They reached school quickly. Students were already flooding the compound, voices overlapping, laughter cutting through the morning air. Life going on, unaware of the knots tightening in her chest.
Jenn stood there for a moment, her backpack hanging loosely on one shoulder, watching Alden walk ahead with Jovi and Jovan. He didn't turn back. Didn't slow down. Didn't even acknowledge her presence.
It hurt more than she expected.
She exhaled slowly and started walking towards Jeff's car
Jeff leaned against it, scrolling through his phone. When he saw her, he straightened immediately. "Hey."
"Hey," she replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite stick.
He noticed anyway.
"You okay?" he asked gently as they got into the car.
Jenn stared straight ahead. "Yeah. Just didn't sleep well."
Jeff leaned closer and gave her a kiss
"Maybe you probably needed this"
Jenn forced a smile but Jeff could read her face
"Did something happen last night?" he asked carefully.
Jenn nodded in disagreement but deep down she knew something was wrong .
Immediately, Jenn's mind drifted — pulled away by a sudden wave of guilt.
Rosario.
Jeff noticed. "Jenn?"
She poked her eyes . "I forgot about her."
"Who?"
"Rosario," Jenn said quietly. "Her mom's surgery. I haven't called. I haven't checked in. I just… disappeared."
Jeff softened. "You've had a lot going on."
"That's not an excuse," she replied. "She needed me."
Immediately,she pulled her phone from her bag
"Jeff, I'll be right back," she said softly.
He nodded. "Take your time."
She stepped outside , leaning against the car, then pressed the call button.
It rang twice.
"Jenn?" Rosario's voice came through, surprised and relieved at the same time.
Jenn smiled despite the heaviness in her chest. "Hey… I'm sorry it took me this long to call."
There was a brief pause. "I was wondering when I'd hear from you."
"I know," Jenn said quietly. "I messed up. How's your mom? How did the surgery go?"
"She's better," Rosario replied. "Still weak, but she's healing. The doctors say she'll be fine."
Jenn exhaled. "Thank God. I've been so worried."
"You've been busy," Rosario said gently. "I figured."
Jenn stared at the floor. "That doesn't make it okay. I should've checked in."
"But you're here now," Rosario said. "That's what matters."
Jenn nodded, even though Rosario couldn't see her. "Exams are coming up," she added. "I don't want you missing out."
"I know," Rosario laughed softly. "I'll be back soon. I promise. We'll suffer through it together."
Jenn smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "Good. I miss you."
"I miss you too."
They hung up . Jenn slipped her phone away and headed into the car ,her heart a little lighter—but still unsettled.
Across town, the kitchen was quiet except for the sound of running water.
Rachel stood at the sink, washing dishes slowly, her mind elsewhere. The glass slipped from her fingers before she realized it.
It shattered.
The sharp sound cut through the house.
Ramsey appeared almost immediately, his phone still in his hand. "Rachel?"
"I'm fine," she said quickly, though her hands trembled as she reached for a towel.
He stepped closer, concern written across his face. "You've been off lately."
She avoided his eyes. "Just tired."
He hesitated, lowering his voice. "Have you gone back to the doctor yet?"
Her grip tightened on the towel. "Not yet."
Ramsey sighed softly, resting a hand on the counter beside her. "You can't keep avoiding it."
"I know," she whispered.
They stood there in silence for a moment—too many words trapped between them.
"I have to take this," Ramsey said finally, glancing at his phone. "We'll talk later."
She nodded.
He leaned in, kissed her forehead gently, then walked out, leaving the kitchen colder than before.
Rachel stared at the broken glass on the floor, her reflection fractured among the pieces.
After school, the mansion felt unusually quiet.
Jenn dropped her bag in her room but didn't stay. She moved down the hallway with purpose, stopping in front of Alden's door. Her hand hovered for a second before she knocked.
No answer.
She pushed the door open.
Alden was sitting on the edge of his bed, shoes still on, staring at the floor like he'd been waiting for something—or avoiding it.
"Alden," she said softly.
He didn't look up. "You shouldn't be here."
Jenn stepped inside anyway, closing the door behind her. "We need to talk."
He laughed quietly, without humor. "You already said enough last night."
"That's not fair," she replied, moving closer. "I told you I didn't mean it."
He stood up abruptly. "Stop."
The word hit harder than shouting.
She froze.
"I need space," he said, voice controlled but tight. "Go back to where you belong, Jenn."
Her chest tightened. "Is that really what you want?"
He finally looked at her then. His eyes were guarded, distant. "Right now? Yes."
Jenn nodded slowly, swallowing the ache rising in her throat. She stepped back, her hand brushing the door handle.
As she left the room, one thought settled painfully in her chest:
This wasn't over.
It was only beginning.
The poolside was quiet, wrapped in the soft glow of the afternoon. Jenn sat on a lounge chair, her knees drawn up, eyes fixed on the water even though her thoughts were miles away.
"Running away now?"
She looked up.
Jovan stood there, hands in his pockets, wearing that familiar half-smile.
"I'm not running," Jenn said softly. "Just needed air."
He nodded and took the chair beside her. "Fair enough." After a beat, he added, "So… how bad is it?"
She let out a breath. "Pretty bad."
He leaned back, eyes on the sky. "Yeah. Figured. Alden doesn't go cold unless something really hits him."
Jenn hugged her knees tighter. "He pushed me away. Like I didn't even exist."
Jovan clicked his tongue. "That hurts. Especially coming from him."
They sat in silence for a moment before Jovan spoke again, voice lighter.
"You know," he said, "when you first moved in, I couldn't stand you."
Jenn turned to him, surprised. "Excuse me?"
He laughed. "I'm serious. You were quiet, always polite, always in your own head. I thought, great… another fragile situation waiting to explode."
She scoffed. "Wow. Thanks."
"But now?" he continued, glancing at her. "You're… different. You're warm. You listen. You care. You kind of sneak up on people."
She smiled faintly. "That's the nicest insult I've ever received."
He smirked. "I hated you at first. Now I actually like you. Don't let it get to your head."
Jenn laughed softly, feeling something loosen inside her chest. "I'll try."
Jovan leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "Which is why I'm telling you this — stop thinking Alden doesn't feel anything. The guy is fighting himself every day."
She swallowed. "I didn't mean to hurt him."
"I know," he said gently. Then his grin returned. "Still, if I were you, I'd stop using words and start using… presence."
Jenn raised a brow. "Jovan—"
He laughed. "Relax. I'm joking. Mostly."
She shook her head, laughing now. "You're impossible."
"But correct," he added smugly.
"I'm serious though," he continued, tone lighter but eyes sharp. "You think Alden can resist you forever? Please. The guy barely breathes normally when you're in the room."
Jenn's cheeks warmed. "That's not true."
"Oh, it's very true," he said smugly. "One soft smile, one step closer, and he's done."
She shook her head, laughing now. "You're terrible."
"But effective," he added with a grin. "Just saying—don't underestimate yourself."
Jenn exhaled, the tightness in her chest easing just a little. "Thank you… for not taking sides."
Jovan shrugged. "I'm on the side of common sense. And unresolved tension."
Her phone buzzed in her hand.
Jeff.
She glanced at the screen before answering. "Hey."
"Hey," Jeff said. "You busy?"
She looked at the pool, then at Jovan. "Not really."
"Want to meet up later?" he asked.
Jenn nodded, even though he couldn't see her. "Yeah. I'd like that."
She ended the call and slipped her phone back into her pocket.
Jovan stood up, stretching. "Well… good luck, Jenn."
"With what?"
He smiled knowingly. "Surviving two guys who care about you."
Jenn watched the water ripple again as he walked away.
For the first time in a while, she didn't feel completely alone.
And that, somehow, made everything feel even more complicated.
⸻
The restaurant was small and cozy, tucked away from the noise of the street. Soft music hummed in the background.Jenn sat across from Jeff, a plate of fries between them and two cups of soda sweating onto the table.
Jeff reached for a fry. "So… how's exam prep going?"
Jenn shrugged lightly. "Honestly? I've started, but I don't feel ready yet."
He nodded. "Same. But you've always been serious about stuff like that."
She smiled faintly. "Only when I'm scared of failing."
Jeff chuckled. "Fair."
They ate in comfortable silence for a moment before he spoke again.
"Are you going to Aunt Linda's for Christmas?" he asked casually.
Jenn paused, twirling her straw. "I'm not sure yet."
He tilted his head. "Why?"
"A lot is going on," she said quietly. "I don't even know where I'll be by then."
Jeff studied her face but didn't push. "Whatever you decide, I'm sure she'll understand."
Jenn nodded, grateful.
"So," he said, leaning back, trying to lighten the mood, "what if we actually take these exams seriously and become reading mates?"
She looked up at him. "You mean… study together?"
"Yeah," he smiled. "We distract each other less when we're together anyway."
She laughed softly. "That's not true."
"Okay, fine. We distract each other productively."
Jenn considered it for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. Reading mates it is."
Jeff raised his cup. "To passing our exams."
She clinked her cup against his. "And not losing our minds."
They laughed, the tension easing just enough for the evening to feel normal.
But even as Jenn smiled, a quiet part of her mind drifted elsewhere — to a mansion, a cold silence, and someone she didn't know how to reach anymore.
Still, for now, she stayed.
One moment at a time.