It happened the next afternoon.
Games were planned near the lake—teams, laughter, harmless flirting disguised as fun. Jay was tying her hair when she noticed it.
A girl from another department—too close to Keifer. Laughing too loud. Touching his arm like it belonged to her.
Keifer didn't encourage it.
But he didn't shut it down fast enough either.
Jay watched from a distance, expression calm, almost bored.
Ella noticed too.
Of course she did.
She drifted closer to Jay, arms crossed, a smile sharp enough to cut.
"Funny," Ella said lightly, "how attention shifts so quickly."
Jay didn't look at her. Just nodded once.
"Mm."
Ella frowned. "You're… not bothered?"
Jay finally turned, eyes steady.
"Why would I be?"
That answer unsettled her more than anger ever could.
Keifer felt it before he saw it.
That absence.
Jay wasn't near him anymore.
He turned—searching instinctively—and found her walking toward the lake, hoodie sleeves pushed up, sunlight catching her face. Someone called her name. A guy—tall, familiar, harmless.
Jay smiled.
Keifer's chest tightened.
She laughed at something the guy said. Stepped closer. Listened.
Keifer excused himself instantly, jaw clenched, stride sharp.
By the time he reached them, Jay had already noticed him.
And she didn't step away.
Instead, she turned slightly—just enough to lean back against Keifer's chest.
His hands froze at his sides.
She tilted her head, eyes meeting his, voice soft but clear.
"You look tense."
He swallowed. "Jay."
She smiled sweetly at the guy. "We were just talking."
The guy glanced between them, suddenly aware.
"Oh—sorry. I didn't know—"
Jay turned fully then.
Reached back.
Interlaced her fingers with Keifer's.
And pulled him forward.
"I don't think you were confused," she said calmly. "I think you were curious."
Silence.
Ella watched from across the field, breath caught.
Jay rose on her toes and kissed Keifer—slow, deliberate, no urgency at all. Just certainty.
When she pulled back, she rested her forehead against his.
"Now," she murmured, "do you feel it?"
Keifer exhaled like he'd been drowning.
His hands came to her waist, grip firm, grounding.
"Don't ever do that again."
She smiled, eyes glittering.
"Then don't give me a reason."
Across the lake, Ella looked away first.
Jay didn't chase power.
She simply reminded everyone who already had it.