JAY-JAY POV
I drove to the apartment, my mind still tangled with Keifer's words.
Six o'clock.
The park.
His stupid smirk.
His stupid sincerity.
Ugh.
When I pushed the door open, the sound of gunshots and trash talk from the TV filled the room.
Felix and Ci‑N were on the couch, controllers in hand, eyes glued to the screen.
The moment they heard the door, both of them froze.
Ci‑N paused the game mid‑match — which he never does.
"Jay, hello," Ci‑N said, waving at me with a small smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Hello," I said politely, forcing my voice to stay steady.
Felix sat up straighter, studying me quietly.
Ci‑N's smile faltered, and for a second, I saw it — the sadness he tried to hide behind sarcasm.
The guilt.
The way he looked at me like he wasn't sure if he was allowed to be happy I was home.
And it hurt.
Because how am I supposed to forgive them…
when I treated them like my brothers?
When I trusted them with everything?
When I believed they'd never let me fall?
Felix set his controller down gently. "You're home early," he said, voice soft, warm, careful.
I nodded. "Yeah. Class ended."
Ci‑N cleared his throat, trying to act normal. "We, uh… saved you a spot. If you wanna sit. I mean, it's not premium seating, but it's warm."
I looked at the empty space between them — the same spot I used to flop into without thinking.
Now it felt like a place I didn't know how to return to.
"I'm fine here," I said, staying by the door.
Felix's expression dimmed, just a little.
Ci‑N looked down at his hands, tapping his controller nervously.
The silence stretched, thick and awkward.
I couldn't take it anymore.
So I went straight to my room, closed the door, and let myself breathe for a second.
Just one second.
But staying there made my thoughts louder, not quieter.
After a few minutes, I headed back downstairs.
Felix and Ci‑N were no longer playing video games.
They were huddled together on the couch, whispering like two idiots plotting a heist.
Ci‑N noticed me first. He elbowed Felix sharply, and they both straightened up like they hadn't just been scheming.
Suspicious.
Very suspicious.
I ignored them and walked into the kitchen, pretending I didn't see the way they both peeked over the back of the couch like nosy grandmas.
I opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and leaned against the counter.
"Jay," Ci‑N said.
I didn't answer.
Didn't even look at him.
"Jay, please talk to us," Felix said, his voice soft, careful—too careful.
"Felix, we've been through this morning," I said, twisting the cap off the bottle. "I don't want to repeat it."
Felix's shoulders dropped a little, like he expected that answer but still hoped for something else.
"Jay, please…" Ci‑N said.
I turned slightly, expecting sarcasm, a joke, something stupid to break the tension.
But instead—
"I'm very sorry for what we did," Ci‑N whispered… and his voice cracked.
I froze.
He was crying.
Actual tears.
Sliding down the face of the boy who pretended nothing could touch him.
My chest tightened painfully.
Ci‑N wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, but more tears fell. "I know you hate us. I know you don't trust us anymore. And it's my fault. I should've protected you. I should've—" His voice broke again. "I should've been your brother for real."
Felix moved closer to him, placing a steady hand on his back. "Ci‑N…"
But Ci‑N shook his head, stepping forward, eyes red and desperate. "Jay, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't think. I was stupid. I was—" He choked on the words. "I miss you. I miss how we were. I miss my sister."
My breath hitched.
Felix looked at me then—quiet, steady, hurting. "Jay… he means it. We both do."
Ci‑N's voice dropped to a whisper, trembling. "Please don't shut us out. Not forever."
I gripped the bottle tighter, my throat burning.
I wanted to stay angry.
I wanted to keep the walls up.
I wanted to protect myself.
But seeing Ci‑N cry—
it cracked something in me.
I swallowed hard. "Ci‑N…"
Before he could say anything else, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him—and Felix too, pulling both of them into me at the same time.
Ci‑N froze for a second, like he couldn't believe I was actually touching him.
Then he broke completely, burying his face in my shoulder, his hands gripping the back of my shirt like he was afraid I'd disappear.
Felix's arms came around me slowly, gently, like he didn't want to scare me off. His chin rested lightly on top of my head, warm and steady.
"I know," I whispered, my voice cracking. "And I'm sorry for being distant with you."
The tears came before I could stop them
Ci‑N shook his head against me. "No… no, Jay. You had every right. We messed up. I messed up. I'm the one who should be sorry."
Felix tightened his hold just a little. "You don't owe us anything. Not forgiveness. Not explanations. Nothing. We just… we just want you back."
My chest ached at the sincerity in his voice.
Ci‑N sniffed loudly—dramatically, of course. "And for the record, if you cry again, I'm blaming Felix. He's the emotional one."
Felix scoffed softly. "You're literally crying on her shoulder."
"That's allergies," Ci‑N muttered, wiping his face on my sleeve.
Despite everything, a shaky laugh escaped me.
"Idiots," I said, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand.
Felix's eyes softened, hope flickering there. "So… you forgive us?"
I nodded.
The reaction was instant.
Felix let out a breath he'd clearly been holding for days, shoulders dropping as if someone finally lifted a weight off him.
Ci‑N, on the other hand, gasped dramatically. "Wait—like for real? Not the 'I forgive you but I'm still mad' type?"
I rolled my eyes. "Don't push it."
Ci‑N sniffed, wiping his face again. "I'm taking it. I don't care if it's 1% forgiveness. I'll take it."
Felix smiled—small, warm, the kind that made you feel safe without him even trying. "Thank you, Jay."
Ci‑N nudged him. "See? I told you she wouldn't abandon us. I'm her favorite."
Felix scoffed. "In what universe."
"In every universe," Ci‑N said confidently, then turned to me. "Right, Jay?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You're both idiots."
"Jay, let's play video games," Ci‑N said, patting the couch like a dog calling its owner.
I glanced at the clock.
6:00 PM.
My stomach twisted.
Keifer would be waiting at the park.
"I have to go somewhere," I said, grabbing my jacket.
Both boys froze.
Felix raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Somewhere? At exactly six? Sounds fake."
Ci‑N nodded aggressively. "Yeah. Suspicious. Very suspicious. Explain yourself, citizen."
I rolled my eyes. "It's nothing."
Felix snorted. "Jay, you're the worst liar I've ever met. Your face literally twitches."
Ci‑N pointed at me. "See? I told you!"
I sighed. "I just… need to meet someone."
Both of them stared at me.
Then Ci‑N gasped dramatically. "It's Keifer, isn't it?"
Felix didn't gasp.
He just blinked once, slowly, like he was processing a murder confession.
"You're going to meet Keifer," Felix said, voice flat but with a spark in his eyes.
I nodded. "I'll be back soon."
Ci‑N immediately grinned like he'd been waiting for this plot twist. "OH. MY. GOD. She's going."
Felix smirked. "Finally."
I stared at them. "What do you mean finally?"
Ci‑N threw his arm around Felix dramatically. "Jay, we've been waiting for you to stop being a stubborn potato and talk to him."
Felix nodded. "Yeah. The tension was getting annoying. Even for us."
I rolled my eyes.
"Bye, try not to burn the house down," I said, stepping out of the house.
I got into my car and drove to the park.
My heart wouldn't calm down the whole ride.
When I got there, I parked and stepped outside, the cold air hitting my face.
I started looking around—left, right, near the benches, near the fountain.
Nothing.
"What the hell… it's only 6:15 PM," I muttered, checking my phone again. "Did he leave because I didn't come?"
My stomach twisted.
Great.
Perfect.
Amazing.
I finally decide to show up and he disappears?
Then a voice behind me, low and basically whispering right into my ear:
"Looking for me?"
I turned around.
Bad idea.
Now we were inches apart—no, one centimeter at most.
His breath brushed my cheek.
His eyes locked onto mine like he'd been waiting for this exact moment.
My heart did a full gymnastics routine.
Keifer didn't move back.
Of course he didn't.
He just tilted his head slightly, studying my face like he was memorizing every detail.
"You're late," he murmured, voice annoyingly calm.
I swallowed. "It's only fifteen minutes."
He smirked. "Fifteen minutes of me thinking you weren't coming."
I stepped back—well, tried to.
He stepped forward at the same time.
Great.
Perfect.
Now we were even closer.
His eyes flicked down to my lips
"They're calling my name, Jay," he said, voice low, confident, annoyingly smooth.
"Gago," I muttered.
He smiled—slow, knowing, the kind of smile that made my knees feel weak.
And then he kissed me.
I froze for a second, my brain short‑circuiting.
His hand brushed my cheek, gentle but certain, like he'd been waiting for this moment longer than he'd ever admit.
My heart was pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it.
But of course… of course I started to respond.
Because it was Keifer.
Because I'd been trying not to think about him for weeks.
Because the second his lips touched mine, every wall I built cracked.
I grabbed the front of his jacket without thinking, pulling him just a little closer.
He smiled against the kiss—like he knew I'd give in eventually.
He finally pulled back after… I don't even know.
Ten minutes?
Five?
Time didn't exist.
My brain wasn't working enough to count.
But he didn't go far.
Instead, he leaned in again—soft, slow—and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
Then another.
Then one on my temple.
Each one gentler than the last, like he was trying to calm the storm he started inside me.
My breath caught. "Keifer…"
He rested his forehead against mine, eyes half‑closed, voice low. "I missed you."
My heart did a full flip.
I tried to look away, but he cupped my jaw lightly, guiding my gaze back to him. "Don't hide from me now, Jay."
"I'm not hiding," I whispered, even though I absolutely was.
He smiled—small, warm, annoyingly confident. "Good. Because I'm not letting you run again."
My cheeks burned, and he kissed my temple once more, softer this time, like a promise.
"Why did you call me?" I asked, my voice barely steady.
"Well, because I wanted to see you," Keifer said.
He pulled back just enough to look at me properly—then he intertwined his fingers with mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.
My heart did a full somersault.
He started walking, gently tugging me along with him, our hands still locked together.
His thumb brushed over my knuckles, slow and deliberate, like he was trying to memorize the shape of my hand.
"Jay, will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.
I stopped walking.
He didn't let go of my hand — if anything, he held it tighter, like he was afraid I'd slip away.
"Keifer… I haven't even forgiven you yet," I said, looking up at him.
His expression softened instantly.
Not cocky.
Not teasing.
Just… real.
"I know," he said quietly.
He stepped a little closer, but not in the overwhelming way from earlier. This time it was gentle, careful — like he was giving me space to breathe.
"I'm not asking you to pretend everything's fine," he continued. "I'm not asking you to forget what happened. I just…" He exhaled, eyes dropping to our intertwined hands. "I want to try again. Properly. Slowly. If you'll let me."
My chest tightened.
He lifted our hands slightly, brushing his thumb over my skin again. "I asked because I want you. Not the perfect version of you. Not the version that forgives me instantly. Just… you. Even if you're still mad at me."
I swallowed hard. "Keifer…"
He looked up, meeting my eyes with a seriousness that made my heart stutter.
"You don't have to say yes," he said softly. "Just don't walk away from me again."
The wind blew between us, but he didn't move, didn't rush me, didn't push.
For once, Keifer wasn't trying to win.
He was trying to stay.
"I still need time," I said.
Keifer nodded, not even hesitating. "Take all the time you need."
For a second, I relaxed.
Then he added, voice dropping lower, "But just make sure that Ben doesn't get too close to you again."
I blinked. "Keifer—"
He raised an eyebrow, completely unapologetic. "What? I'm being honest."
I pulled my hand back slightly, but he tightened his grip just enough to keep our fingers intertwined.
"Keifer, you can't just—"
"I'm not telling you what to do," he said, stepping closer, eyes locked on mine. "I'm telling you what I feel."
His jaw clenched a little, like he hated admitting it.
"I don't like the way he looks at you," he continued. "And I definitely don't like the way he talks to you."
I crossed my arms. "You're jealous."
He didn't even deny it.
"Yeah," he said simply. "I am."
My breath caught.
He leaned in just a little, not touching me, but close enough that I felt the warmth of him.
"I'm not losing you again, Jay," he said quietly. "Not to him. Not to anyone."
My heart thudded painfully.
"Keifer…" I whispered.
He softened, just a little. "I know you need time. I'll wait. But I'm not going to pretend I'm okay with Ben hovering around you like he has a chance."
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks were burning. "He doesn't."
Keifer's lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile. "Good."
"So, how is it being President?" he asked as we walked, still holding my hand like he had no intention of letting go.
"Not bad," I said. He matched my pace easily, like he'd been walking beside me forever.
"Do you need help with anything? Like the problem with Section A?" Keifer asked.
"No," I said immediately.
He stopped walking.
I kept going for two steps before I realized he wasn't beside me anymore. When I turned, he was standing there with his arms crossed, eyebrows raised.
"Jay," he said, "you're literally drowning in work."
"I'm not drowning," I said.
"You're drowning," he repeated, walking toward me again. "You're just pretending you're not because you're stubborn."
I glared. "I can handle Section A."
He smirked. "You can handle everything. I know. But that doesn't mean you have to do it alone."
I looked away, heat rising to my cheeks.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Let me help you, Jay."
"I said no," I muttered.
He leaned in, whispering near my ear, "You're cute when you're defensive."
I shoved his shoulder lightly. "Shut up."
He laughed softly, brushing his thumb over my knuckles again. "Fine. I won't interfere. But if Section A stresses you out again, I'm stepping in."
I rolled my eyes at him.
Keifer laughed under his breath, the sound low and warm. "There it is," he said. "Classic Jay."
My breath hitched, the words I was about to throw at him dissolving on my tongue. He wasn't touching me, but the space between us felt charged—like one wrong move would pull us together again.
Keifer's eyes flicked over my face, slow and deliberate, as if he was trying to read every reaction I failed to hide.
"You always get quiet when you're flustered," he murmured.
"I'm not flustered," I lied immediately.
He smirked, the kind that made my stomach twist. "Sure you're not."
I stepped back to regain some air, but he followed with an easy confidence, closing the distance like it belonged to him.
"Keifer," I warned.
"What?" he asked, voice low, teasing. "I'm just standing here."
"You're standing too close."
He tilted his head slightly. "Funny. You didn't complain earlier."
Heat rushed to my cheeks again. "That was—different."
"Was it?" he asked, eyes dropping to my lips for a heartbeat before meeting my gaze again. "Because it didn't feel different to me."
I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. "You're impossible."
"And you're adorable when you pretend you don't want me near you."
I opened my mouth to argue, but he gently tugged my hand, guiding me forward as we walked again—like he knew I needed the movement to breathe.
"Relax, Jay," he said softly. "I'm not pushing you. I'm just… here."
And somehow, that made my chest tighten even more.
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💙🔥 Author's Note 🔥💙
How was the chapter 🤭✨
Comment and tell me how it was — I actually wanna know if you liked it or if I should be scared 😭💬💙
Guys… I'm actually running out of ideas 😭💭
So please comment what you wanna see next, because my brain is starting to freeze up 💀✨
Like this chapter idea literally popped into my head this morning.
Yesterday I was just sitting in front of my computer staring at the screen like 😐👉💻
No thoughts. No plot. Just vibes.
So yeah… help me out before I start overthinking forever 😭💙