Jay's POV..
The classroom felt heavier than usual.
Everyone was seated, question papers face down on the desks. The silence was different today… tense, almost suffocating.
I gripped my pen tightly, my heart beating faster with every passing second.
"Relax," a low voice came from beside me.
I turned slightly. Keifer.
He wasn't even looking at me, just sitting there calmly. But somehow… his voice steadied me.
"I'm fine," I whispered.
"You don't look like it," he replied.
Before I could say anything, Sir Alvin's voice cut through the room.
"You may start."
I flipped the paper.
…and froze.
Wait.
I blinked once. Twice.
This… was easy.
A small smile slowly formed on my face as I started writing. For the first time, I wasn't panicking. The answers came naturally, one after another, like everything I studied last night was actually… working.
Time passed quickly. The sound of pens moving filled the room. No whispers, no chaos—just pure focus.
I glanced once at Keifer.
He was already halfway done. Of course.
I rolled my eyes slightly and continued writing.
By the time the bell rang, I leaned back, letting out a small breath.
I did it.
I actually did it.Finally I m free for Graduation.
As we stepped out of the classroom, Section E slowly returned to their usual selves.
"That was too easy," Drew said, stretching his arms.
"Yeah, suspiciously easy," Rory added.
Ci-n smirked. "Some of you still messed it up, I'm sure."
"Shut up," Eman muttered.
I smiled slightly, clutching my paper.
"Jay," Keifer called.
I turned toward him. "Hm?"
"How was it?"
I tried to act normal, but I couldn't hide it.
"Easy."
One corner of his lips lifted. "I told you."
I looked away, smiling. "…Yeah."
As everyone started leaving, Keifer picked up his keys.
"I'll drop you home," he said casually.
I blinked. "You don't have to—"
"I know," he cut in calmly.
That was it. No argument.
I sighed softly. "…Okay."
The drive was quiet.
The city lights passed by, reflecting on the glass as I stared out of the window. The silence wasn't awkward… just calm.
Keifer drove with one hand, the other resting near the gear. His expression was unreadable, focused… but there was something in the air. Something different.
I glanced at him.
"Keifer…"
"Hm?"
"Why are you so quiet?"
"…Thinking."
"About?"
He didn't answer immediately.
For a moment, only the sound of the engine filled the space between us.
Then-
"Jay."
His voice was low. Serious.
I straightened slightly. "Yes?"
He didn't look at me. His eyes stayed on the road.
"Move in with me."
…
I froze.
My mind went completely blank.
"W-what?" I turned toward him, my heart racing.
He finally glanced at me, his expression calm but intense.
"Live with me."
My breath hitched.
"Keifer…"
"I'm serious," he said, his voice steady. "I don't want to keep you away anymore."
The car slowed slightly as he turned into a quieter road.
"I can protect you better if you're with me."
My heart pounded louder with every word.
Protect.
That word again.
"But… this is sudden…" I whispered.
"I know."
Silence.
The car stopped near my house.
But neither of us moved.
I looked at him, my thoughts tangled, my heart confused.
He leaned slightly back in his seat, still watching me.
"I'm not forcing you," he said.
"But think about it."
My fingers tightened around my bag.
This wasn't just a question.
It was something more.
Something serious.
Something that could change everything.
I stepped out of the car slowly, still processing his words.
Before closing the door, I looked at him one last time.
Keifer didn't say anything.
But his eyes…
They said enough.