Jay's pov
Exam day.
Everyone was acting like it was the end of the world.
Felix was literally lying on the desk.
"I am not ready," he said dramatically.
David didn't even look at him. "You were never ready."
Ci.n was sitting straight, calm as always… but also playing with his pen like a kid.
"I revised everything," he said. "But what if something out of syllabus comes?"
Calix sighed. "You're the topper. Stop acting like this."
Ci.n pouted. "Topper also gets scared."
Mayo whispered, "If he's scared, what about us?"
Eman just shook his head. "Eat something."
Denzel stood near the window, calm and quiet. "Focus. It's just an exam."
Just an exam.
Yeah right.
I held my notes but wasn't reading anything.
My mind was blank.
"Jay."
I looked up.
Keifer.
Standing there like he had no tension at all.
"How are you so calm?" I asked.
He shrugged. "Because I'm not scared."
David joined in. "Same."
I stared at both of them. "You guys are actually fearless."
Keifer smirked. "Or just confident."
I rolled my eyes. "Overconfident."
"Maybe," he said, leaning a little closer, "but you'll do well."
"How do you know?"
"Because you always do."
That made me pause.
"…Let's see," I said softly.
The bell rang.
We went inside.
I sat down, took a deep breath, and looked at the paper.
And this time—
I smiled.
Because I knew it.
Not everything.
But enough.
I started writing.
No panic.
No blank mind.
Just focus.
Time passed quickly.
And before I knew it—
"Pens down."
Done.
After the exam, everyone gathered outside again.
Felix ran out first. "I AM ALIVE."
David: "Barely."
Calix: "Paper was good."
Ci.n: "Yes, it was easy actually."
Felix stared at him. "Stop."
Mayo: "I wrote something at least."
Eman: "That's progress."
Denzel nodded. "Next one tomorrow."
I walked out, feeling… light.
"Jay," Keifer called.
I turned.
"How was it?" he asked.
"Good," I said, smiling. "Actually good."
His expression changed slightly.
Proud.
"See?" he said. "I told you."
I laughed. "Don't act like you wrote it for me."
"Could have," he said.
"Liar."
Everyone started discussing answers.
Felix was already wrong in three.
David corrected him.
Ci.n explained everything like a teacher.
Calix agreed.
Drew didn't care.
Mayo was eating again.
Kit was feeding him.
Normal.
Everything felt normal.
Until—
I felt it.
That presence.
I turned.
Yuri.
Standing far away.
Watching.
Again.
My smile faded a little.
---
Keifer's POV
I saw it.
The moment her expression changed.
I followed her gaze.
Yuri.
Of course.
I don't like this guy.
Not even a little.
I looked back at Jay.
She was trying to act normal again.
But I know her now.
"Come," I said quietly.
She looked at me. "…Where?"
"Just come."
I didn't wait.
I held her hand and pulled her slightly away from everyone.
Not far.
Just enough.
She didn't resist.
---
Jay's POV
We stopped near the side corridor.
It was quieter here.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"Jay."
I sighed. "…He was there."
"I know."
"You saw?"
"Yeah."
Silence.
"I don't like it," I said.
"Neither do I."
He stepped closer.
"You're okay, right?"
I nodded slowly. "…Yeah."
"Good."
For a second, we just stood there.
Looking at each other.
And suddenly—
Everything else faded again.
The noise.
The people.
The stress.
Just us.
"You did well," he said softly.
"You too."
"I always do."
I rolled my eyes. "So confident."
"Only because I'm right."
I smiled slightly.
Then—
I don't know what came over me.
Maybe relief.
Maybe happiness.
Maybe him.
But I stepped closer.
And kissed him.
It wasn't rushed.
Not like before.
This time—
It felt calm.
Soft.
Real.
His hand moved to my waist, pulling me just a little closer.
Not too much.
Just enough.
My heart was racing.
But I didn't pull away.
Not this time.
When we finally broke apart, I looked at him.
"…That was for the exam," I said.
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"And maybe a little for you."
He smiled.
"Only a little?"
"Don't push it."
---
Keifer's POV
Yeah.
Worth it.
Completely.
I looked at her. "Next exam?"
She sighed. "Don't remind me."
"Topper energy."
"That's Ci.n, not me."
"Still."
She smiled again.
And this time—
No fear.
No tension.
Just her.
---
Jay's POV
We went back to everyone.
Felix immediately looked at us. "You took long."
David smirked. "Very long."
Ci.n tilted his head. "Suspicious."
Calix nodded. "Very suspicious."
I sat down like nothing happened. "We were talking."
Felix: "Sure."
Mayo: "Definitely not just talking."
Eman: "Eat."
Denzel: "Sit properly."
Chaos again.
But this time—
I didn't mind.
Because everything felt…
Good.
End of Chapter
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Byeee
Ily.