Jay‑jay
If nightmares had walls, they'd all look like HVIS.
The same worn tile floors, the same squeaky ceiling fans, the same echo of laughter that used to mean trouble.
Where everyone else saw a school, I saw ghosts.
Mia and Eli were enchanted by it — snapping photos, whispering about how "vintage" everything looked.
Drake, ever the proud fiancé, leaned close with a grin. "So this is it — the legendary jungle you survived?"
"Something like that," I muttered.
Not even close.
Keifer
Sir Alvin had ordered us to wait in the orientation hall, sixteen deep — the full Section E again.
Kit drummed his fingers on the desk, Mayo paced the back wall, Eren tried a mock drumroll, Josh quietly cleaned his camera lens, Yuri leaned back smirking, Blaster whistled off‑key, Rory yawned, Edrix crossed his arms pretending not to care, Drew bounced one leg nervously, David folded paper airplanes, Felix chewed gum, Calix cracked his knuckles, Denzel tapped his pen against the window frame, Ci‑N scribbled something in his notebook, Eman hummed an old tune, and I… tried not to think about her.
Sir Alvin cleared his throat. "They're here."
When the London group entered, light from the hallway fell across her face first.
Jay‑jay Mariano.
She looked… untouchable.
Longer hair, straighter posture, a new ring on her finger?, new confidence that burned like frost.
The noise died instantly.
Mayo whispered, "Holy—" before Edrix jabbed his ribs.
Yuri said quietly. "Didn't think she'd actually show."
Ci‑N's pen fell to the floor.Tear threatening to fall
Eman muttered, "She's real again."
"Our muyta is back"
My throat tightened. I hadn't said her name aloud in ten months — not once — and now it filled the room without sound.
Jay‑jay
Sixteen faces. Sixteen memories that used to mean everything.
They didn't know what to say either — a few looked stunned, others avoided eye contact entirely.
Kit gave a nervous half‑wave. "Hey, Jay‑jay… long time?"
"Keep it formal," I said flatly. "Miss Mariano, please."
Even as I said it, my chest ached.
Ci‑N, ever the quiet one, stood but didn't move closer. "You look different," he said softly.
"Good. I worked hard to."
The air in the room shifted.
Yuri leaned back, tone sharper than necessary. "Guess London really polished the old Jay out of you, huh?"
I stared him down. "Guess HVIS couldn't polish the arrogance out of you."
Every boy went still.
Keifer looked up at me then — calm, unreadable, infuriatingly composed.
Sir Alvin clapped once. "Alright, let's proceed."
Keifer
I should've expected it.
Pairings. Presentations. Forced collaboration under the banner of "teamwork."
Sir Alvin read from his list:
"London delegate Jasper Jean Mariano — paired with HVIS student Keifer Watson, group lead for Section E."
Gasps. Groans. One murmured "No way."
Jay‑jay's lips curled into a sharp, unbearable smile.
"Of course. History repeats itself."
Her tone could've cut glass.
"We'll work," I said evenly.
"We'll coexist," she corrected.
Ci‑N rubbed his temple. "This is going to kill Keif before the midterm week."
Blaster mumbled, "Or us."
Sir Alvin smiled, oblivious. "Wonderful. I'll expect good synergy between you all."
Jay‑jay
By midday, introductions were over and polite handshakes done.
I managed not to flinch each time one of them said, "Good to see you again, Jay."
Good. To see me.
Like we hadn't wrecked each other.
I escaped to the stairwell for air.
The corridor smelled like rain again — old air trapped between years and regret.
Then a voice I swore I'd never answer again followed me.
"Jay."
I turned. "Don't."
"Please, just let me expl—"
"Explain what?" I snapped. "That you used me? You already did that once, remember?"
He couldn't look at me. For a moment, I almost saw guilt. Almost.
"You hate me," he said quietly.
"Finally, something you're right about."
Footsteps echoed behind us — Drake, calling my name. I straightened immediately.
"See you tomorrow, Mr Watson," I said, walking past Keifer without looking back.
My hands were trembling, but my voice wasn't.
Keifer
"I never used you Jay, I loved you" I whispered too late
She was colder now. Harder. Every word hit its mark.
And God help me, I deserved every one.
The others lingered in the hall as she left.
Mayo exhaled. "Dude, she hates us all."
Ci‑N's voice cracked again. "No, man — she hates herself for ever caring about us."
Maybe he was right.
But when she brushed past me, I caught something behind her eyes that didn't match hate at all — something closer to pain that hadn't healed.
And that was worse.
Than anything.
I love you Jay more than anything ❤️💖