Chapter 15— Masks We Wear
The weeks after the kidnapping blurred together. Jay's hospital stay, the whispered arguments of parents outside her room, the way Keifer silently stayed near her bed until morning even if he pretended it was "Section E's duty." Everyone saw through it, but no one said a word.
Now it was October. The whole school buzzed about the Halloween event. The hall was draped with lights, paper bats, pumpkins, and a makeshift dance floor. Section E went all out—masks, costumes, secret plans.
Jayfer
Jay walked in with a sharp black dress and bunny ears perched on her head. She looked effortlessly stunning, though she rolled her eyes at anyone who dared comment. Keifer, dressed in a vampire outfit with his mask tilted low, smirked the second he saw her.
"Of course you'd wear ears. Trying to look cute, Watson?" Jay snapped, hands on her hips.
"Trying? You already do," he said without hesitation, then leaned in with a grin.
Her glare faltered, heat creeping up her neck.
They bickered like enemies as always, but the way he guided her through the crowd, the way his hand found hers when the music started, screamed couple. When the slow song played, Jay tried to pull away, but Keifer tugged her closer.
"No running tonight, Bunny."
"Don't call me that—"
He spun her once, then pressed his forehead against hers. The crowd faded. And under the masks, their lips met in a kiss that burned away every "I hate you" they'd ever said.
Section E hollered in the background, but neither of them cared.
Later, behind closed doors, Keifer muttered to himself, "It's still part of the plan… still just a plan…" His voice cracked. Even he knew he was lying, especially when Section E teased him mercilessly afterward.
Draklys
Meanwhile, Alys wandered near the snack table dressed as an angel, trying not to blush when Drake appeared—simple, sleek black mask, not even trying to dress up.
"You didn't even try, Palma."
"Didn't need to. I already look good." He said it flatly, but his ears turned red when she laughed.
When the lights dimmed, Drake offered his hand without a word. Alys hesitated, then took it. Their dance was awkward at first—he was stiff, she was shy—but slowly, his grip softened, and he let her guide him.
"You're… not as terrible as I thought," she teased.
"Don't push your luck," he muttered, but didn't let go.
Everyone watching swore they were already a couple.
⚡ End of chapter: