Chapter: "If I Move Closer…"
(Jay's POV)
After that day—
Nothing was normal.
We didn't talk about it.
We didn't label it.
But something had shifted.
The teasing still happened. Section E was still loud. Keif was still annoying.
But sometimes…
Our eyes met for a second too long.
And sometimes…
We both looked away at the same time.
Today, school ended later than usual. Extra class. Everyone rushed out the moment the bell rang.
Everyone except us.
Cin left with David. Rory dragged Blaster out. Felix was arguing with Calix about something stupid. Soon, the classroom emptied.
I was gathering my books when I realized—
Keif was still there.
Sitting on his desk.
Watching me.
"You're staring again," I said without looking at him.
"You're nervous again," he replied calmly.
"I'm not nervous."
"Your hands are shaking."
I looked down.
They weren't shaking.
But my heart was.
"Why are you still here?" I asked.
"Why are you?"
"Stop answering questions with questions."
"Stop avoiding."
I exhaled slowly.
He jumped down from the desk and walked toward me.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just steady.
Each step felt louder than it should.
"Are we going to pretend nothing happened?" he asked quietly.
"What happened?" I said.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Exactly."
I picked up my bag.
"I don't want things to get weird."
"They already are."
I swallowed.
He stopped right in front of me.
Close.
But not touching.
The air felt heavy again.
Like that evening with the sunset.
Only this time—
There was no golden light.
Just quiet tension.
"You didn't pull your hand away that day," he said softly.
"You didn't either."
"I know."
Silence.
The hallway outside was empty again.
Why are we always alone at the worst moments?
"Jay," he said.
The way he says my name—
Not teasing.
Not sarcastic.
Just… mine.
"What?" I whispered.
"Come here."
My heart skipped.
"What?"
"Just… come here."
I hesitated.
But my feet moved anyway.
One small step.
Now we were inches apart.
I could hear his breathing.
Could feel the warmth from his body.
He looked unsure for the first time.
Not confident. Not teasing. Not smug.
Just unsure.
"Can I…?" he started.
Then stopped.
I raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Can you what?"
He let out a small breath.
"You make me overthink."
"That's not my fault."
A tiny smile appeared.
Then faded.
His hands lifted slightly.
Then paused mid-air.
Like he was asking without asking.
My chest felt tight.
"Why are you stopping?" I asked softly.
"Because if I do this," he said quietly, "I won't be able to pretend anymore."
Pretend what?
Pretend we're nothing?
Pretend this is just teasing?
I don't know what came over me.
Maybe it was the silence. Maybe it was the way he looked at me. Maybe it was the fear of losing something that hasn't even started.
But I stepped closer.
Just enough that there was no space left between us.
His breath hitched slightly.
"You're not helping," he murmured.
"Neither are you."
He finally let his hands rest gently on my waist.
Not tight.
Not pulling.
Just there.
I felt my hands automatically lift.
They hovered near his chest.
Then slowly—
Carefully—
I placed them against him.
His heartbeat was fast.
Mine was worse.
We stood like that for a moment.
Too aware of each other.
Too close to go back.
His arms tightened slightly.
And I knew—
He was about to hug me.
Not teasing. Not playful. Not accidental.
A real hug.
My fingers gripped his shirt slightly.
"If you hug me," I whispered, "things will change."
"I know."
"Are you ready for that?"
"I don't know."
Honest.
Always honest when it matters.
His chin lowered slightly.
Our foreheads almost touched.
Just a breath away.
"I don't want to mess this up," he said.
"You already mess everything up."
He almost smiled.
"But not this," he said.
His arms slowly started to close around me.
And for a second—
I let myself imagine it.
His arms fully around me. My face against his chest. Everything quiet.
Safe.
But then—
Footsteps.
Loud.
Coming closer.
We both froze.
"BRO I FORGOT MY—"
The door suddenly opened.
Rory stood there.
Then blinked.
Behind him were Felix and Blaster.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
We jumped apart instantly.
Too fast.
Too obvious.
Rory's mouth opened slowly.
"…Oh."
Felix's eyes widened.
Blaster whispered dramatically, "We interrupted destiny."
I wanted the floor to swallow me.
Keif ran a hand through his hair calmly.
"We were leaving."
"Sure," Rory said slowly.
Felix grinned wickedly.
"Almost hug?"
"No," I said immediately.
"Yes," Blaster said confidently.
Keif glanced at me for one second.
Just one.
And there was something there.
Unfinished.
Rory backed out slowly.
"Continue. We saw nothing."
Felix added, "Actually we saw everything."
The door closed again.
Silence returned.
But the moment was gone.
I picked up my bag quickly.
"We should go."
He nodded slightly.
"Yeah."
We walked out together.
Not touching.
Not speaking.
But the space between us felt charged.
Because we both knew—
If Rory hadn't walked in…
I wouldn't have stopped him.
And maybe…
He wouldn't have stopped either.