✧ Jay ✧
It starts with a notification.
I don't even think about it at first.
Just another buzz from my phone as I sit with Gorya.
MJ and Kavin are arguing about something stupid.
Thyme is laughing.
Ren is beside me.
Close.
Not touching—
but close enough that I'm aware of him.
It feels normal.
Easy.
Too easy.
My phone buzzes again.
"…Check it," Gorya says casually.
I nod, unlocking it without thinking.
And then—
I freeze.
A photo.
I don't recognize the event.
A formal setting.
Lights. Cameras.
But I recognize him.
Keifer.
My chest tightens instantly.
He's standing next to a girl.
Beautiful.
Elegant.
Too close.
His hand—
on her waist.
I stare at the screen.
There's more.
Another photo.
Closer.
She's smiling up at him.
And he's—
not pulling away.
My fingers go still.
"…Jay?"
I don't answer.
Because I can't.
Something in my chest feels strange.
Not sharp.
Not sudden.
Just—
heavy.
"Jay," Gorya says again, softer this time.
I finally blink.
"Yeah," I say quickly, locking my phone.
Too quickly.
But it's too late.
"…What was that?" MJ asks, already leaning forward.
"Nothing.
"
"Didn't look like nothing," Kavin adds.
"I said it's nothing."
My voice comes out sharper than I meant.
Silence.
I don't look at them.
I don't look at anyone.
Because if I do—
I might have to explain something I don't even understand myself.
"Jay."
Ren's voice this time.
Quiet.
Careful.
I look up.
He's watching me.
Not pushing.
Not questioning.
Just—
there.
And somehow—
that makes it harder.
I hesitate.
Then—
I hand him my phone.
I don't say anything.
He looks at the screen.
His expression doesn't change much.
But I see it.
That small shift.
He understands.
Of course he does.
Ren hands the phone back to me without a word.
The table feels different now.
Quieter.
"…Is that recent?" MJ asks.
I don't answer.
Because I don't know.
Because I don't want to know.
Gorya gently places her hand over mine.
"Jay…"
I shake my head slightly.
"I'm fine."
I'm not.
But I don't want to talk about it.
Not here.
Not like this.
I look down at the photo again.
His hand is still there.
Like it belongs there.
Like—
it's natural.
And for some reason—
that's what hurts.
Not the girl.
Not the picture.
Just—
how easy it looks.
Like nothing ever mattered.
Like I never mattered.
I lock my phone again.
This time—
slower.
"…It doesn't matter," I say quietly.
And I mean it.
Or at least—
I try to.
Because whatever that was—
whatever we had—
It's already over.
Right?
"…Yeah," I repeat softly.
"It doesn't matter."
But my fingers tighten slightly around the phone.
And somewhere deep down—
something doesn't agree.
✨ END OF CHAPTER
So i still didn't decided when to post that's why i post on random time and guyss please cmt that's only what im asking for 😭💗