Chapter: "Before You Answer Him"
Jay's POV
It was supposed to be a normal afternoon.
Section E was near the basketball court, being loud as usual. Yuri and Cin were arguing about snacks, David was recording random nonsense, and I was just trying to survive the heat.
That's when I saw him.
Kiko.
From Section A.
Walking toward us.
With flowers.
Oh no.
No no no.
Cin gasped dramatically.
"Jay… why is Section A coming here like they own the place?"
I froze.
Kiko stopped right in front of me.
Everyone went quiet.
Even Section E.
Even Section A students nearby started staring.
"Jay," he said nervously.
My brain: Jayjay play dead. Play dead now.
"Yes?" I smiled awkwardly.
He held the flowers out.
"I like you."
I swear I heard someone choke behind me.
"I've liked you for a long time," he continued. "You're different. Funny. Smart. And I want to try… being with you."
The entire court went silent.
My heart started pounding.
Why now?
Why here?
Why in front of everyone??
I felt eyes on me.
And I knew exactly whose.
Keif.
I didn't dare look at him.
"Jay," Kiko said softly, "will you be my girlfriend?"
Gasps everywhere.
Cin almost fainted.
Yuri whispered, "THIS IS BETTER THAN DRAMA SERIES."
My hands were shaking.
I didn't know what to say.
Before I could answer—
I heard footsteps.
Fast.
Heavy.
And then—
A hand grabbed my wrist.
Warm.
Firm.
Familiar.
My breath stopped.
Keifer's POV
The moment I saw him holding flowers—
I knew.
And I hated the way my chest burned.
I told myself I wouldn't interfere.
That if Jay was happy, I'd stay quiet.
But then he said it.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
Something inside me snapped.
She didn't look happy.
She looked nervous.
Confused.
Overwhelmed.
And that was enough.
I walked straight through the crowd.
Didn't care who was watching.
Didn't care what they'd say.
I grabbed her wrist gently but firmly.
She turned to me.
Wide eyes.
"Keif…"
I didn't say anything.
If I spoke, I might say something reckless.
So I did the only thing my heart was screaming at me to do.
I pulled her closer.
And kissed her.
Jay's POV
My brain stopped working.
His hand was on my waist.
The other still holding my wrist.
And his lips—
On mine.
Soft.
Warm.
Possessive.
The entire school exploded.
"WHATTTTT?!"
"MARK KEIFER WATSON?!"
"SECTION E IS INSANE—"
But I couldn't hear anything.
Because all I could feel was him.
My hands instinctively grabbed his shirt.
I didn't push him away.
I didn't think.
I just…
Felt.
When he pulled away, his forehead rested against mine.
His breathing was heavy.
"So no," he said quietly.
The crowd went silent again.
Jay, I mean me, blinked.
"No what?" I whispered.
"You're not answering him."
My heart was beating so loud I thought everyone could hear it.
Kiko stood there frozen.
Flowers still in his hand.
"Keifer," Kiko said angrily, "what the hell is this?"
Keif finally looked at him.
Calm.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"She's not available."
Gasps again.
My face burned.
"Since when?" Kiko demanded.
Keif's jaw tightened.
"Since I decided I'm done pretending."
My heart skipped.
Pretending?
He looked back at me.
And this time…
His expression wasn't angry.
It was vulnerable.
"Jay," he said softly, but loud enough for everyone to hear, "if anyone's going to confess to you…"
His thumb brushed my cheek gently.
"…it's going to be me."
The world tilted.
I couldn't breathe.
Cin screamed somewhere behind me.
Yuri was probably recording this for blackmail later.
"Then do it," I whispered before I could stop myself.
His eyes widened slightly.
But then he smiled.
That slow, confident smile.
"Fine."
He took my hand properly this time.
Interlocked our fingers.
"Jay," he said clearly, "I like you. Not as a joke. Not as a best friend. Not as Section E chaos partner."
My heart melted.
"I like you in a way that makes me jealous. Protective. Stupid. Reckless."
The crowd went silent again.
"And I don't want to see you standing in front of anyone else while they ask for something that's already mine."
My breath hitched.
"Yours?" I whispered.
He stepped closer.
"If you'll let me."
Silence.
Everyone waiting.
Kiko slowly lowered the flowers.
And for once…
I didn't overthink.
I didn't play dead.
I didn't run.
I reached up.
Grabbed Keif's collar.
And kissed him first this time.
The entire school LOST IT.
Section E started screaming like they won a championship.
When I pulled back, I smirked at him.
"You could've just said that earlier, idiot."
He laughed softly.
"Wouldn't have been as dramatic."
I rolled my eyes.
But I didn't let go of his hand.
Kiko quietly walked away.
And for the first time—
I didn't feel confused.
I felt sure.
Keif squeezed my hand gently.
"Next time someone proposes to you…"
I raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
He leaned closer.
"Warn me first."
I laughed.
"Jealous?"
"Very."
"Good."
And for once…
The whole school knew.
We weren't pretending anymore.