Chapter: The Threat
(Keif's POV)
Lunch break was supposed to be a break.
But my head was still ringing from all the teasing.
Section E had been relentless the entire morning. Every time I turned around someone was whispering something about me and Jay.
Honestly, I didn't even care anymore.
Jay was sitting with Ci n and the others, arguing about something stupid while eating her food.
For a second I just watched her.
She looked normal.
Calm.
Annoyed.
Alive.
That thought stayed in my head longer than it should have.
I stood up from the table.
"I'll be back."
Jay looked up.
"Where are you going?"
"Water."
She nodded and went back to arguing with Ci n.
I walked out of the classroom.
The hallway felt quieter compared to the noise of Section E.
I barely reached the stairs when someone spoke behind me.
"Keif."
I stopped.
I already knew that voice.
Slowly, I turned around.
Standing near the window was Yuri.
He looked the same as always.
Cold.
Smirking like he knew something I didn't.
I felt my jaw tighten.
"What do you want."
Yuri walked closer casually.
"You've been busy lately."
I crossed my arms.
"Get to the point."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You and Jay."
My chest tightened a little.
"What about it."
Yuri smiled.
"A cute couple."
The way he said it didn't sound like a compliment.
Then his voice dropped slightly.
"But I need you to do something for me."
I already didn't like where this was going.
"No."
Yuri laughed softly.
"I haven't even told you yet."
"Still no."
His smile slowly disappeared.
Then he stepped closer.
"You're going to tell Jay something."
I stared at him.
"What."
Yuri's eyes hardened.
"You're going to tell her that you only used her."
My stomach dropped.
"…What."
"You're going to tell her that you only got close to her to get back at my sister."
He paused.
"For Zoya."
The hallway suddenly felt colder.
"That's not happening."
Yuri shrugged.
"You don't have a choice."
"Yes I do."
He leaned closer.
And the next words came out quietly.
"If you don't say it…"
My chest tightened.
"…I'll kill Jay."
For a moment I couldn't hear anything.
The hallway.
The students.
Everything faded into silence.
"What did you just say."
Yuri looked completely calm.
"You heard me."
Anger burned in my chest.
"If you touch her—"
He cut me off.
"Then do what I said."
I clenched my fists so hard my knuckles hurt.
"You're insane."
"Maybe."
Yuri shrugged again.
"But accidents happen."
He leaned closer.
"You know what I'm capable of."
I did.
That was the problem.
My mind immediately went back to Jay sitting in the classroom.
Laughing.
Arguing with Ci n.
Completely unaware.
Yuri stepped back.
"You have until tomorrow."
He turned to leave.
Then stopped.
"Oh."
He glanced over his shoulder.
"And don't tell her."
My chest felt heavy.
"If she finds out…"
He smirked.
"…things might get messy."
Then he walked away.
Just like that.
Leaving me standing there.
For a long moment I didn't move.
My hands were still shaking.
My heart was beating too fast.
Jay's face flashed in my mind again.
I pulled out my phone.
There were only two people I trusted with this.
I dialed the first number.
"Hello?"
"Aries."
"…What's wrong."
"I need you near Section E."
He paused.
"Right now?"
"Yes."
Then I called the second number.
"Yo?"
"Percy."
"What happened."
"Come to Section E."
"…Is Jay okay?"
My throat tightened.
"She's fine."
"Then what's wrong."
"I'll explain when you get here."
A few minutes later they both arrived near the hallway.
Aries walked toward me first.
Percy followed right behind him.
"Keif," Percy said quickly. "What happened?"
I took a breath.
Then I told them everything.
Every word Yuri said.
Every threat.
Every condition.
The hallway felt heavy while I spoke.
Neither of them interrupted.
When I finished—
Silence.
Aries looked like he was trying very hard to stay calm.
Percy's fists were clenched.
"That bastard," Percy muttered.
I leaned against the wall.
"He said if I don't tell her tomorrow…"
I couldn't finish the sentence.
Percy ran a hand through his hair.
"He threatened Jay."
"Yes."
Aries stared at the floor for a moment.
Thinking.
Then he looked up at me.
"You're not telling her that."
"I know."
Percy shook his head angrily.
"We're not letting him touch her."
"I know."
My chest still felt tight.
Aries exhaled slowly.
Then he looked at Percy.
Then back at me.
"…Okay."
Percy nodded.
"Okay."
I frowned slightly.
"Okay what."
Aries' voice became calmer.
"We'll handle it."
Percy nodded again.
"Yeah."
I looked between them.
"You're both way too calm."
Aries gave a small, serious look.
"Trust us."
Percy cracked his knuckles slightly.
"That idiot picked the wrong people to threaten."
For a moment none of us spoke.
Then Aries said quietly,
"Jay doesn't need to know yet."
I nodded.
"…Yeah."
Percy looked toward the classroom where Jay was.
Laughing with the others.
Completely unaware of everything.
His voice dropped slightly.
"We protect her first."
Aries nodded.
"Always."
I looked toward the classroom door too.
Jay's voice echoed from inside.
Still normal.
Still safe.
For now.
But in my chest…
Something felt very wrong.
And tomorrow was coming too fast.