Aurora 🌙✨
Here is the next chapter (Chapter
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🌙 Chapter : The Partner List
Jay's POV
The next morning felt strangely quiet.
Not because the school was calm.
But because everyone was waiting.
Waiting for one thing.
The partner list.
The announcement from yesterday had turned the entire academy into a guessing game. Students had spent the whole afternoon predicting who they would get paired with for the charity gala project.
Some were excited.
Some were terrified.
Some were already trying to convince teachers to change the pairings.
And somehow, the rumor that Keifer and I might end up together had already spread through half the school.
Ridiculous.
I stepped out of the car and walked through the school gates like any other day.
But once again—
the whispers started.
"They're announcing the partners today."
"I swear if Jay and Keifer get paired…"
"That would be insane."
"Section E would explode."
I ignored them.
Rumors were background noise now.
By the time I reached the classroom, Section E was already unusually awake.
Blaster was leaning against his desk.
Ci-N was spinning his pen like usual.
Drew looked nervous.
David still had his head down, though he was clearly awake.
And Keifer…
Keifer sat near the window, staring at his phone.
The moment I entered, Blaster grinned.
"Well, well."
"Morning, storm."
I placed my bag on the desk.
"Morning."
Ci-N raised an eyebrow.
"You're suspiciously calm today."
"I'm always calm."
"That's exactly what makes it suspicious."
Drew leaned forward.
"Do you think they'll announce the partners today?"
Blaster laughed.
"They literally said they would."
Drew scratched his head.
"Right… I forgot."
David spoke without lifting his head.
"If I get paired with someone incompetent, I'm skipping the project."
Ci-N smirked.
"You skip everything anyway."
Before anyone could continue the conversation—
The classroom door opened.
Our teacher walked in carrying a folder.
And the entire room immediately went quiet.
Blaster whispered dramatically.
"This is it."
The teacher placed the folder on the desk.
"As you all know," she began, "the academy's annual charity gala will take place next month."
Some students groaned.
Others leaned forward eagerly.
"For the preparation phase, each of you has been assigned a partner."
She lifted the paper from the folder.
"And before anyone asks—no, the pairs cannot be changed."
Blaster leaned toward Ci-N.
"Someone's about to cry."
Ci-N nodded.
"Probably Drew."
"Hey," Drew protested.
The teacher started reading.
"Mayo and Blaster."
Mayo froze.
"NO."
The class laughed.
Blaster clapped slowly.
"That was fast."
The teacher continued.
"Rory and Edrix."
Rory shrugged.and then they shared a quick high five.
"Acceptable."
"Drew and Felix."
Drew nodded calmly.
"Fine."
The list continued.
Name after name.
Students reacted with relief, disappointment, or laughter.
But slowly—
The room began to notice something.
Two names hadn't been called yet.
Mine.
And Keifer's.
Blaster's grin slowly widened.
"Oh no."
Ci-N looked amused.
"This is happening."
Drew turned toward us with wide eyes.
"No way."
The teacher looked down at the paper again.
Then she spoke the final line.
"Jay Jay and Keifer."
The room exploded.
"What?!"
"I KNEW IT!"
"That's insane!"
Blaster fell back into his chair laughing.
"This school is a comedy show."
Ci-N rubbed his forehead.
"The universe has a twisted sense of humor."
Drew looked like he had just witnessed a miracle.
"No way… no way…"
I stayed completely still.
My expression didn't change.
But inside—
I was extremely annoyed.
Of course this happened.
Of course.
I slowly turned my head toward Keifer.
He was already looking at me.
Not surprised.
Not amused.
Just watching.
Like he had expected this.
Blaster leaned over the desk dramatically.
"Well," he said.
"This is going to be the most entertaining project in school history."
Ci-N added calmly,
"Either they'll win the gala…"
"Or the building will burn down."
The teacher clapped her hands once.
"Settle down."
The class slowly quieted.
"You will begin planning your charity projects today."
She looked directly at us.
"Jay Jay, Keifer. Please stay after class to discuss your project proposal."
Blaster whispered loudly,
"Oh this is perfect."
I ignored him.
The rest of the class passed slowly.
Too slowly.
I could feel Keifer's presence beside me the entire time.
The silence between us was heavier than any argument.
Finally—
The bell rang.
Students immediately started leaving.
Blaster stopped beside my desk before leaving.
He pointed between us.
"I expect chaos."
Ci-N smirked.
"Try not to destroy the school."
Then Section E disappeared into the hallway.
Leaving just two people in the classroom.
Me.
And Keifer.
The room suddenly felt too quiet.
I stood up and grabbed my bag.
"We'll finish the project quickly," I said calmly.
"That's it."
I started walking toward the door.
But Keifer spoke.
"You're still angry."
I stopped.
Slowly.
Then I turned slightly.
"I'm not angry."
"You are."
I crossed my arms.
"Even if I am, it's none of your business."
His voice softened slightly.
"Jay—"
"No."
The word cut him off.
"We'll do the project."
"We'll present it."
"And after that, we go back to ignoring each other."
His eyes didn't leave mine.
"You think I'm going to let that happen?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"You don't get a choice."
He stepped closer.
"That's where you're wrong."
The tension in the room grew again.
But I didn't step back.
Because if there was one thing I had learned—
Running from Keifer never actually solved anything.
The real problem was something else.
Working with him meant spending time together.
Talking.
Planning.
Facing everything we had been avoiding.
And that was exactly the situation I didn't want.
But the academy had already made the decision.
Jay Jay and Keifer.
Partners.
For the entire gala project.
And somehow—
that felt like the beginning of a much bigger disaster.
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