Author POV
The next day arrived faster than any of them expected.
All eight of them stood outside Cambridge University with their bags packed --- trolley suitcase, backpack, files, and the precious.
Clara wore a simple white top and jeans.
Mica wore a hoodie and leggings.
Jay wore a short skirt and a tucked -in top.
The boys were in their casual shirt and pants.
Their flight was later tonight, so from college, they were directly heading to the airport after the competition.
They reached Cambridge university, the Hall huge, bright, intimidating.
Jay's heartbeat raced, but her team stood around her like a shield.
They presented their project in front of the panel:
Mark keifer Watson, the youngest but strictest judge.
Raphial John, the famous for rejecting 90% of design.
Andrica mariya, perfectionist in sustainability.
Graccia ferna, loved creativity.
Alexandro George, focused on practicality.
Benjamin Thompson, head of architectural review.
Jay felt keifer eyes on her more than once but she ignored it.
Mica whispered : " Bestie, keifer is burning holes into you. "
Jay elbowed her.
After presentation, waiting time.
They sat outside under a big oak tree.
Two hours.
Nerve- wracking.
Luca ate half his snacks.
Chris played with leave.
Clara kept checking the time every minute.
Daniel kept everyone calm like a real team leader.
Jay kept replaying her part of the presentation in her head.
Was she too fast?
Did she mess up the sustainability explanation?
Did keifer judge her more strictly because she annoyed him?
Or because he was noticing her too much?
She shook her haad.
No Overthinking.
All teams gathered inside the auditorium.
The Hall went silent when Benjamin Thompson stood up the microphone.
"And the winning project of the international architectural youth competition is... "
Jay grabbed mica's hand.
Liam whispered a small prayer.
Daniel inhaled sharply.
Benjamin smiled.
"Stanford University, NYC"
For a movement, no one moved.
Jay was frozen.
Then ----
" We won!!! "
Mica screamed.
Chris jumped so high he almost hit Luca.
Clara hugged Daniel.
Liam actually smiled, like big, real smile.
Jay's heart exploded with happiness.
Her team won.
They won.
Keifer leaned back in his chair as applause filled the Hall.
He didn't clap immediately.
He watched Jay, smiling, glowing, hugging her friends.
His lips twitched.
" She's really doesn't know what she does to people ", he muttered to himself.
Raphial smirked beside him.
" You voted highest for their project, keifer. Any.... Reason? "
Keifer : " It was the best one. "
Raphial : " And the girl presenting wasn't a reason? "
Keifer shoot him a look.
"Shut up"
But even he couldn't hide the small, proud smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.
Author POV
The movement the winners were announced, Jay's team was called to the stage for a group chat photo with the presenters and judges.
Jay stood in middle, mica beside her, Daniel slightly behind, the other forming a line.
The flashlight popped.
Another photo.
Then another.
Benjamin shook Daniel's hand first, then clara's, then the others.
When Jay stepped forward, all six judges turned warmer, especially two.
Keifer and raphial.
First, she shook Benjamin's hand politely.
Then graccia and andrica complimented her design clarity.
Alexandro praised their teamwork.
Then----
Raphial stepped forward with a teasing smirk.
" Congratulations, Jay. Are you all leaving now? "
Jay nodded with her brightest, polite smile.
" Yes sir, we are going straight to the airport. Our flight time is close. "
"Thank you so much, sir... All of us are very happy. "
Everyone on the panel responded in a polite chorus:
"Take care"
"All the best. "
"Safe journey. "
"Bye"
"Bye"
"Thank you"
Jay bowed slightly.
"Thank you"
Then keifer came forward last.
He shook Daniel's hand... Then Liam 's... Then finally, Jay's.
His hand was warm, firm, but he controlled himself, not too long, not too soft.
But he didn't let go immediately either.
Jay blinked up at him.
He cleared his throat and released her hand quickly.
" Your team performed well", he said, voice low and controlled.
"Thank you, sir", Jay replied softly, pure and polite.
As they started walking towards the exit, Raphial turned to keifer with a raised eyebrow.
" Shall we go? "
Keifer nodded silently.
" Yes. We're assigned to take Stanford University winning team to the airport. "
The students stopped.
Daniel blinked.
"Sir... You're coming with us? "
Raphial chuckled.
"Yes. Cambridge university arrranged transport for all finalists, but you are winner, so you get special security and escort. We're taking you to the airport safely. "
Chris whispered to mica.
"Brro, we got vip treatment ! "
Mica whisper- yelled back,
"Shut up, Jay is turning red, look at keifer behind her! "
Jay ignored both and walked ahead, dragging her suitcase, pretending she didn't feel keifer's eyes following her movement.
Two black university cars were parked.
Daniel looked at the team.
"Let's go. "
Keifer opened the door for girls.
Raphial checked the boys luggage.
Jay said quietly,
"Thank you, sir. "
Keifer only replied with a short nod.... But his eyes softened.
Author POV
The airport entrance was bright, busy, full of people rolling suitcase and rushing for flight. Jay's team stood in a near line while the boys returned the luggage carts.
Raphial and keifer stood in front of them like responsible escort.
Everyone says good bye.
Daniel stepped forward first.
"Thank you, sir. Both of you. "
Lima, Ethan, Luca, Chris, and Mica followed, each shaking hands politely.
Finally, Jay stepped forward last,small, cute, her bunny backpack bouncing.
Keifer watched her like he was memorizing a scene.
Jay extended her hand with a polite, soft voice:
"Thank you, sir. "
He took her hand.
Firm.
Warm.
A little too slow to let go.
Jay pulled her hand quickly.
"Uhh..... Okay... Bye. "
She turns... But he can't resist annoying her
Jay took two steps toward her group
"Jay"
She froze.
Turned around slowly.
Keifer was smirking.
His hands in his pockets.
His voice deep and teasing.
"Can I get your number".
Jay blinked.
Her expression went from nice to confused to angry- cute real quick.
"No"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Why not? "
Jay crossed her arms, chin up.
"Because I don't want to see you again. Hmm"
Keifer's smile grew.
"Oh really? You don't want to see me again? "
Jay nodded.
"Exactly"
He took one slow step closer, eyes mischievous.
"I'll definitely see you again. "
Jay immediately shook her head.
"Not gonna happen. "
"Hmmm, okay than... "
His smirk deepened.
".. We'll see. "
Jay huffed, flipped her hair, and walked away.
And keifer smile slowly faded.
Jay rreached the check in gate with her friends.
She turned once more out of habit.
He was still standing there.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression suddenly quiet.
And when she turned away for the last time.
He swallowed softly.
She's really going....
And he don't know when he'll see her again.
They walked back toward the exit.
But for the first time in years, keifer Watson felt a strange, small ache in his chest.
A tiny girl....
Leaving too fast.
To be continued....
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