Chapter: When She Said My Name
(Keif's POV)
The corridor outside Section B was louder than usual.
I was just trying to return a notebook.
That's it.
Lina had borrowed my physics notes two days ago. Being a topper means half the school thinks you're public property when exams are near. I don't mind. It's simple. No drama. No noise.
Unlike someone else I know.
Lina was thanking me for explaining a derivation when I felt it.
That strange pull.
Like someone was staring.
Not just staring.
Burning.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
But before I could turn—
"MARK KEIFER WATSON!"
The corridor went silent.
Every locker slam stopped.
Every conversation froze.
Even Lina stepped back a little.
I closed my eyes for half a second.
She only says my full name when she's angry.
And she only gets angry when she cares.
Slowly, I turned around.
There she was.
Jay.
Standing a few steps away, arms crossed tightly, jaw clenched, eyes flashing like she was ready to fight the entire school.
Behind her—
Yuri was already grinning. Cin looked like he'd just won a lottery. David and Emman were whispering. Eren nudged Rory. Erdix covered his mouth to stop laughing. Mayo and Kit exchanged looks. Blaster openly smirked. Calix whispered, "Uh oh." Felix and Drew were trying not to laugh. Denzel and Josh looked between us like it was a live drama episode.
And me?
I was trying not to smile.
I walked toward her slowly.
Each step deliberate.
When I stopped in front of her, she looked up at me — still angry, still breathing a little fast.
"Yes?" I asked calmly.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You have practice."
"I know."
"Then why are you standing here?"
"She borrowed my notes."
Her jaw tightened more.
"And you had to stand that close?"
I blinked.
So that's what this was.
Jealousy.
A dangerous warmth spread in my chest.
"I wasn't standing close."
"You were."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
Behind us, someone whispered, "Fight! Fight!" and immediately got smacked by someone else.
I stepped a little closer to her.
On purpose.
Her breath hitched slightly.
"You shouted my full name," I said softly, leaning down just a little so only she could hear. "That means you're very angry."
She looked away.
"I'm not."
"Then why are you jealous?"
Her head snapped back toward me.
"I am NOT jealous!"
The corridor erupted in laughter.
Cin clutched his stomach. Felix almost fell against Drew. Blaster dramatically wiped fake tears. Calix whispered loudly, "Possessive much?"
Jay turned red.
I don't know what came over me.
Maybe it was the way she screamed my name.
Maybe it was the way she looked at me like I belonged somewhere specific.
Maybe it was the way my heart reacted before my brain did.
But I stepped even closer.
Close enough that she had to tilt her head up slightly.
"Relax," I said quietly. "You're the only one who gets to shout my full name like that."
Her lips parted slightly.
Silence.
For a second… everything disappeared.
The noise.
The teasing.
The corridor.
It was just her.
And the way she looked at me like she didn't understand her own feelings.
Behind us—
Yuri coughed dramatically. Eren whispered, "Confession loading." Rory said, "Five… four…" Denzel elbowed Josh. Felix whispered, "Say it, bro." Cin just grinned like he already knew.
Jay stepped back suddenly.
"I wasn't jealous," she muttered.
I smirked.
"Sure."
She glared.
"Don't talk to Lina again."
The entire group exploded.
"OHHHHHHHH!"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you ordering me?"
"Yes."
I stepped closer one last time, lowering my voice.
"And if I don't?"
She swallowed.
"You won't."
The confidence.
The fire.
The claim.
Something in me shifted.
I leaned back, hands in pockets.
"Fine."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"You'll listen?"
I shrugged casually.
"Only when you say my full name like that."
Her face turned completely red.
And as everyone continued teasing us—
I realized something terrifying.
When she screamed "Mark Keifer Watson"…
It didn't annoy me.
It felt like I belonged somewhere.
And maybe…
I didn't mind belonging to her.