JAY (POV) – Night
My room was dark.
Quiet.
I sat on my bed, staring at my phone.
Old messages from Ride or Die were still there.
Mia: sweetpeaBen: babyKeeper: princess
My fingers shook slightly.
I typed:
Me: I need you
That was all.
I didn't explain.
I didn't say anything else.
I just felt it.
A tear slipped down my face before I could stop it.
I quickly wiped it away, but more came.
I curled up on my bed, holding my phone close.
And for the first time in a long time…
I didn't try to be strong.
I just cried.
Eventually, my eyes closed.
And I fell asleep.
FLASHBACK – JAY (POV)
It happened at night.
I didn't mean to be there.
I was just walking.
Trying to get away from everything.
Then I heard voices.
Laughing.
I stopped.
At the end of the alley… there was a fight.
A group of guys.
And one girl.
She was fighting them alone.
Fast.
Sharp.
No fear.
I just stood there and watched.
She kicked one down.
Then another.
Then she turned slightly—
and noticed me.
Our eyes met for a second.
But she didn't stop.
She finished the fight first.
Silence fell.
Then she walked toward me.
"Who are you?" she asked.
I didn't answer immediately.
Because I was still thinking about what I just saw.
Then I heard footsteps behind her.
A boy stepped out first.
"Okay… that was insane," he said.
Another boy followed, smiling slightly. "You're crazy… in a good way."
The third one didn't smile.
He just looked at her carefully.
Then at me.
"Are you hurt?" he asked her first.
She shook her head.
Then the girl looked at me again. "You saw everything?"
I nodded slightly.
The first boy pointed at himself. "I'm Ben."
The girl smiled. "Mia."
Then the last one stepped forward.
Quiet.
Calm.
"Kee—" he stopped. "Cole. People call me Keeper."
Mia suddenly grinned at me. "And you are…?"
I hesitated.
"…Jay."
Silence.
Then Ben smiled. "Well, Jay… you just watched our future best friend beat up five guys."
Mia laughed. "Yeah. So congratulations. You're stuck with us now."
Keeper looked at me for a second longer.
Then said softly—
"You don't look like you belong alone."
I didn't answer.
But I didn't walk away either.
And that was the moment everything started.