quickly reached down.
Not the one in his hand.
No.
I grabbed a random chocolate from the pile.
Before he could react, I lifted it high in the air.
"I took one."
There.
Announcement made.
Permission granted.
For half a second—
Silence.
Then—
Chaos.
Absolute chaos.
Section E erupted like someone had declared a festival.
"ATTACK—"
"GRAB IT—"
"MOVE—"
Everyone lunged toward my desk at once.
Hands everywhere.
Shouting.
Laughing.
Ci-n was the first to dive in.
"I LOVE YOU JAY," he screamed dramatically while stuffing three bars into his bag.
Someone almost knocked over my chair.
Wrappers were flying.
Within seconds, the huge pile on my desk disappeared.
Vanished.
Gone.
Like it never existed.
I slowly lowered my hand, still holding my one chocolate.
The classroom looked like a battlefield.
Keifer stood there watching the madness unfold.
Completely unbothered.
Then his eyes shifted to me.
And he smirked.
"See?" he said lightly. "You just saved them."
I rolled my eyes.
"They're animals."
"You knew that."
I looked down at the chocolate in my hand.
Still unopened.
Still tempting.
Still expensive.
I glanced up at him.
"You're insane," I muttered.
He leaned slightly closer again, lowering his voice.
"But you still took one."
My fingers tightened around it.
I refused to answer.
The chaos around us was still ongoing.
But for some reason…
It suddenly felt quieter between us.
He looked at the chocolate in my hand.
Then back at me.
"You picked the wrong one," he said casually.
My brows furrowed.
"What?"
He gently reached into his pocket.
Pulled out another bar.
The exact one I love.
he remembered.
He held it out toward me.
"That one's your favorite."
My heartbeat stumbled.
"I don't—"
"You do," he said softly.
Not teasing.
Certain.
And for a second…
The chaos around us disappeared again.
I didn't take the chocolate from his hand.
Instead, I dropped the one I was holding.
It fell back onto the desk.
Unopened.
Untouched.
The noise in the classroom suddenly felt suffocating.
Too loud.
Too messy.
Too much.
I stood up abruptly.
Without saying a word.
And walked out.
Fast.
I didn't run.
But I didn't slow down either.
I could hear footsteps behind me.
Of course.
"Jay," he called.
I didn't turn.
"Jay, wait."
I kept walking.
My heartbeat was loud in my ears again.
Why does he do this?
Why does he make everything harder?
"Jay, stop."
I reached the staircase.
Climbed up.
My hands slightly shaking.
I knew where I was going.
The rooftop.
The place we used to come to.
Back when things weren't broken.
Back when it was simple.
I pushed the rooftop door open.
The wind hit my face immediately.
Cool.
Sharp.
He followed me up.
Still calling my name.
When we reached the middle of the rooftop—
I stopped.
Turned sharply.
"What?!" I shouted.
My voice cracked.
Tears were already threatening to fall.
I hated that.
I hated that he was seeing me like this again.
"What do you want?!" I continued, breathing unevenly. "You think you can just show up with chocolates and everything becomes normal?"
He stopped a few feet away from me.
Not too close.
Not too far.
"I didn't say that," he replied calmly.
"Then what is this?" I demanded, gesturing vaguely. "Grand gestures? Feeding me in class? Acting like you still know me?"
The wind blew my hair across my face.
I didn't bother fixing it this time.
"You don't get to do that," I said, my voice shaking now. "You don't get to come back and act like nothing happened."
Silence.
He looked at me.
Not defensive.
Not angry.
Just steady.
"I'm not acting like nothing happened," he said quietly.
"Then why are you acting like you still—" I stopped myself.
Still what?
Care?
Belong?
Know me?
My throat tightened.
"Why are you doing this?" I finally whispered.
There it was.
The real question.
The tears slipped past before I could stop them.
I quickly wiped them away angrily.
The wind howled between us.
And for the first time since he came back—
There was no audience.
No class.
No noise.
Just the truth waiting to be said.
___________________________