The campus café buzzed with life as students gathered in clusters, chattering about assignments, weekend plans, and fleeting college drama. In their usual corner, Jay Jay and Keifer sat across from each other, a ritual they had followed since their first year.
Keifer stretched his legs under the table, smirking as he nudged Jay Jay's ankle. "So, tell me, Jay, how does it feel dating the most emotionally constipated guy on campus?"
Jay Jay rolled her eyes but smiled.
"You're just mad because Yuri doesn't waste words like you do."
"Or maybe I just enjoy watching you try to drag a full sentence out of him," Keifer shot back, stealing a fry from her plate.
Jay Jay swatted at his hand. "Get your own!"
"Sharing is caring," he said with a shrug.
Jay Jay and Keifer had been best friends since their first year-always bickering, always teasing, but never crossing a line. Keifer, sharp-tongued and easygoing, never missed a chance to roast her, but he is always there for her.
She was about to retort when her phone buzzed.
A message from Yuri: Can't make it. Got stuff to do.
Her fingers hovered over the screen
before she sighed and locked her phone. Keifer caught the shift in her expression immediately.
"Let me guess," he said. "Bailed again?"
Jay Jay forced a smile. "He's busy. He's got things going on."
Yuri and Jay Jay had been together for
almost a year now. He wasn't the most
expressive boyfriend, but she liked his calm nature-at least, she used to. Lately, it felt like she was trying harder than him. But every time she thought about it, he'd do something small, like remembering how she liked her coffee or sending her a random text at night, and she'd convince herself she was just overthinking.
Keifer leaned back, arms crossed.
"Yeah, things that somehow always matter more than spending time with his girlfriend."
"Not everyone has time to sit around and roast their best friend all day," she countered, trying to keep the mood light.
Keifer smirked. "Hey, I do other things. Like make fun of people from a distance. It's a skill."
Jay Jay snorted, but the conversation was enough to keep her from dwelling on Yuri's absence. That was the thing about Keifer-he never pushed her to talk, but he always noticed when something was off.
Just then, Ella approached their table, her presence soft and warm. She had always been the kind of person who made people feel at ease, a contrast to Keifer's sharp edges and Jay Jay's playful chaos.
"Hey, guys," she greeted, adjusting the strap of her bag.
Keifer's teasing demeanor softened slightly. "Finally decided to grace us with your presence, huh?"
Ella chuckled. "I was with Aries. He-" She hesitated, glancing toward the café entrance.
Following her gaze, Jay Jay and Keifer spotted Aries walking in with his friends, laughing about something-too engrossed to notice Ella standing there.
Keifer's jaw tightened. "Of course."
Ella quickly forced a smile. "He's just catching up with the guys. He said he'd join me in a bit."
Keifer scoffed. "Sure. Just like the last three times."
"Keifer," Ella sighed.
Jay Jay nudged him. "Don't start."
He huffed but said nothing.
"Anyway," Ella said, clearly wanting to change the subject, "how's Yuri?"
"Busy," Jay Jay replied, a little too quickly.
Ella frowned but didn't press further. Instead, she glanced back at Aries. Still laughing. Still unaware she was even there.
Keifer noticed how she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear-a nervous habit of hers.
"You don't have to keep pretending he's a great boyfriend, you know," he said, voice quieter than before.
Ella's smile faltered. "He's just... preoccupied."
Keifer shook his head but didn't push.
Jay Jay, watching the two of them, felt a strange pang in her chest. Keifer never said it, but she knew-he cared about Ella more than he let on.
"Come on, let's grab a drink," Jay Jay said, standing up. "You're not going to wait around for him like some background character."
Ella hesitated, then nodded. As they moved toward the counter, Keifer fell in step beside them.
"First round's on me," he announced.
Jay Jay raised an eyebrow. "You never pay."
Keifer grinned. "I'm feeling generous."
But as his eyes flickered back to Ella, Jay Jay realized the truth-he just wanted her to feel like she wasn't waiting alone.
And maybe, just maybe, Keifer was waiting for something too.