Chapter 17 — Confessions in the Quiet
It happened on an ordinary afternoon—so ordinary that Jay almost hated how easily her entire life tilted on its axis.
Keifer had dragged her up to the rooftop after class, saying something about "needing fresh air." The sky was streaked orange and violet, the late sun spilling over the school like paint. Jay leaned against the railing, crossing her arms.
"Why are we here?" she asked, feigning annoyance.
Keifer shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Because… I needed to say something. And I didn't want an audience."
Her heart stuttered. "You're being weird."
"Maybe I am." His usual cocky smirk softened into something almost nervous. "Look, Jay… I don't know when it happened. Somewhere between hating your guts and you screaming at me every five minutes. But I like you. A lot.No I l-love you And I'm tired of pretending that I don't.
Jay's lips parted, words tangling in her throat. Her instinct was to deny, to shield, to keep the walls up. But she was so tired too—tired of pretending she didn't notice the way her pulse raced when Keifer leaned too close, or how his grin could undo a whole day's worth of carefully built indifference.
"You're unbelievable," she muttered.
He cocked an eyebrow. "That's not an answer."
Her chest tightened. Then, almost recklessly, she blurted, "Fine. I like you too, idiot."
The relief on his face nearly undid her. He stepped forward, eyes glinting like he'd just won the world. "Good. Then we can stop wasting time."
And just like that, his lips pressed against hers. It wasn't careful—Keifer wasn't careful with anything—but it was real. When they pulled apart, Jay was breathless, cheeks burning.
"Don't look so smug," she warned.
"Can't help it. My girlfriend just kissed me."
Her head snapped up. "Who said I'm your girlfriend?"
"You did," Keifer said easily, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "You just don't realize it yet."
Later, when they sat side by side on the steps, Keifer smirked again. "New rule."
"Oh no," Jay groaned.
"Every time you swear, you owe me one kiss."
She narrowed her eyes. "You're insane."
"Those are the rules. You curse, I collect."
Jay muttered something unrepeatable under her breath. Keifer grinned and leaned in to claim his first kiss of the game. "See? Already working."
Of course, Section E figured it out within days.
Calix caught them exchanging looks that lingered too long. Eren swore he saw Jay fixing Keifer's collar before class. And during lunch, when Jay swore at a dropped book and Keifer swooped in with a quick kiss on her cheek, the entire table went silent.
"Are you two…?" Eman started.
"No," Jay snapped too quickly.
"Yes," Keifer corrected at the same time.
The group burst into laughter, half teasing, half triumphant. "Finally!" Felix groaned. "We were about to start placing bets."
Jay buried her face in her hands. Keifer just grinned, unbothered.
That weekend, Jay and Alys ended up together at a café near campus.
"You seem… lighter," Alys said, stirring her drink with a sly smile.
Jay raised an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you don't look like you're ready to stab Keifer anymore."
Jay nearly choked on her coffee. "He's still infuriating."
"But you like him," Alys pressed, grin widening. "And honestly? It suits you. Don't fight me on this."
For once, Jay didn't argue. She just sipped her drink, a smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
Alys leaned across the table, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Welcome to the club of girls falling for idiots who somehow make it worth it."
Jay laughed—really laughed—and realized that, for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel like she was carrying the weight of the world alone.
End of Chapter 17