Chapter: When I Lost My Calm
(Keif's POV)
I didn't think I was the jealous type.
I thought I was controlled.
Composed.
Logical.
Until Kiko from Section A decided to test my patience.
It was after class. The corridor was crowded, everyone packing up. Jay was laughing at something Felix said when Kiko walked over.
Kiko.
Tall. Confident. Loud.
And apparently very comfortable.
"Jay," he smiled easily, leaning one arm against the locker beside her. "You free after school? We're practicing for the interclass fest. We need someone like you."
Someone like you.
I was standing a few steps away with Yuri and Cin.
I told myself not to react.
Jay blinked. "Me?"
"Yeah. You're good on stage. And…" he lowered his voice slightly, "you look better there than in class."
The boys behind me went quiet.
Yuri slowly looked at me.
Cin whispered, "Don't."
I felt it.
That slow, unfamiliar burn in my chest.
Jay laughed awkwardly. "I'll think about it."
I didn't like that answer.
Kiko stepped closer. Too close.
"So that's a yes?"
She didn't step back immediately.
And that's when something snapped.
I walked forward.
Slow. Calm. Controlled.
But inside?
Not calm at all.
"Kiko," I said evenly.
He turned. "Oh, topper. What's up?"
His tone was casual.
Too casual.
"Practice for fest?" I asked.
"Yeah. Why? You joining?"
"No."
I stepped closer.
"But she's not either."
Jay looked at me, surprised.
Kiko raised an eyebrow. "She can answer for herself."
He wasn't wrong.
But I didn't like hearing it.
Jay looked between us. "I didn't say no."
That hit harder than it should have.
Kiko smiled slightly. "See?"
I don't know what it was.
The way he looked at her.
The way he stood close.
The way she didn't immediately reject him.
But something dark and unfamiliar rose inside me.
"Jay," I said quietly.
She looked at me.
And I saw it.
She noticed.
The shift.
"Come here," I said.
"Why?"
"Just come."
There was something in my tone.
Because she walked toward me without arguing.
Kiko folded his arms, watching like this was entertainment.
I grabbed her wrist gently.
Not rough.
But firm.
And pulled her a step closer to me.
Close enough that her shoulder brushed my chest.
"Keif…" she whispered, confused.
I didn't look at her.
My eyes were still on Kiko.
"She's not joining," I said calmly.
Kiko smirked. "You her manager?"
Silence.
The corridor felt smaller.
Jay shifted slightly. "Keif, I can decide—"
I looked down at her.
And that's when I saw it.
She wasn't flattered.
She wasn't interested.
She was just… unsure.
And suddenly I realized—
She was waiting.
For me.
"For what?" Kiko challenged.
And that was the final push.
I turned fully toward Jay.
My hand moved from her wrist to her waist.
Pulling her closer.
Her breath caught.
"Keif—"
I didn't give myself time to think.
If I thought, I would stop.
If I stopped, I would regret it.
So I didn't think.
I tilted her chin slightly upward.
And kissed her.
Not harsh.
Not forceful.
But not soft either.
It wasn't slow.
It wasn't perfect.
It was claiming.
Clear.
Certain.
Mine.
The corridor went silent.
Completely silent.
Jay froze for half a second—
Then her fingers gripped my shirt.
And she didn't pull away.
The kiss deepened slightly.
Not dramatic.
Just real.
Just enough for everyone to understand.
When I finally pulled back, her eyes were wide.
Breathing uneven.
Cheeks flushed.
Kiko stood there speechless.
I didn't look at him.
I didn't need to.
I rested my forehead lightly against hers.
Low enough that only she could hear.
"You don't get to look confused when someone else tries to take you."
Her voice came out shaky. "Take me?"
"Yes."
"I wasn't going—"
"I know."
That surprised her.
"I know," I repeated softer. "But I didn't like it."
There it was.
Jealousy.
Raw.
Unfiltered.
Her hands slowly moved from my shirt to my shoulders.
"You were jealous," she whispered.
I exhaled.
"Yes."
She smiled faintly.
"You said you don't share."
"I don't."
"And you didn't even say it."
"Say what?"
"That I'm yours."
I looked into her eyes.
Dangerously close again.
"I don't need to say it."
"Why?"
"Because I just did."
Behind us—
Yuri finally breathed out, "Well damn."
Cin whispered, "Jealousy level: deadly."
Felix was staring like he just witnessed history.
Kiko awkwardly cleared his throat and walked away.
But I didn't care anymore.
My hand was still around her waist.
She wasn't stepping back.
"Mark Keifer Watson," she murmured softly.
Not angry.
Not scared.
Just… aware.
"Yes?"
Her lips curved slightly.
"You're impossible."
I smirked faintly.
"And you're mine."
This time—
I said it out loud.
And I didn't regret it.
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