Chapter: The Silence Before My Birthday
Jay's POV
May 25.
Two days to prom.
Four days to my birthday.
I knew the dates by heart.
What I didn't know was how loud silence could be.
School felt different that morning—not chaotic, not dramatic—just… careful. Like everyone was walking on glass around me. Section E was still loud, still unserious, but every time the topic drifted close to dates, celebrations, or numbers, it suddenly swerved away.
And one person was especially… normal.
Too normal.
Keifer.
He walked beside me like always, hand in mine, calm and composed, talking about prom logistics, suits, school deadlines—everything except the one thing that sat heavy in my chest.
My birthday.
I looked at him from the corner of my eye.
He remembers.
There's no way he doesn't.
This was the man who remembered how I liked my tea, which song calmed me down, the exact shade of blue I loved.
And yet—
"So prom is on the 27th," he said casually.
"Two days left."
I nodded.
"Yeah."
My voice sounded normal. I hated that.
Aries joined us, hands in his pockets, eyes flicking between us like he was watching a bomb countdown.
"Prom outfits done?" he asked.
"Done," Keifer replied.
Aries glanced at me, then away.
"Cool. Cool."
That was it.
No teasing.
No astrology jokes.
No dramatic countdown.
Okay. Noted.
In class, I sat with my chin resting on my palm, pretending to listen while my thoughts ran circles.
Maybe he's planning something.
Maybe everyone knows.
Maybe that's why they're quiet.
But doubt is a dangerous thing—it whispers when you least expect it.
During lunch, Section E gathered as usual.
Calix was laughing too loudly.
Mayo was oddly focused on his food.
Erdix avoided my eyes completely.
Suspicious.
Keifer sat beside me, scrolling through his phone.
I leaned closer.
"What are you looking at?"
"Office mails," he said easily.
I hummed.
"Busy?"
"Always."
That word stung more than it should have.
I smiled anyway.
Percy sat across from us, chewing slowly, watching Keifer like he wanted to throw his plate at him.
Aries kicked Percy under the table.
Percy hissed, "What?"
Aries muttered, "Shut up."
Oh.
So they know.
They all know.
I took a sip of juice, forcing my hands not to shake.
It's fine.
Birthdays are just days.
I'm not a kid.
But that night, when I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the truth crept in.
What if he actually forgot?
The thought hurt more than I wanted to admit.
May 26 – The Day Before the Silence Breaks
Keifer woke up early, like always.
He kissed my forehead gently.
"Morning, wifey."
I smiled into the pillow.
"Morning."
He acted normal.
Too normal.
At breakfast, he talked about meetings, prom security, cars—everything except me.
I watched him carefully.
Not even a hint.
At school, whispers followed us—not about prom, not about results—but about me.
I could feel it.
During free period, Mica leaned toward me.
"You okay?"
I smiled.
"Yeah. Why?"
She hesitated.
"You just seem… quiet."
Before I could answer, Keifer called my name from across the room.
"Jay."
I looked up.
"Come here."
My heart jumped stupidly.
This is it.
I walked over.
"Yeah?"
He handed me a file.
"Check this later. Tell me what you think."
That's it.
Just… business.
I nodded.
"Sure."
As I walked back, my smile finally cracked—just a little.
Okay.
He really is pretending.
That evening, Section E gathered again, unusually calm.
No jokes.
No chaos.
Eren whispered, "I feel like we're in a suspense movie."
Felix nodded.
"Something big is coming."
I looked at Keifer.
He met my eyes and smiled softly.
That smile said nothing.
And somehow… that scared me more than forgetting ever could.
I turned away, swallowing the lump in my throat.
Two days to prom.
Three days to my birthday.
And everyone knew.
Everyone—
except the one person I wanted to remember most.