Chapter 14
The Third Wheel Who Refused to Leave
Telling Ella…
was a mistake.
A big one.
Because after that…
she never left me alone.
Ever.
"Jayyyy…"
I closed my eyes.
"I'm not listening."
"You have to."
"No."
"Yes."
"ELLA."
"JAY."
I groaned.
"What?"
"Where is he?"
"I don't know."
"Liar."
"I'm serious!"
"Then call him."
"I'm not calling him just because you said so!"
"Then I will."
"NO—"
Too late.
She was already dialing.
My heart started racing.
"ELLA CUT IT—"
He picked up.
"…hello?"
I froze.
Ella grinned like a villain.
"Hi Keifer~"
Silence.
Then—
"…why do you have Jay's phone?"
"Because she's hiding things."
"I'm not—"
"Shut up," she whispered to me.
"Put her on."
"I am on!"
I shouted.
"Why are you shouting?" he said calmly.
"Because SHE—"
Ella cut the call.
And burst out laughing.
"I hate you."
"No you don't."
"I do."
"You don't."
I sighed.
This was my life now.
But the real problem?
She didn't just tease me.
She followed us.
Everywhere.
Canteen.
"Can I sit?"
"No."
"I'm sitting."
Library.
"Why are you both here?"
"To study."
"Together?"
"Yes."
"Interesting."
Corridor.
"Walk faster."
"Why?"
"Because he's coming."
"I KNOW."
And then—
There he was.
Walking towards us.
Calm as always.
Like he didn't care.
But his eyes?
They found mine instantly.
And I felt it again.
That pull.
That quiet connection.
"Hi," he said.
"Hi."
Normal.
Casual.
Strangers.
And then—
Ella stepped between us.
"HELLO."
He looked at her.
"…hello."
She smiled brightly.
"I'm Ella. The best friend."
"I know."
"Oh you do?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
Awkward silence.
Then she whispered loudly to me—
"He looks better up close."
"ELLA!"
He smirked.
And I wanted to disappear.
"Relax," he said.
"She's entertaining."
"I'm not entertainment!"
"You are."
"Excuse me?!"
He shrugged.
Meanwhile…
I stood there.
Between them.
Dying.
Then suddenly—
Ella grabbed my hand.
"Come, we need a picture."
"What?"
"With him."
"No—"
Too late.
She pulled me next to him.
Close.
Too close.
"Smile!"
Click.
Another picture.
And this time…
I didn't move away immediately.
Because for a second…
It felt normal.
Like we didn't have to hide.
Like we could just be…
us.
Then reality hit.
I stepped back.
Distance again.
Always distance.
But Ella noticed everything.
Of course she did.
The looks.
The pauses.
The silence.
And the way we never stood too far…
or too close.
"You guys are impossible," she said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you act like strangers…"
She looked at both of us.
"…but feel like something else."
Silence.
Neither of us replied.
Because she was right.
And that was the problem.
Because no matter how much we hid it…
Some people could still see it.
And one day…
Someone else would too.
And that day…
would change everything.
But for now…
We laughed.
We teased.
We lived in that small bubble.
Where love was real…
Even if it was hidden.
And Ella?
She stayed right there.
Between us.
Annoying.
Loud.
But also…
the only one who knew the truth.
And maybe…
the only one who understood it.
To be continued… 😏❤️