The next day the campus felt quieter than usual.
Not because it was actually quiet.
But because the group felt incomplete.
Keifer had stopped talking to everyone.
He still came to college.
Still attended classes.
But he stayed alone.
Away from the tree.
Away from the laughter.
Away from all of them.
Especially Jay.
That afternoon Jay finally made a decision.
She couldn't keep watching him walk away.
She needed to talk to him.
Even if it hurt.
Keifer was sitting alone on the empty basketball court bench.
His headphones were around his neck.
His eyes were fixed on the ground.
Jay slowly walked toward him.
Her heart was beating loudly.
For a moment she almost turned back.
But she didn't.
She stopped a few steps away.
"Keifer."
He immediately recognized her voice.
His shoulders stiffened slightly.
But he didn't look up.
Jay swallowed.
"Can we talk?"
Keifer sighed quietly.
Then he finally looked at her.
His expression wasn't angry.
Just tired.
"What is there to talk about?"
Jay moved a little closer.
"Please."
For a moment he didn't respond.
Then he gestured toward the bench.
"Sit."
Jay sat down slowly.
A small distance away from him.
Silence filled the space between them.
Jay's fingers nervously twisted together.
"I'm sorry."
Keifer looked ahead.
Not at her.
"You already said that."
Jay's voice trembled.
"But I mean it."
Keifer let out a slow breath.
Then he finally spoke.
"Do you know how it felt?"
Jay stayed silent.
Keifer's voice was calm.
But the pain inside it was clear.
"You were my best friend."
"My person."
"We talked about everything."
Jay's eyes filled with tears.
He continued quietly.
"And one day… you just erased me."
Jay whispered,
"I didn't want to—"
Keifer looked at her now.
"But you did."
His eyes held hurt.
Deep hurt.
"For months you ignored me."
"You walked past me like I was nothing."
Jay wiped a tear quickly.
Keifer looked away again.
"Do you know what that does to someone?"
Jay shook her head softly.
Keifer gave a small bitter laugh.
"It makes you question everything."
"Every memory."
"Every moment."
Jay's chest tightened painfully.
Keifer's voice became quieter.
"I kept wondering what I did wrong."
"Why my best friend suddenly hated me."
Jay cried silently now.
"I never hated you."
Keifer nodded slowly.
"I know that now."
There was a long pause.
Jay asked softly,
"Then why won't you talk to me?"
Keifer looked at his hands.
Because the truth was harder to say.
But he said it anyway.
"Because it still hurts."
Jay felt her heart sink.
Keifer continued honestly.
"I'm trying to move on."
"I'm trying to accept everything."
"But it's not that easy."
Jay nodded slowly.
"I understand."
Keifer looked at her for a moment.
Then he spoke gently.
"I'm not saying we can't be friends again."
Jay looked up hopefully.
"But I need time."
Jay nodded immediately.
"Take all the time you need."
Keifer gave a small tired smile.
"Thank you."
Jay wiped her tears and stood up.
Before leaving she looked at him once more.
"I'll wait."
Keifer didn't answer.
But he didn't look away this time either.
And for the first time in a long while…
They had finally spoken again. 💔➡️💙