Chapter 16— Lines We Can't Uncross
Alys swore her heart was pounding louder than the bass thudding from the Halloween afterparty speakers. The masquerade had left her dizzy — not because of the music, but because of Drake Palma.
He wasn't looking at anyone else. Not at the girls in glittering dresses who tried to catch his smirk. Not at his friends, not at the crowd. Just… her.
For so long, this game between them had been fake — a weapon, a shield, a push and pull to confuse everyone, including themselves. But standing under the faint orange lights outside, away from the chaos, Alys couldn't pretend anymore.
"Drake…" Her voice wavered.
He raised an eyebrow, his smirk faltering when he noticed how serious she looked. "What's with the face, bird brain? Don't tell me you're about to confess your undying love."
Her laugh came out broken. "Maybe I am."
For the first time, Drake didn't have a comeback. His jaw tightened, and for once his hands weren't shoved into his pockets — they were reaching toward her, hesitant but certain.
"I'm falling, Drake." The words came out quiet but sharp, like truth finally cutting free. "And I don't know if it's the stupidest mistake I've ever made, but I am."
Silence stretched between them, loud and terrifying. But then, Drake let out a sharp breath, almost like a laugh, except softer.
"Then I guess…" His fingers brushed her cheek, thumb lingering at her jaw. His eyes darkened, no trace of sarcasm left. "…I'll try to fall right beside you."
And when his lips met hers, it wasn't part of the plan. It wasn't fake. It was messy, too real, too much, too fast — but Alys didn't care. Neither did Drake.
Meanwhile, across town, Jay was sprawled on Keifer's couch, glaring at him while Section E screamed "truth or dare" like a pack of children instead of students who should have been studying.
"Truth," Jay said flatly when Ci-n pointed at her.
"No way, boring!" Calix groaned. "Fine. Truth: do you like anyone here?"
Jay nearly choked on her soda, her eyes flicking to Keifer before she snapped, "No. Next."
Keifer's smirk deepened, and when it was his turn, he didn't hesitate. "Dare."
"Ohhh," Felix sang, grinning like he'd been waiting for this. "I dare you to kiss Jay."
The whole room erupted — half in laughter, half in gasps.
Jay froze. "What? No! Absolutely—"
But Keifer was already moving. Not fast, not careless — steady, deliberate, giving her every chance to push him away.
Her heart hammered, her brain screamed, but when his lips pressed against hers, Jay didn't move. Couldn't. It was supposed to be a dare, supposed to mean nothing.
Except it didn't feel like nothing.
The world fell quiet. Section E was whooping in the background, but all Jay could hear was the sound of her own pulse and the warmth of Keifer's lips against hers.
When he pulled back, his smirk was there, but it was different. Softer. Dangerous.
"Relax, Jay. It's just a game," he teased, leaning back like nothing happened. But the glint in his eyes betrayed him.
And Jay knew, deep down, they'd crossed a line they couldn't uncross.
Because Keifer Watson was a liar. This wasn't "just a plan." This wasn't just a game.
And the way her lips still tingled? She knew she wasn't fooling anyone either.
✨ End of Chapter 14