Jay walked into class trying to act normal.
Trying.
Because half the school had screamed "JAYFER FOREVER!" at her during breakfast, and she was still recovering from the embarrassment.
She took her seat beside Mila. Adrian and Bella were already whispering about her like she wasn't even there.
Then the classroom door opened.
A boy walked in.
Tall. Smiling. Friendly. New.
The teacher said, "Class, this is Aiden. He transferred today."
Aiden scanned the room… and his eyes landed on Jay.
He smiled.
Jay blinked. "Oh no."
Bella whispered, "Oh YES."
Aiden walked straight toward her desk.
Straight.
No hesitation.
"Hi," he said, smiling warmly. "You must be Jay. Everyone's been talking about you."
Jay nearly died. "WHAT?! WHY?!"
Aiden laughed softly. "Relax. They just said you're… interesting."
Adrian whispered, "HE'S FLIRTING."
Mila whispered, "Jay, he's cute."
Daniel whispered, "Keifer is going to murder someone."
Jay turned around.
Keifer was sitting two rows behind her.
Staring.
Not blinking.
Expression: I-will-end-him.
Aiden leaned closer. "Do you mind if I sit next to you?"
Jay opened her mouth to answer—
Keifer stood up.
The entire class froze.
He walked over slowly, calmly, like a storm pretending to be polite.
He stopped right beside Jay's desk.
Aiden looked up at him. "Uh… hi?"
Keifer didn't even look at him.
He looked at Jay.
"Switch seats," he said quietly.
Jay blinked. "What? Why?"
"You're sitting with me today."
Aiden frowned. "She doesn't have to—"
Keifer finally looked at him.
Aiden shut up instantly.
Jay crossed her arms. "Keifer, you can't just—"
He leaned down, voice low enough only she could hear.
"You're mine."
Jay's heart exploded.
Her brain shut down.
Her soul left her body.
Bella squealed. Adrian slapped both hands over his mouth. Mila whispered "OH MY GOD." Daniel whispered "I knew this would happen."
Jay hissed, "You can't say things like that!"
Keifer smirked. "Then stop making me jealous."
"JEALOUS?!" Jay squeaked.
Aiden blinked. "Wait… jealous?"
Keifer didn't break eye contact with Jay. "Very."
Jay wanted to crawl under the desk and die.
The teacher walked in. "Everyone sit."
Keifer grabbed Jay's notebook and walked to the empty seat beside him.
Jay glared. "You're impossible."
He tilted his head. "Come sit before someone else tries to."
Jay stomped over and sat beside him, face burning.
Aiden sat alone, confused. The class whispered nonstop. Bella mouthed "JAYFER" every five seconds. Adrian pretended to faint. Mila covered her face. Daniel sighed like he was watching a soap opera.
Jay whispered, "You're unbelievable."
Keifer leaned closer, voice soft and smug.
"And you're mine."
Jay's heart did a full gymnastics routine.
And class hadn't even started yet.