The Next Day – University Campus
Jay walked into school with Mia and Ben. She saw a huge crowd in the courtyard. Everyone was shouting and cheering.
Jay was confused. "What's happening?"
She saw Ci-N running toward her. He looked upset.
"Jay! Jay! You have to come!" Ci-N grabbed her arm.
Jay stopped him. "Ci-N, calm down. What's going on?"
Ci-N took a deep breath. "Okay okay. So there's this rich boy from another school. His name is Vincent. He came here to propose to Mica. In front of everyone. With flowers and a band and everything."
Jay's eyes went wide. "Propose? To Mica?"
Ci-N nodded fast. "Yes! But Mica doesn't like him. Her heart belongs to Calix! Everyone knows that! But Calix is just standing there. He looks so sad. He thinks he lost her because of his past mistake."
Jay felt her heart hurt for Calix. She didn't know Mica and Calix liked each other. But now she knew.
She looked at the crowd. She could see Freya standing near Vincent, cheering him on. Freya was supporting the boy who was hurting her classmate.
Jay's blood boiled.
"Move," she said.
Mia looked scared. "Jay, what are you going to do?"
Jay didn't answer. She walked straight into the crowd.
In the Middle of the Crowd
Vincent was on one knee. Mica stood there, looking uncomfortable. She didn't want this. She kept looking at Calix, who stood at the edge of the crowd, looking heartbroken.
"Mica, please be mine," Vincent said loudly. "I can give you everything. Money, gifts, a good life."
Freya stood beside him. "Say yes, Mica! He's perfect for you!"
Mica shook her head. "I... I can't."
Vincent's face fell. Then it turned angry. "Why not? Am I not good enough for you?"
Freya crossed her arms. "Yeah, Mica. Why would you say no to someone like him?"
Before Mica could answer, a voice cut through the crowd.
"Because her heart belongs to someone else."
Everyone turned. Jay stood there, looking calm but her eyes were fire.
Vincent stood up. "Who are you?"
Jay walked closer. "I'm Jay. A friend of Mica. And you need to leave her alone."
Freya stepped forward. "Stay out of this, New York girl. You don't know anything."
Jay looked at Freya. "I know you're being mean for no reason. Why are you supporting him? Mica clearly doesn't want this."
Freya's face turned red. "You don't tell me what to do! You think you're so special just because you're from New York?"
Jay smiled sweetly. "No. I think I'm special because I stand up for my friends. You should try it sometime."
The crowd gasped. No one talked to Freya like that.
Vincent got in Jay's face. "Listen here, little girl. This doesn't concern you."
Jay didn't move. She stared right back at him. "It concerns me when my friend is being forced into something she doesn't want. So back off."
Vincent raised his hand like he was going to push her.
Suddenly, a tall figure stepped between them.
Keifer.
He stood in front of Jay, protecting her. His eyes were cold and dangerous.
"Touch her and you'll regret it," Keifer said quietly.
The crowd went silent. Everyone knew Keifer never got involved in drama. Never defended anyone. Especially not a girl.
Vincent looked at Keifer. He knew who he was. He backed down quickly.
"This isn't over," Vincent muttered. He pushed through the crowd and left. Freya followed him, but she shot Jay an angry look.
Jay turned to Mica. "Are you okay?"
Mica nodded, tears in her eyes. "Thank you, Jay. Thank you so much."
Jay hugged her. "Go to Calix. He loves you."
Mica looked at Calix. He was still standing there, shocked. She ran to him. He caught her in his arms.
After
The Section E boys crowded around Jay.
Ci-N was jumping up and down. "JAY! That was amazing! You stood up to Freya AND Vincent!"
Drew grinned. "I bet 5000 pesos she becomes our best friend!"
Eren nodded. "She defended us. She defended Mica. She's one of us now."
Mayo and Kit hugged her from both sides. "We love you, Jay!"
Jay laughed. "Okay okay! I can't breathe!"
Rakki came over and smiled. "Jay, you're really cool. I'm glad you're here."
Even quiet Josh nodded at her. "Good job."
Jay felt warm inside. She liked these people.
Then she felt someone staring at her. She looked up.
Keifer was watching her. His cold eyes were soft now. There was something new in them. Something warm.
He walked over to her. Everyone watched.
"You didn't have to do that," he said quietly.
Jay shrugged. "Yes I did. They're my friends now."
Keifer looked at her for a long moment. Then he smiled. A real smile.
"You're amazing," he whispered. So only she could hear.
Jay's heart stopped. Her face turned red.
Keifer walked away, but he glanced back at her. His smile stayed.
Ci-N ran up to Jay. "OH MY GOD! Keifer smiled! At YOU! He called you amazing! JAY! HE LIKES YOU!"
Drew yelled, "I WIN THE BET! THEY'RE FALLING IN LOVE!"
Jay covered her red face. "Shut up! All of you!"
But she was smiling behind her hands.
Mia and Ben high-fived. "Our girl is falling hard," Ben said.
Mia laughed. "And so is the cold boy."
Percy and Aries watched from a distance. Percy looked worried. Aries looked thoughtful.
"She's changing him," Aries said.
Percy nodded slowly. "Yeah. She is."
And for the first time, Percy wasn't sure if that was a bad thing.