Drake
I didn't chase her that night.
She ran, tears blurring her eyes, whispering apologies I couldn't stand to hear.
So I stopped at the gate and let her go.
Somewhere deep down, I already knew — people can love each other and still not belong together.
The hardest kind of love is the one that asks you to let go.
And I loved Jay‑jay enough to know what her heart sounded like when it was calling for someone else.
Keifer
The next morning, I expected hell to break loose — Drake coming for my throat, Jay‑jay screaming, Section E shunning me completely.
Instead, I found Drake leaning against the old gym fence, arms folded, eyes strangely calm.
"You shouldn't be here," I said quietly.
"Someone has to be," he replied.
I braced for impact, but none came.
No anger. No threats. Just that calm, knowing gaze.
"I saw how you looked at her," Drake said. "And I saw how she looked back at you. It's painful, isn't it? Loving someone who can't hide when they see you."
"If you're here to fight—"
He shook his head. "I'm here because she's breaking again. And I can't stand to watch it."
"You think I can?"
Drake smiled bitterly. "That's why I came. You don't need me to hate you — you already hate yourself enough. But if you really love her, stop being a coward about it."
I blinked. "You're… helping me?"
"No," he said, pushing off the fence. "I'm helping her. She deserves to stop running from the things that made her feel alive."
He paused, lowering his voice.
"Don't waste it, Keifer. She's not someone who forgives twice."
Then he walked away before I could thank him — or tell him he didn't need to do any of this.
Jay‑jay
Drake didn't bring up the kiss, not once.
He acted normal — kind, gentle, maddeningly patient.
That was almost worse than anger.
We sat side‑by‑side in the dorm lounge that evening, watching a movie without really watching it.
Halfway through, he took my hand, thumb tracing the engagement ring.
"You don't owe me forever," he said quietly.
My throat tightened. "Drake…"
"It's okay," he continued softly. "I think you came to London to find peace, not to marry it."
I didn't know what to say.
"He loves you, you know," he went on. "That's the kind of love people drown in. But it's real. You should decide if it's worth saving."
"Why are you saying this?" I whispered.
"Because I meant it when I said I love you — and loving someone means not being the reason they're unhappy."
Tears blurred my sight. "You shouldn't have to do this for me."
"I'm not doing it for you," he said, smiling faintly. "I'm doing it because I still believe in love — even the messy kind that tears you apart before it fixes you."
Keifer
Ci‑N found me sitting on the bleachers the next day, still replaying the conversation.
He dropped a bottle of water next to me. "You look like death."
"I might be," I muttered.
David joined us quietly. "Word is, Drake's leaving London early. Something about giving space."
Ci‑N frowned. "Wait—leaving? Doesn't that mean—?"
I didn't let him finish.
I stood up, heart hammering. "She deserves closure. This time, I'll give her the truth she should've had ten months ago."
Ci‑N smiled through watery eyes. "Finally."
Jay‑jay
When I found Keifer waiting outside the tennis court where it had all fallen apart, my chest ached with a thousand memories.
He looked nervous — and for once, honest.
"You shouldn't be here," I began.
"Neither should you," he replied. "But here we are."
The wind carried the scent of rain again. Manila always timed its storms perfectly.
"I talked to Drake," he said quietly.
"What did you tell him?"
"That I'll spend however long it takes to earn back the right to stand beside you."
I exhaled slowly. "You don't get to decide that, Keifer."
"I know. I just needed you to know — I never stopped loving you, Jay. And this time, I'm not saving you with lies."
For a long moment, neither of us moved. Then I said the only truth that made sense.
"You don't deserve an easy forgiveness."
"I'm not asking for one," he whispered. "Just a chance to fight for it."
And even though I didn't say yes, I didn't say no either.
Because for the first time, the hate didn't sting — it trembled, fragile and unsure, as something new tried to take its place.
Drake
From the airport lounge, I watched their story begin again on my phone — Mia's new photo post, the caption simple:
"Some people are written to return."
I smiled, pain and peace colliding in equal measure.
"Take care of her, Keifer," I murmured. "You both deserve to stop pretending."
I loved you but I got to move on aswell
I miss someone too.
Alys,I miss you