Kiefer POV
We arrived at the university just as the campus started filling up. The moment I stepped out of the car, I saw her.
Sienna Park.
I immediately tried to take a different path, but she noticed and walked over anyway. This time, she didn't smile.
"I'm sorry," she said.
I stopped.
She took a breath. "I know I've been wrong. I kept trying to be around you and your friends when I shouldn't have. I didn't mean to make things uncomfortable or cause trouble. I'll stop."
She looked serious. No excuses. No acting.
I nodded once. "Okay."
That was all. We walked past her and left it there.
We reached the usual student hangout spot. Everyone else was already there, talking loudly like always. I scanned the area without thinking.
Jayjay wasn't there.
A few minutes later, Ciel arrived. She greeted everyone and immediately took the bread from Adrian's hand while he was on a video call with Valerie.
"Hey—!" Adrian protested.
Valerie laughed through the phone. Ciel leaned closer to the screen, chatting with her for a bit before sitting down.
I looked at her. "Where's Jayjay?"
"갔어," Ciel replied.
"What?"
She blinked. "Oh—sorry. I forgot." Then in English, "She's gone."
"Gone where?"
"She left with a girl. I remember her saying, 'We have to go,' and the girl's name was Chantelle."
I pulled out my phone and called Jayjay.
No answer.
I tried again.
Nothing.
"Have you seen her before?" I asked.
Ciel shook her head. "No."
I glanced at Yuri.
He laughed.
Adrian frowned. "Why are you laughing?"
Yuri shrugged. "This morning, when I was trying to wake him up, I used Jayjay's name. He jumped up instantly."
Everyone burst out laughing.
"So that's the magic word?"
"No wonder he woke up!"
"Say her name and he's alive again!"
I frowned. "Enough."
The bell rang before they could tease me more. Everyone stood up and headed to class.
I followed.
Jayjay still hadn't shown up.
And this time, she wasn't walking beside me.