Keifer didn't say a word after the Freya drama.
He just looked at Jay once—really looked—and then said quietly:
"Come with me."
Jay blinked. "Why? Where are we—"
But he was already walking.
And Jay, annoyed and confused and still full of butterflies, followed him.
Crimson Oaths whispered, "HE'S TAKING HER SOMEWHERE—" Nightthorns whispered, "THIS IS SUSPICIOUS—" Aiden whispered, "I'm scared." Daniel whispered, "I'm leaving."
Keifer led her down a hallway she'd never seen before. Old stone. Dusty lamps. A door with strange symbols.
Jay frowned. "What is this place?"
Keifer pushed the door open. "I want to show you something."
Jay stepped inside.
The room was tiny.
Like—cupboard tiny.
Barely enough space for two people to stand without touching.
Jay turned around. "Keifer, this is—"
The door slammed shut.
And locked.
Jay froze. "KEIFER—WHAT DID YOU DO—"
Keifer tried the handle.
It didn't move.
He sighed. "It's a containment room. It locks when two unstable auras enter."
Jay stared at him. "YOU BROUGHT ME INTO A MAGIC CLOSET—"
"I didn't know it would lock."
"YES YOU DID—"
"No."
"YES—YOU—DID—"
Jay shoved him.
He didn't move.
The room was so small she could feel his breath.
Jay pressed herself against the wall. "Back up."
"There's nowhere to go."
"THEN STOP BREATHING."
"No."
Jay groaned. "I hate this."
Keifer looked down at her, eyes softer than usual. "I wanted to show you something."
Jay blinked. "What?"
He hesitated.
Keifer never hesitated.
Then he said quietly:
"You defended me today."
Jay's face heated. "I—I didn't—"
"You did."
"I didn't—"
"You did."
Jay groaned. "STOP SAYING THAT."
Keifer's voice dropped. "No one's ever done that for me."
Jay swallowed. "Well… someone should."
Keifer stared at her like she was something impossible.
Then—
Very softly—
He said it.
"Jay… I like you."
Jay's heart stopped.
Her brain shut down.
Her magic sparked.
She said nothing.
Not a word.
Just stared at him like he'd dropped a bomb.
Keifer waited.
And waited.
And Jay still said nothing.
He finally looked away, jaw tight. "You don't have to say anything."
Jay whispered, "Keifer, I—"
The door clicked.
And swung open.
Jay and Keifer stumbled out—
straight into the entire school.
Crimson Oaths screamed. Nightthorns screamed. Aiden fainted. Daniel whispered, "I'm transferring TODAY."
Bella yelled, "THEY WERE IN THERE FOR AN HOUR—" Adrian yelled, "WHAT WERE YOU DOING—" Someone else yelled, "JAYFER IS REAL—" Another yelled, "DID YOU KISS—"
Jay turned bright red. "NOTHING HAPPENED—"
Keifer said nothing.
He just looked at Jay.
Like he was waiting for her answer.
Jay felt her stomach flip.
Her heart sprinted.
Her magic buzzed.
She whispered, "Stop staring."
Keifer smirked. "Say something, then."
Jay shoved him. "NOT HERE—"
The school screamed.
Jay ran.
Keifer followed.
And the whole school?
Already planning the next chapter of Jayfer.