Chapter 26 — Healing, One by One
The classroom felt lighter than it had in weeks. Sunlight streamed through the windows, dust motes floating lazily in the air, and Section E was gathered with a singular mission: earn Jay's forgiveness.
Jay leaned against her chair, arms crossed, expression skeptical. "Okay… everyone, entertain me. Convince me you're not horrible."
Eman stepped forward dramatically, as if rehearsing a Broadway monologue. "Jay… I, Eman the Great, solemnly swear we have abandoned the plan!"
Felix held up a crumpled notebook page. "And here's the official termination notice. Signed, sealed, and… mostly forgotten in the bottom of my bag."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Mostly forgotten? You call this professional?"
Kit cleared his throat. "Professional shenanigans are our specialty."
Jay snorted, the first tiny smile tugging at her lips. Percy, sitting beside her, elbowed her gently. "See? Progress. Smiles are appearing. Mission accomplished."
Forgiving One by One
Jay decided to do things slowly—one member at a time.
Ci-n: Jay approached him first. He looked nervous, fiddling with his pen. "Jay… I… I never wanted to hurt you. I was trapped in Keifer's plan, and I'm sorry."
Jay stared at him a long moment. Finally, she exhaled. "Okay… I forgive you. But if you ever touch my books again…"
Ci-n flinched. "…Yes, ma'am."
David: He approached next, sweating nervously. "Jay… I know I messed up. I didn't have a choice either. Please… forgive me?"
Jay nodded, squeezing his shoulder lightly. "I'm… starting to. Slowly."
David let out a huge sigh of relief. "Thank you. I—uh—deserve at least 20 more apologies after this."
Eman, Felix, Josh, Eren: Each one approached, stumbling through heartfelt apologies and ridiculous antics, all of them earning a small chuckle or a shake of Jay's head.
By the end, Jay felt lighter—not completely healed, but pieces of her anger were gently dissolving.
Alys and Her Own Storm
Throughout the whole process, Alys sat quietly nearby, watching. She smiled faintly whenever Jay laughed at Section E's antics, but the tension in her shoulders never fully eased.
Drake hadn't been particularly helpful lately, sulking in the corner of her mind and refusing to explain his behavior. The distance between them felt thick enough to cut with a knife, and it was a quiet, constant ache.
Alys let out a slow breath, resting her chin on her hand. "At least… Jay's starting to heal," she whispered softly to herself, even though part of her heart was still tangled in her own mess.
Percy, ever the observant stepbrother, leaned over and whispered conspiratorially. "And we'll get through your Drake drama too. Promise. Stepbro advice—free of charge."
Alys managed a tiny, grateful smile. "Thanks… I'll hold you to that."
Small Triumphs
By the end of the afternoon, Jay had forgiven Section E—one by one, awkwardly, hilariously, but sincerely.
Felix tripped over his own feet while bowing apologetically.
Eman had accidentally thrown a paper plane at Felix's head.
Percy, in full stepbro mode, narrated the whole scene like it was a sports broadcast.
Jay laughed, really laughed, letting herself feel the warmth of friendship again.
Alys watched, quietly teary-eyed, letting herself enjoy Jay's laughter while acknowledging that her own heart still needed time to heal.
The chapter closes with laughter, small apologies, and the sense that even broken pieces could start to fit together again—if only slowly, one step at a time.