CHAPTER: Dust, Drama & Dangerous Smirks
✦ Jay's POV
Section E building is literally separated from the main H.O.V.S building.
Like we're some independent country.
Our staircase is cracked.
Our corridor has spider webs.
And our classroom windows look like they haven't been cleaned since 2010.
"Why are we the only ones cleaning this entire building?" I complained, holding a broom dramatically.
"Because we're superior," Blaster replied, dragging a broken chair.
"Because we're poor," Mayo corrected.
Ci N threw a rag at me. "Jay, stop complaining and clean."
I gasped. "Excuse me?"
"You're sweeping the same spot for ten minutes."
"That's called detailing."
"That's called overthinking."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You want detailing? I'll detail your face with this broom."
The boys burst out laughing.
Ci N smirked. "Short temper today."
"Don't test me."
Keifer was near the window, wiping the glass quietly. He didn't interfere.
But I could feel him listening.
Ci N stepped closer, teasing. "Maybe Festival Week is stressing our only princess."
"Call me princess again and I'll throw you off this balcony."
"Violence," Drew commented dramatically.
"Deserved violence," I replied.
Ci N grabbed the bucket of water and accidentally splashed some on the floor near me.
"Watch it!" I shouted.
"Relax—"
And then—
My foot slipped.
Everything happened too fast.
The wet floor.
My balance gone.
The edge of the staircase right behind me.
For a second my heart stopped.
Then—
A strong hand grabbed my waist.
Another hand caught my wrist.
I didn't fall.
I collided into a solid chest instead.
Keifer.
Of course.
His arm was firmly around my waist.
Too firmly.
The entire Section E froze.
"Whoa," Mayo whispered.
I looked up.
He was looking down at me.
Not panicked.
Not shocked.
Just calm.
"Trying to test gravity?" he asked casually.
My heart was racing.
"I had it under control," I lied.
"Yeah," Ci N snorted. "You almost flew."
Keifer didn't remove his arm immediately.
Instead, he leaned slightly closer.
"If you wanted my attention," he said low enough that only I could hear, "you could've just asked."
My brain stopped functioning.
"W-What?"
He smirked.
The dangerous one.
The one that makes the entire class nervous.
"I prefer you falling for me emotionally," he continued softly, "not physically."
Behind us—
"AYOOO?"
"DID HE JUST—"
"WHAT WAS THAT?"
Blaster clutched his chest dramatically.
I shoved Keifer lightly.
"Let go."
"Say please."
"Keifer."
"Say please nicely."
The boys were losing it.
Ci N shouted, "BRO SHE ALMOST DIED AND YOU'RE FLIRTING?"
Keifer finally released me slowly.
"But she didn't," he replied calmly.
My face was burning.
Why is he like this??
I picked up the broom angrily.
"Focus on cleaning," I muttered.
He leaned closer one last time.
"Careful where you step, Jay."
His voice dropped slightly.
"I won't always be this fast."
Something about the way he said it…
It wasn't just about slipping.
It felt deeper.
And that made my chest feel warm.
The chaos resumed instantly.
Blaster imitated a dramatic slow-motion fall.
Drew replayed it like a sports commentator.
Ci N refused to stop teasing me.
But Keifer?
He moved the bucket away from me quietly.
And when no one was looking—
He placed a dry cloth near my feet.
Just in case.
I tried not to smile.
I failed.
Festival preparation had officially started.
And maybe…
Just maybe…
Midnight Carnival won't be the only thing dangerous next week.