The infirmary door slammed open so hard the walls shook.
Principal Morticia Black Hollow swept in like a storm cloud with eyeliner.
Jay sat up instantly. Bella and Adrian froze. Keifer didn't even blink.
Morticia pointed at Jay. "Your magic nearly blew up the courtyard."
Jay groaned. "I KNOW—"
Morticia pointed at Keifer. "And YOU are the only reason she didn't level half the school."
Keifer didn't deny it.
Bella whispered, "He really is—"
Jay elbowed her. "STOP."
Morticia paced. "Your aura is unstable. Trauma-triggered. Dangerous. And apparently—" she gestured at Keifer "—he is the only one who can stabilize you."
Jay turned red. "NO—NO—NO—"
Keifer: "It's true."
Jay: "STOP AGREEING—"
Morticia slammed a book on the counter. "Therefore, Jay, you must sleep near Keifer every night for one week."
Silence.
Then the entire room exploded.
Bella: "WHAT—NO WAY—THIS IS—THIS IS—OH MY GOD—" Adrian: "This is scientifically fascinating. Horrifying. But fascinating." Lyra (bursting into the room): "SLEEP? WITH KEIFER? JAY, YOU'RE LIVING MY DREAM—" Mila (behind her): "Girl, you better not waste this opportunity." Jay: "I'M NOT WASTING ANYTHING—THIS IS A NIGHTMARE—" Keifer: "I don't mind." Jay: "STOP SAYING THAT—" Lyra: "He SO minds. He's just pretending to be cool." Mila: "No, he's not pretending. Look at his face. That's a man who's already planning matching pajamas." Keifer: "I am not." Bella: "You totally are." Adrian: "Statistically, this is the most romantic thing that has ever happened in this school." Jay: "STOP HELPING—" Daniel (walking in late): "What did I miss?" Lyra: "Jay has to sleep with Keifer for a week." Daniel: "…" Daniel: "I'm not transferring. I'm staying for this."
Jay covered her face. "THIS IS HUMILIATING."
Morticia raised a hand. "It's either this… or we put you in a magical isolation chamber."
Jay froze. "I'll sleep near Keifer."
Keifer smirked. "Thought so."
Jay threw a pillow at him.
Lyra: "OH MY GOD THEY'RE ALREADY FIGHTING LIKE A MARRIED COUPLE—" Mila: "Jay, blink twice if you want us to sneak snacks into your room." Bella: "Blink three times if you want us to lock the door from the outside." Jay: "STOP—ALL OF YOU—STOP—" Adrian: "Should we start a betting pool?" Lyra: "YES." Mila: "I'm putting ten on 'they kiss by day three.'" Bella: "I'm putting twenty on 'Jay confesses first.'" Jay: "I CAN HEAR YOU—" Keifer: "I'm putting fifty on 'she already likes me.'" Jay: "KEIFER—"
The lights flickered.
Everyone screamed.
Morticia sighed. "This is exactly why you two need to sleep in the same room."
Jay groaned into her hands. "I hate this school."
Keifer leaned in just enough to make her heart sprint. "But not me."
Jay shoved him. "STOP."
Lyra: "OH MY GOD SHE BLUSHED—" Mila: "THIS IS BETTER THAN TV—" Adrian: "I'm documenting this for scientific purposes." Daniel: "I'm staying forever."
Morticia clapped her hands. "Enough. Tonight. Same room. No arguments."
Jay: "THIS IS A NIGHTMARE—" Keifer: "It's perfect."
Jay's heart betrayed her.
And everyone saw it.