They came without warning.
One moment, the courtyard was peaceful. Students chatting. Sun shining. Normal day at Black Hollow.
The next moment, the gates opened and students poured through. Dozens of them. Uniforms Jay didn't recognize. Faces she'd never seen. All wearing matching expressions of confidence bordering on arrogance.
Leading them was a woman Jay recognized. Headmistress Vane from Northwood Academy. The same school the awful new kids had come from.
"Oh no," Mila whispered beside her.
"Oh yes," Lyra corrected, eyes sparkling. "Drama incoming."
Headmistress Vane approached Principal Morticia, who had appeared instantly. They spoke quietly. Too quietly for students to hear.
But everyone saw Morticia's expression shift. Slightly. Almost imperceptibly.
Then she turned to the gathered students.
"Northwood Academy has challenged Black Hollow to a series of competitions," she announced. "Academic. Magical. Physical. The winning school will claim the Inter-Academy Trophy for the next five years."
Gasps. Whispers. Excitement.
Keifer appeared beside Jay. "This is bad."
"Why?"
"Northwood doesn't do anything for fun. They want something."
"What?"
"I don't know yet. But we'll find out."
The Northwood students spread through the school like a virus.
They were everywhere. Commenting on everything. Comparing everything to "how we do it at Northwood."
The library was "quaint."
The classrooms were "charming but outdated."
The students were "sweet, but clearly not top-tier."
Jay wanted to punch someone.
Keifer held her back. "Not yet."
"When?"
"Let them earn it."
The competitions started the next day.
First event: Academic Theory. Written exam. Three hours.
Jay sat in the exam hall, surrounded by strangers. Keifer was across the room. Their eyes met once. He nodded. She nodded back.
She crushed it.
When results were announced, Jay was in the top five. Not first—that went to a Northwood girl who clearly studied 24/7. But top five was respectable.
Black Hollow overall? Second place. Northwood won.
"Just getting started," Lyra said firmly. "We'll get them next time."
Second event: Magical Duels.
One-on-one matches. Students paired randomly. Jay got matched with a Northwood boy named Dorian. Tall. Confident. Smirk that made her want to gag.
"Jay Mariano," he said, reading her name tag. "I've heard about you."
"Good things, I hope?"
"Interesting things." His eyes flicked to Keifer, watching from the sidelines. "The Principal's girlfriend. Must be nice, having protection."
Jay smiled. Not nice.
"I don't need protection."
"We'll see."
The duel started.
Dorian was good. Really good. Fast spells. Clever moves. He'd clearly trained for this.
But Jay had trained for something else. Survival. Real fights. Shadows and ghosts and life-or-death moments.
She let him come at her. Dodged. Weaved. Waited.
He overextended. She saw it.
One spell. Perfect aim. He went down.
The crowd ERUPTED.
Jay stood over him, breathing hard. "Told you. I don't need protection."
She walked away. Didn't look back.
Keifer met her at the edge of the arena. His eyes were burning. Proud.
"That was incredible."
"He was annoying."
"You were magnificent."
"Same thing?"
"Same thing."
He kissed her. Right there. In front of everyone. Northwood students stared. Black Hollow students cheered.
Lyra screamed: "THAT'S OUR GIRL! THAT'S OUR PRINCIPAL! THAT'S JAYFER!"
Third event: Team Relay.
Groups of five. Obstacle course. Magical challenges. Physical tests.
Jay was on a team with Keifer, Lyra, Adrian, and Daniel. The dream team.
Northwood's team was all athletes. Big. Fast. Confident.
"This'll be easy," their captain said, looking at Jay's group.
Jay smiled. "Sure. Easy."
The relay started.
First leg: Adrian. He was faster than he looked. Used his knowledge to solve magical puzzles instantly. Gained lead.
Second leg: Lyra. She was chaos personified. Knocked over obstacles. Confused opponents. Held the lead.
Third leg: Daniel. Quiet. Steady. Unstoppable. Extended the lead.
Fourth leg: Jay. She ran like shadows were chasing her. Because they had, once. She knew how to move. How to push. How to win.
By the time she tagged Keifer, they were minutes ahead.
Keifer ran the final leg like he was born for it. Calm. Controlled. Perfect.
They won. By a lot.
Black Hollow ERUPTED.
Final score: tied.
Two events each. One left to decide everything.
The final event: A battle of wills. Literally. Magical endurance. Last person standing wins for their school.
Each school chose one champion.
Northwood chose their best. A girl named Seraphine. Tall. Quiet. Deadly.
Black Hollow chose Keifer.
Jay grabbed his arm before he walked out. "You've got this."
"I know."
"Be careful."
"Always."
He kissed her forehead. Walked into the arena.
The duel was intense.
Seraphine was strong. Really strong. She pushed Keifer hard. Made him work.
But Keifer had something she didn't.
A reason to win.
Not for glory. Not for trophies. For his school. For his friends. For her.
He lasted longer. Pushed harder. Refused to fall.
In the end, Seraphine collapsed. Exhausted. Defeated.
Keifer stood alone in the arena. Breathing hard. Victorious.
Black Hollow EXPLODED.
Jay ran to him. Threw herself into his arms.
"You did it," she whispered.
"We did it."
"You were amazing."
"We were amazing."
He kissed her. Long. Deep. In front of everyone.
Northwood students stared. Black Hollow students cheered. Lyra cried. Adrian took notes. Bella sketched. Mila smiled. Daniel nodded approvingly.
That night, they celebrated.
Music. Food. Laughter. Everyone together.
Jay and Keifer sat on the edge of the courtyard, watching their friends be happy.
"Today was good," Jay said.
"Today was great."
"We won."
"WE won."
She leaned against him. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Even though you're wrong about coffee?"
"Even though you're wrong about everything?"
She poked him. He didn't move.
"Keifer?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm glad you're my Principal."
He laughed. "I'm glad you're my girlfriend."
"Same thing?"
"Same thing."
They kissed. Soft. Sweet. Perfect.
The next morning, Lyra's whiteboard was legendary.
THE RIVAL SCHOOL CHALLENGE
Events: 4
Wins: 3
Jay's Duel Victory: FLAWLESS
Keifer's Final Battle: LEGENDARY
Northwood's Current Status: HUMBLED
JAYFER STATUS: ETERNAL (COMPETITION-PROOF)
Bond Strength: STILL UNBREAKABLE
LEARNINGS:
Black Hollow doesn't lose
Jay is terrifying in combat
Keifer is unstoppable when motivated
Northwood regrets everything
Jay read it. Laughed.
Keifer appeared beside her. Coffee in hand.
"Ready for normal?"
"Define normal."
"Classes. Meetings. Arguing about coffee."
She smiled. "Perfect."
They walked away together.
Normal. Perfect. THEIRS.
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🚨 🚨 NEW BOOK ALERT 🚨 🚨
Guys, I wrote a new book called The Rival Lawyers-Jayfer. Pls support me there too. Your support means a lot. Thank you so much!