Jay was sitting cross-legged on Keifer's couch, hugging a cushion, while Ella was pacing in front of them, dramatically waving her hands.
"I swear," Ella groaned, "Aries really thought I would come back just because he sent one sad voice note."
Jay snorted. "Not the emotional blackmail starter pack."
Ella pointed at her. "Says the girl who almost forgave Yuri after one 'I was just stressed' text."
Keifer leaned back against the armrest, finally speaking.
"You both need higher standards."
Jay gasped. "Look who's suddenly wise."
Ella laughed. "Yeah, Mr. Silent Therapist."
Keifer rolled his eyes. "I didn't sign up for this."
They all laughed.
For the first time in days, Jay felt… light.
Then Ella dropped onto the chair opposite him and sighed.
"Breakups should come with paid emotional leave."
Jay nodded seriously. "At least two weeks."
Keifer muttered, "At least."
Ella smiled at him. "See? He agrees with me more than you do."
Jay grinned. "Traitor."
Keifer didn't reply.
He had gone quiet.
His gaze had drifted somewhere in front of him.
Not at the wall.
Not exactly at Ella.
Just… empty.
Distant.
Gone.
Jay noticed.
She followed the line of his eyes.
Ella was right there.
Laughing at her phone.
Jay's smile slowly faded.
Her chest tightened.
Oh.
She tilted her head slightly, studying him.
Keifer hadn't blinked.
Hadn't shifted.
Hadn't reacted to anything they were saying.
In Jay's mind, the picture formed on its own.
He's looking at Ella.
He has feelings for her.
The thought came sharp and unwanted.
It stung in a place she didn't want to admit existed.
Jay cleared her throat loudly.
"Keifer."
He blinked.
Once.
Like he had just woken up.
"Yeah?"
"You look… very interested," Jay said lightly, forcing a teasing tone. "In Ella."
Ella looked up. "Huh?"
Keifer frowned. "What?"
Jay lifted her brows. "You were staring."
He glanced at Ella, confused.
Then back at Jay.
"I wasn't staring at her."
Ella laughed. "Wow. Rejected by a stare I didn't even get."
Keifer sighed. "I was literally thinking about something else."
Jay tried to smile.
"Oh."
But the word felt small.
Because from where she was sitting…
It had looked exactly like something she wasn't ready to see.