Jay-Jay POV
Keifer stepped closer.
Not in front of me.
Not behind me.
Beside me.
That alone made Mike's confidence crack a little.
Mike scoffed and crossed his arms. "Mentor," he said loudly, pointing at me, "did you hit the wrong person? This girl is trying to pretend you're her boyfriend."
The other boys laughed and agreed.
I turned slowly to look at Keifer.
If looks could kill, the cafeteria would've needed a funeral.
Then I noticed his fist.
Clenched.
Tight.
Oh no.
Before he could say anything, Adrian rushed in and tapped my shoulder gently.
"Jay," he whispered, "tell him to calm down before this turns ugly."
I sighed.
"Adrian," I said calmly, "fix this before someone starts rewriting school history."
Adrian stepped forward. "Everyone stop. Just leave it and go sit down."
Mike snapped back, "Who do you think you are? This girl bumped into me. My new dress is ruined."
Adrian turned to Keifer. "What should we do?"
Keifer didn't answer.
Instead, he took out his phone.
He dialed one number.
And walked past the boys slowly while talking.
The air shifted.
Something about the way he spoke quietly made even the loudest students suddenly remember they had places to be.
The boys muttered and walked away to sit.
Felix, David, Adrian, and the rest of Section E moved fast, dismissing students from the cafeteria.
Within minutes—
Empty.
Too empty.
Keifer ended the call.
Then he said my name.
"Jay-Jay."
Jay-Jay POV
I walked to him.
He pulled me closer and made me sit on his lap like it was the most normal thing in the world.
My face burned.
Before I could complain, his phone rang again.
This time…
I recognized the voice.
Michael.
Mike froze where he stood.
All three boys listened.
Then—
Their phones slipped from their hands.
Faces pale.
Eyes wide.
They rushed toward us.
Begging.
Apologizing.
Talking too fast.
"We're sorry—" "We didn't know—" "Future Mrs. Watson—" "We didn't mean it—" "We'll never bully anyone again—"
I raised an eyebrow.
"So," I said calmly, "does that mean you were planning to bully the poor and weak?"
They shook their heads so fast I thought they'd break their necks.
"No! No! We'll be fair to everyone!"
Keifer spoke calmly. "Help her with her bag. Carry her books."
I shook my head. "I don't want that."
He suggested something else.
"No."
Another suggestion.
"Nope."
Then Ci-N smiled.
"Oh," he said, snapping his fingers, "I know what she wants."
Keifer looked at him. "What?"
Ci-N turned to me. "Donuts, right?"
I smiled instantly.
"Yes."
We high-fived.
Keifer sighed. "You heard her."
The boys nodded quickly.
I added, sweetly,
"Not just any donuts.
Snorlax-designed donuts.
120 pieces.
By Friday."
I tilted my head.
"Today is Wednesday. You have two days."
They agreed immediately and ran away like their lives depended on frosting.
Keifer looked at me.
I smiled.
Best day ever.