✧ Keifer ✧
I shouldn't have come.
That's the first thing that hits me.
Not the music.
Not the lights.
Not the people.
Her.
I see her before anything else.
Jay.
And for a second-
everything else just... disappears.
I was late.
Of course I was.
I'm always late.
I take a step forward-
then stop.
Because she's not alone.
Ren.
Too close.
Too familiar.
Something in my chest tightens.
I don't move.
I can't.
At first, my mind doesn't process it.
It just watches.
Like I'm not really here.
Like this isn't real.
Then she leans in.
And kisses him.
Everything goes quiet.
She's drunk.
That's my first thought.
Quick. Defensive.
This doesn't mean anything.
But she doesn't pull away.
And he-
he doesn't hesitate.
My jaw tightens.
My hands curl into fists at my sides.
Not even consciously.
"...Why him?"
The thought slips in before I can stop it.
My eyes stay on them.
Locked.
There's something in the way she holds him.
Something I've seen before.
Or maybe...
something I lost.
A memory hits me-
her laughing.
Looking at me like I was the only person in the room.
Standing too close.
She used to look at me like that.
My chest tightens.
When did that change?
Another memory.
Her waiting.
Me leaving.
No explanation.
No goodbye.
I swallow.
Why wouldn't it change?
The noise of the club slowly comes back.
Voices. Laughter. Someone shouting.
But none of it matters.
Because all I can see-
is her.
Choosing someone else
.
And the worst part?
I'm not angry at her.
I'm not even angry at him.
I'm just-
late.
The realization settles in, slow and heavy.
I left.
The words echo in my head.
I didn't explain.
I didn't fight.
I just-
left.
And somehow...
I expected her to stay.
A quiet breath leaves me.
Why would she?
I could walk over.
Stop it.
Say something.
But my feet don't move.
Because I know.
If I go there now-
I won't be fixing anything.
I'll just be ruining something again.
So I stay.
Just long enough-
to see her pull back slightly.
Just long enough
to see that she doesn't look regretful.
That-
that hurts more than anything.
I look away first.
For the first time-
I can't keep watching.
I turn.
And walk out.
✧ Outside ✧
The air feels different out here
.
Colder.
Quieter.
The music fades behind me.
And suddenly-
it's just me.
I stop a few steps away from the entrance.
Run a hand through my hair.
Exhale.
It doesn't help.
Nothing does.
It just keeps replaying.
Over and over.
Her hands on him.
Her voice.
The way she didn't pull away.
A dry laugh leaves me.
"Yeah..."
I look up, staring at nothing.
"She moved on."
The words feel strange.
Unfamiliar.
Because in my head-
she's still there.
Waiting.
But reality doesn't care about that.
Another memory surfaces.
Her standing in front of me.
Looking at me like she needed something.
I frown slightly.
Trying to remember.
Then it hits.
"Are you going to stay this time?"
I never answered.
Because I didn't.
My jaw tightens
.
"Of course she didn't wait..."
This time-
there's no bitterness.
Just truth.
My phone rings.
I ignore it.
It rings again.
And again.
I exhale, annoyed, pulling it out.
Keigan.
My expression hardens slightly.
Of course.
I pick up.
"What?"
His voice comes through-calm.
Controlled.
Too controlled.
"Where are you?"
"Out."
A pause.
"You need to come back."
I frown. "Why?"
Silence.
Not empty.
Measured.
"There's a situation," he says finally.
"You need to go to London."
I go still.
"What?"
"It's already set," he continues.
"You don't have time to argue about it."
My grip tightens around the phone.
Typical.
"When?" I ask, voice lower now.
"Tonight."
The word lands heavier than it should.
For a moment-
I don't respond.
My eyes drift back toward the entrance.
She's still inside.
With him.
And suddenly-
it clicks.
This time-
I didn't choose to leave.
But I'm still leaving.
A quiet breath leaves me.
"...Fine."
"Don't be late."
The line goes dead.
I stare at my phone for a second.
Then lower it slowly.
For a moment-
I just stand there.
Then I look back once.
Not at the door.
At her.
Or maybe-
the idea of her.
The way she used to look at me.
The way she doesn't anymore.
My chest tightens.
If I stay...
The thought lingers.
I'll just ruin her again.
I exhale slowly.
And this time-
I don't hesitate.
I turn.
And walk away.