Night.
Jay's room.
Clothes everywhere.
Bags open.
Excitement in the air.
Jay stood in front of the mirror.
Holding two outfits.
"This… or this…"
She turned.
"No… this one."
Then changed again.
"No… wait…"
Her phone buzzed.
She smiled instantly.
"Keifer."
Call connected.
"Done packing?"
Jay grinned.
"Almost."
"You?"
A small pause.
"Yeah."
Jay didn't notice.
"Good."
"Where are you going again?"
Keifer replied casually.
"Trip."
Jay laughed lightly.
"Same."
Keifer continued.
"With my friends."
Jay nodded.
"Nice."
Then—
He added.
"Some girls are coming too."
Silence.
Jay stopped moving.
"…what?"
Keifer repeated.
"Yeah."
"Group plan."
Jay's grip tightened on her phone.
"Oh."
Just one word.
Flat.
Different.
Keifer noticed.
"You okay?"
Jay forced a laugh.
"Yeah."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
A pause.
Uncomfortable.
Keifer spoke softly.
"You sure?"
Jay replied quickly.
"Of course."
Silence again.
Then she said—
"I'll call you later."
Call ended.
The room went quiet.
Jay stood still.
Her excitement…
Gone.
Just like that.
She looked at the bag.
Then at the clothes.
Then away.
Her chest felt tight.
"Girls…"
The word echoed.
Again.
And again.
She sat down slowly.
Thinking.
Imagining.
Him…
Laughing with them.
Talking.
Spending time.
Close.
Comfortable.
Just like…
That day.
Her jaw tightened.
"I don't like this."
She stood up.
Walked in circles.
Restless.
Annoyed.
Confused.
Then suddenly—
She stopped.
"No."
She walked to her bag.
Closed it.
Roughly.
Zipped it.
Hard.
Then pushed it aside.
"I'm not going."
Decision made.
Morning.
Jeena walked in.
Smiling.
"Ready?"
Jay sat on the bed.
Calm.
Too calm.
"I'm not going."
Jeena blinked.
"What?"
Jasfer entered.
"Why?"
Jay shrugged.
"Don't feel like it."
Jeena frowned.
"You were so excited."
Jay looked away.
"Not anymore."
Jasfer stepped closer.
"Did something happen?"
Jay shook her head.
"No."
A pause.
Then softly…
"I just don't want to go."
Jeena studied her face.
Understanding slowly.
"You talked to Keifer?"
Jay didn't answer.
That silence…
Was enough.
Jasfer raised a brow.
"What did he say?"
Jay sighed.
"He's going on a trip too."
Jeena nodded slowly.
"And?"
Jay looked at her.
"With girls."
Silence.
Jeena and Jasfer exchanged a look.
Then…
A small smile.
Hidden.
Jay noticed.
"Why are you smiling?"
Jeena shook her head.
"Nothing."
Jasfer cleared his throat.
"So… you're not going because of that?"
Jay stood up immediately.
"No!"
"Why would I care?"
Her voice slightly louder.
Defensive.
Jasfer nodded slowly.
"Of course."
Jay looked away.
Annoyed.
"I just don't want to go."
Jeena walked to her.
Held her shoulders.
"Are you sure?"
Jay nodded.
"Yes."
Firm.
Clear.
But her eyes…
Said something else.
Jeena smiled softly.
"Okay."
Jasfer added.
"Your choice."
They left the room.
Jay sat down again.
Quiet.
Thinking.
Her phone in her hand.
She stared at his name.
For a long time.
Then whispered softly…
"I don't like it…"
A pause.
Then even softer…
"I don't like sharing you."
The room stayed silent.
But her heart…
Was loud.