Chapter: Christmas Chaos in Section E
The Section E building was buzzing.
Fairy lights blinked everywhere.
Tinsel was dangling from the ceiling, chairs, even someone's hair.
Glitter sparkled across the floor.
David was trying to hang a star, almost toppling over three times.
Rory and Emman were arguing over whether the lights should go diagonal or straight.
Felix and Drew were climbing chairs like it was a life-or-death mission.
Josh was recording everything with exaggerated commentary.
Blaster was pointing, screaming directions.
And in the middle of it all—
I only cared about him.
Keifer was sitting on the bench near the back.
Bandage on his head.
Arm slightly bruised, healing.
He looked calm, untouchable, even with the chaos swirling around.
I walked over to him, every step careful.
Glitter stuck to my shoes.
Glue on my fingers.
Heart racing.
I carried the small wet towel I had grabbed from the bathroom.
"Hey," I said softly as I kneeled beside him.
He tilted his head, smirk forming.
"You're fussing over me again," he murmured.
"I can't help it," I replied, brushing the sweat and stray glitter from his forehead.
I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead.
He froze.
Then exhaled, a quiet, amused laugh escaping.
I hugged him.
Not gently.
Not shyly.
Wrapped both arms around him, pressing my face into his chest.
"You scared me so much," I whispered.
"I thought I might lose you…"
The room erupted.
"OHHHHHHHH!" Blaster screamed.
"PUBLIC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION!" Denzel shouted.
Felix almost fell off his chair laughing.
Josh clutched his chest, narrating, "Christmas Eve in Section E, true love captured live!"
Keigan and Keiran, Keifer's younger brothers, started chanting, "Bhaaaabiiii! Bhaaaabiiii!"
I didn't move.
Couldn't.
Keifer's arms tightened around my waist.
He pressed his cheek against my head.
"Shh… it's okay. I'm here," he murmured.
"I'm not going anywhere."
And then Aries walked in.
Stopped mid-step.
Eyes scanning the room.
Then he saw me holding him like he would disappear.
He smirked.
"Wow," he said.
"Section A's finest hugging Mr. Watson in the middle of Section E?"
Keifer didn't let go.
Not a millimeter.
His grip was possessive, protective.
The squad went wild again.
"Take a pic!" Rory yelled.
"True love under the fairy lights!" Cin announced dramatically.
"Official footage!" Josh insisted.
Yuri, however, wasn't laughing.
Hands in pockets.
Jaw tight.
Eyes on us.
Jealousy sharp as knives.
I barely noticed him.
I hugged Keifer tighter.
Pressed my face into his chest.
"You almost left me," I whispered.
He smirked faintly.
"I'm not going anywhere."
Aries, smirking, leaned against the wall.
"If you two fight over hugs, I'm throwing all of you outside," he said jokingly.
The squad laughed louder.
Drew, Felix, Rory, and Blaster were screaming nonsense.
But Keifer kept holding me.
Firm. Protective.
I finally pressed my forehead against his chest.
He held my fingers, his hand warm and steady.
"In front of everyone," he whispered softly.
"No hiding. No pretending."
The squad noticed instantly.
"Hand holding confirmed!" Josh shouted.
"Official announcement when?" Rory added.
Even Aries chuckled.
The fear in my chest eased.
The glittered chaos, the screaming, the teasing—it all disappeared.
Only him.
Alive.
Holding me.
And for the first time in days, I felt safe.
I wasn't letting go.
And Keifer wasn't letting go either.
The Section E squad could scream, tease, and laugh until midnight.
It didn't matter.
We were untouchable.