@ Seattle, 7:00 AM
Jake was sitting in a coffee shop, tucked in a corner table, leaning back as he stared at his watch. His phone was in hand, but he couldn't calm himself.
It seemed like all he wanted was some peace. To relax. Before the busy day began, he sat there waiting for his ordered caramel macchiato.
He glanced around. People rushing to work, some just chilling like him. Then suddenly…
Across the table, his eyes caught a woman. Fair-skinned, long curly hair that complemented her simple outfit. Natural beauty.
And there was no mistaking it—he knew her.
Hershey…
Jake's heart skipped a beat almost automatically.
Jake's POV:
"That's her… That's really Hershey. Damn, I didn't expect to see her here."
He froze for a moment, his mind racing.
"But wait… who's that guy with her?"
He noticed them holding hands, laughing together. Their heads almost touching. The chemistry was undeniable.
"She moved on… she really did. And I guess… I'm just a stranger to her now."
He took a deep breath, forcing a smile as he accepted his coffee from the barista. But the weight in his chest was hard to hide.
"No matter how much I try to tell myself I'm fine… seeing her like this—happy with someone else—it still hurts."
After leaving the coffee shop, Jake couldn't shake what he had seen. Hershey. The girl he once loved, now happy in someone else's arms. Overwhelmed, he opened his phone and scrolled through his photo gallery.
There, he found an old, simple picture of him and Hershey—back view, holding hands, their body language showing pure joy.
Before he could think right or wrong, he posted it on his Instagram story and feed.
Jake's IG Post:
[Photo of Jake and Hershey, back view, walking together happily]
Caption:
"Some memories don't fade… no matter how much you try. Missing those days."
Narrator:
The post spread quickly. Of course, the first to see it was Admin Rose, the fastest updater in the fandom.
JakeFanatics GC
Admin Rose:
"GIRLS! I just saw something!!! OMG check Jake's IG now."
Lyca:
"Whoa! What is this? Why Hershey??!"
Admin Rose:
"Check it out, looks legit."
Maureen:
"Wait… is this a throwback or are they together again??"
Janine:
"No way sis! This hurts 😭 I thought I had a chance…"
Admin Rose:
"Calm down girls HAHA but wow, it's trending fast! They're back-facing in the pic, but that's obviously Hershey! And the caption! He really misses her…"
Lyca:
"If it's just a throwback, why post it now? Of all the timing…""If it's just a throwback, why post it now? Of all the timing…"
Maureen:
"True! There might be a hidden meaning. Maybe they're back together?!"
Janine:
"NOOO! I don't want to see this!"
Narrator:
The fandom was noisy. Every minute, more comments and reposts on Jake's IG. Some fans were thrilled, others hurt—especially those secretly admiring Jake.
Among them, two girls were most affected: Janine, who couldn't help posting her frustration on her account, and Aya, quiet but feeling the pain deeply.
Janine (whispering to herself):
"Why now? I thought… maybe I had a chance to get his attention. But… it's still Hershey."
Tears slipped. She opened her IG and typed.
Janine's IG post and story:
"It hurts when the one you admire looks back at someone else… 💔 #justsaying"
Reactions and comments from friends and classmates came quickly, but she didn't care. She just needed to release the hurt.
Scene: Aya's POV
(Lying on the sofa, holding her phone. Silent, alone, staring at Jake's IG post.)
Aya (thinking to herself):
"So he still misses her… Of course, Hershey was his first love, Aya. You weren't even close back then… I didn't expect it, but why does it hurt so much?"
Her eyes closed. She didn't comment or post anywhere. Instead, she stayed silent. Yet, inside, it felt like a heavy stone pressed on her heart.
Narrator:
At that exact moment, a GC notification popped up.
JakeFanatics GC
Admin Rose:
"Guys, calm down! Maybe it's just a throwback. Doesn't mean they're back together. So let's not assume yet."
Lyca:
"But did you see the caption? 'Missing those days.'"
Maureen:
"So confusing! I want to defend him but also scold him hahaha"
Janine:
"But seriously, it hurts so much! 😭 This is what being a broken fan feels like…"
Lyca:
"Hey Janine, don't cry, it's just Jake. Maybe we're all assuming too much."
Admin Rose:
"Right, calm down! Who knows, tomorrow he might post something new with a different vibe."
While the fandom was chaotic, Aya remained a silent reader. She didn't want to show her pain. But inside, fear returned:
"What if I'm not meant to be part of his story at all? Shut up, Aya, don't assume things, okay?"
Narrator:
As opinions clashed in the GC, a new notification appeared.
JakeFanatics GC
Admin Rose:
"Ok guys, wait! We have new members in the GC. 🤗 Let's welcome them all! Finally, male fans joining the official JakeFanatics GC. 👏"
Lyca:
"Whaaaat Momm? OMG finally! Boys in the GC haha."
Maureen:
"Wow legit? Exciting! They're probably the first three guys here hahaha."
Admin Rose:
"Yep! Please welcome: Jayvee, Alex, and Mike. 🎉 They're his friends and bandmates. 🎸🥁🎤"
Jayvee:
"Hi everyone! 👋 Thanks for accepting us. Looking forward to meeting fellow Jake supporters. 🙌"
Alex:
"Yo! What's up fam! 🤟 Excited too, promise, fandom isn't just for girls. 😂"
Mike:
"Hello everyone! 🤗 Thanks for the warm welcome. Supporting Jake all the way!"
Narrator:
The girls in the GC were buzzing.
Lyca:
"Omg! So much cute energy. And Jayvee is here 😍"
Maureen:
"True! Janine will be less sad with guys around like Jayvee hahaha."
Janine:
"Welcome, guys! Hope you'll be active, not just acting cute."
Mike:
"Thanks for the warm welcome. Actually, we couldn't have joined without Jayvee."
Admin Rose:
"Haha Janine, they're just his friends. They'll be active especially during events."
Jayvee:
"Yes! And I joined because of my cousin, even though he's my cousin, I'm also a huge fan."
---
Aya quietly read the messages, noticing Jayvee's politeness and gentlemanly behavior. Unbeknownst to her, he was slowly developing an interest in her.
Jayvee (thinking):
"So Aya is here… The first reason I joined. Finally, I'm closer to her world."
Even in the noisy GC full of laughter, Aya felt isolated, lost in her thoughts. She kept returning to Jake's Instagram post with Hershey. The weight in her chest lingered.
[Private Chat: Lyca → Aya]
Lyca:
"Ayaaaa! Hey sis, why do you seem like a ghost there?"
Lyca:
"Don't take Jake's post too seriously. Maybe it's just a throwback. You know him, he can make you assume things."
Narrator:
Aya sighed and quickly typed a reply.
Aya:
"I can't help it, Sis… it hurts to see it. Especially thinking they might be back together. He's not my boyfriend, but it still feels different."
Lyca:
"That's normal, girl. But don't let jealousy and sadness eat you. We're here, okay? Solid 5, remember?"
Lyca:
"And hey, you might not have noticed, but we have a new member… Jayvee! Jake's cousin, handsome too and a singer. Who knows…"
Aya blinked, eyes fixed on the screen.
Aya:
"Jayvee? Huh… what's he doing in the fangroup? He's not into this kind of thing, right?"
Lyca:
"You've been spacey! Seen the GC messages just now? Hahaha yes, he's here with Alex and Mike. The GC is lively. So Aya, please don't be sad. Maybe this distraction is what you need."
Aya didn't admit it, but the heaviness in her chest lightened slightly. She felt her friend's support and a small curiosity about Jayvee.
Monday came, and Aya was busy at work, focused on her tasks. But her mind kept returning to Jake's IG post—back view, happy moments with Hershey… her heart pulled back into the pain.
Her phone vibrated. She thought it was the GC again, but no. Private message. She blinked at the name on the notification.
[Private Chat: Jayvee → Aya]
Jayvee:
"Hi Aya, Good morning ☺️ sorry to bother you. I know you're busy at work. I just wanted to properly introduce myself… I'm Jayvee. Remember? The guy you were annoyed at last night in a hotel in Leyte… I'm also a new member of JakeFanatics.. 😊"
Aya froze, unable to reply. Her fingers refused to type. She didn't expect Jayvee to approach her first.
Another notification popped up.
Jayvee:
"Honestly… the real reason I joined is because I wanted to know you more. Don't worry, it's our little secret. 😉"
Narrator:
It felt like cold water splashed over her. Her heart raced. Even stressed by Jake's post, she couldn't deny the flutter this message gave her.
✨ Author's Note:
Wow, right? Just a simple post from Jake, yet it shook the fandom! Some are chill, but Aya and Janine… the weight is palpable. 🥺💔 Jayvee's entry into the fandom hasn't even been noticed yet hahaha…
But wait… if there's already so much pain and questions here, what about the next chapters? 😳 Will more secrets be revealed? Or will hearts get even more tangled?
Sometimes, just one simple picture can change everything…
To be continued…
Chapter 7: Detective Mode – Janine