CHAPTER: Festival Week
✦ Jay's POV
When I walked into Section E that morning, it felt louder than usual.
Not just noise.
Energy.
Blaster was already arguing with Mayo.
Rory was half asleep on his desk.
Felix and Calix were competing over who could flip a pen better.
Erdix and Drew were laughing like villains.
Emman and David were discussing something serious near the window.
Kit looked like he was mentally preparing to manage all of them.
Ci N was smiling at his phone — probably Rakki.
Denzel too — definitely Grace.
And Keifer…
He wasn't talking.
He was just watching everything.
Watching me.
I sat down quietly.
Being the only girl in Section E means you get used to the chaos. But today, I didn't feel fully present. My head still felt heavy from last night.
The speaker suddenly crackled.
"Attention all students…"
The entire class froze.
"Next week will be our annual Festival Week."
For two seconds, silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
"NO WAY!"
"WE'RE FREE!"
"COMPETITIONS?!"
Blaster literally stood on his chair.
"We are winning everything."
"You're sitting down before you fall," Kit said calmly.
I tried to smile.
Festival Week.
Crowds.
Music.
Lights.
Late nights.
My chest tightened just a little.
The announcement continued, explaining booth competitions, performances, and inter-section games.
Section E was already in war mode.
"Dance performance!" Emman shouted.
"Sports tournament," David argued.
"Scary booth!" Drew suggested.
I flinched slightly.
Scary.
Haunted.
Dark.
Keifer's eyes flicked to me instantly.
"Not haunted," he said firmly.
Drew blinked. "Okay… okay."
I didn't look at Keifer, but I felt it.
He noticed.
He always notices.
Outside the classroom, I saw Section A walking past. Frey was laughing at something Aries said. Kiko was there too.
Aries glanced inside and saw me.
He didn't smile widely.
Just a small one.
The kind that says, I'm watching too.
Section B passed next. Mica was holding Calix's hand. Calix straightened immediately like he just won an award.
From Section C, Rakki waved at Ci N through the window. Grace blew a kiss to Denzel, and he almost dropped his phone.
Then Section D passed by.
Michel's team.
Loud. Confident. Already acting superior.
Blaster cracked his knuckles dramatically.
"Target locked."
I shook my head slightly.
Boys.
The speaker finished the announcement and the room exploded into planning mode.
Ideas flying everywhere.
Arguments starting.
Excitement building.
And me?
I sat there quietly.
Festival Week should make me excited.
But all I could think about was night.
Midnight.
Darkness.
What if I get overwhelmed?
What if the noise triggers something?
What if I break down in front of everyone?
My fingers curled slightly on the desk.
Suddenly—
A warm hand covered mine under the table.
I froze.
Keifer didn't look at me.
He just kept listening to the boys argue.
But his hand stayed.
Steady.
Grounding.
Like he was saying, I'm here.
Without actually saying it.
I swallowed.
Yuri noticed.
Of course he noticed.
He smirked but didn't tease.
For once.
Aries suddenly appeared at the classroom door.
"Jay."
My heart skipped.
Section E went silent immediately.
Blaster whispered dramatically, "Section A infiltration."
I stood up.
"What?"
Aries looked serious for a second.
"Festival Week. You okay with it?"
I blinked.
He knows.
He knows why he's asking.
"I'm fine," I said softly.
He studied my face.
Then nodded slowly.
"If it gets too much, you leave. No arguments."
Keifer's hand tightened slightly on mine.
Just slightly.
Like he agreed.
I nodded again.
"Okay."
Aries left.
The noise came back instantly.
Plans.
Competitions.
Rivalry.
Energy.
And for the first time in days…
I felt something else.
Not fear.
Not panic.
But… possibility.
Maybe Festival Week won't be about darkness.
Maybe it'll be about lights.
Maybe I can survive crowded halls.
Maybe I can stand on stage without shaking.
Maybe—
Just maybe—
Midnight doesn't always mean nightmares.
Sometimes…
It means a carnival.
And maybe this time…
I won't be alone in it.