Chapter 8: Back to Section E
Jay-Jay's POV
I walked beside Aries toward the school gate, my bag heavy on my shoulder, every step feeling harder than the last.
I didn't want to go.
Every part of me wanted to turn around and run, but Aries stayed close, silent, making sure I didn't.
"Jay-Jay," he said quietly, "just keep walking."
I nodded, staring at the pavement.
The school looked the same—fresh paint, polished floors—but it all felt wrong.
My legs felt like lead, my chest tight, my heart hammering.
"Are you even listening?" Aries asked softly.
"I'm listening," I muttered.
He didn't reply. He just kept walking.
The closer we got, the tighter my chest felt.
I could see the school gates up ahead, kids laughing, people talking, and then… I saw them.
Section E.
Yuri, Keifer, and the others.
My stomach sank.
My legs froze.
I wanted to disappear.
I hated every single one of them.
Aries glanced at me.
"Ignore them," he whispered.
I swallowed hard, keeping my head down.
Keifer's eyes met mine for a split second.
I didn't know what to do.
I didn't want to look at him, but I couldn't stop myself.
He didn't say anything.
He just watched.
Yuri smirked at me from across the yard.
I felt my blood boil.
I wanted to scream, run, hide.
Aries stayed close, silent, calm, protective.
"School isn't going anywhere," he said quietly.
I didn't answer.
We reached the classroom door, and I paused.
Every instinct told me to turn around.
Every part of me wanted to leave.
But I couldn't.
Not with Aries there.
I smoothed my uniform, combed my hair with my fingers, and took a deep breath.
I stepped inside.
The chatter inside was deafening.
Section E's eyes were everywhere.
I could feel them on me.
Keifer was there, sitting quietly, unreadable, watching me.
I hated that I didn't understand him.
I hated that I didn't know why he stayed quiet.
I hated that I cared.
Aries let me slip into the classroom, standing just outside to make sure no one bothered me.
Then he left.
And I was alone.
Alone with Section E.
Alone with Keifer.
Alone with the tension that I couldn't escape.