The laughter slowly died down as the crowd dispersed.
Jay leaned against the corridor wall, still smiling, still catching her breath.
That's when she saw Ivy.
Ivy stood a little away from the chaos, pretending to scroll on her phone, but her eyes kept drifting back to Keifer.
Not playful.
Not casual.
Focused.
Jay noticed it instantly—and for reasons she couldn't explain, her chest tightened.
"Hey," Jay called, walking up to her. "You disappeared."
Ivy startled slightly. "Oh—yeah. I was just… watching you two."
Jay followed her gaze. Keifer was laughing with his friends, sleeves rolled up, hair messy, completely unaware.
Watching him.
Ivy's smile was soft. Too soft.
Jay felt something twist inside her.
"You okay?" Jay asked, carefully.
Ivy hesitated, then sighed. "Jay… can I tell you something?"
Jay nodded, though her stomach had already started sinking.
"I think… no, I know I like Keifer," Ivy said quietly.
"Not just like. I have… for a long time."
The words landed heavier than Jay expected.
"How long?" she asked, voice steady—too steady.
Ivy shrugged. "Since we were kids, maybe. Definitely before college. I just never said anything because… well, you."
Jay blinked. "Me?"
"You and him," Ivy said gently. "You're always together. Everyone assumes something's there."
Jay laughed awkwardly. "There's nothing there. We're just—"
"Best friends," Ivy finished, smiling sadly. "I know."
Jay nodded quickly. "Yeah. Exactly."
But her heart didn't agree.
Ivy looked at her, eyes searching. "Does it bother you?"
Jay opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Because it did.
It bothered her more than she wanted to admit.
"No," Jay finally said. "Why would it?"
Ivy smiled, relieved. "Good. I just wanted to be honest. I might… talk to him someday."
Someday.
The word echoed painfully.
Jay forced a smile. "You should. He's… he's great."
Ivy squeezed her hand. "Thanks for understanding."
As Ivy walked away, Jay stayed frozen in place.
Her gaze drifted back to Keifer.
The way he laughed.
The way he always found her in a crowd.
The way he stood just a little closer to her than anyone else.
Had it always been this way?
Or had she just refused to see it?
Keifer turned suddenly, eyes scanning—and landing on her.
His smile changed instantly. Softer. Warmer.
He walked over. "Where'd you vanish to?"
Jay swallowed. "Talking to Ivy."
"Oh," he said. "She okay?"
Jay nodded. "Yeah. She just… likes you."
Keifer blinked. "Likes me how?"
Jay looked away. "Like-like."
Silence.
Keifer frowned. "Since when?"
"A long time," Jay said quietly.
He ran a hand through his hair. "I had no idea."
Jay hugged her arms to herself, an unfamiliar ache blooming in her chest.
The thought of someone else wanting him—really wanting him—made something dark and possessive stir inside her.
And she hated that feeling.
"You care?" Keifer asked gently.
Jay snapped her head up. "Why would I?"
He studied her face, closer now. "Because you're acting weird."
"I'm not," she said too fast.
He stepped closer anyway. "Jay…"
She met his eyes, and suddenly it was hard to breathe.
"I don't want you to be someone else's," the thought screamed in her head.
But she didn't say it.
Instead, she shrugged. "It's nothing. She can like whoever she wants."
Keifer nodded slowly, but his eyes lingered on her, searching.
"Still," he said softly, "I don't like seeing you upset."
Jay laughed lightly. "I'm not upset."
But her heart was pounding.
Because for the first time, the idea of losing him—
Not as a best friend,
But as hers—
Terrified her.
And deep down, Jay knew.
This wasn't jealousy for a friend.
This was fear of losing someone she loved—
Long before she ever dared to name it