The next day in college felt heavy for Jay.
Her mind was still stuck on yesterday.
The laughter.
The memories.
The tear she couldn't control.
And Yuri scolding her.
She walked into the campus quietly.
Trying not to think too much.
But fate didn't make it easy.
Jay was standing near the water cooler when someone suddenly called her.
"Jay."
She turned.
Ella was walking toward her.
Jay forced a small smile.
"Hey."
Ella studied her face carefully.
"You look tired."
Jay quickly shook her head.
"I'm fine."
Ella clearly didn't believe it.
But she didn't argue.
Instead she leaned casually against the wall.
"So… how are things with Yuri?"
Jay answered quickly.
"Good."
Ella nodded slowly.
Then she said something unexpected.
"Keifer started dating."
Jay blinked.
For a second she thought she heard it wrong.
"What?"
Ella repeated calmly.
"He started dating girls."
Jay felt her stomach drop slightly.
But she tried to act normal.
"Oh."
Ella watched her closely.
"He's been going out a lot recently."
Jay looked down at her hands.
"That's good."
Ella continued.
"Yesterday he went out with a girl named Kai."
Jay's fingers tightened.
But she kept her voice steady.
"Okay."
Ella sighed softly.
"You really don't care?"
Jay quickly replied.
"Why would I care?"
"He can date whoever he wants."
Ella crossed her arms.
"True."
She paused.
"But it's strange."
Jay looked up.
"What?"
Ella said quietly,
"He never used to date like this before."
Jay stayed silent.
Ella continued.
"Ever since you stopped talking to him…"
"He suddenly started going out with different girls."
Jay forced a small laugh.
"Maybe he just moved on."
Ella looked straight into her eyes.
"Or maybe he's trying to forget something."
Jay didn't respond.
Because deep inside…
Her chest was already hurting.
But she didn't want to show it.
So she shrugged casually.
"Good for him."
Ella didn't say anything more.
She just watched Jay walk away.
Later that afternoon…
Jay passed the basketball court.
And there he was.
Keifer.
Standing with his friends.
And beside him…
A girl.
Pretty.
Confident.
Laughing at something he said.
Keifer leaned closer to her and whispered something.
The girl playfully hit his arm.
Jay felt her chest tighten.
But she quickly looked away.
And kept walking.
Trying to convince herself of one thing.
It didn't matter anymore.
Because Keifer had moved on.
And she had chosen Yuri.
Right?
But for some reason…
Her heart didn't feel convinced. 💔