The graduation hall was loud.
Too loud.
Caps, gowns, cameras flashing everywhere.
Jay kept adjusting the edge of her stole like it might suddenly disappear.
Ella leaned into her. "If I trip on that stage, please pretend you don't know me."
Jay laughed. "I will record it first."
Keifer stood on Jay's other side, already in his gown, looking painfully calm.
"You both are going to be fine."
Ella narrowed her eyes. "Why do you sound like a proud uncle?"
Jay smiled at that.
Then the announcements started.
Names echoing.
Applause rolling in waves.
When Ella's name was called, she whooped quietly and squeezed Jay's hand before running toward the stage.
Jay watched her go, heart full.
A moment later—
"Jay."
Her name.
Her legs moved before her brain did.
She stepped onto the stage, lights blinding her for a second.
She took the certificate.
Smiled.
Breathed.
She did it.
When she came down, Keifer was already clapping softly, eyes on her.
"You looked terrified," he said.
She laughed under her breath. "I was."
Then—
"Keifer."
Jay turned.
So did Ella.
Keifer walked up the steps without changing his expression.
Steady.
Quiet.
When he came back down, Ella clapped loudly.
"Okay, top student energy."
He shrugged. "Barely."
They gathered near the side after it was over, caps already half off, phones out, everyone hugging everyone.
Ella threw her arms around both of them.
"We survived toxic men and a degree."
Jay laughed. "Put that on the certificate."
They pulled back.
For a second, the noise faded around Jay.
She looked at them.
Ella—smiling freely, lighter than she'd ever seen her.
Keifer—standing close, hands in his pockets, eyes calm.
A strange warmth settled in her chest.
And then—
She caught it.
Keifer's eyes drifting again.
That same still look.
That same distant focus.
Ella was right in front of him.
Jay's smile faltered.
Just a little.
Ella was busy checking photos on her phone, showing them both.
Jay watched Keifer instead.
He wasn't smiling.
He wasn't reacting.
He wasn't really… there.
Her heart made a quiet, stupid jump.
He's doing it again.
He's looking at her.
Jay turned away quickly and pretended to fix her cap.
Because it was graduation day.
And she didn't want to ruin a perfect ending…
With a feeling she still didn't understand.