Chapter: I Am NOT Jealous (Jay's POV)
Let me make one thing very clear.
I was not jealous.
Not even a little bit.
Okay maybe a microscopic bit.
But that is NOT the point.
So there I was, peacefully walking through the corridor like the calm and mature 18-year-old I am… when I saw it.
Keifer.
Standing near the lockers.
Talking.
To Ella.
Yes. That Ella.
His ex.
Laughing.
Comfortably.
Like it was a normal, breathing, oxygen-using activity.
My steps slowed.
Why is he smiling like that?
Why is she standing so close?
Why is he leaning slightly towards her?
Why does she look so comfortable?
I felt something weird in my chest.
Annoyance.
Yes.
Definitely annoyance.
Not jealousy.
I walked past them without looking.
Okay I looked.
For 0.5 seconds.
Ella noticed me first.
She smiled.
"Oh hi Jay."
Why is she smiling like that?
I forced a small smile. "Hi."
Keifer turned. "Jay."
That tone.
That soft tone.
Why is he using that tone?
"I was just talking to Ella," he said casually.
"Oh really?" I said calmly.
Too calmly.
"Yes."
"Oh wow. I couldn't see that."
He blinked. "What?"
"Nothing."
I started walking again.
Fast.
He caught up to me in seconds.
"Why are you walking like you're being chased?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I have class."
"We both have class in the same direction."
Silence.
I could feel him looking at me.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"You're annoyed."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"Jay."
I stopped walking and turned to him.
"Why are you even talking to her?"
He frowned. "What kind of question is that?"
"A normal question."
"She asked about a project."
"Oh. So projects require smiling now?"
He stared at me.
"Are you serious?"
"I'm very serious."
He crossed his arms. "You don't get to question who I talk to."
Oh.
Oh.
That line hurt more than it should have.
"I'm not questioning," I said quickly. "I'm just saying."
"Saying what?"
"That you seemed very comfortable."
"And?"
"And nothing."
Silence again.
He stepped closer.
"You're jealous."
My eyes widened. "Excuse me?"
"You're jealous."
"I am NOT jealous."
"You are."
"I'm not!"
"Jay."
"I just don't like her."
"Because?"
"Because she's annoying."
"You barely talk to her."
"She breathes annoyingly."
He stared at me like I just exposed myself.
"Be honest."
"I AM honest."
"You don't like that I talked to her."
"That's not true."
"It is."
I crossed my arms.
"Why would I care?"
He leaned closer slightly.
"Exactly."
My heart did something stupid.
I stepped back.
"I don't care who you talk to."
"Then why are you fighting?"
"I'm not fighting."
"You started it."
"I did not!"
"You did."
"Keifer Watson don't twist this."
He smirked a little.
"Watson?"
"Yes."
"You only use my full name when you're mad."
"I'm not mad."
"You're jealous."
"I AM NOT JEALOUS."
Some Section E students passing by looked at us.
Great.
Now it's public.
He lowered his voice.
"You don't have to deny it."
"I'm not denying anything."
"Jay."
"What?"
"If it bothers you… just say it."
That softness again.
And that made it worse.
Because if I admit it… then it's real.
And I don't want it to be real.
So I did the most mature thing possible.
I turned around.
"Believe whatever you want."
And I walked away.
Fast.
But I could still feel his eyes on me.
And the worst part?
He wasn't smiling anymore.
And that tiny, stupid, annoying feeling in my chest?
It wasn't anger.
It wasn't irritation.
It was jealousy.
And I hated that he figured it out before I did.