ROOM 7
Chapter Six: The Parents' Visit
---
Jay had survived many things in her nineteen years.
She had survived the Great Shipping War of 2023. She had survived her brother Percy's teenage rebellion phase (which was still ongoing). She had survived Keifer Watson stealing her highlighters, her pencils, and apparently her ability to think clearly.
But nothing — absolutely nothing — had prepared her for the combined force of Jasper Mariano and Keizer Watson walking through the doors of Room 7 together.
---
Part One: The Warning
It started with a text.
Saturday morning. 8:23 AM. Jay was at the common table, reading the book Keifer had given her — The Art of Strategic Thinking — and pretending she wasn't on chapter seven already.
Her phone buzzed.
Aries: Heads up
Aries: Dad is coming to visit
Aries: He's bringing Keizer Watson
Aries: They're "in the neighborhood"
Aries: They're never in the neighborhood
Aries: Mom put them up to this
Aries: Percy is with them
Aries: I'm sorry
Aries: I tried to stop them
Aries: I couldn't
Jay stared at her phone.
Then she looked across the room at Keifer, who was still asleep, Bruce tucked under his arm, face soft and peaceful.
She almost felt bad for what was about to happen.
Almost.
"KEIFER!"
He shot up so fast Bruce went flying. "WHAT? WHAT'S HAPPENING? IS THERE A FIRE?"
"Worse."
"What's worse than a fire?"
"Your father and my father are coming to visit. Together. With Percy."
Keifer's face went through several stages: confusion, horror, denial, acceptance, and finally — resignation.
"Your mom put them up to this," he said.
"Aries said the same thing."
"Your mom and my mom have a group chat."
"I know."
"They've been planning this."
"I know."
"We're going to die."
"Probably."
Yuri, who had been watching from his bed, sat up slowly. "Wait. Your dads? Together? Here? In Room 7?"
"YES, YURI."
Yuri's face split into a grin. "This is the best day of my life."
"I will end you."
"WORTH IT."
---
Part Two: The Panic
The next twenty minutes were chaos.
Mica and Calix immediately started cleaning the kitchen area. Care and Cole stopped arguing long enough to realize the room was a disaster zone. Freya started taking photos of the chaos for "posterity." Erdix was live streaming the preparation. David organized a snack arrangement because David was David.
Lyra was running around picking up clothes. "WHY IS THERE A SHOE ON MY BED?"
"That's my shoe," Yuri said.
"WHY IS YOUR SHOE ON MY BED?"
"I don't know! The shoe has a mind of its own!"
"SHOES DON'T HAVE MINDS!"
"THIS ONE DOES!"
Alex quietly picked up the shoe and placed it by Yuri's bed. He didn't say anything. He just did it. Then he went back to his own space.
Lyra watched him for a moment too long.
Then she went back to cleaning.
Jay stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, watching her roommates scramble. She should have been helping. She should have been cleaning. Instead, she was mentally preparing for the emotional warfare that was about to occur.
Keifer walked up beside her. "You look like you're going to a funeral."
"Same energy."
"Your dad loves me."
"My dad tolerates you."
"Your dad asked me about my investment portfolio last week."
"My dad asks everyone about their investment portfolio."
"He said I had 'good instincts.'"
"He says that to the barista who makes his coffee."
"He said he'd be 'honored to have me in the family.'"
Jay turned to stare at him. "He did not."
"He did. Last Christmas. When you were in the bathroom."
"I'M GOING TO KILL HIM."
"You can't kill your own father."
"WATCH ME."
From across the room, Yuri shouted, "ARE YOU TWO GOING TO HELP OR JUST STAND THERE BEING IN LOVE?"
"WE'RE NOT IN LOVE!"
"YOUR FACES SAY OTHERWISE!"
"OUR FACES ARE NEUTRAL!"
"YOUR FACES ARE THE OPPOSITE OF NEUTRAL!"
Freya's camera clicked. "Got it."
"FREYA!"
---
Part Three: The Arrival
They arrived at 9:00 AM exactly.
The door to Room 7 opened, and the entire room went silent.
Jasper Mariano stood in the doorway. He was tall, distinguished, wearing a tailored suit even on a Saturday morning. His eyes scanned the room with the practiced efficiency of a man who had built a shipping empire from nothing.
Beside him, Keizer Watson was equally tall, equally distinguished, wearing a suit that probably cost more than most people's rent. His smile was warm, his handshake firm, his presence filling the room like a second sun.
Behind them, Percy grinned like the chaos demon he was.
And behind Percy, Aries stood with the expression of a man who had already given up on life.
"Room 7!" Jasper announced. "Finally, I get to see where my daughter has been living."
"Sir, you've been here three times already," Jay said.
"And each time it gets better." Jasper walked in like he owned the place — which, technically, he partially did. The building was named after his family, after all. "Keizer, look at this. Converted ballroom. High ceilings. Good light."
"Excellent light," Keizer agreed, stepping inside. "Serina would love this space. She's always saying our house doesn't have enough natural light."
"Tell her to call Jeena. They can redecorate together."
"They redecorated our living room last month. I came home to find a fuchsia accent wall."
"Jeena did the same to our kitchen. I've learned to accept it."
"The things we do for love, Jasper."
"The things we do."
They shared a look of profound understanding.
Jay wanted to disappear into the floor.
Keifer looked like he wanted to join her.
Percy, meanwhile, was already making his rounds. "YURI! My favorite Watson-adjacent human!"
"PERCY! My favorite Mariano who isn't Jay!"
They did an elaborate handshake that seemed to go on for thirty seconds.
"Percy," Jay said through gritted teeth. "What are you doing here?"
"Supporting you."
"I don't need support."
"Everyone needs support." Percy grinned. "Also, Dad said he'd buy me lunch if I came."
"Of course he did."
Aries walked over to Jay and Keifer. He looked exhausted. "I tried to stop them."
"You said that in the text."
"I meant it. I really tried."
"What happened?"
"Percy happened." Aries ran a hand through his hair. "He told Dad that you and Keifer were 'basically already dating' and that it was 'time to make it official.'"
Jay's face went red. "I'm going to kill him."
"You'll have to get in line."
Keifer looked at Aries. "What did your dad say?"
"He said 'finally.' Then he called Keizer. Then they planned this. All within thirty minutes."
"Thirty minutes?"
"Your mom texted my mom. My mom called my dad. My dad called your dad. The machine is well-oiled, Keifer. We're just living in it."
Keifer buried his face in his hands. "This is a nightmare."
"This is Tuesday in the Mariano-Watson extended universe."
Jay looked across the room. Jasper and Keizer were now examining the bathroom schedule that Care had made.
"Color-coded," Keizer said approvingly. "Impressive organization."
"That's Care's work," Jasper said. "Brilliant student. Top of her class."
"I've heard great things. Serina says she's going places."
"She is. All of them are." Jasper looked around the room with genuine warmth. "This is what we wanted, Keizer. When we built this place. This is what we hoped for."
Keizer nodded slowly. "Kids from both sides. Living together. Learning together. Building something new."
"Instead of tearing down what the old built."
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment.
Then Jasper spotted Bruce the shark on Keifer's pillow.
"Is that Bruce?" he asked, walking over.
Keifer's eyes went wide. "Sir, you don't have to—"
"Jeena told me about Bruce. She said Keiran gave him to you when he was three. You've kept him ever since."
"He's my emotional support shark."
"He's a good shark." Jasper picked Bruce up carefully, like he was handling something precious. "Keiran picked a good one."
"He did, sir."
Jasper looked at Keifer. Really looked. The way a father looks at someone who might be important to his daughter.
"You take care of this one," Jasper said quietly, tapping Bruce's nose. "You take care of all of them."
Keifer swallowed. "I try, sir."
"Try harder."
"Yes, sir."
Jasper nodded once. Then he turned to Jay.
"Your mother says you're not eating enough."
"I'm eating fine, Dad."
"Your mother says you're studying too hard."
"I'm studying exactly the right amount."
"Your mother says you're pretending you don't have feelings for this boy."
Jay's face went red. "DAD."
"I'm just relaying information." Jasper set Bruce back on the pillow. "Your mother is very insistent."
"I will call Mom and tell her to stop."
"Good luck with that."
---
Part Four: The Tour
Jasper and Keizer insisted on a full tour of Room 7.
They went bed by bed. Person by person. Learning names, asking questions, making everyone feel both welcomed and thoroughly interrogated.
"Lyra," Jasper said, stopping at her bed. "Jay's told me about you. You're the one who's been keeping her sane."
Lyra beamed. "I try, Tito Jasper."
"You're the one who danced on the bed and fell into Alex's arms, yes?"
Lyra's smile froze. "How did you—"
"Percy told us."
"I'm going to kill Percy."
"Also, Freya sent photos to the family group chat."
"FREYA HAS A FAMILY GROUP CHAT WITH YOUR FAMILY?"
"Of course. She sends weekly updates. Very thorough."
Lyra turned to Jay with murder in her eyes. "DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS?"
"I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS!"
"YOU MUST HAVE KNOWN!"
"I SWEAR I DIDN'T!"
Percy, from across the room, was laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.
Aries looked like he was praying for the sweet release of death.
Keizer moved to Alex's bed. "And you're Alex. Lyra's best friend."
"Yes, sir."
"Best friend since childhood, Percy says."
"Yes, sir."
"Percy also says you caught her when she fell. Seven-second hold. Very impressive reflexes."
Alex's ears turned red. "She was falling, sir. I just reacted."
"You just reacted. For seven seconds."
"She was— unsteady."
"For seven seconds."
Alex didn't have an answer for that.
Keizer clapped him on the shoulder. "Good reflexes, son. Keep them sharp."
He moved on, leaving Alex staring at the floor.
Lyra was staring at Alex.
Jay was staring at both of them.
Keifer was staring at Jay.
Percy was taking photos.
"Percy," Jay said. "If you don't put that phone away—"
"THESE ARE FOR THE FAMILY ARCHIVE!"
"THERE IS NO FAMILY ARCHIVE!"
"THERE IS NOW!"
---
Part Five: The Interrogation
Jasper and Keizer gathered everyone in the common area.
They stood side by side — two titans of industry, two rivals who had nearly destroyed each other's empires, now united in their mission to embarrass their children.
"So," Jasper said, looking around the room. "Twelve of you. From both families. Living together, studying together, building something new."
"That's the idea," Mica said.
Jasper smiled at her. "Mica. Your mother works in our shipping division. She's one of our best."
"She loves her job, sir."
"Tell her we're giving her a raise."
"I'll let her know, sir."
Keizer nodded approvingly. "And Calix. Your father runs our logistics in Cebu. Brilliant man. Stubborn, but brilliant."
"He gets it from his son, sir."
Keizer laughed. "I like this one."
"Everyone likes Calix," Yuri muttered. "Calix is golden. Calix has a girlfriend. Calix is perfect."
"Calix is right here," Calix said.
"I KNOW. THAT'S THE PROBLEM."
Mica patted Yuri's arm. "You'll find someone."
"I don't want someone! I want chaos!"
"That's also available."
Jasper moved on to Care and Cole. "Academic rivals, I hear."
"Yes, sir," Care said.
"We're not rivals," Cole said at the same time.
"You literally argue about everything," Care said.
"I argue because you're wrong!"
"I'm never wrong!"
"You were wrong yesterday about the—"
"THAT WAS A DIFFERENT THING!"
Jasper held up a hand. "I like the passion. Keep it. But remember — rivalry is only useful if it makes you better. If it makes you bitter, it's not worth it."
Care and Cole looked at each other.
They didn't argue.
Jasper turned to Freya and Erdix. "You're the photographers."
"We document," Freya said.
"We capture moments," Erdix added.
"You captured my daughter falling on top of Keifer Watson on the rooftop?"
Freya didn't even blink. "I have a whole folder, sir."
"May I see it?"
Freya pulled out her laptop.
"FREYA, NO!" Jay lunged for the laptop.
Keifer caught her around the waist.
"LET ME GO!"
"No! You'll break Freya's laptop!"
"THAT'S THE GOAL!"
"JAY!"
"KEIFER!"
Jasper was already looking at the photos. "This one is excellent. The lighting is very dramatic."
"The sun was setting," Freya said.
"Keizer, come look at this."
Keizer walked over. "Oh, that's a good one. Look at his face. He's completely smitten."
"I'M NOT SMITTEN!" Keifer shouted, still holding Jay.
"Your face says otherwise, son."
"MY FACE IS NEUTRAL!"
"Your face is the color of a tomato."
"THAT'S MY NATURAL COMPLEXION!"
"Your natural complexion is the same as mine, and I am not a tomato."
Keifer looked at his father. Then at Jay. Then at the ceiling.
"I hate everyone," he announced.
"No you don't," said everyone in the room.
---
Part Six: The Lunch
Jasper and Keizer took everyone to lunch.
The restaurant was expensive. The food was excellent. The conversation was a disaster.
Jay sat between Aries and Percy. Keifer sat between Yuri and Alex. Their fathers sat at opposite ends of the table — not because they were fighting, but because they wanted to "maximize coverage."
"I want to hear from everyone," Jasper announced. "Tell us about yourselves. What you're studying. What you want to do. What you think of Room 7."
The table went quiet.
David raised his hand. "I'm David. I'm studying hospitality management. I think Room 7 is the best place I've ever lived."
"Why?"
"Because everyone here takes care of each other. Even when they're fighting. Especially when they're fighting."
Jasper nodded slowly. "That's a good answer."
David smiled and went back to his food.
Yuri went next. "I'm Yuri. I'm studying communications. I think Room 7 is a disaster."
"A disaster?"
"A beautiful disaster. Twelve people in one room shouldn't work. But it does. Because everyone here is too stubborn to let it fail."
Keizer raised his glass. "To beautiful disasters."
Everyone raised their glasses.
Jay didn't drink. She was too busy watching Alex and Lyra.
They were sitting next to each other. Not touching. But close. Closer than they needed to be. Lyra kept glancing at Alex. Alex kept glancing at Lyra. Neither of them said anything.
Percy leaned over to Jay. "They're so obvious."
"I know."
"How long have they been like this?"
"Fifteen years."
"Fifteen years of not saying anything?"
"Fifteen years of being best friends."
Percy shook his head. "That's longer than I've committed to anything."
"That's not a high bar."
"Fair."
Across the table, Keizer was talking to Keifer. "Your mother wants to know when you're coming home."
"Next weekend, probably."
"Good. She misses you. Keiran misses you. Keigan pretends he doesn't miss you, but he asked about you three times yesterday."
"He asked about me?"
"He asked if Jay was coming with you."
Keifer choked on his water.
Jay choked on her air.
Keizer smiled. "That's what I thought."
---
Part Seven: The Confession (Sort Of)
After lunch, Jasper and Keizer announced they had one more stop before heading home.
"We want to see the rooftop," Jasper said.
"WHY?" Jay asked.
"Your mother wants photos."
"My mother has a thousand photos of this campus."
"She doesn't have photos of the rooftop where you and Keifer almost kissed."
"WE DIDN'T ALMOST KISS!"
"Freya's photos say otherwise."
"I'M GOING TO KILL FREYA."
"She's already sent them to the family group chat. Your mother has them framed."
Jay screamed into her hands.
The entire room followed them to the rooftop. It was a parade — Jasper and Keizer leading, Percy filming, Aries trying to disappear, and all twelve roommates trailing behind like ducklings.
On the rooftop, Jasper and Keizer stood at the edge, looking out at the city.
"It's a good view," Keizer said.
"It is," Jasper agreed.
"Your daughter almost killed my son up here."
"Your son stole her highlighter."
"They're perfect for each other."
"They really are."
Jay and Keifer stood several feet away, pretending they couldn't hear.
Percy was not pretending. "DAD, SAY IT LOUDER! JAY CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
"I CAN HEAR HIM PERFECTLY!"
"THEN WHY IS YOUR FACE RED?"
"IT'S THE SUN!"
"WE'RE ON A ROOFTOP!"
"THE SUN IS STRONGER ON ROOFTOPS!"
"THAT'S NOT HOW THE SUN WORKS!"
Aries grabbed Percy by the collar. "We're leaving."
"No! This is the best part!"
"We're leaving before you get us disowned."
"I CAN'T GET DISOWNED! I'M THE FAVORITE!"
"You're the favorite because you're the loudest, not because you're the best."
"SAME THING!"
Aries dragged him toward the door. Jasper and Keizer followed, but not before Jasper stopped in front of Jay.
"Your mother says to call her."
"I will."
"She says to eat more."
"I'm eating."
"She says to stop pretending."
Jay didn't answer.
Jasper kissed her forehead. "I'm proud of you, anak. All of you. Every single person in that room." He looked at Keifer. "Take care of them."
"Yes, sir."
Jasper walked away.
Keizer stopped in front of Keifer. "Your mother says to stop stealing highlighters."
"Dad—"
"She says it's not romantic. It's annoying."
"But—"
"She also says to keep making her coffee. That one is working."
Keifer's face went red. "She said that?"
"She said you've been making it for a week. Black, no sugar. Her favorite." Keizer smiled. "You're more like me than you think, son."
"I'm nothing like you."
"You're exactly like me. Stubborn. Loud. And absolutely terrible at pretending you don't care."
Keizer patted his cheek and walked away.
The rooftop was quiet.
Everyone had gone inside except Jay, Keifer, and Freya — who was hiding behind a vent, still taking photos.
"I can hear you, Freya," Jay said.
"I'm not here."
"You're literally behind a vent."
"I'm a ghost."
"Freya."
"I'M LEAVING!"
She ran inside.
The rooftop was finally quiet.
Jay and Keifer stood at the edge, looking out at the city.
"So," Keifer said. "That happened."
"That happened."
"Your dad told me to take care of you."
"My dad tells everyone to take care of me."
"He told me I have good instincts."
"He tells baristas that."
"He said he'd be honored to have me in the family."
Jay turned to look at him. "He said that?"
"At Christmas. When you were in the bathroom."
Jay was quiet for a long moment.
Then she said, "My mom says to stop pretending."
"I heard."
"She's right."
Keifer's heart stopped. "Jay—"
"I'm not saying I'm ready. I'm not saying I know what this is. But I'm tired." She looked at him. Really looked. "I'm tired of pretending I don't see you. I'm tired of pretending I don't notice the coffee and the book and the way you look at me when you think I'm not paying attention."
"I look at you like you're the only thing in the room worth seeing," Keifer said quietly. "Because you are."
Jay's breath caught.
"That's— you can't just say things like that."
"Why not?"
"Because I'll start believing them."
"What if they're true?"
Jay stared at him.
The city spread out below them. The sun was setting. The sky was gold and pink and everything she'd never let herself want.
"One step," she said.
"What?"
"One step. That's all I can give you right now. One step away from pretending."
Keifer smiled. Slow. Warm. Real.
"One step," he said.
He held out his hand.
She took it.
---
Part Eight: The Aftermath
They walked back into Room 7 holding hands.
Everyone saw.
Everyone went silent.
Yuri's mouth fell open. Lyra started crying. Freya's camera clicked seventeen times in three seconds. David smiled and offered them chips. Mica and Calix exchanged a look of profound satisfaction. Care and Cole stopped arguing for the first time in recorded history. Erdix was already live streaming.
Percy, who hadn't actually left, screamed, "I KNEW IT!"
"Percy, I thought you left," Jay said.
"I LIED! I'VE BEEN WAITING IN THE HALLWAY FOR TWENTY MINUTES!"
"That's dedication," Keifer said.
"I'VE BEEN SHIPPING THIS SINCE YOU WERE FOURTEEN! I'M NOT MISSING THE MOMENT!"
Aries, standing behind Percy, looked like he was experiencing every emotion simultaneously. "I'm going to kill him."
"Get in line," Jay said.
Lyra ran over and hugged Jay so hard she nearly knocked her over. "YOU HELD HIS HAND! IN PUBLIC! IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!"
"It's just a hand, Lyra."
"IT'S NOT JUST A HAND! IT'S A DECLARATION!"
"It's really not—"
"IT'S THE FIRST STEP! THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS THE WEDDING!"
"THERE'S NO WEDDING!"
"THERE WILL BE! I'LL PLAN IT! I'LL BE THE MAID OF HONOR! FREYA WILL BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER! ERDIX WILL LIVE STREAM IT! DAVID WILL CATER!"
"I will?" David asked.
"YOU WILL!"
"I'm okay with that."
Jay looked at Keifer. Keifer looked at Jay.
"Should we run?" he asked.
"Probably."
"Are we going to?"
"No."
"Good."
He squeezed her hand.
She squeezed back.
---
Part Nine: The Night
Later that night, long after everyone had gone to sleep, Jay lay in her bed and stared at the ceiling.
She could hear Keifer breathing from across the room. Two beds away. But in the silence, it felt like he was right next to her.
She liked that.
She didn't hate that.
"Hey, Mariano."
His voice was soft. Quiet. Just for her.
"Hey, Watson."
"Can't sleep?"
"No."
"Me neither."
Silence.
"Your hand is soft," he said.
"My hand?"
"The one I was holding earlier. It's soft."
"That's a weird thing to notice."
"I notice everything about you."
Jay's heart pounded.
"That's also weird," she said.
"I'm weird."
"I know."
"You like it."
"I don't not like it."
Keifer laughed — soft and quiet and wonderful.
"One step," he said.
"One step," she agreed.
From across the room, Yuri's voice cut through the darkness: "IF YOU TWO DON'T STOP BEING CUTE, I'M GOING TO SCREAM."
"You're already screaming," Jay said.
"INTERNALLY!"
"GO TO SLEEP, YURI!"
"I CAN'T! THE TENSION IS TOO MUCH!"
"THERE IS NO TENSION!"
"YOUR HANDS ARE LITERALLY REACHING FOR EACH OTHER IN THE DARK!"
Jay looked down. Her hand was, in fact, reaching out toward Keifer's bed.
She pulled it back.
Keifer laughed again.
She smiled into her pillow.
---
Part Ten: The Group Chat
Freya: [image attached]
Freya: THE HANDS
Freya: THEY WERE HOLDING HANDS
Freya: IN PUBLIC
Freya: ON THE ROOFTOP
Freya: IN FRONT OF THEIR FATHERS
Yuri: IM CRYING
Yuri: THIS IS THE GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE
Mica: They finally did something
Calix: "Something" is doing a lot of work
Care: It's just hand holding
Cole: You're just saying that because you're emotionally repressed
Care: I'M NOT EMOTIONALLY REPRESSED
Cole: Your face is red
Care: MY FACE IS ALWAYS RED
Cole: It's really not
Freya: Adding this to the folder
Freya: "Jay & Keifer: The Hand Hold"
Lyra: THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER
Lyra: I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR FIVE YEARS
Alex: It's just hand holding
Lyra: ALEX
Alex: Lyra
Lyra: THEY HELD HANDS
Alex: I saw
Lyra: IN FRONT OF EVERYONE
Alex: I was there
Lyra: THAT COULD BE US
Alex: ...
Lyra: I MEAN
Lyra: NOT US US
Lyra: BEST FRIENDS US
Lyra: BEST FRIENDS HOLD HANDS ALL THE TIME
Alex: Best friends hold hands?
Lyra: YES
Lyra: ALL THE TIME
Lyra: CONSTANTLY
Lyra: BEST FRIENDS ARE VERY HAND-HOLDY
Alex: I've never held your hand
Lyra: WELL
Lyra: WE COULD
Lyra: IF YOU WANTED
Lyra: AS BEST FRIENDS
Alex: As best friends
Lyra: YES
Alex: Okay
Lyra: OKAY?
Alex: Okay. We can hold hands. As best friends.
Lyra: OKAY
Freya: I'm adding this conversation to the folder
Freya: "Best Friends Who Are Definitely In Love"
Lyra: FREYA
Freya: LYRA
---
The Morning After
Jay woke up to a text from her mother.
Mom: I heard you held hands
Mom: On the rooftop
Mom: In front of your father
Mom: I'm so happy I could cry
Jay: It was just hand holding.
Mom: It was the first step
Mom: Your father and I held hands for the first time twenty-five years ago
Mom: Look where we are now
Jay: You're being dramatic.
Mom: I'm being romantic
Mom: There's a difference
Jay: There's literally no difference.
Mom: That's what your father said
Mom: And then he married me
Jay: I'm going back to sleep.
Mom: Tell Keifer I said good morning
Mom: And that his mother wants the photos from the rooftop
Mom: The ones with the hand hold
Mom: She's already picking out frames
Jay screamed into her pillow.
From across the room, Keifer's voice floated over. "Good morning to you too."
"Your mother is picking out frames."
"I know. She texted me."
"WHY IS SHE PICKING OUT FRAMES?"
"Because she's been waiting for this since we were fifteen."
Jay stared at the ceiling.
Keifer laughed.
She didn't tell him to stop.
---
End of Chapter Six