The college campus was loud that afternoon.
Students were everywhere.
Laughing.
Talking.
Walking between classes.
Jay walked slowly through the corridor with Yuri beside her.
Yuri was talking about something on his phone.
But Jay wasn't listening.
Her eyes suddenly stopped on something ahead.
Under the big tree near the basketball court…
Keifer was sitting with his friends.
Ella.
Freya.
Grace.
Rakki.
They were all laughing loudly.
Keifer was in the middle of them, leaning back on the bench.
Rakki was telling some ridiculous story.
Freya almost fell off the bench laughing.
Ella threw a paper ball at Keifer.
Keifer dramatically clutched his chest.
"Violence! I'm being attacked!"
Everyone burst into laughter again.
Grace shook her head.
"You deserve it."
Keifer grinned.
"Jealous because I'm the favorite."
Ella rolled her eyes.
"In your dreams."
They kept laughing.
Comfortable.
Carefree.
Like a family.
Jay stopped walking.
For a moment…
Everything around her felt quiet.
Her chest tightened.
A memory flashed in her mind.
She used to sit there.
Right between them.
Arguing with Keifer.
Throwing snacks at him.
Laughing until her stomach hurt.
Back then…
She never felt nervous about what she said.
Or how she dressed.
Or whether someone would mock her.
She was just…
Jay.
And somehow…
That version of her felt perfect.
A small tear quietly slipped from her eye.
Before she could wipe it away…
Yuri noticed.
He immediately frowned.
"What are you doing?"
Jay quickly wiped her cheek.
"Nothing."
Yuri looked irritated.
"Why are you crying?"
Jay shook her head.
"I'm not."
Yuri followed her gaze.
His eyes landed on Keifer and the group laughing.
His expression hardened.
"So you're crying because of them?"
Jay quickly said,
"No, it's not like that—"
Yuri cut her off sharply.
"Then what is it?"
Jay looked uncomfortable.
"I just remembered something."
Yuri scoffed.
"Unbelievable."
Jay looked at him quietly.
Yuri's voice became colder.
"You're standing here crying in the middle of college."
"Do you know how embarrassing that is?"
Jay's hands trembled slightly.
"I didn't mean to—"
Yuri interrupted again.
"You're acting like a child."
Jay lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Yuri shook his head in annoyance.
"Stop being dramatic."
Then he grabbed her wrist.
"Come."
Jay glanced one more time toward the tree.
Keifer was still laughing with his friends.
He didn't notice her.
Or maybe he did.
But he didn't look.
Jay quietly walked away with Yuri.
Another tear slipped down her cheek.
But this time…
She didn't wipe it. 💔