"His name is…"
A brief pause followed, long enough for the entire room to lean into silence.
"Levi. Leviticus De Leon."
The moment the name left Sir Alvin's mouth, the atmosphere in Section E shifted.
Jay-Jay froze.
For a second, she thought she had misheard. But the way her heartbeat suddenly grew louder in her ears told her she hadn't.
Levi.
Leviticus De Leon.
Her grip tightened on the edge of her desk, fingers stiffening as she tried to keep her expression neutral. Around her, whispers started to bloom like fire catching dry paper.
"De Leon? From London?""That sounds rich-rich…""Wait, isn't that surname kind of familiar?"
But Jayjay wasn't listening anymore.
Her mind was already somewhere else—somewhere quieter, sharper.
Why now?
Sir Alvin gestured toward the door. "You may come in."
The classroom door opened.
And Levi stepped inside.
He looked completely composed, like the attention of an entire class didn't affect him at all. Black hair neatly styled, uniform worn properly but effortlessly, and eyes that scanned the room once—quick, calculated.
Then his gaze landed on her.
Just for a second.
But it was enough.
Jayjay's breath caught, subtle but real.
"Good morning," Levi said calmly, his voice smooth as he walked in.
A few boys exchanged impressed looks while the others were not so nice as it looked like they were judging him
Levi stopped in front of Sir Alvin, who pointed toward an empty seat.
"Seat beside Jay-Jay, Ci-N, sit in the front for now. " the teacher said casually.
That was when Keifer moved.
Not loudly. Not dramatically.
Just enough.
His chair scraped slightly as he leaned back, arms crossing, eyes locked on Levi like he was already deciding he didn't like him.
Jay-Jay noticed.
Of course she did.
Levi walked down the classroom, steps steady, unbothered. When he reached her row, he paused.
A fraction too long.
Only she would notice it.
"Still the same seat," he murmured, barely audible.
Jayjay didn't look up immediately. "You talk too much for a new student."
A faint curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Old habits don't disappear that easily."
Before she could respond, he sat down.
Behind them, Keifer clicked his tongue softly.
Loud enough to be heard.
"Interesting," Keifer said, leaning forward just slightly. "New guy already getting comfortable."
Levi didn't turn around.
But his voice came anyway—calm, controlled.
"I adapt quickly."
Jayjay finally looked at Levi then, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Stop talking like you've been here forever," she muttered.
Levi tilted his head a little. "Haven't I?"
That made Keifer's expression change.
Subtle. But sharp.
"Excuse me?" Keifer said, voice light—but clearly not.
The classroom didn't notice it yet, but Jayjay did.
Levi finally glanced back at Keifer, polite on the surface.
But something unreadable sat underneath it.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," Levi said. "We were just talking."
Keifer leaned back again, but his eyes didn't leave him.
"Right," he said slowly. "Talking."
The word hung in the air a little too long.
Jayjay sighed quietly, pressing her fingers to her temple.
This is going to be a long day.