Chapter: Three Days of Chaos
(Keifer's POV)
The bus ride back from the retreat was loud.
Not normal loud.
Section E loud.
Which meant chaos.
Cin and Rory were arguing about snacks. Blaster and Drew were fighting over who cheated in some stupid card game. Felix was throwing paper balls at Eren. Denzel was laughing like a maniac.
And through all of that noise…
Jay was asleep.
Curled against me.
Her head was resting on my chest while her arms wrapped around my waist like she had permanently decided I was her pillow.
She hadn't moved for almost half an hour.
Not even when Cin yelled loud enough to wake the entire forest.
I looked down at her.
Her hair was messy from the wind coming through the bus window.
Her breathing was slow.
Peaceful.
The small bandage on her leg where the snake bit her was still visible.
The doctor had said she would be fine after rest…
But the moment she fainted earlier at the lake…
I swear my heart almost stopped.
I tightened my arm around her slightly.
Cin suddenly leaned over the seat behind us.
"Bro."
I didn't even look at him.
"What."
He pointed at Jay.
"She hasn't moved."
"She's sleeping."
Rory leaned over too.
"Bro she's like a koala."
Blaster grinned.
"No. She's like Keif's emotional support human."
Everyone behind us laughed.
I rolled my eyes.
"Shut up."
Cin smirked.
"Bro she trusts you a lot."
I didn't answer.
Because honestly…
He wasn't wrong.
Jay shifted slightly in her sleep and buried her face deeper into my hoodie.
"…Keif…"
My chest tightened.
"Yeah," I murmured quietly.
She relaxed again instantly.
Still asleep.
Still holding me.
The bus finally stopped.
Everyone started getting up.
Grabbing bags.
Stretching.
And Jay?
Still asleep.
Aries turned around from the front seat.
"Keif."
"What."
"You're sending her with me right?"
I looked down at Jay again.
She looked exhausted.
The snake bite.
The panic.
The memories earlier…
She needed rest.
"No."
Aries blinked.
"…What?"
"She's coming with me."
Cin immediately shouted from behind.
"AYOOOOOO."
Rory slammed the seat.
"BRO IS TAKING HER HOME."
Blaster clapped dramatically.
"Ladies and gentlemen… we are witnessing history."
"Shut up."
Aries crossed his arms.
"You serious?"
"Yeah."
Ella looked at Jay and nodded slightly.
"She probably shouldn't travel again today."
Aries sighed.
"Fine."
Then he smirked.
"But we're coming too."
"What?"
"You think I'm leaving her alone with you?"
Cin suddenly jumped down from the seat.
"I'M COMING TOO."
Rory pointed at him.
"BRO YOU'RE JUST COMING FOR FOOD."
Cin shrugged.
"Exactly."
Everyone laughed.
—
After about thirty minutes…
We reached my house.
Not Kuya Angelo's.
Mine.
It wasn't small.
But it definitely wasn't prepared for Section E invading it.
I stepped out of the bus while still carrying Jay.
She didn't wake up.
Not even when Cin dropped his bag loudly beside us.
Her arms automatically wrapped tighter around my neck while she mumbled something sleepy.
"…Keif…"
"I'm here."
She relaxed instantly again.
Aries looked at the house.
"Nice place."
Ella nodded.
"It's peaceful."
Cin walked past us toward the door like he owned the place.
"HELLO FUTURE VACATION HOME."
"Cin."
"Yeah?"
"Touch anything and you die."
He raised his hands.
"Respect."
We all went inside.
The living room was quiet.
Warm lights.
Soft couch.
And suddenly it felt strange bringing so many people here.
Aries walked in behind me.
"Where are we sleeping?"
"Not in my room."
Cin gasped dramatically.
"BRO WE'RE GUESTS."
"You're pests."
Rory dropped his bag on the floor.
"This is going to be fun."
I ignored all of them and walked upstairs.
Because the only thing that mattered right now…
Was Jay resting.
—
I opened my bedroom door and walked inside.
The room was quiet.
I carefully placed Jay on the bed.
For a second she didn't move.
Then suddenly—
She turned slightly and curled toward me.
Even in her sleep.
"…don't go…"
My chest tightened again.
"I'm not."
I pulled the blanket over her.
Her hair spread across the pillow.
Her face finally relaxed.
For a moment…
I just watched her breathe.
Then—
BANG.
The door flew open.
"KEIF!"
Two identical voices shouted.
I turned immediately.
Keiran.
Keigan.
My twin brothers.
They rushed into the room like tiny storms.
"IS THIS JAY?!"
"BRO IS THIS THE GIRL?!"
I immediately stood up.
"SHHH!"
Too late.
Jay stirred.
Her eyes opened slightly.
"…Keif…?"
The twins froze instantly.
"Oh no."
I quickly sat beside her and gently pulled her back toward me.
"Hey."
She blinked sleepily.
"Why… loud…?"
"It's nothing."
Her eyes were barely open.
Her brain clearly still half asleep.
Then slowly…
She wrapped her arms around me again.
Completely ignoring the two boys staring at us.
And buried her face into my chest.
"…stay…"
"I'm here."
Within seconds…
She fell asleep again.
Completely.
Keiran whispered slowly,
"…bro."
Keigan whispered back,
"She just hugged him."
Keiran nodded.
"Yeah bro."
I glared at both of them.
"OUT."
"But—"
"OUT."
They ran out immediately.
Closing the door quietly.
The room became silent again.
Jay shifted slightly in her sleep.
Still curled against me.
Still holding my hoodie.
Like I was the only thing keeping her calm.
I sighed quietly and leaned back against the headboard.
Because clearly…
I wasn't going anywhere tonight.
Downstairs I could already hear Cin yelling something about food.
Aries arguing with Rory.
Blaster laughing.
Which meant only one thing.
The next three days…
Were going to be absolute chaos.
And somehow…
With Jay sleeping peacefully in my arms…
I didn't mind it at all.