Jay Jay stood outside Yuri's dorm, her pulse a war drum in her ears.
The weight in her chest had been building ever since her conversation with Ella. She needed to talk to him.
She needed to know.
She knocked.
The door swung open.
Yuri stood there, perfectly composed-as always. His sharp eyes flickered across her face, assessing. Calculating.
"You could've just texted," he said.
Jay stepped inside, arms wrappedaround herself. "I wanted to talk in person."
Yuri shut the door behind her, exhaling through his nose. "Sounds serious."
"It is."
He gestured toward the couch, but she stayed standing.
Jay swallowed hard. "Do you think I change myself for you?"
A flicker-too fast to name-crossed his face. Then he laughed softly. "Where's this coming from?"
She didn't blink. "Just answer me."
His amusement faded. "I think you're overanalyzing again."
Her stomach turned. "That's not an answer."Yuri leaned against the counter, folding his arms. "Alright. No, I don't think you change yourself for me. You're your own person, Jay."
Then why did it feel like she wasn't?
Jay's throat tightened. "You always have something to say about my choices."
"I give advice." He shrugged. "I only want what's best for you."
Jay let out a quiet, humorless laugh. "Best for me, or best for you?"
Yuri's expression cooled. "Is this about that anthropology seminar again? Because I was right, wasn't I? You missed out on networking opportunities just to attend some academic debate."
Her breath caught. "It mattered to me."
His head tilted, tone soft-patronizing. "And I supported you, didn't I?"
She studied him. "Did you?"
His smile thinned. "I pointed out the bigger picture. That's what I do, Jay. I help you see things clearly."
A slow chill crawled up her spine.
And when I don't see things your way?
Yuri watched her closely, waiting for her to fall in line.
Her voice was barely above a whisper. "What happens when I disagree with you?"
His gaze sharpened, the illusion of warmth slipping. "Then you make things harder for yourself."
The room felt smaller.
Tighter.
There it was. The unspoken rule, laid bare. Agreeing with him meant she was rational. Disagreeing meant she was difficult.
Jay inhaled sharply. "You don't realize how much you do this."
Yuri sighed, rubbing his temples. "Jay, I don't have time for one of your overthinking spirals. Just tell me what's actually bothering you."
Her hands curled Into fists. "You make me second-guess myself. All the time. And I didn't even notice until-"
"Until what?" His voice cut through hers, sharper now. "Until someone else put that idea in your head?"
Jay faltered.
Yuri scoffed. "Let me guess. Ella?Keifer?"
Silence.
His smirk was cold. "I should've known. You let them project their relationship problems onto you, and now you think I'm the enemy."
"That's not what happened."
"No?" He stepped closer. "Then tell me, Jay. What exactly am I doing wrong?"
Her breath hitched.
Not because she didn't know the answer-
But because she wasn't sure how to make him see it.
Yuri tilted his head, waiting. His patience wasn't kindness; it was confidence. He was certain she had nothing to say.Jay exhaled, voice steady. "It does exist, Yuri. I just never stopped to see it before."
His eyes darkened. "So, what now?
You're suddenly questioning our entire relationship because they planted a seed of doubt?"
There it was again.
The minimization. The gaslight wrapped in concern. He always made it sound small. Like she was the one blowing things out of proportion.
Jay swallowed. "I just needed to know if you'd listen."
Yuri sighed again, softer this time. "Of course, I listen, Jay. But I won't entertain baseless accusations."
Something inside her snapped.
She had heard those words before. Not just from him, but from the version of herself that excused him.
Jay straightened. "I should go."
Yuri frowned. "Jay-"
"I'll text you later."
She turned toward the door.
For the first time in their relationship-
She didn't ask for permission to leave.
Some choices feel small in the moment.
A single step, a single breath. But they linger.
And sometimes, they are the first cracks in the foundation. The fractures that, one day, will bring the whole damn house down.
She had heard those words before. Not just from him, but from the version of herself that excused him.
Jay straightened. "I should go."
Yuri frowned. "Jay-"
"I'll text you later."
She turned toward the door.
For the first time in their relationship-
She didn't ask for permission to leave.
Some choices feel small in the moment.
A single step, a single breath. But they linger.
And sometimes, they are the first cracks in the foundation. The fractures that, one day, will bring the whole damn house down.Jay barely remembered leaving the dorm after confronting Yuri. Her feet carried her through campus, past buildings she barely registered, past people who blurred into the background.
The weight of everything-the manipulation, the gaslighting, the months she had wasted believing she wasn't enough-sat heavy on her chest.
And there was only one person she wanted to see.
She hesitated outside Keifer's dorm, her heart hammering. It had been months since they were truly them. Since she had pushed him away, tangled in the mess of her own making.
What if he doesn't want to see me?
Before she could turn back, the door swung open.
Keifer stood there, dressed in an old hoodie and sweatpants, eyes scanning her with quiet disbelief. His face, usually laced with sarcasm, was unreadable.
Jay swallowed hard. "Hey."
He crossed his arms. "Huh. Look what the cat dragged in."
She winced. "Keif-"
He raised a brow. "Wait. Sorry. You must be lost. You don't talk to me anymore, remember?"
Guilt curled in her stomach. "I-"
"Hold up." He held up a hand. "I need a second to process this. You're actually standing here. Talking to me. Aftermonths of acting like I was optional?"
Jay's throat tightened. "I was never-"
"Oh, so you weren't avoiding me? Good to know! I must have imagined the way you bailed every time I tried to check on you."
Jay opened her mouth, but no words came.
Keifer's voice softened just slightly. "You shut me out, Jay."
Her vision blurred. "I know."
For the first time since leaving Yuri, her chest cracked open.
"I was stupid," she whispered. "And selfish. And I hurt you."
Keifer exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. You did."Tears welled in her eyes. "I-I thought I had to handle everything alone. I thought if I admitted how much I was struggling, it'd mean I was weak."
Keifer's gaze flickered, his shoulders losing some of their tension.
She sniffed, voice shaking. "But you were always there. And I pushed you away anyway."
Silence stretched between them.
Jay wiped her eyes quickly. "You probably hate me."
Keifer let out a sharp breath. "God, you're dramatic."
She blinked. "What?"
His lips twitched. "I mean, sure, I considered blocking you and changing my name to something ridiculous like Kevin just to spite you. But hate you?
No."
A watery laugh bubbled out of her. "Kevin?"
Keifer shrugged. "What? It's a solid fake identity."
Jay shook her head, more tears spilling. "I don't deserve you."
Keifer sighed, stepping closer. "Nah, you don't."
Jay let out a choked laugh. "Wow, okay."
He rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up. You're my idiot. Just... a really emotionally constipated one."
She let out a shaky breath, then-before she could talk herself out of it-launched herself into his arms.
Keifer stiffened for half a second, caught off guard. But then-just as
quickly-his arms wrapped around her, strong and sure, pulling her in like she had never left.
She melted into him, gripping the back of his hoodie like it was the only thing keeping her upright. His warmth surrounded her, steady and solid, grounding her in a way she hadn't felt in months. The scent of worn cotton and something inherently Keifer filled her senses, familiar and safe.
Her breath hitched. "I missed you."
His voice dropped, softer now. "I know."
Sobs wracked her body, muffled against his chest. She clung tighter, her fingers curling into the fabric, as if letting go meant losing this moment-losing him-all over again.
Keifer let out a soft sigh, his hand coming up to cradle the back of her
head. He didn't speak, didn't rush her, just held her-his thumb rubbing slow, soothing circles against her shoulder.
Jay shuddered, feeling the tension she hadn't even realized she was carrying start to unravel. His arms tightened briefly, a silent promise, before he rested his chin against the top of her head.
"Okay, cry it out, drama queen," he murmured, voice gentler than before. "But just so you know, you're totally ruining my favourite hoodie."
She let out a choked laugh between sobs, her fingers still digging into the fabric. "Shut up."
He patted her back in that easy, familiar way, his touch both teasing and comforting. "No, seriously. It's vintage.
She sniffled, pulling back just enough
vintage.
She sniffled, pulling back just enough to glare at him through blurry eyes. "It literally just says NASA."
Keifer gasped, a dramatic hand over his heart. "How dare you. This is an iconic piece of fashion history."
Jay sniffed, wiping her nose with her sleeve. "You're such an idiot."
He grinned. "Yeah, but I'm your idiot."
Jay let out a weak laugh, her chest feeling just a little bit lighter.
Keifer ruffled her hair. "Welcome back, dumbass."
And just like that, she knew she was home.