Chapter 17 — The Teddy, The Talk, The Tease
Jay's POV
The next morning came with the same old alarm, Aries yelling, and my brain replaying yesterday's kiss like a broken record. I swear if I keep blushing like this, Mom's going to think I have a fever.
After breakfast, I grabbed my bag and went to school. Maya was waiting by my locker as usual, sipping her coffee like she owned the hallway.
Maya: Morning, tornado girl. Survived the date?
Jay: Barely. You and Aries need hobbies that don't involve stalking me.
Maya: Oh, please. We just wanted to make sure your bad-boy boyfriend didn't crash his motorcycle again.
I rolled my eyes. But as I opened my locker, something soft fell out. A teddy bear. A small, brown teddy with a red ribbon tied around its neck. Attached to it was a note that said, "For my favorite tornado. —K"
Maya: Oh my god—he did NOT.
Jay: He did. And I think he's obsessed with gifting me things now.
Before I could even hide the teddy, Keifer appeared out of nowhere. Hair messy, grin dangerous, and that stupid charm that made me want to smack him and kiss him at the same time.
Keifer: So… you found it.
Jay: You really like seeing me embarrassed, don't you?
Keifer: It's kind of my hobby.
He leaned down and kissed my cheek—just like that, in the middle of the hallway. My heart went full fireworks mode.
Then came the chaos. Yuri. Keifer's best friend. The walking, talking chaos.
Yuri: Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite lovebirds! Jay, blink twice if he's forcing you to date him.
Jay: Ha. Ha. Very funny.
Yuri: I try. So, Keifer, when's the wedding?
Keifer: Shut up, Yuri.
Yuri just laughed and walked away, whistling something that sounded suspiciously like a wedding march.
The rest of the morning went by fast. Classes, teasing, Maya's "awws" every two minutes—it was chaos. But somewhere between the laughter, I felt that tiny ache in my chest. Because I had to tell him.
After lunch, we sat under the old oak tree behind the gym—our usual spot.
Keifer: You're quiet today. That's not like you.
Jay: There's… something I need to tell you.
He frowned, leaning closer.
Jay: My family might be moving soon. Mom got a job offer across the country.
Silence. The kind that felt heavy. His fingers brushed mine, and I felt my throat tighten.
Keifer: When?
Jay: A few weeks. Maybe less.
He nodded slowly, like he was trying to process it, then looked me straight in the eyes.
Keifer: Long distance doesn't scare me, Jay. Losing you does.
And that—ugh. My heart.
Jay: You sure you can handle phone calls instead of annoying me in person?
Keifer: I'll find a way. Even if it means flying over there to annoy you.
He smiled, and I swear the world stopped spinning for a second.
He pulled me closer, resting his forehead against mine.
Keifer: You're stuck with me, tornado. Distance or not.
Then he kissed me again, slow and soft, and everything felt right—even if it wouldn't be for long.
When I got home later, I hugged that little teddy to my chest. The red ribbon brushed against my cheek, and I whispered, "Don't break your promise, Keifer Watson."