Chapter: The Sound of the Ball
(Jay's POV)
Physical Education.
My least favorite period.
Everyone was running, jumping, screaming, throwing balls like their lives depended on it. And me? I was sitting on the bench, hugging my knees, watching them like a tired queen observing her chaotic kingdom.
Keifer and Aries were playing basketball.
And by "playing," I mean competing like two overdramatic action heroes.
"Hoyy Jay!" Aries shouted from the court. "At least pretend you're alive!"
"I am alive," I yelled back. "I'm conserving energy for more important things. Like breathing."
Keifer laughed. "She's allergic to sports."
"I'm allergic to nonsense," I corrected.
They both walked over, sweaty and annoying.
"Stand up," Keifer ordered.
"No."
"Stand up."
"No."
Aries smirked. "Keif, she listens only if you carry her."
"Don't you dare—"
And that's when it happened.
A ball.
From nowhere.
Flying like destiny itself wanted drama.
THUD.
Straight to my face.
For a second, everything went blank.
Then I felt it.
Warm.
Wet.
My hand touched my nose.
Red.
Blood.
My breath stopped.
The world started spinning.
No no no no no.
I couldn't breathe.
My ears rang.
My chest tightened.
I started screaming before I even realized it.
"Jay! Jay!" Aries' voice was the first one I heard clearly.
I stumbled back, shaking.
There was blood on my hand.
I hate blood.
I hate it.
I hate it.
I don't know why. I just—
It makes everything dark.
Aries grabbed my shoulders gently. "Hey. Hey. Look at me. It's okay. It's just a nosebleed. Breathe. Jay, breathe."
But I couldn't.
My vision blurred.
Then suddenly—
Aries pulled me into a hug.
Not teasing.
Not joking.
Just holding me steady.
"It's okay," he whispered. "You're safe."
My fingers clutched his shirt.
I hated that I was shaking.
I hated that I felt small.
But I couldn't stop.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Keifer.
He wasn't moving.
He was just… watching.
His jaw tight.
His hands clenched.
I didn't know what that expression meant.
Aries gently tilted my head slightly forward and wiped the blood with his handkerchief. "See? It stopped. Nothing scary. You're fine."
My breathing slowly steadied.
He kept talking softly until my head cleared.
After a few minutes, I finally pulled away, embarrassed.
"I'm fine," I muttered.
Before I could stand properly—
Keifer walked over.
No words.
No teasing.
Nothing.
He bent down and lifted me.
Bridal style.
"What are you doing?!" I squeaked.
"You're not walking," he said calmly.
"I can walk!"
"You screamed like someone stabbed you."
"That's not funny!"
"I'm not joking."
His voice was low. Serious.
Aries smirked but said nothing this time.
Keifer carried me across the empty ground.
Everyone had already left.
Only the three of us had stayed behind.
I could feel his heartbeat.
Fast.
Angry?
Jealous?
Worried?
I didn't know.
When we reached Section E, the class went silent.
Mica gasped dramatically. "OH MY GOD WHAT HAPPENED?"
Felux stood up. "Why is she in your arms?!"
Ci-N narrowed his eyes. "Is this a public display of affection?"
"Shut up," Keifer muttered, placing me carefully on my seat.
Aries walked in behind us, relaxed like nothing happened.
Mica leaned toward me. "Jay… nosebleed or love bite?"
"MIKA!"
The whole class burst into laughter.
Keifer glared at them. "She got hit by a ball."
David blinked. "And you decided the solution was… carry?"
"Yes."
No hesitation.
The teasing got louder.
"OHHH HE CARES!"
"SECTION E SHIP SAILING!"
"CALL THE WEDDING PLANNER!"
I wanted to disappear.
But secretly…
When he placed me down, his hand lingered on my arm for a second longer than necessary.
And when I looked up—
He wasn't looking at the class.
He was looking at Aries.
And Aries was looking back.
Something silent passed between them.
Something competitive.
Something protective.
And for the first time…
I realized.
Maybe the ball didn't just hit my face.
It hit something else too.