Chapter 9: Crash. Burn. Stay.
They were back.
The trip was over. The storm had passed.
But Jayjay mariano still felt like something inside her hadn't settled since that kiss, since that dare, since him.
She sat on the passenger side of Percy's car, arms crossed, head leaning against the glass as they turned onto the wet streets outside school.
"I can feel your silence," Percy said, glancing over.
"Good. I hope it's making you uncomfortable."
He laughed. "You okay?"
"I'm always okay."
"Right. Says the girl who shoved Keifer into the pool then smiled when he pulled her in too."
Jay smiled in spite of herself. "I didn't smile."
"Jay. You smiled so hard it cracked reality."
She was about to fire back when the screech of brakes and blinding headlights cut her words short.
The world spun.
Glass shattered.
Metal screamed.
And then—
Nothing.
Hospital – Hours Later
Beeping.
That was the first thing Jay heard when she came to.
The second was pain. In her arm. Her ribs. Her head.
She winced, groaning softly.
And then—
"Jay?"
His voice.
She blinked.
The room swam into view. White walls. Blinking monitors. A bandage on her forehead.
And him.
Keifer watson.
Sitting at her bedside, hoodie pulled over his head, elbows on his knees, eyes red.
"What—" Her voice cracked.
"You were in a crash," he said softly. "With Percy. Wet road. Some idiot ran a red."
Jay blinked slowly. "Percy?"
"He's fine. Bruised. Concussed. He's at the room next door annoying the nurses already."
She exhaled.
Then panic hit her again.
"The ring—!" she gasped, trying to sit up. "Keifer—I lost the ring. I lost the engagement ring."
She looked up at him, wide-eyed. "I had it on—I—I can't remember, maybe it flew off during the crash—"
Keifer reached out, gently holding her shoulders so she wouldn't move. "Jay. Stop."
"I'm serious, Keif—"
"Do I look like I care about that ring?"
Jay froze.
He leaned closer. His voice was low, but not angry. Worried. Real.
"You almost died. You think I'm sitting here worried about a piece of metal?"
Jay's chest tightened.
"I'm not mad about the ring. I'm mad I couldn't reach you faster. I was five minutes behind Percy's car. Five. If I'd just—"
He swallowed.
Jay stared at him. "You were nearby?"
"I was heading to the store. I saw the crowd. The wreckage. Your hair. Your blood."
His hands were shaking now.
"I thought I lost you," he whispered.
She couldn't breathe.
This was Keifer.
And he wasn't smirking. Wasn't teasing. Wasn't performing.
He was just… there.
Raw.
"You're crying," she said.
He looked away. "Shut up."
Recovery – 3 Days Later
Jay's arm was in a cast. Her ribs hurt every time she laughed, which sucked because Percy refused to shut up.
But more than anything, her head was a mess.
Because Keifer kept showing up.
He brought her tea exactly how she liked it. Held her textbooks when she couldn't. Sat next to her on the couch while she watched movies she pretended not to like.
One night, as she struggled to open her water bottle with one hand, he silently took it, twisted the cap off, and handed it back.
Their fingers brushed.
Her heart skipped.
"You can go, you know," she said.
"I know," he said. But he didn't move.
Instead, he just… stayed.
Two Weeks Later – Her Room
Jay woke up from a nap on the couch to find a new ring box on her nightstand.
She frowned, opening it slowly.
Inside wasn't a diamond or anything flashy.
Just a simple silver band. Smooth. Minimal.
Engraved inside: Try again. We'll get it right this time.
She turned—and there he was, leaning on the doorframe.
"I didn't know if you wanted a replacement," he said, suddenly shy. "But I thought... if we're gonna fake this, might as well have something real on your finger."
Jay stared at him.
"That's the cheesiest thing you've ever said."
He smirked. "I've been practicing."
She slipped the ring on.
It fit perfectly.
And suddenly, her heart didn't.
"Keifer."
"Yeah?"
"I think I'm starting to forget how much I hate you."
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then smiled, that real, warm one she only saw when no one else was watching.
"Good."