Chapter 11: The Things We Don't Say
Jay's cast was the first thing everyone noticed.
Then came the whispers.
"She's back already?"
"I heard she was in ICU."
"Did you see that ring?"
"She and Keifer have been weird ever since the trip…"
Jay ignored them all.
Her ribs still ached when she walked too fast, and her fingers were stained with highlighter from trying to catch up on everything she'd missed.
But none of that compared to the look she felt from across the courtyard.
Keifer.
Sitting under the acacia tree, surrounded by people, soccer ball at his feet, laugh low and lazy—
—but his eyes?
Locked on her.
She adjusted her sling and kept walking.
Later – School Library
Jay sat alone at the back, math textbook open, but her mind miles away.
Someone slid into the chair across from her.
She didn't look up.
"Didn't expect you to come back so soon," said a voice she hated instantly.
It was Nico. Keifer's old teammate. Known jerk. Walking punchline.
Jay didn't answer.
He leaned in anyway. "What? Engagement not going as planned? Keifer getting bored of playing house?"
She stiffened.
"Did he crash the car just to get out of it—?"
The chair beside her scraped loudly.
Keifer.
His tone was ice. "Say that again."
Nico blinked. "Dude. Chill—"
"I said," Keifer growled, stepping between them, "say that again."
The table went quiet.
Jay touched Keifer's wrist, gently. "He's not worth it."
Keifer didn't take his eyes off Nico.
"You say one more word about her, and I will make sure you don't speak for a week. Try me."
Nico raised his hands, mumbling something and walking away.
Keifer exhaled slowly.
Jay looked up at him.
"You didn't have to—"
"I wanted to."
After School – Bleachers
They didn't say anything at first.
Jay sat beside him on the metal bleachers, feet swinging slightly, her cast resting on her lap.
"You didn't have to fight for me," she said again, softer now.
Keifer shrugged. "It's not fighting. It's... protecting."
Jay blinked. "That's the same thing."
He looked at her sideways, eyes gentle. "Not when it's you."
The air tightened.
Jay looked away. "People are still talking. About us."
Keifer leaned back, stretching his legs. "Let them."
Jay smiled faintly. "Since when do you not care about your golden boy reputation?"
"Since you kissed me."
She elbowed him with her good arm.
He laughed. "Okay. Fine. Since you punched me after kissing me."
They fell quiet.
Until Keifer asked, "Do you ever think about what we'd be like if none of this was arranged?"
Jay blinked. "Like... if we weren't engaged?"
"Yeah."
"Would we still hate each other?"
He thought for a second.
"I think," he said, "I would've fallen for you anyway."
Jay's heart thudded.
She looked at him.
He looked serious.
But before she could ask what he meant—
He stood up, hands in his pockets.
"Come on. I'll walk you home."
And just like that—
He didn't say it.
And neither did she.