Jay Jay swung her legs over the dorm railing, a half-eaten granola bar in one hand and her phone in the other.
Keifer sat beside her, balancing a bottle of soda on his knee, eyes narrowed in concentration.
"You're gonna drop that," Jay teased, taking a bite.
Keifer scoffed. "Please. I have the reflexes of a-"
The bottle slipped, rolling off his knee and hitting the floor with a dull thud.
Jay burst out laughing, nearly choking on her granola.
"Reflexes of what? A stunned pigeon?"
she wheezed.
Keifer groaned, rubbing his face. "I walked into that one."
"More like you tripped into it."
He nudged her shoulder playfully. "Whatever. You're just mad because I beat you at Mario Kart yesterday."
Jay made a face. "That was one round. And you literally shoved my controller out of my hands."
"Tactical strategy."
"Cheating."
"Same thing." Keifer grinned, but then his smile faltered slightly. "Hey, uh... you good? You seem a little off today."
Jay tensed. Was she that obvious?
"I'm fine," she said, too quickly.
Keifer arched an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. That's convincing."
She turned back to her phone, pretending to be busy, but Keifer wasn't the type to drop things easily.
"Let me guess," he said, tilting his head. "Ella?"
Jay sighed. "She called me last night."
Keifer leaned back against the railing. "Lemme guess-Aries?"
Jay nodded. "Same thing as always. She was waiting for him to call, but he never did. And when she finally texted him, he hit her with, 'Oh, I forgot."
Keifer let out a low whistle. "Oof. Classic Aries."
Jay ran a hand through her hair. "She sounded so...tired. I told her shedeserved better, but she just keeps making excuses for him."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "Because he's got her wrapped around his finger. He knows exactly how much to give so she won't walk away."
Jay sighed, swinging her legs absently. "I just don't get it. She's amazing, you know? She's funny, smart, kind... And Aries treats her like an afterthought."
Keifer was quiet for a moment before saying, "It's not about how great she is. It's about how much she thinks she needs him."
Jay glanced at him, surprised.
Keifer shrugged. "I mean, you stick around when someone makes you feel like they're the only one who really sees you. Even if they suck at it."
Jay bit her lip. Is that what she wasdoing with Yuri?
She shook the thought away before it could settle.
"You know," Keifer continued, "for someone who gives great advice, you kinda suck at following it."
Jay frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Keifer shot her a look. "Yuri."
Her stomach clenched. "That's different."
"Is it?"
Jay exhaled sharply. "Yuri cares about me."
Keifer raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Then why is he always hovering? Why does he act like you owe him your time?"
Jay crossed her arms. "He's just protective."
Keifer huffed a laugh. "Protective? Or possessive?"
Jay's phone buzzed in her hand. She glanced down. A text from Yuri.
Where are you? You didn't tell me you'd be out.
Her grip tightened slightly.
Keifer must have caught the change in her expression because his voice softened. "Jay..."
She locked her phone and forced a smile. "It's nothing."
Keifer didn't look convinced, but before he could push, the dorm door opened, and Ella stepped onto the balcony. Her eyes were puffy, like she'd been crying.
Jay's heart sank. "Hey."
Ella forced a small smile. "Hey."
Keifer sat up straighter. "Aries?"
Ella let out a hollow laugh. "Who else?"
Jay scooted over, patting the space beside her. "Come sit."
Ella hesitated before dropping down next to her. She pulled her sleeves over her hands, staring at the railing. "He bailed on me again. Said he 'lost track of time.'"
Keifer rolled his eyes. "Right. Because checking his phone is rocket science."
Jay nudged him. "Not helping."
Keifer raised his hands. "What? I'm just saying, how many times does he have to pull this crap before you call it?"
Ella shook her head. "I don't know." Her voice wavered. "I just... I keep thinking if I wait long enough, he'll see me, you know?"
Jay's chest ached. "Ella..."
Ella blinked rapidly, as if trying to push back tears. "I'm so tired of feeling like I'm second place."
Keifer's expression softened. "You shouldn't have to beg someone to care, El."
Ella swallowed hard. "I know."
Jay squeezed her hand. "Then why are you still holding on?"
Ella let out a shaky breath. "Because I don't know who I am without him."
A heavy silence followed. Jay knew that feeling all too well.
Keifer exhaled sharply. "You know, sometimes the person making you feel small isn't as important as you think."
Ella let those words sit for a moment before whispering, "I just wish it were easy."
Jay sighed. "Me too."
Keifer glanced between them, then sighed dramatically. "Alright. We need a distraction."
Ella gave him a tired look. "Like what?"
Keifer grinned. "Jay losing another Mario Kart match."
Jay scoffed. "Excuse me?"
Ella let out a tiny laugh, and for the first time that night, she didn't look as heavy.
Jay leaned against her, offering her granola bar. "Stick with us, okay?"
Ella took it, nodding. "Okay."
Keifer clapped his hands. "Great. Now, who's ready to watch Jay fail miserably?"
Jay groaned. "I hate you."
Keifer smirked. "Love you too, loser."
For now, at least, laughter was enough.