JAY'S POV
The final bell rang like freedom.
Section E exploded instantly.
Chairs scraped. Bags dropped. Someone—probably Blaster—cheered like we'd survived a natural disaster. Felix was already halfway out of his seat, Denzel stretching like he'd run a marathon, Drew arguing with Eman about something completely unrelated to reality.
I stayed seated, calmly packing my bag.
Then I felt it.
That look.
I glanced up.
Keifer.
Leaning against the desk two rows ahead, arms crossed, jaw relaxed, eyes locked on me with that unmistakable we-have-a-date expression.
Not subtle. Not even trying.
Just… intentional.
My lips twitched despite myself.
I zipped my bag—
And suddenly, Cin appeared.
Like a menace.
He dropped into the seat beside me dramatically, throwing an arm around my shoulders like we were lifelong best friends.
"Jay," he whined. "I'm craving ice cream."
I froze.
Keifer didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Just stared at me.
Harder.
Cin continued, completely unaware of the silent war happening three feet away. "Like, desperately craving it. You should come with me. For moral support."
Felix leaned over from the row behind. "She doesn't owe you dairy."
"I do when it's ice cream," Cin argued.
I laughed softly and gently pushed Cin's arm off my shoulder.
"Sorry," I said. "I can't."
Cin pouted instantly. "Why not?"
"I've got family over," I replied easily. "I need to head home."
That's when I felt it.
Keifer's stare.
Sharp. Hopeful. Say yes to him and die energy.
I didn't look at him.
On purpose.
Cin groaned. "Wow. Betrayed."
"You'll survive," I said, standing. "Get Felix to go with you."
Felix raised a hand. "I'm lactose intolerant."
"LIAR," Cin yelled as I walked away.
I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door, heart pounding just a little faster than normal.
Only when I was halfway across the parking did my phone buzz.
I stopped.
Pulled it out.
Keifer:
Will be at your house by 7 PM. See you, girlfriend 😉
My breath caught.
Just a little.
Heat rushed to my cheeks before I could stop it.
I smiled at my phone like an idiot.
Then—
I felt it.
That awareness again.
I looked up.
Keifer was still where he'd been—Cin, Felix, Denzel, Drew, Eman clustered around him, all talking at once.
None of them were looking at me.
Only him.
His phone was still in his hand.
And his eyes were locked on my face.
Watching.
Waiting.
I realized then—
he hadn't looked down after sending the text.
He'd looked straight at me.
To see what it did.
His lips curved slowly.
Just enough.
A smirk meant only for me.
I snapped my phone into my bag, and walked away before my smile betrayed me any further.
Behind me, Section E kept talking, laughing, completely unaware.
Only Keifer knew.
And he let me go—
Already counting down to seven....
I went straight to my room the moment I got home.
Bag dropped. Door shut. I leaned against it for a second, breathing out slowly.
Okay.
Date.
With Keifer.
I opened my cupboard and stared.
There were plenty of options.
Cute ones.
Dangerous ones.
Outfits that said don't get attached and others that said you'll regret this in the best way.
None of them felt right.
I didn't want dramatic.
I didn't want careless.
I wanted… intentional.
That's when I saw it.
A white dress.
Soft fabric.
Tiny flowers scattered across it like someone had been gentle on purpose. Thigh-length. Simple. Pretty without trying too hard.
A date dress.
I paired it with my leather high boots—because I was still me. Sweet, but not harmless. Soft, but capable of damage.
After fixing my hair and slipping on minimal jewelry, I looked at my reflection.
Yeah.
This felt right.
I stepped out of my room—
And immediately froze.
Percy was leaning against the hallway wall, freshly showered, towel slung over his shoulder, arms crossed.
He blinked once.
Then twice.
"…Wow," he said. "Okay. That's not fair."
I groaned. "Don't."
"Oh, I absolutely will," he replied. "My beautiful sistah did not warn me she'd be stepping out looking like someone's problem."
I grabbed my bag. "Behave."
"No promises."
The doorbell rang.
My heart jumped instantly.
Percy's grin turned knowing. "That'll be him."
I walked to the door and opened it.
Keifer stood there.
White shirt.
Black jeans.
Hair slightly messy like he'd run his hand through it one too many times.
And in his hands—
Flowers.
A small bouquet. White and soft pink, simple but careful. Like he'd thought about it.
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
He looked up—and stopped.
Actually stopped.
His eyes moved from my face to the dress, then back up again, slower this time.
"Hey," he said quietly.
"Hey," I replied, just as softly.
He held out the flowers, suddenly a little unsure. "These are for you."
I smiled before I could stop myself. "They're beautiful."
"So are you," he said, immediately, then winced. "—Sorry. That was fast."
I laughed, taking the bouquet. "No, it was perfect."
Behind me, Percy cleared his throat loudly.
Keifer noticed him.
Instant tension.
Percy stepped closer, arms crossed now, eyes sharp but amused.
Keifer straightened automatically.
I sighed internally and stepped between them.
"Keifer," I said, "this is my brother. Percy."
Percy extended his hand, smiling like trouble wrapped in charm. "Finally. I've heard a lot."
Keifer shook his hand, firm and respectful. "All good things, I hope."
Percy chuckled. "We'll see."
They sized each other up for half a second too long.
Then Percy glanced at the flowers. "Good choice."
Keifer relaxed just a fraction. "Thank you."
I rolled my eyes. "Are we done with the silent interrogation?"
Percy stepped back, hands raised. "Go. Have fun. Don't traumatize each other, and bring her home safely Watson I mean it. "
Keifer smiled at me then—soft, warm, unmistakably real—and held the door open.
As we stepped into the night, bouquet in hand, my heart felt light.
This wasn't just a date.
It was effort.
And somehow—
That meant everything...