When Keifer broke up with Jay…
he cried.
Not quietly.
Not politely.
His voice cracked before the words even came out.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, over and over, like it could fix something already breaking.
Jay didn't cry.
She just stood there.
Still.
Watching him like she was trying to memorize his face.
"I understand," she said softly.
That was all.
And that hurt him more than her anger ever could.
His hands were shaking when he reached for her, then stopped halfway.
Because he was the one leaving.
Because he didn't deserve comfort.
"Jay… I didn't—"
She stepped closer.
Close enough that he could feel her breath.
Close enough that it felt unfair.
And then she said it.
Even if you choose someone else…
I would still be with you.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Like love didn't disappear just because choices changed.
Keifer closed his eyes.
That was when he cried harder.
Because she wasn't fighting him.
She wasn't asking him to stay.
She wasn't even asking him to explain.
She was giving him permission to walk away.
And the worst part—
Jay knew.
She knew he wasn't choosing someone else.
She knew he was choosing distance.
She knew he was choosing silence.
She knew he was choosing pain… for both of them.
She looked at him gently and added, almost like a secret,
"I know you chose me."
His breath caught.
Her thumb brushed his trembling knuckles.
"But you can't claim me right now."
Not because you don't want to.
Because you're not allowed to.
And Keifer…
He had never felt so seen.
Or so helpless.
Because the only girl who truly understood him…
Was the one he had to let go of.