Evening.
A quiet café.
Jay walked in.
Still restless.
Still annoyed.
Her eyes searched unconsciously.
She didn't even know why.
Then…
She saw him.
Keifer.
Sitting at a table.
With a girl.
Smiling.
Talking.
Comfortable.
Jay froze.
Her breath hitched.
"…so it's true."
The girl laughed.
Keifer leaned forward.
Saying something softly.
Jay's grip tightened.
Her chest burned.
Without thinking…
She walked straight to them.
Fast.
Angry.
Keifer looked up.
Surprised.
"Jay?"
Jay didn't stop.
She stood right in front of the table.
Eyes sharp.
"What is this?"
The girl looked confused.
Keifer blinked.
"What?"
Jay pointed at them.
"This."
"You and her."
Her voice shook slightly.
But strong.
Keifer frowned.
"Relax—"
"Don't tell me to relax."
Jay cut him off.
The girl looked between them.
"Keifer…?"
Keifer stood up.
"Jay, listen—"
Jay laughed bitterly.
"Wow."
"Just wow."
Keifer's expression hardened a little.
"What's your problem?"
Jay stepped closer.
"My problem?"
"You said you needed time."
"And this is what you're doing?"
The girl blinked.
"Wait… what?"
Keifer ran his hand through his hair.
"You're misunderstanding."
Jay shook her head.
"No."
"I'm seeing clearly."
Keifer's voice rose slightly.
"She's my friend."
Jay scoffed.
"Of course."
"Classic line."
The girl stood up now.
"Hey— I actually am—"
Jay turned to her.
"I'm not talking to you."
Keifer's patience snapped a little.
"Enough, Jay."
Silence.
Sharp.
Jay looked at him.
Hurt flashing in her eyes.
"You don't get to say 'enough'."
Keifer stepped closer.
"And you don't get to question me like this."
Jay's voice dropped.
"Why?"
A pause.
Heavy.
Then she said it…
"Because I matter?"
Keifer froze.
The words hit him.
Unexpected.
Jay realized what she said.
Too late.
She looked away quickly.
"I mean—"
She couldn't fix it.
Couldn't take it back.
Silence grew.
The girl spoke softly now.
"I think I should leave."
Keifer didn't stop her.
Jay didn't look at her.
She just walked away.
Leaving them alone.
Tension thick in the air.
Keifer spoke quietly.
"She is my friend."
Jay replied instantly.
"I don't care."
But her voice…
Said otherwise.
Keifer looked at her.
Carefully.
"Then why are you here?"
Jay stayed silent.
He stepped closer.
"Why are you angry?"
No answer.
Just her breathing.
Uneven.
Then finally…
"I thought…"
She stopped.
Closed her eyes.
Then said it anyway.
"I thought you moved on."
Keifer's expression softened.
Slightly.
"I didn't."
Jay looked up at him.
Confused.
"Then why are you here?"
Keifer sighed.
"Because I needed space."
A pause.
Then softly…
"Not someone else."
Jay's anger faded.
Bit by bit.
Replaced by something else.
Something quieter.
Something deeper.
They stood there.
Facing each other.
Close.
Too close.
Jay looked down.
"I shouldn't have come like this."
Keifer shook his head lightly.
"I'm glad you did."
She looked up again.
"Why?"
Keifer held her gaze.
"Because now I know…"
A small pause.
"You do care."
Jay didn't deny it this time.
Didn't argue.
She just stood there.
Silent.
But her silence…
Said everything.