Jay stood in front of the guest dorm door like it was the gates of hell.
Inside that room? Keifer. A bed. A second bed. And one week of humiliation.
Students crowded the hallway like it was a red‑carpet event.
Bella, Adrian, Lyra, Mila, Daniel, Aiden, half the Crimson Oaths, three Nightthorns, and even two teachers pretending they "just happened to be walking by."
Jay wanted to evaporate.
Bella whispered loudly, "Jay, breathe. You look like you're about to pass out."
Jay hissed, "I am about to pass out."
Lyra squealed, "THIS IS THE MOST ROMANTIC THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED IN THIS SCHOOL—"
Mila added, "Jay, if you don't at least cuddle him once, I'm disowning you."
Jay choked. "I'M NOT CUDDLING ANYONE—"
Adrian adjusted his glasses. "Statistically, physical proximity increases emotional bonding by—"
Jay slapped his arm. "STOP BEING A SCIENTIST RIGHT NOW—"
Aiden peeked from behind Bella. "Are you gonna kiss?"
Jay: "NO—"
Daniel: "I'm staying up all night for updates."
Jay: "NO UPDATES—"
Lyra: "Girl, we're literally going to sit outside the door."
Jay: "NO YOU'RE NOT—"
Mila: "We absolutely are."
Jay groaned into her hands.
Then the door opened.
Keifer stood there.
Calm. Tall. Smug. Annoyingly handsome.
The hallway erupted.
Crimson Oaths: "HE'S WAITING FOR HER—" Nightthorns: "THEY'RE SO MARRIED—" Random student: "I'M RECORDING THIS—" Teacher: "Put your phone away—actually no, send me the video."
Jay wanted to die.
Keifer looked at her. "Are you coming in?"
Jay squeaked, "NO— I MEAN—YES— I MEAN—SHUT UP—"
Lyra shoved her forward. "GO GET YOUR MAN—"
Jay stumbled into the room.
Keifer closed the door behind them.
The hallway screamed like a concert crowd.