Mila's POV
I had only been in this school for a day.
Just one day.
And yet it already felt like I had walked into the middle of a story that had been going on for years.
I was standing near the lockers outside the classrooms of the third floor, holding my notebook when the door of Class 3-E suddenly opened.
Students inside were laughing loudly.
Then two people stepped out.
Jay.
And Keifer.
Keifer was holding her arm lightly, guiding her down the hallway.
Jay looked… different from earlier.
Her shoulders were slightly slumped, and her eyes looked unfocused like she was trying hard to stay awake.
My chest tightened.
That look…
I had seen it before.
A long time ago.
Jay was rubbing her temple again.
Keifer glanced at her.
"You're not fine," he said calmly.
"I told you I'm fine," Jay replied.
Her voice sounded tired.
"But your face says otherwise."
Jay sighed.
"You're very annoying today, Keifer."
Keifer didn't react.
"You almost fainted in class."
"I didn't faint."
"You were about to."
"I slipped."
"You didn't slip."
Jay groaned softly.
"You're starting to sound like my brother."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"That's not a compliment, is it?"
"No."
I watched them walk past me slowly.
Jay didn't notice me.
But I noticed everything.
The way she kept pressing her fingers against her forehead.
The way she blinked slowly like the light was bothering her.
And suddenly a memory pushed its way into my mind.
Years ago.
A playground.
A much younger Jay sitting on a swing, holding her head exactly the same way.
"Does it hurt again?" I had asked her.
She nodded.
"Sometimes my head hurts a lot."
I remembered being worried.
I remembered bringing her water.
I remembered her laughing five minutes later like nothing happened.
Back then I thought it was just a small headache.
But seeing her now…
The same way.
The same expression.
My fingers tightened around my notebook.
So it still happens…
Jay and Keifer continued walking toward the clinic.
And I stood there quietly, watching them disappear around the corner.
Just then—
A voice behind me spoke.
"Well well."
I turned around.
Freya.
And beside her…
Matilda.
They were leaning casually against the lockers, clearly watching the same thing I had.
Freya's eyes were sharp.
"Looks like the famous Jayjay isn't feeling so strong today."
Matilda smirked.
"Perfect timing."
I stayed quiet.
Freya's gaze suddenly shifted to me.
"You're the new student, right?"
"Mila," I replied calmly.
Freya nodded slowly.
"Interesting first day, huh?"
I didn't answer.
Matilda crossed her arms.
"You know," she said, watching the hallway where Jay disappeared, "that girl loves humiliating people."
Freya added casually,
"But today she looks pretty weak."
Something in her tone made me uneasy.
Freya leaned closer to Matilda and whispered something.
Matilda's eyes widened slightly.
Then she smiled.
"Oh… that's good."
Freya's expression was calm.
Too calm.
"Let's see how untamed she is," Freya murmured softly, "when she can barely stand."
I didn't like the sound of that.
Not at all.
Because whatever Freya was planning…
It definitely wasn't going to be nice.
And Jay…
Was clearly not in a condition to deal with it.
End of Chapter 37 📖