Jayjay's POV
The dorm was quiet in the way only evening knew how to be.
Not peaceful.
Just… suspended.
I sat on my bed with my books spread out like they were trying to comfort me. Notes open, pen in hand, brain absolutely refusing to cooperate. My bandaged hand rested on a pillow, elevated like it had royal status now.
Great. Even my injuries were dramatic.
My phone buzzed.
I didn't need to look at the screen to know who it was.
Keifer.
I answered before it could ring twice.
"Hey," he said, his voice softer than the hallway earlier. "I just wanted to check on you. How's your hand?"
I smiled despite myself. "Still attached. Still annoying."
He chuckled quietly. "Does it hurt?"
"Only when I remember gravity exists."
A pause.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there longer," he said. "I should've stayed."
I stared at the ceiling.
"It's okay," I replied. "You had work. I get it."
Another pause. Longer this time.
He asked about the nurse, the bandage, if I took painkillers, if I was resting. It felt normal. Familiar. Like us, before everything started feeling… tilted.
While he was talking, the door opened.
Ciel slipped in quietly, shoes in hand, her expression unreadable.
I held up a finger at her, mouthing Kiefer.
She nodded and sat on the edge of her bed, waiting.
When the call finally ended, I placed my phone beside me.
Ciel didn't waste time.
"Jay," she said softly, "we need to talk."
That tone.
The one that never brought good news.
I sat up straighter. "Okay… what's wrong?"
She took a breath.
"Yuri and I overheard Sienna earlier. Yesterday. After school."
My chest tightened.
"She was on the phone," Ciel continued. "Talking about plans. About how things were 'going well'. She said the next step was already in process."
I frowned. "Process of what?"
"That's the thing," Ciel said. "We don't know. But she said something else."
My stomach sank.
"She mentioned Section E," Ciel went on. "And said… 'get ready for your downfall'. Or something close to that."
Silence settled between us.
I stared at my desk.
"At first I thought maybe I misheard," Ciel said. "But Yuri heard it too."
"What does she even want from us?" I whispered. "From me?"
Ciel shook her head. "I don't know. But whatever it is, it's not random."
I leaned back against my pillows, thoughts spiraling.
If Sienna was planning something…
Why now?
Why us?
Why Keifer?
My phone suddenly made a soft sound.
The call-ended tone.
I glanced at the screen.
No missed calls.
No notifications.
Just the quiet truth staring back at me.
"I ended the call with keifer," I said out loud.
Ciel blinked. "You did?"
I nodded slowly.
"Yes," I murmured, more to myself than to her. "I did."
Like I needed distance.
Like I needed control over something.
I set the phone face-down.
Picked up my pen.
Opened my book again.
"Study time?" Ciel asked gently.
"Yeah," I said, forcing a small smile. "Study time."
She lay back on her bed, giving me space.
As I stared at the page, the words blurred together.
Because no matter how hard I tried to focus—
My mind kept circling one thought.
Whatever game Sienna is playing… we're already on the board.