Jay jay (pov)
We reached school.
The usual noise hit the moment we stepped in—students talking too loud, footsteps echoing through the corridors, lockers shutting, someone laughing for no reason.
Normal.
But my hand was still in his.
And somehow—
that made everything feel quieter.
We walked side by side toward our class, fingers intertwined, not hiding it but not making it obvious either.
He didn't say much.
Neither did I.
But his thumb moved slightly against my hand once.
And that was enough.
We entered Section E.
"Look who finally decided to show up," Cin's voice came immediately.
"Late by emotional damage," Felix added dramatically from the back.
"…we're not late," I said, taking my seat.
"You look like you are," Cin shot back, leaning slightly over my desk.
"Sit down," I muttered.
"See? Attitude. Definitely something happened."
Keifer dropped into the seat beside me, calm as always. "Mind your business."
"Never," Cin grinned.
Eren was arguing with Drew about something pointless, Divid was silent as usual but watching everything, and Edrix had his laptop slightly open under the desk like he was doing something illegal again.
Normal.
The first lecture started.
Sir Alvin.
Boring.
His voice blended into the background, something about exams, preparation, time management—
"…three weeks," he said at one point.
Great.
I tried to listen.
Didn't work.
My mind kept drifting.
To him.
To the way he smiled this morning.
To how it didn't feel real.
I glanced at him slightly.
He was looking at the board.
Focused.
Calm.
Like nothing was wrong.
"…liar," I thought quietly.
The second lecture came.
Mam Cindy.
Worse.
Cin passed a paper to me.
"Are you alive or just pretending?"
I wrote back—
"barely."
He leaned back in his chair, whispering, "same."
Felix behind us kicked his chair lightly. "Share notes, losers."
"No," Cin said immediately.
"Selfish."
"Survival."
I almost smiled.
The bell rang.
Lunch break.
Chairs moved instantly.
Voices got louder.
Keifer stood up first.
Like always.
But this time—
I moved faster.
"Sit."
I placed a hand lightly against his chest and pushed him back down into the chair.
Not hard.
Just enough.
He blinked slightly, looking at me.
"…what?"
"I'll bring lunch," I said simply.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to."
A small pause.
His eyes stayed on me for a second longer.
"…okay."
That was it.
No argument.
I nodded once and turned before anyone could say anything.
"Wow," Cin whispered loudly, "role reversal."
"Shut up," I muttered without turning back.
The corridor felt more crowded now.
Students moving everywhere, lines already forming near the canteen.
I walked straight there.
The smell of food hit instantly—spices, fried snacks, something sweet in the background.
The line was long.
Of course it was.
I stood there quietly, arms folded loosely, shifting my weight from one foot to another.
"…what does he usually eat?" I thought.
I knew.
But still—
I thought about it.
Because today wasn't just normal.
When it was finally my turn, I ordered quickly—two plates, simple but enough, something I knew he wouldn't complain about.
The tray felt warm in my hands.
I adjusted my grip carefully, making sure nothing slipped as I turned back.
The walk back felt slower.
Not because it was far.
But because I was thinking.
"…he didn't say anything."
"…he didn't stop me."
"…he just let me."
That wasn't like him either.
I pushed the thought aside and reached the classroom.
The noise hit again as I stepped in.
Cin immediately noticed.
"Food!" he announced like it was an event.
"Not for you," I said, walking straight to my desk.
"Heartbreaking."
Felix leaned over. "At least show it."
"No."
I placed the tray down on the desk carefully.
Then looked at him.
"…eat," I said.
Simple.
Normal.
But my eyes stayed on him for a second longer than needed.
"…I've got you," I thought quietly.
Even if he didn't say anything.