Chapter: Section A vs Section E (Jay's POV)
I should've known peace wouldn't last.
It was lunch break. Section E was being loud as usual. Ci N was arguing about something intellectual no one cared about, Felix was laughing too loudly, and Keifer was pretending he wasn't watching me every five seconds.
Normal day.
Until Freya walked in.
Freya.
Section A.
Perfect uniform. Perfect hair. Perfect attitude.
She didn't usually step into our classroom unless it was important.
Today?
It wasn't important.
It was personal.
She stood near the door, arms crossed.
"Jay."
Oh.
We're using names directly.
I turned slowly. "Yes?"
"You seem very free these days."
Ci N muttered, "Uh oh."
I tilted my head. "Free? As in freedom fighter or timetable free?"
She ignored that. "Talking to boys from other sections."
Ah.
So that's what this is about.
"And?" I asked calmly.
"And you think it looks good?"
Felix whispered loudly, "Why is this sounding like a debate competition?"
Freya stepped closer. "Kiko is from Section C."
"I'm aware."
"He's close to someone from Section A."
I blinked. "Congratulations?"
Her jaw tightened slightly.
"You shouldn't interfere."
Now the class went quiet.
Interfere?
"With what exactly?" I asked.
"With people you don't understand."
I laughed lightly. "You're being very dramatic."
"I'm being clear."
"No, you're being territorial."
Her eyes flashed. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
The tension shifted instantly.
Ci N stood up slightly, ready.
Keifer was very still now.
Freya lowered her voice. "You think just because Section E is loud, you can act however you want?"
I smiled. "I don't need permission to talk to someone."
"You enjoy attention."
"And you enjoy control."
Gasps.
Blaster whispered, "She did not just say that."
Freya stepped closer. "You don't belong in things that don't concern you."
I stood up fully now.
Same height.
Same energy.
"Oh, I belong wherever I stand."
The whole class felt electric.
She looked me up and down. "You act bold."
"I am bold."
"You act like everyone revolves around you."
"I don't act. People just react."
Felix almost fainted.
Freya scoffed. "Stay away from Kiko."
There it is.
Finally honest.
I crossed my arms.
"Why?"
"Because not everyone is for you to entertain."
My voice dropped slightly.
"I'm not entertaining anyone."
"You were laughing with him."
"So?"
"So it looked cheap."
The class went dead silent.
That word.
Cheap.
Keifer moved before I even processed it.
He stepped forward, standing slightly in front of me.
"Watch your words."
His tone wasn't loud.
It was worse.
It was controlled.
Freya looked at him. "This isn't your matter."
"It became my matter."
My heart skipped.
She folded her arms again. "I'm just telling her to stay in her limits."
I stepped around Keifer slightly.
"My limits are not defined by you."
She smirked. "You're very confident."
"I don't need to compete."
"You already are."
"With who?"
She didn't answer.
But we both knew.
Section A doesn't like losing attention.
And apparently Kiko talking to me bruised some egos.
I leaned slightly closer.
"If he talks to me, that's his choice."
"You encouraged it."
"And if I did?"
Her expression hardened.
"You think this is a game."
"No," I said calmly. "You do."
The air felt sharp.
Freya finally stepped back slightly.
"This isn't over."
I smiled politely.
"It never started."
She turned and walked out.
The second she left—
Section E exploded.
Felix: "CHEAP?? SHE SAID CHEAP???"
Ci N: "Who does she think she is???"
Blaster: "War between sections!"
I exhaled slowly.
My hands were slightly shaking.
Not from fear.
From anger.
Keifer looked at me.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine."
"You didn't look fine."
"I can handle it."
"I know."
His voice softened slightly.
"But you don't have to alone."
That hit differently.
I looked at him.
"You were about to fight her."
"She crossed a line."
I tried not to smile.
"You got protective."
"I don't like people talking about you like that."
My chest felt warm again.
"And I don't like people telling me who I can talk to," I replied.
He nodded once.
"Then don't listen."
I smirked slightly.
"Jealous and protective in one week?"
"Don't push it."
I laughed.
But somewhere inside…
I knew this wasn't finished.
Freya doesn't start arguments for nothing.
And Section A doesn't lose quietly.