Jay's POV
Afternoon gym class was usually loud.
Very loud.
Balls bouncing.
Students shouting.
Teachers yelling instructions.
But today something felt… different.
I walked into the gym with the rest of the class while students spread out across the court.
Madam Claire, the gym teacher, clapped her hands.
"Alright everyone! Warm-ups first!"
Groans echoed through the room.
Felix dramatically fell to his knees.
"Why do teachers hate happiness?"
David kicked a basketball toward him.
"Move before she makes us run ten laps."
Ci-N stretched his arms.
"Come on guys, it's not that bad."
Felix glared.
"You clearly have no soul."
The boys started arguing while Yuri laughed beside them.
I shook my head and walked toward the bleachers to grab a towel.
Across the gym…
Freya was watching me.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Matilda stood beside her whispering something.
I ignored them.
Whatever.
Gym class started.
We ran laps.
Did stretches.
Played quick passing drills.
After about twenty minutes Madam Claire shouted,
"Alright! Break time for five minutes. Get water if you need it."
Students scattered across the gym.
Some sat on benches.
Others walked around chatting.
I grabbed my water bottle.
That's when Freya suddenly walked toward me.
Her voice was unusually calm.
"Jay."
I raised an eyebrow.
"…Yes?"
Freya pointed toward the hallway leading to the equipment storage.
"Madam Claire said someone needs to bring extra volleyballs from the storage room."
I frowned slightly.
"Why me?"
Freya shrugged.
"You're the closest one."
I looked toward the teacher.
Madam Claire was busy talking to another class.
I sighed.
"Fine."
I walked toward the storage hallway.
Behind me…
Freya watched with a small smile.
The storage room smelled like rubber and dust.
Shelves filled with basketballs, volleyballs, cones, and equipment lined the walls.
I walked inside looking around.
"Where are the—"
CLICK.
The door shut.
Then came the sound of the lock.
My eyes narrowed.
"…Seriously?"
I walked to the door and pulled the handle.
Locked.
Of course.
I knocked once.
"Freya."
Silence.
I tried opening it again.
Nothing.
I crossed my arms.
"Congratulations," I muttered. "You have the intelligence level of a peanut."
I pushed the door again.
Still locked.
Great.
I turned around with a sigh.
Then—
A voice came from behind me.
"You planning to break the door or something?"
I froze.
Then slowly turned.
On the gym mats across the room…
Keifer was lying on his back.
Hands behind his head.
Looking extremely relaxed.
I blinked.
"…What?"
He smirked slightly.
"You look surprised."
I stared at him.
"Why are you here?"
Keifer shrugged lazily.
"Peace and quiet."
I crossed my arms.
"During gym class?"
"Yes."
"Instead of practicing?"
"Yes."
I stared at him.
"You're the student council president."
He nodded.
"And?"
I shook my head.
"Incredible."
Keifer sat up slightly.
"So… why are you trying to escape the door?"
"Because," I said slowly, "someone locked me in."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"…Freya?"
"Obviously."
He chuckled.
"That explains the dramatic entrance."
I walked over and sat on a nearby bench.
"Well?"
"Well what?"
"Aren't you going to help me?"
Keifer pointed at the door.
"It's locked from the outside."
I sighed.
"Fantastic."
Silence filled the room for a moment.
Then Keifer said casually,
"You cause a lot of trouble for someone who's only been here a few weeks."
I glared at him.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"You're the one surrounded by crazy girls."
He laughed.
"Fair point."
I leaned back against the wall.
"So you were just lying here doing nothing?"
"Thinking."
"About?"
He looked at me.
"You."
I blinked.
"…Excuse me?"
He smirked.
"Relax. I was thinking about yesterday."
I rolled my eyes.
"You mean when I almost killed Matilda?"
"Yes."
I shrugged.
"She deserved it."
Keifer chuckled again.
"You're dangerous."
"You noticed."
Silence returned.
Then I walked closer to him.
"You know," I said casually, "if you helped me get out earlier I wouldn't be stuck here."
He stretched lazily.
"But then I wouldn't get entertainment."
I narrowed my eyes.
"You enjoy this?"
"Yes."
I lifted my hand.
"You know what?"
"What?"
"I should smack that smirk off your face."
Keifer grinned.
"Try."
So I did.
I lifted my hand and moved toward him.
But the moment my hand came down—
Keifer suddenly shifted aside.
My balance slipped.
"Hey—!"
I almost fell forward.
But before I hit the floor—
A pair of arms caught me.
Keifer grabbed my waist instinctively.
Unfortunately…
His balance was also gone.
Both of us fell.
THUMP.
Onto the mat.
For a second everything stopped.
My eyes widened.
Because my face was very close to his.
Extremely close.
Then—
Our lips touched.
Just for a second.
But it happened.
Both of us froze completely.
My brain stopped working.
Keifer blinked once.
Then twice.
Neither of us moved.
The gym storage room suddenly felt very quiet.
Very… very quiet.
And neither of us had any idea what to say.
End of Chapter 23 😶