After Jay confessed that she liked Yuri…
Things slowly started changing.
At first it was small things.
Very small things.
Things Keifer tried not to notice.
But he noticed them anyway.
One evening Keifer was sitting on the colony bench, spinning a basketball on his finger.
Usually at this time Jay would come running.
Breathless.
Talking nonstop.
Complaining about something.
Or bringing food for him.
But that day…
She didn't come.
Keifer looked at his phone.
No message.
He sighed.
"Probably busy."
He continued playing.
The next day at college…
Jay was late.
Very late.
Keifer was already sitting with their friends.
Ella leaned closer to him.
"Where is your shadow today?"
Keifer smirked.
"Which shadow?"
"Jay obviously."
Before he could say anything…
Jay finally walked into the classroom.
But she wasn't alone.
Yuri was beside her.
Talking.
Laughing.
Jay looked happier than usual.
She went and sat beside Yuri instead of Keifer.
That small moment felt strange.
Very strange.
Ella looked at Keifer.
He pretended not to care.
Lunch break.
Usually Jay and Keifer ate together under the big tree behind the college.
It had become their place.
But today…
Jay didn't come there.
Keifer waited for ten minutes.
Then twenty.
Then he saw her.
From far away.
She was sitting in the cafeteria with Yuri.
Sharing fries.
Laughing loudly.
Yuri leaned closer to her and whispered something.
Jay playfully hit his shoulder.
Keifer looked away.
His chest felt tight.
He suddenly lost his appetite.
He quietly threw his untouched lunch in the dustbin.
Days started passing like that.
Jay started spending more time with Yuri.
More messages.
More phone calls.
More dates.
More laughter.
Less time with Keifer.
One evening Jay finally came to the park.
Keifer was sitting on the swing.
He looked up when he saw her.
"Look who remembered me."
Jay giggled and sat beside him.
"Don't be dramatic."
Keifer crossed his arms.
"You disappeared."
Jay looked a little guilty.
"I was busy."
"With Yuri?"
Jay nodded happily.
"Yeah."
Keifer forced a small smile.
"So… how is your prince charming?"
Jay's eyes sparkled.
"He is amazing, Keifer."
"He took me to a café yesterday."
"And he bought me my favorite cake."
Keifer quietly listened.
Jay continued talking excitedly.
"He also said he likes how kind I am."
"And he wants to meet mama and papa properly."
Keifer stared at the ground.
His jaw tightened slightly.
But Jay didn't notice.
She was too busy talking about Yuri.
Suddenly Keifer stood up.
Jay blinked.
"Where are you going?"
Keifer stretched his arms casually.
"Just remembered I have work."
Jay frowned.
"You always listen to my stories."
Keifer shrugged.
"I heard enough."
Jay pouted.
"You are jealous."
Keifer chuckled dryly.
"Of Yuri?"
Jay nodded proudly.
"He is better than you."
Keifer smirked.
"That's not very hard."
Jay threw a small stone at him.
"Idiot."
Keifer laughed.
But inside…
Something hurt.
A lot.
Later that night Jay sent him a message.
"Keiferrrrr"
He replied.
"What?"
"I'm going out with Yuri tomorrow."
Keifer stared at the screen for a few seconds.
Then he typed.
"Have fun."
Jay sent a heart emoji.
And another message.
"You are still my best friend okay?"
Keifer looked at those words.
Best friend.
He slowly placed his phone down.
And whispered to himself.
"Yeah."
"Just your best friend."