March 22 – After School, St. Ivy High / Midtown Apartment
From the Window
Jay stood alone by the third-floor hallway window, arms crossed loosely over his chest. School had just ended. The final bell had rung and faded, its echo now nothing more than memory.
Below, near the main gate, he saw her.
Amaya.
She wasn't in a rush. She wasn't talking to anyone. Just standing there, backpack hugged in front of her, hair tucked behind one ear, eyes scanning lazily across the schoolyard like she wasn't waiting for anything in particular.
But she was.
Jay sighed through his nose, lips twitching into something close to a smile.
She was waiting for him.
He turned and headed for the stairs.
Tyler on the Stairs
He was halfway down the second-floor landing when Tyler spotted him.
"Hey! Jay!"
Jay paused at the base of the steps as his best friend jogged up, duffel bag swinging on one shoulder, hair messy as ever.
"You heading out?" Tyler asked, catching his breath.
"Yeah. Thought I'd take the long way home."
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "where you living, a new place?"
Jay shook his head. "Mid-town Apartment."
Tyler's expression lit up like someone had handed him front-row tickets to a sold-out concert.
"Oh, hell yes. I'm coming."
"What about soccer practice?"
Tyler slung the bag off and dumped it onto the stairs. "Coach will survive. This is more important."
Jay gave him a look. "Skipping for me?"
"For us," Tyler corrected, throwing an arm over his shoulder. "And for tradition. You, me, and whoever's still willing to put up with us."
Jay laughed. "Then let's go."
Reunion at the Gate
Amaya looked up the moment she heard footsteps.
Her eyes flicked to Jay, and for a second—just a second—her whole face softened.
Jay slowed as he approached. "Waiting for someone?"
She shrugged lightly, like it didn't matter. "Maybe."
Tyler stepped in beside them, swinging his bag with a flourish. "Well, you're in luck. You've just been upgraded to top-tier company."
Amaya gave him a look. "Was I ever not in top-tier company?"
Jay smiled at that. "You're both ridiculous."
"Accurate," Tyler said.
They began walking toward the main road.
Jay glanced at Amaya, then Tyler.
His two worlds.
Somehow walking the same path.
The Midtown Return
The three of them reached Jay's apartment by late afternoon. The streets were still lit gold by the dipping sun, and the city hummed around them—honking cars, chattering students, the distant clatter of a delivery bike.
Jay keyed in the door.
The place smelled exactly like he remembered—subtle cedarwood and quiet.
Tyler burst in first. "Still as fancy as ever!"
Jay dropped his bag by the sofa. "Glad it hasn't changed."
Amaya lingered near the window, letting her fingers trail the glass. "It's quiet here."
Jay nodded. "I like the quiet."
She smiled softly. "I do too."
Settling In
Tyler sprawled across the couch like it belonged to him. "Do you have snacks? No wait—don't tell me. Let me find them."
He headed into the kitchen like a man on a mission.
Jay turned to Amaya. "You, okay?"
She nodded. "I just… forgot how normal this feels."
Jay leaned against the wall. "Yeah."
Amaya walked over and sat on the floor beside the low table, pulling out a small sketchbook from her bag.
"You're still drawing?" he asked.
She smiled. "Always."
He sat down beside her.
Tyler returned moments later with a bowl of popcorn and a box of cookies, announcing, "I bring offerings."
Jay tossed a pillow at him.
An Hour of Almost-Nothing
They stayed like that for a long time. Eating junk food. Talking about nonsense.
Tyler told a story about a prank gone wrong involving Noah, three packs of gum, and a rogue hamster.
Amaya laughed so hard she nearly choked on a cookie.
Jay watched them.
Watched how easily the world slid back into its old rhythm.
How it felt like no time had passed at all.
And yet—he had changed.
They all had.
But maybe… that was okay.
When Tyler Left
Eventually, Tyler checked his phone and groaned. "Okay, Iris is going to kill me."
Jay raised an eyebrow. "Again?"
"I told her I'd just walk Amaya home."
Amaya blinked. "You were going to walk me?"
Tyler smirked. "I had backup plans. But clearly, you're in good hands."
He grabbed his stuff, slung it over his shoulder, and waved lazily. "Don't fall asleep on the floor again, Jay."
"No promises."
The door shut behind him.
Silence returned.
Just the Two of Them
Amaya sat near the window now; legs tucked under her as she sipped quietly from the tea Jay had offered. The room was dimmer than before—lamplight filling the corners with a soft amber glow.
Jay joined her, sitting on the couch just beside her.
"You're quiet," he said gently.
She looked up. "I like the quiet. Especially here."
He nodded. "Me too."
There was a pause.
"I remembered something," Amaya said softly. "From before you left."
Jay tilted his head.
"That day... you said you'd tell me everything. After the exams."
His breath caught, just a little.
She smiled, not accusing. Just remembering. "You didn't. But I'm not angry."
"I wanted to," Jay said. "I still do."
Amaya looked down at her hands. "Then when you're ready… I'll still be here."
They didn't speak after that.
Jay leaned back into the couch, and Amaya shifted slightly closer—not touching, but enough that he felt her warmth near his shoulder.
He turned his head slowly.
She met his gaze.
And for a moment, he forgot about thrones and legacies and all the weight he'd carried these past months.
Her hand brushed his—not by accident.
This time, he took it.
No words. Just the quiet press of fingers, the kind that says I see you, even if the rest of the world doesn't.
Jay exhaled softly.
Not because he was tired.
But because—for the first time in a while—he didn't feel alone.