Jayjay pov
Friday in Section E was never normal.
It was loud, messy, and somehow louder when Keifer Watson decided to be extra annoying.
"Jay," he said, leaning back on his chair, "are you always this focused, or am I just distracting you?"
I didn't even look at him. "You're not distracting. You're disturbing."
"Ouch," he replied dramatically. "That hurts more than rejection."
Yuri snorted. Drew laughed. Even David shook his head.
Keifer leaned closer. "But you still haven't moved away from me."
"I don't move away from problems," I said flatly. "I tolerate them."
"Wow," he smiled. "She tolerates me. I'm special."
I grabbed my book. "Sir Alvin, please save me."
The bell rang before he could say anything else, and the class exploded into noise.
During break, Ci-N suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Jayjay," he said excitedly, "let's visit Hex tomorrow."
My heart skipped.
Then his eyes lit up more. "No—wait. Better idea. Let's do a two-day sleepover at his place."
I froze for a second.
Hex.
I hadn't seen him properly since last week.
The calls were shorter.
The replies slower.
The 'maybe' still sat heavy in my chest.
I swallowed. "Yeah… okay."
Everyone stared at me.
"But," I added, raising a finger, "it'll be a surprise."
There was one second of silence—
Then chaos.
"YESSS!"
"FINALLY!"
"HEX IS GONNA FREAK!"
"SLEEPOVER?!"
Keifer looked at me, softer this time. "You miss him."
I looked away. "Of course I do."
He didn't tease me for once.
"Then let's go," he said. "Surprises are better when they matter."
As the noise continued around me, I smiled faintly.
Hold on, Hex.
I'm coming.