Chapter: Jealousy Looks Good on You (Jay's POV)
I didn't plan this.
Okay maybe a little.
After the whole "yes I was jealous" confession disaster, I told myself I would be mature.
Calm.
Unbothered.
But then…
Kiko from Section C started talking to me.
Now let me describe Kiko.
Tall.
Confident.
That slightly annoying charming smile.
And apparently very comfortable with conversations.
I was standing near the water dispenser when he walked up.
"Hey, you're Jay from Section E, right?"
I blinked. "Yeah?"
"I've seen you during inter-section practice. You're funny."
Funny?
I smiled politely. "Oh. Thanks."
We started talking casually. Just normal stuff — classes, teachers, events.
He laughed at something I said.
Like really laughed.
And that's when I felt it.
A presence.
Heavy.
Silent.
Dangerous.
I didn't have to turn around to know.
Keifer.
I slowly glanced to the side.
There he was.
Standing a few meters away.
Arms crossed.
Jaw tight.
Watching.
Not smiling.
Not amused.
Oh.
Oh this is interesting.
Kiko kept talking. "You should join Section C practice sometime."
"Maybe," I said casually.
Keifer shifted his weight.
Still staring.
Kiko noticed.
He leaned slightly closer to me and said, "Your friend seems intense."
I almost laughed.
"That's just his face."
Keifer started walking toward us.
Slow.
Calm.
Terrifyingly calm.
He stopped right beside me.
Too close.
"Jay."
That tone.
I swallowed.
"Yes?"
"Class is starting."
"It starts in five minutes."
"Three."
Kiko looked between us. "We were just talking."
Keifer looked at him.
Not rude.
Just… sharp.
"About?"
Kiko smiled lightly. "Just getting to know her."
Silence.
The air got heavy.
Keifer's eyes flicked to me.
"You need help getting to know her?"
Kiko chuckled. "I think she can answer for herself."
Oh no.
Wrong line.
Keifer stepped half a step closer.
"She can."
The tension was thick enough to cut.
I cleared my throat. "Okay wow, why does this feel like a wrestling match?"
Neither of them laughed.
Great.
Kiko looked at me again. "Anyway, I'll see you later, Jay."
He walked off casually.
Keifer watched him go.
Then slowly turned to me.
"You're smiling a lot today."
"I smile."
"Not like that."
"Like what?"
"Comfortable."
I blinked.
Wait.
That's what I said to him.
Oh.
Oh no.
"You were standing close."
"He leaned."
"You didn't move."
"I didn't notice."
"You noticed."
"Why are you interrogating me?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
He looked away for a second.
Then back at me.
"Do you like him?"
My jaw dropped. "What?! No!"
"He seemed very interested."
"And?"
"And nothing."
"Keifer."
"What."
"Are you jealous?"
Silence.
He didn't answer immediately.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"…No."
I raised an eyebrow.
"You're a terrible liar."
"I'm not jealous."
"You literally walked over like you were about to challenge him."
"I came to call you."
"With three minutes left?"
"Yes."
I stepped closer.
"So if I talk to someone from another section, you'll just stand and watch?"
"Yes."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Kiko's funny."
He blinked once.
"That's nice."
"He said I should practice with Section C."
"Go."
"You won't mind?"
"Why would I?"
I crossed my arms.
"Because you were staring at him like he committed a crime."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"I was observing."
I smirked slightly.
"Keifer."
"What."
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You are."
He looked down at me.
Quiet.
Intense.
"I don't like the way he looks at you."
There it was.
My heart did that stupid flip again.
"Oh?"
"He looks too comfortable."
I smiled slowly.
"That sounds familiar."
He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Don't start."
"I'm not starting."
"You are."
"You were jealous yesterday."
"And you're jealous today."
He exhaled sharply.
"Fine."
The word was low.
"I don't like other guys trying to get close to you."
The hallway suddenly felt smaller.
I tried to act normal.
"Why?"
He held my gaze.
"You know why."
My heartbeat got louder.
"But say it," I whispered.
He stepped a little closer.
"I don't like sharing."
Sharing.
That word.
That tone.
Not angry.
Not dramatic.
Just honest.
I swallowed.
"So you were jealous."
"…Maybe."
I grinned.
"Say it properly."
He looked annoyed now.
"Jay."
"Say it."
He leaned closer, voice low.
"Yes. I was jealous."
I smiled way too proudly.
"See? It's not that hard."
He shook his head slightly.
"You're enjoying this too much."
"I am."
Then he added softly,
"But don't test me."
I blinked.
"Test you?"
"With guys like that."
"Oh?"
He leaned just enough so only I could hear.
"I don't like the idea of someone else thinking they have a chance."
My heart forgot how to function.
And suddenly…
I understood exactly how he felt yesterday.