Chapter: The Victory Kiss
(Jay's POV)
The lights dimmed.
The crowd screamed.
Keifer stood at the center of the stage, guitar strapped across his shoulder, microphone in hand.
Section E was chanting his name like maniacs.
"KEI-FER! KEI-FER!"
I stood frozen near the side, heart beating too fast.
Aries stood a little behind me, calm as always. "Watch," he said quietly. "He's about to do something dramatic."
The band started playing.
Strong opening chords.
The beat echoed through the courtyard.
And then—
Keifer leaned toward the mic.
"Before we start," he said, voice smooth and steady, "this one's for someone who gets scared of ghosts… and sings at the worst possible times."
The crowd laughed.
My stomach dropped.
Section E turned toward me instantly.
"No," I whispered.
And then—
The melody started.
"Miss Universe…"
My favorite song.
The exact song I sang during night shift.
The exact song I told him I loved.
The entire crowd reacted loudly.
Section E went wild.
Blaster pointed at me dramatically.
Ci n screamed, "THIS IS FOR JAY."
Denzel fell to his knees for no reason.
My face burned.
Keifer's voice filled the night air.
Clear.
Confident.
Powerful.
But his eyes?
They never left me.
Not once.
Every lyric felt intentional.
Every note felt personal.
He wasn't just performing.
He was proving something.
I felt my chest tighten.
Because he remembered.
Because he cared enough to choose that song.
Because even in front of hundreds of students—
He made it feel like it was just for me.
Aries leaned slightly closer. "You're in trouble."
"I know," I whispered.
The final chorus hit.
The crowd jumped.
Section E screamed louder than the speakers.
And when the song ended—
The applause was deafening.
Students from all sections were cheering.
Even Section A.
The judges announced the winner.
"And this year's Battle of the Bands champions…"
Pause.
Dramatic drumroll.
"SECTION E!"
The building shook with screams.
Blaster almost cried.
Mayo tackled Yuri.
Ci n lifted someone randomly.
Keifer just stood there.
Breathing heavily.
Then slowly—
He looked at me.
And smirked.
My brain screamed.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
I turned around immediately.
And ran.
Straight out of the main Hivs building.
Ignoring the noise.
Ignoring Section E yelling.
Ignoring Aries shouting something behind me.
I ran toward our separate Section E building.
Because that was safer.
Quieter.
Darker.
My heart was racing for reasons that had nothing to do with running.
"He wouldn't," I muttered to myself.
"He absolutely would," I answered myself.
I pushed open the Section E building door and stepped inside.
Dim lights.
Silent hallway.
My breathing still uneven.
I leaned against the wall.
Trying to calm down.
"He's just teasing," I whispered.
Footsteps echoed behind me.
Slow.
Confident.
I froze.
"You run fast," his voice said calmly.
I didn't turn around.
"You're dramatic," I replied.
Closer footsteps.
Then warmth behind me.
Before I could move—
An arm wrapped around my waist.
Firm.
Strong.
He pulled me back slightly.
My back hit the wall.
His body close in front of me.
Not hurting.
Not forcing.
Just close.
Very close.
"You forgot something," Keifer murmured.
I tried to keep my voice steady. "What?"
"My prize."
I swallowed.
"You won for your band."
He leaned one hand beside my head against the wall.
Pinning me there again.
"But I promised for me."
My heart was pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it.
"We're not official," I whispered.
"I know."
He didn't hesitate this time.
He didn't tease.
He didn't joke.
He didn't smirk.
He simply leaned down—
And kissed me.
On the lips.
Soft.
Slow.
Not rushed.
Not wild.
Just warm.
Careful.
Like he was making sure I didn't pull away.
For a second, my mind went completely blank.
No Section E.
No festival.
No noise.
Just him.
When he finally pulled back slightly, his forehead rested against mine.
"You didn't push me away," he whispered.
I was still trying to breathe properly.
"You're very confident," I murmured weakly.
He smiled softly.
"I was sure."
Footsteps suddenly echoed from outside.
And then—
"FOUND THEM."
Section E's voices.
The door burst open.
Blaster froze.
Ci n froze.
Denzel gasped dramatically.
"HE DID IT."
"HE ACTUALLY DID IT."
"WALL PIN CONFIRMED."
I shoved Keifer lightly. "You're dead."
He looked completely satisfied. "Worth it."
Aries stepped inside last.
He took one look at us.
At the distance.
At my flushed face.
At Keifer's calm expression.
He sighed.
"You couldn't wait five minutes?" he asked dryly.
"Nope," Keifer replied.
Section E started chanting again.
"KISS CHAMPION."
"MISS UNIVERSE COUPLE."
I covered my face in embarrassment.
Keifer wrapped his arm casually around my shoulders this time.
Not hiding.
Not denying.
Aries shook his head but there was a faint smile there.
"We're going back before the principal sees this nonsense," he said.
As everyone started walking out loudly, Keifer leaned down near my ear one more time.
"I told you."
I glanced up at him.
"Told me what?"
He smiled softly.
"I don't lose."
And for the first time that night—
I didn't run.