Chapter: Bus Seating Chaos
(Jay's POV)
Retreat day.
7:30 a.m.
Everyone was louder than the school bell.
Section E had officially turned into a zoo.
Blaster brought three bags like he was shifting houses.
Mayo had snacks hanging from his shoulders.
Kit and Rory were fighting over window seats before even seeing the bus.
Calix was recording everything for "future blackmail."
Ci N kept shouting, "Family trip part threeeee!"
David looked like he was reconsidering his life choices.
And me?
I was pretending I wasn't nervous.
Because I knew one thing.
Bus seating = War.
The Bus Arrives
The bus stopped in front of us.
Everyone screamed like it was a celebrity.
"WINDOW SEAT!" Josh yelled and ran.
"BACK SEAT IS MINE!" Drew pushed him.
Emman and Eren were already climbing in from the back door.
Blaster dramatically said, "I need space for my personality."
"YOU need space for your stomach," Mayo replied.
Chaos.
Pure chaos.
I slowly stepped toward the bus—
And suddenly.
A hand gently held my wrist.
Keifer.
He looked calm.
Too calm.
"You're not running?" I asked.
He smirked slightly.
"No."
Before I could ask why—
He stepped onto the bus.
Turned.
Looked at everyone.
And said loudly—
"I'm sitting next to Jay. Because she's my girlfriend."
Dead.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
You could hear Blaster drop his chips packet.
Ci N froze mid-step.
Calix's mouth fell open.
Mayo whispered, "He said it… publicly…"
Kit clutched Rory's arm dramatically. "Historic moment."
My brain stopped working.
"KEIFER!" I hissed.
He didn't even look embarrassed.
He just extended his hand toward me like some dramatic movie hero.
"Come, girlfriend."
The boys exploded.
"OHHHHHHHHH!"
"CONFESSION ON BUS DAY!"
"WIFE UPGRADED TO GIRLFRIEND!"
"RETREAT STARTED WITH FIRE!"
I wanted to disappear.
But also… my heart was beating so fast I thought it might fly out.
I grabbed his hand anyway.
And walked in.
Because if I'm going to be embarrassed—
I'll be embarrassed confidently.
The Seat Battle
We reached the middle row.
Perfect seat.
Left side window.
Before we could sit—
Blaster jumped into it.
"Sorry bro, first come first serve."
Keifer didn't even blink.
He leaned down slightly and said calmly, "Move."
Blaster swallowed.
"Why?"
Keifer raised one eyebrow.
"I said I'm sitting next to Jay."
Blaster immediately stood up.
"Love is powerful. I respect it."
The entire bus laughed.
We sat down.
He took the window.
I sat beside him.
My heart was still racing.
Outside, everyone was still shouting.
Ci N pointed at us. "Family seat reserved!"
Mayo said, "Don't disturb the couple, they might start rehearsal again."
I covered my face.
"Why would you say that so loudly?" I whispered.
He leaned closer.
"Because I'm tired of pretending."
That made my stomach flip.
The bus started moving.
Cheers filled the air.
Songs started playing.
Josh began singing off-key.
Drew threw a pillow at him.
Calix recorded us and said, "Proof of public declaration."
David shook his head. "This section is hopeless."
Yuri Enters
Then I saw him.
Three rows behind.
Yuri.
Watching.
Silent.
Not smiling.
My smile faded slightly.
Keifer noticed.
Without looking back, he slowly slid his hand into mine.
Under the seat.
Hidden from most.
But steady.
"I said it for a reason," he murmured.
I didn't ask what reason.
I knew.
No confusion.
No doubt.
No ownership drama.
Just clear.
Simple.
Public.
I leaned my head slightly on his shoulder.
The boys screamed again.
"THEY ARE LEANING!"
"RETREAT IS CANCELLED WE SAW EVERYTHING!"
Blaster stood up dramatically. "Driver uncle, please drive safely. Precious cargo in the middle row."
I threw a bottle at him.
Everyone laughed.
But even through the chaos…
Through the teasing…
Through Yuri's stare…
For the first time—
I didn't feel claimed.
I felt chosen