POV: Jayjay
A month passed faster than I expected.
Life settled into a rhythm—school, homework, exams creeping closer, and Hex.
Hex was always there.
Every evening, my phone would light up with his name. Sometimes it was a call, sometimes a video call, sometimes just random voice notes of him complaining about homework or laughing about something silly that happened in class.
"Jay, guess what," he'd say, eyes bright.
Or, "Jay, I think I failed math."
Or even, "Jay, don't forget to send me money tommorrow , okay?"
Exams were coming up, and stress hung over school like a cloud. Teachers talked faster, notes piled higher, and everyone suddenly became serious. Even so, Hex never failed to call.
He told me about tests, about classmates, about how he still didn't like waking up early. I listened, teased him, scolded him, encouraged him. It felt normal. Comfortable. Safe.
At school, Keifer noticed.
"You've been smiling at your phone a lot," he said one afternoon, leaning back in his chair. "Secret boyfriend?"
I shot him a look. "Don't start."
He laughed. "Relax. I'm just saying—whoever it is must be lucky. You smile differently."
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed.
Keifer had a way of teasing that felt light, almost harmless… almost too easy.
"Focus on your exams," I told him.
He leaned closer. "I am. I'm just easily distracted."
I shook my head, trying not to smile.
That night, Hex called again. We talked until he yawned mid-sentence, and I told him to sleep. Before hanging up, he said, "Goodnight, Jay. Thanks for always listening."
I didn't know then that things were about to change.