JAY'S POV
Six months.
That's how long it took for everything to change.
And somehow—
It felt like it happened in seconds.
Standing in the school hall now, surrounded by Section E, the noise of chatter and laughter filling the air, it was hard to believe we were actually here.
Graduation.
The end.
I looked down at my outfit, smoothing it slightly before glancing around. Everyone looked different today—more grown, more real.
Felix was arguing with Ci-N.
Blaster was being loud as usual.
Keiren and Kegain were laughing about something.
And then—
There was him.
Keifer.
Standing a little distance away, but still close enough that I could feel his presence without even looking.
I did anyway.
Big mistake.
Because he was already looking at me.
The principal stepped onto the stage, clearing his throat as the room slowly quieted.
Speech.
Awards.
Names being called.
It all passed in a blur.
Until—
"And as you all step into the next chapter of your lives… don't forget, your final celebration awaits."
The room quieted slightly.
"Prom will be held next week."
The entire hall erupted.
Cheers.
Excitement.
Chaos.
I barely had time to react before I felt it—
A hand at my waist.
Pulling me slightly closer.
I turned.
Keifer.
Close.
Too close.
His grip wasn't tight.
Just enough.
His head leaned slightly toward mine, his voice low.
"Prom, huh?"
My heart skipped slightly.
"Yeah…"
He didn't move away.
Didn't loosen his hold.
If anything, his fingers pressed just slightly more against my waist.
"You're going with me."
Not a question.
I looked at him, trying to act calm.
"Who said I wasn't?"
A small smirk appeared on his lips.
"Good."
The ride home felt calmer.
Quieter than usual.
But not empty.
Just… settled.
Dinner was already set when we arrived, the familiar warmth of the house wrapping around us. Kegain and Keiren were already there, sitting casually like they owned the place.
I sat down beside Keifer, trying to focus on the food—but I could still feel him next to me, still aware, still close.
Kegain spoke first.
"So… prom."
Keiren smirked.
"Big night."
I rolled my eyes slightly.
"You two are already annoying."
KEIFER'S POV
I leaned back slightly in my chair, glancing at them before looking at Jay.
She was trying to act normal again.
Didn't work.
I set my fork down.
"We're going to the mall tomorrow."
They all looked at me.
Kegain raised an eyebrow.
"We are?"
I nodded slightly.
"You, Keiren, me… and Jay, and Section e"
Keiren grinned immediately.
"Prom shopping?"
I didn't look away from Jay.
"Yeah."
JAY'S POV
My heart skipped again.
Tomorrow?
That fast?
I looked at him.
"You already decided?"
He didn't even hesitate.
"Yes."
Kegain laughed.
"Control issues."
Keifer didn't react.
Of course he didn't.
Dinner went on like that—teasing, planning, small arguments over nothing. But underneath it all, there was something else.
Excitement.
Anticipation.
Something big was coming.
Later that night, everything finally quieted down.
I walked into the room, feeling the tiredness hit all at once. Graduation, the noise, the emotions—it all settled in.
I barely made it to the bed before sitting down.
A second later—
Keifer walked in.
He didn't say anything.
Just moved like he always did, calm, steady, like everything was already his.
I lay back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Tomorrow's going to be chaotic."
He sat beside me.
Close.
"Probably."
I turned slightly toward him.
He was already looking at me.
That look again.
Familiar now.
Too familiar.
My heart softened slightly.
I shifted closer without thinking, resting lightly against him.
He didn't move away.
Instead, his arm moved around me naturally, pulling me in just enough.
Comfortable.
Warm.
No tension.
No chaos.
Just quiet.
For once.
My eyes slowly started to close.
The last thing I felt—
Was his hand resting against me.
Steady.
Certain.
And right where it always seemed to be now.