Jay's POV
I slumped back into my chair, trying to gather what little dignity I had left after Keifer practically turned Section E into his personal stage.
Ci N leaned against a desk across from me, his grin stretched impossibly wide. "Wow, Jay," he said, wagging a finger. "Looks like Keifer really claimed his territory today. Who knew Section E could turn into a soap opera?"
I glared at him. "Soap opera? He's my boyfriend, not a freaking telenovela villain!"
Felix snorted from behind his notebook. "Ohhh, this is way better. You're the mom, Jay, and Keifer's the dad. Look at how protective he was—holy crap, you got your hands full!"
"Mom?!" I shrieked, clutching my chest like someone had just insulted my entire existence. "I am not your mom! And Keifer is definitely not some dad! I don't even know what zoo you're imagining this from!"
Ci N tilted his head, feigning deep thought. "Hmm… yeah, I think the zoo comment might actually fit. You're mom-energy, Jay. All worried and scolding, and Keifer's dad-energy—dominating, smirking, and terrifying the children."
I threw my pen at him. Well, more like lobbed it gently because Section E is chaotic but we're not savages… yet. "Ci N! You're lucky I like you as my little brother, or else—"
Felix interrupted, laughing so hard he almost fell off his chair. "Or else what? You'll ground him? Mom Jay versus Dad Keifer? I can't even handle this mental image!"
"I… don't… even—" I groaned, flopping my head on the desk. "I can't believe I'm being roasted in my own classroom!"
Ci N leaned closer, mock-serious. "Okay, Mom Jay, tell me. Did Dad Keifer say anything else about disciplining the children today?"
I shot him a look sharp enough to cut glass. "I swear, if you say 'disciplining the children' one more time, I'm confiscating your lunch money for a week!"
Felix raised his hands, laughing even louder. "Mom, don't hurt him! You're supposed to be nurturing! Or maybe that's how you usually handle your kids?"
I slammed my notebook closed, glaring at both of them. "I swear, you two are insufferable. And don't even get me started on Keifer! He's not your dad, Felix, so stop imagining him teaching us life lessons through kisses and smirks!"
Ci N leaned back, smirking like he'd won the lottery. "Oh, come on, Mom. Admit it. Keifer's dad-energy is off the charts. I mean, look at how he grabbed you today. The way he kissed you in front of everyone? Classic dad vibes."
I sat up, furious and flustered all at once. "Classic dad vibes?! I will literally throw you into the next classroom if you say that again!"
Felix jabbed Ci N with his pencil. "See! Even Jay's getting protective. Mom-mode activated! I love this family dynamic."
I groaned loudly. "Family dynamic? You mean your sad excuse for a fantasy! Keifer is my boyfriend, not some weird father figure in your imaginary sitcom!"
Ci N pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "Oh, Mom, I'm so sorry. I'll behave. But seriously, Dad Keifer's smirk? The way he holds you like he owns you? Pure parental dominance energy. I'm scared."
I slammed my head against the desk. "I hate you both. I am officially cursing both of you. May you never survive a day without me around!"
Felix tilted his head, grinning. "Aw, Mom Jay is mad! Keifer's gonna love this. Imagine him hearing you scold us like little kids. Best day ever."
My hands flew to my face. "I swear… I am not your mom! And I will not raise imaginary children with Keifer as some… some… domineering dad! I am done with this!"
Ci N chuckled. "Oh no, Mom. You're not done. You just can't resist Dad Keifer's energy, can you? Admit it—you love it."
I shot him a look that could melt steel. "I do not! And if Keifer heard you, I'd—"
Felix interrupted, mimicking my voice, "I'd ground you, children! Mom Jay is angry!"
I jumped up from my chair, pointing furiously. "Stop it! Stop! You're officially dead to me. Both of you. Dead!"
Ci N held up his hands, laughing, "Okay, okay! Mom, calm down. We're just joking. But let's be honest—Keifer is totally Dad material."
I spun on him, fire in my eyes. "Dad material?! That man is insufferable, infuriating, impossible… and don't even get me started on how he makes me weak in the knees while he's completely oblivious to the chaos he causes!"
Felix clutched his stomach laughing. "Weak in the knees, Mom? Oh my god, this is gold. Classic Jay. Can't resist Dad Keifer's charm. I'm crying."
I groaned, burying my face in my hands. "I hate you guys so much. I swear, I will roast both of you in front of the entire school if this continues!"
Ci N shrugged innocently. "Oh no, Mom, we're just trying to help you manage Dad Keifer. Think of it as… family therapy."
I peeked at him through my fingers. "Therapy? My ass! I don't need therapy—I need a way to stop Keifer from being so… so… perfect and infuriating at the same time!"
Felix laughed so hard he snorted. "Mom Jay is losing it! Dad Keifer wins again!"
I threw a pen at him—not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make a point. "I am not losing it! And if Keifer ever hears you calling him a dad again, I will personally punch both of you in the face!"
Ci N laughed so hard he nearly fell off his chair. "Mom Jay is savage! Keifer better watch out—he's officially terrorized by you!"
I leaned back, exhausted but triumphant. "Yes. That's right. I am savage. Don't you forget it. And you two are grounded… indefinitely."
Felix waved dramatically. "Grounded? By Mom Jay? This is the best day of my life."
I groaned, covering my face again. "I can't. I literally cannot deal with you idiots. And Keifer better be ready—if he keeps acting like a dad in public, I swear…"
Ci N grinned, pointing at me. "You swear, Mom?"
I peeked at him, fire in my eyes. "Yes, I swear. And when I get my hands on him, you'll see just how terrifying Mom Jay can be."
Felix clutched his chest dramatically. "Oh no! Mom Jay's threat! Run, Dad Keifer, run!"
I rolled my eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. "I hate you both. Forever. And if Keifer keeps teasing me in public, you're both coming with me as collateral damage."
Ci N and Felix exchanged a look, laughing hysterically. "Deal, Mom! Deal!"
And I sat there, exasperated but secretly satisfied. Because if Keifer thought he could out-savage me… he had another thing coming.