Chapter: Back to Normal (Or Something Like It)
(Jay's POV)
The next morning felt strange.
Like the world was pretending nothing had happened.
Sunlight came through my bedroom window, warm and bright, completely unaware that my head still hurt and my heart felt heavier than usual.
Mom had insisted I stay home another day.
Dad had agreed.
Percy had dramatically claimed I was "medically unfit for academic brilliance."
But I refused.
"I'm going to university," I said while tying my hair.
Mom sighed from the doorway.
"At least take it easy."
"I will."
Percy leaned against the wall beside her.
"You fainted yesterday."
"Thank you, Doctor Percy."
He placed a hand on his chest proudly.
"You're welcome."
Aries walked past us carrying his bag.
"Let her go."
Mom looked at him.
"You're supporting this?"
He shrugged.
"If she stays home, she'll just overthink everything."
Unfortunately…
He was right.
Mom finally gave up.
"Fine. But call me if you feel dizzy."
"I won't."
"Jay."
"Okay, okay, I will!"
Percy looked at the bandage near my hairline.
"You look like you fought a ninja."
"I fought something worse."
"What?"
"Life."
Aries snorted.
"Drama queen."
The university campus looked exactly the same as always.
Students walking everywhere.
Friends laughing.
Classes starting.
Normal life continuing like nothing had happened.
But the moment I walked through the gates…
People noticed the bandage.
Of course they did.
Stella ran toward me first.
"JAY!"
She looked like she had been waiting.
"Oh my god, what happened?!"
Christian appeared behind her.
"Did someone attack you?"
I sighed.
"It's not that dramatic."
"You have a head injury," Stella said dramatically.
"That's dramatic."
Christian leaned closer to inspect the bandage.
"You look cool though."
"Thank you… I think?"
Stella grabbed my arm.
"You're sitting with us today."
"I always sit with you."
"Yes but today we're supervising you."
Christian nodded seriously.
"For safety."
We walked toward the usual spot near the campus garden.
For a few minutes everything felt normal again.
We talked about assignments.
Teachers.
Random gossip.
Then Stella suddenly leaned closer.
"So…"
I already knew that tone.
"What?"
She lowered her voice.
"Did Keifer come to see you?"
My stomach tightened instantly.
Christian looked between us curiously.
"Oh?"
I looked down at my coffee.
"…Yes."
Stella's eyes widened.
"And??"
I remembered the slap.
The hug.
The tears.
The things he said.
The things I said.
My chest tightened again.
"Nothing," I muttered.
Christian raised an eyebrow.
"That's not convincing."
Stella studied my face carefully.
"You cried, didn't you?"
I groaned.
"Why does everyone know that?!"
Christian shrugged.
"Your eyes look slightly puffy."
"Wow thank you."
Before Stella could continue interrogating me…
A group of boys walked past us.
And one of them suddenly said loudly,
"Hey shorty."
I froze.
Slowly turned around.
It was one of Percy's friends.
Great.
Christian blinked.
"Did he just—"
"Yes he did."
Stella looked offended on my behalf.
"You're not even that short!"
"THANK YOU."
I stood up immediately.
"HEY!"
The boys stopped walking.
"You want to repeat that?"
One of them grinned.
"Relax, we're just joking."
I crossed my arms.
"Make a better joke."
Christian leaned back in his chair whispering to Stella.
"This is getting interesting."
Stella nodded.
"I support her."
The boy laughed.
"Alright, alright. Sorry."
"Good."
I sat down again proudly.
Christian clapped slowly.
"Impressive."
Stella pointed at me.
"You are a tiny warrior."
"Stop calling me tiny!"
But despite the teasing…
Despite the normal chaos of university life…
My thoughts still drifted somewhere else.
Back to yesterday.
Back to the hospital room.
Back to Keifer's voice when he said—
I never stopped loving you.
I shook my head slightly.
No.
I wasn't thinking about that.
Not today.
Today I was just a normal university student again.
Or at least…
I was trying to be.