Chapter: Firelight and Lines Crossed
Jay's POV
The night air at the retreat was colder than I expected.
The campus field had been cleared for the campfire, and everyone from different sections had gathered around in a wide circle. Tall trees surrounded us like quiet guards, and the only real light came from the huge fire burning in the center.
Orange flames danced upward, crackling softly.
People were laughing, singing, passing snacks around. Some teachers were even pretending to be cool and telling old school stories.
But Section E?
Section E was loud.
"Oi Rory pass the chips!" Blaster shouted.
"Why me?" Rory complained.
"Because you're closest!"
"I'm sitting on the other side of the fire you idiot!"
Mayo was trying to roast a marshmallow but somehow managed to burn three already.
"Bro how do you even burn sugar?" Kit asked.
"It's a talent," Mayo replied proudly.
Ci-N had somehow convinced Eren and Emman to start a ghost story contest.
"Okay listen," Ci-N said dramatically, lowering his voice. "One time… in this exact forest…"
"There are mosquitoes," David interrupted.
Everyone laughed.
I sat quietly on one of the wooden benches placed near the fire.
On my left side—
Yuri.
On my right side—
Keifer.
The tension between them was so thick it felt like the fire might explode.
Neither of them spoke.
But both of them were very aware of each other.
Keifer's arm rested behind me on the bench casually.
Too casually.
Like he wanted Yuri to notice.
Yuri's posture was stiff, his jaw tight, his eyes occasionally flickering toward Keifer like he wanted to punch him.
I sighed quietly.
Why is my life like this?
Blaster suddenly yelled, "Jay! Tell a story!"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because my stories end with someone getting slapped."
Ci-N gasped. "Threatening violence already."
"I'm warning you in advance."
Everyone laughed again.
But the tension beside me didn't fade.
The fire crackled louder.
A cold breeze passed through the field.
After sitting there for almost an hour, I finally stood up.
"I'm going to get water," I muttered.
But the moment I stood—
Yuri stood too.
I frowned.
"What?"
"I'll come," he said.
"I didn't ask you."
But before I could move away—
His hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.
Hard.
Too hard.
"Yuri," I warned.
"Just listen—"
"Let go."
The noise around the fire slowly quieted as people noticed.
Keifer's voice came from behind me.
"Yuri."
Low.
Dangerous.
"Let her go."
Yuri ignored him.
Instead, he pulled me closer suddenly.
"Jay you keep humiliating me," he said under his breath.
"Because you keep acting insane," I snapped.
"I'm your fiancé."
"You're my problem."
Before I could step back—
Yuri suddenly grabbed my face.
And kissed me.
My mind went blank.
For half a second I froze.
Shock.
Then rage exploded inside me.
I shoved him with all my strength.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" I shouted.
The entire campfire circle went silent.
Yuri stumbled back slightly.
His eyes were burning.
"You're supposed to be mine," he said.
I didn't even think.
I turned—
Walked straight to Keifer—
Grabbed his collar—
And kissed him.
Hard.
Desperate.
Angry.
Like I needed to erase what just happened.
Keifer froze for a moment.
Then his arms wrapped around me instantly, pulling me closer as he kissed me back.
Someone gasped.
Someone else whispered, "Oh damn."
But I didn't care.
The only thing I cared about was the tears suddenly burning my eyes.
When the kiss broke, I buried my face in Keifer's chest.
And the tears finally came.
I started crying.
Not soft crying.
Not quiet tears.
Real crying.
The kind that shakes your whole body.
Keifer immediately held me tighter.
"Jay," he whispered softly. "Hey… hey…"
But the crying didn't stop.
Everything felt too heavy.
Too humiliating.
Too confusing.
"I hate him," I sobbed into his shirt.
"I know."
"I hate him."
"I know."
Behind us—
Section E had completely surrounded us.
Ci-N was the first to move.
"HEY!" he shouted angrily at Yuri. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
Blaster stepped forward too. "Bro that's messed up."
Mayo shook his head. "Seriously messed up."
Kit crossed his arms. "You don't force someone like that."
Rory looked furious. "That's not okay."
Erdix muttered, "Not even close."
Josh stepped beside them quietly.
David stood with his hands in his pockets but his eyes were cold.
Emman and Eren exchanged looks of disbelief.
Drew simply stared at Yuri like he was trying very hard not to punch him.
Yuri looked around at all of them.
His expression dark.
"You all act like she belongs to him," he said.
Ci-N snapped back instantly.
"She doesn't belong to anyone!"
Blaster added, "But she definitely didn't ask you to do that."
Keifer didn't say anything.
He just held me.
One hand gently rubbing my back.
Trying to calm my shaking.
"Jay breathe," he whispered softly.
"I'm trying," I sniffed.
Ci-N crouched in front of me.
"Hey hey hey… don't cry," he said awkwardly. "Your mascara is going to attack Keifer."
Despite everything—
A tiny laugh escaped me.
"Idiot," I muttered.
"That's my job."
Mayo handed me a tissue.
"Here."
"Thanks."
Rory glared at Yuri again.
"You crossed a line."
Yuri didn't reply.
His fists were clenched.
His eyes locked on Keifer.
But for once—
He was outnumbered.
Completely.
I wiped my face slowly.
Still holding onto Keifer's shirt.
He looked down at me gently.
"You okay?" he asked.
I shook my head honestly.
"No."
His thumb brushed my cheek softly.
"You will be."
Ci-N suddenly clapped his hands.
"Alright emotional moment over!"
"Ci-N," Kit warned.
"What?! I'm trying to fix the vibe!"
Blaster nodded. "True."
Mayo held up another marshmallow.
"Jay you want one?"
I sniffed.
"…yes."
Everyone laughed softly.
The tension slowly faded as people returned to their spots around the fire.
But this time—
I didn't sit between Yuri and Keifer.
I sat beside Keifer.
Very close.
And when the cold wind passed through the trees again—
Keifer quietly wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
Like he was silently promising he wouldn't let anyone hurt me again.