Jayjay POV
The moment I stepped back into Emma's restaurant, I knew it.
Too warm.
Too loud.
Too many eyes.
And me?
Sweating.
Suspiciously.
Hex looked up at me immediately.
"Why are you sweating?" he asked, squinting.
I froze for half a second.
Before I could answer, Keifer walked in behind me like he owned oxygen itself, casually sat down next to Hex, and—because the universe hates me—added:
"Yeah, Jay. Why are you sweating?"
I glared at him.
"It's hot," I said quickly. "This place is hot."
Keifer tilted his head, fake-innocent. "But you just came from outside. The air was cool. So how come?"
I stared at him, pure annoyance burning in my eyes.
Because of YOU, I thought.
Because of your stupid lips and your stupid smile and your stupid—
"It's my body," I snapped. "And I said the place is hot."
Hex leaned back, smirking.
"Suuuureeee."
I shot him a look and immediately changed the topic before my face caught fire.
"So," I said loudly, "what are we doing these two weeks?"
Hex's eyes widened. "Two weeks? Wow."
That worked.
Everyone jumped into the conversation—plans, jokes, ideas. Noise. Chaos. Safety.
I quietly stood up and moved to sit opposite Hex instead.
Peace.
Or so I thought.
Under the table—
BAM.
A foot hit my leg.
I didn't even need to look.
But I did.
Keifer.
Winking.
My soul left my body.
I grabbed my water so fast it almost flew.
I took a huge gulp—
—and Keifer, this menace, made his mouth into a kissing shape.
I choked.
Completely.
Water went down the wrong way, and I started coughing like my life depended on it.
Everyone turned.
"Jayjay!"
"Are you okay?"
"What happened?"
"Why are you choking??"
Keifer leaned over immediately, suddenly very helpful, handing me a tissue.
"You okay, Jay?" he asked softly.
I snatched the tissue, wiped my mouth, and nodded.
"I'm fine," I said hoarsely.
Hex frowned. "You sure? That was sudden."
"Yeah," I said. "Just… water."
I stood up abruptly. "I think I should take Charles back."
Hex blinked. "What did you call me?"
"…Charles."
He turned slowly toward the others. "She's hiding something."
"What?" I said quickly.
"You called me Charles," Hex said. "You only do that in public… or when I'm in trouble… or when something's wrong."
I swallowed.
"I think we should go," I said.
Before anyone could argue, I grabbed my bag, shoved Hex's into his hands, and started walking.
Keifer stood. "Need a ride?"
Hex opened his mouth. "Yeah—"
"No," I said immediately.
Hex turned to me. "Jay—"
I grabbed his hand, squeezed it gently, and said, "Bye."
Then I walked out.
We stood outside, waiting for a ride.
The silence didn't last.
"Okay," Hex said, crossing his arms. "What happened between you and Keifer?"
"Nothing," I replied too fast.
He stared at me. "Do you think I'm a fool?"
I looked away.
"I saw what was happening inside," he added quietly.
I sighed. "Just… forget it."
Before he could say more, a car pulled up.
Saved by timing.
We got in.
And as the door closed, I knew one thing for sure—
Nothing was going to be simple anymore.