(Jay's POV)
Returning to 3-E after the restroom break, I felt ready. I thought I could handle the rest of the morning. I adjusted my uniform and swung my bag over my shoulder, walking confidently toward my desk.
Big mistake.
I didn't see the slick puddle on the floor. One step—slip!—and suddenly I was flying, arms flailing, papers and pens scattering everywhere.
"Jay!" Ci-n squeaked, jumping up like he wanted to help.
Before I could recover, I felt the wetness hit me. Something cold and sticky poured right over my head, soaking my uniform. I gasped.
And then… I looked at my wrist. My phonewatch—my prized accessory, the one I wore all the time—was bent and cracked.
Ci-n's eyes went wide. "Oh no…" he muttered. "Jay—I didn't mean—"
I froze, breathing deeply, staring at the broken gadget. My anger boiled beneath the surface, but I didn't say a word. Silence. That was worse than yelling.
Across the desk, Felix, Denzel, Drew, and the others were losing it.
"Classic," Felix laughed.
"Careful, new girl," Drew snickered. "Never know what's coming next."
And then… the sound I did not expect: Keifer laughing.
Not a little chuckle. A full, quiet-but-sharp laugh that made the whole class notice. His head tilted slightly, eyes sparkling with amusement.
I glared at him. "Hilarious, Keifer. You're really funny."
He smirked. "You should see yourself, though. Priceless."
Ci-n shuffled nervously. "I… I didn't… I mean, I saw it, and I tried to—"
I finally spun to him. "Ci-n… really? You saw this happen?"
"I… yeah, I'm sorry! I didn't—"
I waved him off, still furious but silently keeping it together. Talking wouldn't help. My phonewatch was broken. That was unforgivable.
Felix snorted. "Don't look so angry! You survived worse, didn't you?"
"I did not survive this," I muttered under my breath.
Keifer leaned back, smirking at my expression. "You look better angry," he said casually.
I gaped at him. "Better angry? You poured water on me."
"I didn't pour anything," he replied, calm as ever, though the smirk tugging at his lips said otherwise.
I glared. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Maybe a little," he admitted.
I wanted to throw something. Anything. But I restrained myself.
Ci-n watched anxiously, glancing at Keifer. "I really didn't mean—"
"Save it, Ci-n," I muttered, brushing my wet hair back. "I don't need apologies. I need a fix."
"Uh… yeah…" he mumbled, looking guilty.
The boys around us continued to chuckle, some even giving me mock bows. I sighed. 3-E wasn't going to make this easy.
Keifer, still smirking, finally got up and walked over. "Don't let it get to you," he said quietly, almost teasingly. "You'll survive. Maybe even… enjoy it."
I stared at him, incredulous. "Enjoy it? You're insane."
He shrugged, returning to his desk, leaving me fuming. But somehow… I had to admit, even in my anger, it was kind of funny. In a humiliating way.
Ci-n leaned over one more time. "I really am sorry about your watch…"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "It's okay… for now. But trust me, Ci-n… karma works in 3-E."
Felix snickered. "Ooooh, I like the sound of that. Jay versus 3-E—round two!"
I grabbed my bag, water dripping from my uniform, and muttered under my breath, "Round two… is going to be brutal."
And Keifer? He leaned back again, watching me with that impossible smirk. Something told me… he was going to enjoy every second of it, just as much as the rest of the class. ⚡💦⌚