Chapter: "Open Your Eyes"
Jay's POV
It happened too fast.
School was almost empty.
I stayed back to get my notebook from the locker.
I heard footsteps behind me.
"Jay."
I froze.
Kiko.
Section A.
I forced a smile. "What."
He stepped closer than normal.
"You've been avoiding me."
"I've been breathing."
His jaw tightened.
"You think you're too good now? After that kiss stunt?"
I rolled my eyes. "If this is about ego, go cry somewhere else."
I tried to walk past him.
He grabbed my wrist.
Hard.
My heart dropped.
"Let go."
"No."
His voice wasn't playful anymore.
It was unstable.
"I told you I like you."
"I said no."
"That wasn't a real answer."
Fear crawled up my spine.
I tried pulling away.
"Kiko. Leave."
He dragged me slightly toward the side corridor.
Panic exploded in my chest.
I shouted.
"KEIF—"
My voice echoed.
And then—
Footsteps.
Fast.
Angry.
Keifer's POV
The moment I heard her voice —
Not talking.
Not teasing.
Calling my name like that —
Everything went red.
I ran.
Yuri and Cin were behind me.
Aries was already at the gate picking her up — he heard too.
We reached the corridor.
Kiko had her arm.
Too tight.
That was enough.
I didn't think.
I pulled him away from her.
Hard.
Yuri grabbed his collar.
Cin pushed him back.
Aries stepped in between Jay and everything.
"Touch her again," Aries said lowly, "and I promise you won't like what happens."
Kiko tried to act tough.
"She was coming with me."
"She said no," I said.
My voice was calm.
Too calm.
That kind of calm.
He looked around.
Four of us.
No exit.
He tried to push back.
Yuri shoved him away.
"Don't test us."
It wasn't a fight.
It was protection.
Kiko finally backed off when teachers' voices echoed from the hallway.
He glared once.
Then left.
I turned immediately—
Jay was pale.
Breathing uneven.
"Jay," I said softly.
She blinked once.
Then her knees gave out.
Jay's POV
Everything sounded far away.
Voices.
Hands holding me.
Someone saying my name again and again.
My chest felt tight.
I didn't even realize I was shaking until I felt someone holding my face gently.
"Jay. Look at me."
Keif's voice.
I tried.
I really tried.
But everything went dark.
Keifer's POV
She went unconscious in my arms.
For one second—
One second—
I thought I lost her.
"Jay!" I shook her gently. "Jay open your eyes."
Nothing.
Aries cursed under his breath.
"She's in shock."
"We're taking her," I said immediately.
"To where?" Cin asked.
"My house."
Aries looked at me.
"You better handle this properly."
"I will."
He nodded once.
Yuri helped me carry her to the car.
She looked small.
Too small.
I hated it.
Keif's House
The gates opened automatically.
Massive driveway.
Lights on.
Staff confused but silent.
"Call the family doctor," I ordered.
My voice didn't shake.
But inside?
I was breaking.
We laid her on my bed.
She still didn't wake up.
Her hand was cold.
I held it.
"Jay," I whispered.
Nothing.
Aries stood near the window.
Silent.
Angry.
Yuri paced.
Cin unusually quiet.
The doctor arrived quickly.
Checked her pulse.
"She fainted from shock and fear," he said calmly. "No physical harm. She'll wake up soon."
Soon.
That word felt like a lifetime.
Everyone slowly stepped outside to give space.
Except me.
I stayed.
Sitting beside her.
Holding her hand.
"I'm here," I whispered.
"You're safe."
My voice broke slightly.
"You scared me."
Minutes felt like hours.
I leaned closer.
"If you don't open your eyes, I'm cancelling exams forever."
Nothing.
I swallowed.
"Jay. Please."
Her fingers twitched.
My heart stopped.
Then—
Slowly—
Her eyes fluttered open.
Jay's POV
First thing I saw—
White ceiling.
Then—
Keif.
Red eyes.
Tense jaw.
Holding my hand like it was oxygen.
"…Why are you crying?" I whispered weakly.
He laughed once.
But it sounded broken.
"You fainted."
"Oh."
I blinked.
Then everything came back.
Kiko.
Fear.
The corridor.
My hand tightened around his.
"Am I safe?"
That question destroyed him.
"Yes," he said immediately. "You're safe. I promise."
Aries walked in the moment he heard my voice.
He didn't hug me.
But he placed his hand on my head gently.
"You okay?"
I nodded slightly.
Yuri and Cin peeked in dramatically.
"Alive?" Cin asked.
I glared weakly.
"Unfortunately."
They exhaled in relief.
Keif leaned closer.
"I'm not letting anything like that happen again."
I looked at him.
"You looked scary," I murmured.
"Good."
For once—
I didn't argue.
Because when he held my hand like that…
It didn't feel possessive.
It felt protective.
And safe.
Very safe