Jay walked into school with one mission:
Do not react to Keifer.
Do not look at Keifer.
Do not think about Keifer.
Easy.
Except it wasn't.
Because the moment she stepped into the hallway, she heard him laugh.
And the lights flickered.
Jay froze. "No. Nope. Not today."
Bella grabbed her arm. "Jay… the lights just blinked."
Jay hissed, "Coincidence."
Adrian pointed at a floating pencil. "Is that also a coincidence?"
Jay slapped it down. "YES."
But then—
Keifer said her name.
Just her name.
"Jay."
The hallway lights exploded.
Students screamed. A gust of wind blasted down the hall. Aiden fell over. Daniel whispered, "I'm transferring."
Jay spun around. "STOP SAYING MY NAME."
Keifer stood there, calm as ever. "Why?"
Jay pointed at the chaos. "BECAUSE THAT HAPPENS—"
He tilted his head. "Interesting."
Jay groaned. "STOP FINDING THIS INTERESTING—"
Bella whispered, "Jay… your magic reacts to his voice."
Jay glared. "NO IT DOESN'T—"
A locker door flew open.
Bella stared. "Jay."
Jay stomped her foot. "I'M NOT REACTING TO HIM—"
Keifer said, "Jay."
A book flew across the hallway and hit Adrian in the face.
Jay screamed, "STOP TALKING—"
Keifer smirked. "Make me."
Jay's magic sparked so hard the floor vibrated.
Crimson Oaths yelled, "SHE'S MALFUNCTIONING—" Nightthorns yelled, "SHE NEEDS HER MAN—" Jay yelled, "HE IS NOT MY MAN—"
Keifer said, "Say that again."
Jay's heart sprinted. "STOP APPEARING BEHIND ME—"
He stepped closer. "You're avoiding me."
Jay stepped back. "NO I'M NOT—"
He said her name again. "Jay."
A window cracked.
Jay screamed, "WHY DOES YOUR VOICE DO THAT—"
Keifer shrugged. "Maybe your magic likes me."
Jay nearly combusted. "NO IT DOESN'T—"
Bella whispered, "Jay… you're literally glowing."
Jay looked down.
Her hands were glowing.
Jay screamed, "TURN IT OFF—TURN IT OFF—"
Keifer stepped closer. "Calm down."
Jay shoved him. "DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN—"
The lights flickered again.
Aiden fainted. Daniel walked away whispering, "I'm transferring TODAY."
Keifer leaned in slightly. "You're jealous."
Jay choked. "NO I'M NOT—"
"You are."
"I'M NOT—"
"You are."
Jay shoved him again. "STOP SAYING THAT—"
He didn't move.
He just looked at her like she was the only person in the hallway.
Jay whispered, "I hate this."
Keifer whispered back, "But not me."
Jay froze.
Butterflies everywhere.
Crimson Oaths screamed. Nightthorns screamed. Aiden woke up just to scream again.
Jay covered her face. "I hate this school."
Keifer smiled. "You like me talking."
Jay's magic sparked again.
And the school?
Already chanting "JAYFER" like it was a religion.