One afternoon the group was sitting under the big tree again.
Ella was scrolling through her phone.
Freya was arguing with Rakki about something stupid.
Grace was quietly reading a book.
Jay was sitting there too.
Listening.
But not really paying attention.
Then Keifer suddenly said casually,
"I'm going out tonight."
Ella looked up.
"Oh?"
Freya leaned forward.
"With who?"
Keifer shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.
"Rose."
Jay's heart skipped for a second.
"Rose?"
Rakki grinned.
"The girl from the literature club?"
Keifer nodded.
"Yeah."
Freya smirked.
"Someone's dating again."
Ella teased,
"Don't break her heart this time."
Everyone laughed lightly.
But Jay didn't.
She felt something strange inside her chest.
Something tight.
Something uncomfortable.
She tried to ignore it.
But she couldn't.
Later the group started leaving.
One by one they walked toward the gate.
Soon it was just Jay and Keifer walking behind the others.
Jay stayed quiet for a few seconds.
Then she spoke softly.
"You're really going?"
Keifer glanced at her.
"Yeah."
Jay looked down at the road.
"Oh."
They walked a few more steps in silence.
Jay suddenly spoke again.
"You don't have to go."
Keifer stopped walking.
He looked at her.
"What?"
Jay immediately felt nervous.
"I mean… if you don't want to."
Keifer frowned slightly.
"Why wouldn't I want to?"
Jay struggled to explain.
"I just…"
Her words got stuck.
Keifer waited.
Jay finally said quietly,
"I don't think it's a good idea."
Keifer's expression hardened a little.
"Why?"
Jay looked uncomfortable.
"I don't know…"
Keifer crossed his arms.
"You don't like her?"
Jay shook her head quickly.
"It's not that."
Keifer raised an eyebrow.
"Then what is it?"
Jay didn't know what to say.
Because the truth sounded selfish.
She just didn't like the idea of him going on a date.
With someone else.
Keifer studied her face for a moment.
Then he asked quietly,
"Jay… why do you care?"
Jay looked away.
"I'm just saying."
Keifer let out a small breath.
Then he spoke calmly.
"You chose Yuri."
Jay flinched slightly hearing that.
Keifer continued,
"I respected that."
"And now I'm just living my life."
Jay stayed silent.
Her chest felt heavy.
Keifer picked up his bag.
"I'll see you tomorrow."
Then he started walking again.
Jay stood there watching him leave.
The same uncomfortable feeling stayed in her chest.
She didn't understand it.
But one thing was clear.
The idea of Keifer going on a date with someone else…
Didn't feel right to her at all. 💔