POV: Jay
Something was wrong.
Keifer was smiling too much.
Not his usual calm, responsible class-president smile.
This one was controlled.
Strategic.
Like he was five steps ahead of me and enjoying it.
Section E was loud as always.
Drew arguing about a random bet.
Rory and Edrix whispering like they were building a spy satellite.
David laughing quietly at something only he found funny.
Yuri silent but observing everything.
Eman sharing snacks like a peaceful diplomat.
Normal.
Everything normal.
Except Keifer.
He stood up from his seat and walked toward me.
Slow.
Unbothered.
Confident.
Inner thought:
Stay calm. You are innocent. You are not a masked business owner who kissed him behind a parking lot.
He stopped beside my desk.
"Good morning… baby."
Silence.
The classroom paused for exactly two seconds.
Then exploded.
Drew: "BABY??"
Blaster: "SINCE WHEN?"
Ci-N: "We missed a chapter!"
My pen stopped mid-word.
I looked up at Keifer.
He looked completely calm.
Too calm.
"Excuse me?" I said flatly.
He tilted his head slightly.
"You didn't sleep well?"
My heartbeat jumped.
"I slept fine."
"Really?" he asked softly. "Because someone was very busy last night."
Inner thought:
Abort. Abort. Emergency evacuation.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He nodded slowly.
"Strange."
He walked back to his seat like he hadn't just detonated a bomb.
Then texted me.
My phone buzzed.
I looked down.
Keifer:
Miss me? 😘
My stomach flipped.
That was my line.
I slowly typed.
Me:
What is wrong with you?
His reply came instantly.
Keifer:
Just testing your patience 😏
That was also my line.
Inner thought:
He knows. He absolutely knows. I am finished.
I looked up.
He was watching me.
Watching my reaction.
I typed again.
Me:
You're acting weird.
He smirked.
Then said out loud, "Relax. I'm watching you."
The exact message I sent him that night.
Drew looked between us like he was watching a tennis match.
Yuri raised one eyebrow.
Ci-N , who was drinking water, choked slightly.
I stood up suddenly.
"I need water."
And walked straight out before I exploded.
Hallway.
Empty.
I leaned against the wall and exhaled slowly.
Okay.
Let's think.
He: • Called me baby. • Used Luna Byte's phrases. • Mentioned last night. • Sent my exact texts back to me.
Conclusion: He knows.
Question: How much?
Footsteps.
Of course.
Keifer.
He stopped in front of me.
"No audience now," he said quietly.
"I was thirsty," I replied.
"Sure."
Silence stretched between us.
He studied my face like he was searching for something specific.
"You're a terrible liar," he said calmly.
"I'm not lying."
"You are."
My heart thudded harder.
He stepped a little closer.
Not invading.
Just close enough to make breathing difficult.
"You look better without the mask."
The world went silent.
That was it.
Confirmation.
He remembers.
He saw my face.
He remembers the kiss.
I forced myself to stay calm.
"What mask?" I asked.
He didn't smile this time.
"I remember," he said softly. "The parking lot. The fresh air. The way you almost slipped."
My breath caught.
"You removed your mask," he continued. "And I saw you."
I didn't speak.
Because there was no point.
He already knew.
"You kissed me," he said.
"You kissed me first," I shot back automatically.
His lips curved slightly.
"So it was you."
I froze.
"You weren't sure?" I asked.
"I was ninety percent sure," he admitted. "You just gave me the last ten."
Inner thought:
I walked into that trap with confidence.
I crossed my arms.
"So what now?"
He leaned against the wall beside me.
"I'm not angry."
That surprised me.
"You're not?"
"I'm annoyed," he corrected. "You lied. Repeatedly."
Fair.
"But," he added quietly, "I also think it's kind of impressive."
I blinked.
"Impressive?"
"You built something. You protected people. You handled business. And you still had time to argue with me."
I tried not to smile.
Failed slightly.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked more seriously.
Because I was scared you'd get involved. Because I didn't want you in danger. Because if something happened to you—
"I didn't want you dragged into it," I admitted softly.
His expression changed.
Less teasing.
More understanding.
"You don't get to decide that alone," he said gently.
Silence.
The air between us shifted.
"So," he continued, regaining his usual composure, "does this mean I can call you baby publicly now?"
I hit his arm lightly.
"Don't you dare."
He laughed quietly.
Warm. Soft.
And then he leaned closer again.
"Next time," he whispered, "don't push me away when I kiss you."
My heart did something violent inside my chest.
"That was reflex," I muttered.
"Fix it next time."
"There won't be a next time."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Confident?"
"I am."
He leaned back slightly.
"Good. I like challenges."
Inner thought:
This boy is impossible.
The bell rang.
He started walking back to class.
Then paused.
Turned slightly.
"And Jay?"
I looked at him.
"I like both versions."
My chest tightened.
He walked away like he hadn't just rearranged my entire emotional system.
I stood there for a moment longer.
Processing.
He knows.
He's not angry.
He's teasing me.
And worst of all?
I'm happy he knows.
And that scares me more than anything.
End of Chapter