The plan was simple — or so Jay thought.
A quiet dinner. Off-campus café. No classmates. No gossip. No Keifer embarrassing her in public.
But Keifer being Keifer, simple was never part of the vocabulary.
⸻
Jay stood outside the small Italian place near the bus stop, nervously checking her reflection in the window. Her outfit was casual, nothing flashy. She'd made him promise no big scenes.
Inside, Keifer was already waving at her like an overexcited puppy. He'd clearly broken half of his promises already — he was wearing a blazer. A blazer.
When she walked in, he stood dramatically and announced, loud enough for the waiter to hear, "There she is! The love of my life, ten minutes late!"
Every head turned.
Jay froze, whisper-yelling, "Keifer!"
He grinned, completely unbothered. "What? I'm setting the mood."
"The mood doesn't need witnesses!" she hissed, sliding into the seat opposite him.
He chuckled, pouring her water like a gentleman. "Relax, Jay. I didn't even bring a banner."
"Yet."
⸻
They started to eat, and for a few minutes, it was peaceful. Keifer actually behaved — until he noticed the music.
The restaurant's soft playlist shifted to a romantic Italian ballad. He raised an eyebrow. "Perfect timing."
Jay eyed him suspiciously. "No. Don't even think about it."
But he was already standing.
"Ma'am," he said in an exaggerated accent, holding out his hand, "may I have this dance?"
"We are not dancing between tables."
"Oh, but we are."
Before she could argue, he'd already pulled her up. Half the café turned to look again. Jay covered her face with her hands.
"You're insane," she muttered as he twirled her awkwardly near the corner of their table.
"Insanely in love," he shot back with a grin.
She snorted. "That was so bad it physically hurt me."
"Yet you're still smiling."
She was. She hated that she was.
⸻
When they finally sat back down, the waiter arrived — a tired college student who looked exactly like someone who'd had enough of couples for the evening.
"Will this be together or separate?" he asked flatly.
"Together," Keifer said instantly.
"Separate," Jay said at the same time.
They both glared at each other.
The waiter sighed, muttered something about "young love and headaches," and walked away.
⸻
Dinner went surprisingly well after that — until Ryan showed up.
He appeared out of nowhere, holding a takeout bag. His smirk was instant. "Well, well, look who's on a secret date."
Jay groaned, slumping in her chair. "Ryan, not now."
"Oh, relax. Half the school already knows you two are a thing."
"What?!" Jay nearly choked on her drink.
Ryan grinned wider. "The teacher saw your little note exchange yesterday. The whole staff room knows."
Keifer leaned back, clearly amused. "Guess we're officially famous."
Jay dropped her head to the table. "I can never show my face in class again."
Ryan winked. "Don't worry, I'll keep your secret— for a price."
"Get out," Jay said into the table.
"Leaving already!" Ryan laughed, waving on his way out. "Enjoy your romantic dinner, lovebirds!"
Half the restaurant chuckled. Jay wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
⸻
When they finally left, the cool night air hit her face. "Remind me never to trust you with plans again," she grumbled.
"Hey, I'd say it was perfect."
"Perfect? Everyone saw us, the waiter hates us, and Ryan is blackmailing us with gossip."
Keifer shoved his hands in his pockets, still grinning. "And yet, you smiled. You laughed. You even danced."
Jay rolled her eyes. "You dragged me into that."
"Details."
He stopped walking, turning to face her. The streetlights cast a warm glow across his face. "You know, even when you're mad, you're kind of cute."
She folded her arms but couldn't hide the tiny smile. "If you say one more cheesy thing, I'm leaving you right here."
Keifer leaned closer, voice low and teasing. "Then I better make it count."
Before she could reply, he kissed her — soft, brief, and warm enough to make her forget how to breathe.
When he pulled back, Jay blinked, half-flustered, half-smiling. "You're impossible."
He grinned. "Yeah. But you keep showing up anyway."
Jay sighed, linking her arm with his as they started walking again. "Next time," she said, "I'm picking a place where you can't cause public embarrassment."
"Good luck finding one," Keifer said, laughing as she smacked his arm.
And somewhere between their laughter and the city lights, their not-so-secret date turned into their best one yet.