Jay's POV
I still didn't know how to feel about it.
The word kept repeating in my mind like it was trying to settle in, but couldn't.
Engaged.
It didn't sound real. Not when I said it in my head. Not when I tried to connect it to myself.
Everything had happened so fast. One moment we were just… there, surrounded by everyone, laughing like it was any other day.
And then he said it.
Like it was nothing.
Like it was everything.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing, my fingers slightly cold even though the room wasn't.
Why didn't I stop him?
That question bothered me more than anything else.
Because I could have.
I should have.
Right?
"You're thinking too loud."
His voice came from the doorway, calm as always.
I looked up to see Keifer standing there, watching me like he already knew what was going on in my head.
I let out a small breath. "You announced it… like it was already decided."
He didn't look surprised.
"It was."
That answer made my chest tighten. "What if I wasn't ready?"
He walked in slowly, stopping in front of me.
"Then you would've said something," he replied.
I shook my head slightly. "That's not fair. You didn't even ask me."
His gaze didn't waver.
"You didn't stop me either."
That made me go quiet.
Because he was right.
And I hated that he was right.
"If you had," he continued, his voice softer now, "I would have."
I looked up at him, searching his face for even a hint of doubt.
There was none.
That was the problem.
"You're too sure about this," I whispered.
"I am."
"How?"
"Because I don't choose things I'm unsure about."
The way he said it wasn't forceful. It wasn't controlling.
It was just… certain.
And somehow, that made my heart beat faster.
Before I could say anything else, the door suddenly burst open.
"JAYYYYYY!"
I barely had time to react before Rakki rushed in, followed by Mica, Freya, and Ella.
"Oh my God we have SO much to do," Rakki said, grabbing my hand and pulling me up from the bed.
"Wait..what..." I tried to speak, but she wasn't listening.
"Outfits, jewelry, hair, everything. We don't have time for your confusion right now."
"I am not confused..." I started, but Freya cut me off.
I actually felt relief bcz Freya and Ella were also there not as enemies but as part of Family.
Tbh I loved this that we don't hate each other anymore.
"You look confused," she said, crossing her arms. "And slightly terrified. Not a great combination for someone getting engaged."
"I'm not terrified."
"Sure," she smirked. "You look like you might pass out any second."
Mica stepped closer, her voice softer. "Hey… it's okay to be nervous."
That one line hit me.
Because I was.
I just hadn't said it out loud yet.
"I'm not used to this," I admitted quietly.
Ella smiled gently. "No one is, the first time."
"That doesn't help," I muttered.
Rakki clapped her hands. "Okay emotions later, first we plan."
"I agree," Freya added. "Because if she chooses something basic, I'm cancelling this engagement myself."
"Excuse me?" I looked at her.
"I said what I said."
Despite everything, I let out a small laugh.
And just like that, the room filled with noise.
Voices overlapping, ideas being thrown around, arguments about colors and styles starting within seconds.
Somewhere in between all of it… I stopped thinking so much.
I wasn't alone in this.
That made it easier.
A little.
Later, when things calmed down for a moment, I stepped out into the hallway, trying to breathe properly again.
My heart still felt… fast.
Not panicked.
Just… overwhelmed.
"You're running away now?"
I turned to see Keifer leaning against the wall, watching me.
"I'm not running," I said. "I just needed a second."
He pushed himself off the wall and walked closer.
"Nervous?" he asked.
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
For a second, neither of us spoke.
Then he said quietly, "Good."
I frowned. "Good?"
"It means you understand it matters."
That wasn't what I expected.
"I thought you'd say something comforting," I said.
"I am."
I looked at him, confused.
"If you weren't nervous," he continued, "I'd be the one concerned."
That made me pause.
Because… it made sense.
"I don't know how you're so calm," I said.
"I'm not calm."
"You look calm."
"That's different."
I studied him for a moment. "You're really doing this."
"Yes."
"And you're not scared?"
His gaze softened slightly.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's you."
That simple answer made my chest feel warm and heavy at the same time.
I looked away for a second, trying to process it.
Somewhere between all the chaos… I had stopped resisting it.
And that scared me.
But not in a bad way.
Not completely.
That night, as everything finally went quiet, I sat alone again, staring at the dress laid out in front of me.
It felt real now.
Too real.
This wasn't just words anymore.
This was happening.
And there was no going back.
I took a slow breath, my fingers lightly brushing the fabric.
My heart started racing again.
Not from fear.
Not completely.
But from something else.
Something new.
Something I didn't fully understand yet.
And maybe… I didn't need to.
Because this time...
I wasn't running.