Jayjay's POV
Break time at Hamilton always felt like organized chaos.
Trays clattering.
Students shouting across tables.
Someone laughing too loud for no reason.
And Section E?
We still owned our old cafeteria spot like it was reserved only for us.
I dropped my bag onto the bench beside Chantelle while Ci-n dramatically complained about his morning lecture.
"I swear that professor was speaking ancient Greek. None of that made sense."
David smirked.
"You say that every time someone uses big English."
Felix leaned back in his chair.
"Where's Kiefer anyway? Mr. Busy has been missing all morning."
Calix snorted.
"Probably with his shadow."
Everyone knew exactly who he meant.
Right on cue, Blaster muttered, "Does Sienna breathe without him these days?"
Ci-n laughed.
"Honestly! If Kiefer turns left, she turns left. If he blinks—"
The cafeteria door opened.
Speak of the devil.
Kiefer walked in.
And guess who was right behind him?
Sienna.
Felix whispered loudly, "See? Exhibit A."
I tried not to react. Tried being the key word.
Kiefer scanned the cafeteria until his eyes landed on us, then he started walking over.
My heart immediately forgot how to behave.
Relax, Jayjay. It's just Kiefer.
Just the boy who used to hold your hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
No big deal.
He reached the table…
And to everyone's surprise — including mine —
He pulled out the chair beside me and sat down.
Close.
Very close.
His arm stretched casually behind my chair, not quite touching me… but close enough that I could feel his warmth.
What is he doing??
Don't react.
Be cool.
Be very cool.
He didn't even look at me.
Instead, he turned to David.
"Did you review the shipping proposal I sent last night?"
Business?
Seriously?
David nodded immediately.
"Yeah. The numbers look good, but if we expand now, logistics might become a problem."
Kiefer leaned forward slightly, fully focused.
"We won't expand fully. Just test distribution in two regions first. Lower risk."
Adrian raised a brow.
"And funding?"
"I already spoke to honey," Kiefer replied calmly. "She's willing to back the pilot phase if we show projected returns within six weeks ."
David tapped the table thoughtfully.
"So we start small… build credibility… then scale."
"Exactly."
Ci-n whistled.
"Listen to you guys talking like CEOs during lunch break. Meanwhile, I'm just trying to afford extra fries."
Everyone laughed.
Even me.
For a second, it almost felt normal again…
Sitting beside him like this.
Like nothing had ever changed.
Then my phone buzzed.
I glanced down.
Yuri: Your boyfriend is so weird.
I nearly choked on my drink.
Boyfriend?? Weird??
I lifted my head slowly and looked across the table.
Yuri stared right back at me with the most innocent expression imaginable.
I gave him a small nod.
Agreement fully acknowledged.
Because honestly…
Why was Kiefer acting like this?
Close enough to confuse me.
Quiet enough to frustrate me.
Present enough to mess with my heart.
The conversation around us shifted into teasing and jokes.
Felix started telling an exaggerated story about Calix tripping in front of freshmen.
"I DID NOT FALL," Calix argued.
"You flew forward gracefully," Felix corrected.
Even Kiefer laughed at that — a low, familiar sound that did dangerous things to my chest.
Stop noticing everything about him.
Break ended faster than expected.
Students began clearing out.
I stood up, adjusting my bag.
"I should head to class."
Before I could take two steps…
I sensed it.
Footsteps behind me.
You don't have to turn around to know it's him.
Still…
I turned.
"Kiefer… you can go back to your class now."
He blinked once.
"I'm not walking with you. I'm going to the library."
Oh really?
I couldn't help it — I laughed.
His brows pulled together slightly.
"What's funny?"
"The library is on the third floor," I said sweetly. "This is the second."
Without missing a beat, he replied,
"Yeah. I know. I'm taking the stairs."
Right then, Chantelle popped her head out of our classroom.
"Kiefer… there are no stairs in front. You already passed them."
Silence.
Glorious, embarrassing silence.
For the first time in forever…
Kiefer looked completely out of excuses.
Ci-n would have fainted if he saw this.
Kiefer cleared his throat, turned around smoothly like nothing had happened, and started walking away.
But before leaving, he glanced back.
"Bye, Jay."
Soft.
Almost careful.
My stupid heart fluttered again.
Ugh.
The moment I stepped into class, Chantelle grabbed my arm.
"OH. MY. GOD."
"Stop yelling."
"He followed you!"
"He did not!"
"He literally forgot where the stairs were, Jayjay. The STAIRS."
I dropped into my seat, trying — and failing — to hide my smile.
"Maybe he was distracted."
"By what? Oxygen??"
I laughed despite myself.
Chantelle leaned closer, lowering her voice dramatically.
"You know what I think?"
"What?"
"He misses you."
My chest tightened.
Before I could respond, she added with a grin,
"And honestly… that man is down BAD."
"Chantelle!"
"What? Did you SEE his face when you laughed? If longing had a facial expression, that was it."
I shook my head, but warmth spread quietly inside me.
Maybe…
Maybe we weren't completely broken.
Maybe something was still there.
Or maybe…
We were just two stubborn people pretending not to care.
As the professor walked in, I found my thoughts drifting again.
To the cafeteria.
To how close he sat.
To the way he said bye.
Why are you confusing me like this, Kiefer…
And the more dangerous question—
Why do I still like it?