CHAPTER — AFRAID OF YOU
Jayjay's POV
My eyes opened slowly.
Everything felt heavy.
My head… my chest… my thoughts.
For a second, I didn't move.
Didn't think.
Just… existed.
Then I turned my head slightly—
And saw him.
Keifer Watson
Sitting beside me.
Watching me.
My breath hitched.
And before I could stop myself—
I flinched.
Hard.
My body jerked back slightly, my hand pulling away like I had just been burned.
His hand had been reaching toward me.
He froze.
So did I.
Silence filled the room.
Thick.
Uncomfortable.
Terrifying.
"I'm fine," I said immediately, my voice small, almost rushed. "I'm okay."
I didn't look at him.
I couldn't.
---
"Jay—"
"I said I'm fine."
Too quick.
Too sharp.
But I couldn't help it.
If I let him speak… if I looked at him longer…
I might remember.
Everything.
---
I pushed myself up slowly, ignoring the dizziness.
"I just need… some rest."
I stepped off the bed.
Carefully.
Keeping distance.
Always distance.
---
"Sit down," he said.
I shook my head.
"I'm okay."
Lie.
But I kept walking.
Past him.
Without looking.
Without stopping.
---
Because being near him—
Made my chest tighten.
Made my heart race.
Made my mind replay things I didn't want to see.
---
After that…
I avoided him.
Not intentionally.
It just… happened.
---
If he entered a room—
I left.
If he stood close—
I moved away.
If he spoke—
I answered shortly.
Quietly.
Without looking at him.
---
And sometimes—
When he moved suddenly—
I flinched.
Like I was expecting something.
Something bad.
---
I hated it.
But I couldn't stop.
---
Meals became the hardest.
I sat at the table, staring at the food.
Trying to eat.
But every bite felt heavy.
Wrong.
So I stopped trying.
"Not hungry," I'd say.
Every time.
---
Days passed.
Quiet.
Cold.
Distant.
---
"Jayjay."
I froze slightly at his voice behind me.
But didn't turn.
"…Yes?"
Footsteps.
Closer.
My body tensed instantly.
"Look at me."
I shook my head slightly. "I'm busy."
"You're not."
His voice was firmer now.
Closer.
Too close.
My fingers tightened around the book in my hands.
"Please…" I whispered. "Don't."
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Don't come closer.
Don't make me look.
Don't—
---
Silence.
Heavy.
I could feel him right behind me now.
And my heart—
Wouldn't slow down.
---
"I'm not going to hurt you."
His voice was lower this time.
Not angry.
But it didn't help.
Because my body didn't believe him.
---
I turned slightly—
Just enough to face him.
And the moment our eyes met—
I stepped back again.
Instinct.
Fear.
Clear as day.
---
"I'm fine," I repeated softly.
But my voice shook.
My hands trembled.
Everything about me betrayed the lie.
---
"I just… need space."
That part was true.
"I'll be okay."
Another lie.
---
I didn't wait for his response.
I turned and walked away.
Fast.
Before my tears fell.
Before he saw just how scared I was.
Of him.
---
Keifer's POV
She flinched.
The moment she woke up—
She flinched.
From me.
---
I had just reached for her.
That's it.
Nothing more.
And she reacted like—
Like I was about to hurt her.
---
"I'm fine."
No, she's not.
And she won't even look at me.
---
For the past few days—
It's been the same.
She avoids me.
Leaves rooms when I enter.
Answers like I'm a stranger.
Like I don't exist.
---
And when I get close—
She steps back.
Every time.
Without fail.
---
"She's terrified of you."
The thought settled in my mind.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Real.
---
I saw it clearly today.
When I stood behind her.
When I spoke.
When I got closer.
That small "don't"—
She didn't even realize she said it.
But I heard it.
---
"I'm not going to hurt you."
I meant it.
But it didn't matter.
Because she didn't believe it.
Her body said otherwise.
---
I clenched my jaw slightly.
Frustration building.
Not at her.
At this.
At myself.
---
I've seen fear before.
Caused it.
Controlled it.
Used it.
But this—
This was different.
---
Because it wasn't supposed to be directed at me.
Not from her.
---
She looked at me like I was—
A threat.
A danger.
A monster.
---
And the worst part?
I gave her a reason to.
---
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly.
This wasn't part of the plan.
She wasn't supposed to react like this.
She wasn't supposed to matter like this.
---
But she does.
---
I looked toward the hallway where she disappeared.
Quiet again.
Empty.
---
"Damn it…"
I muttered under my breath.
Because for the first time—
I didn't know how to fix something I broke.