The atmosphere in the university's student lounge was already thick with the scent of rain and floor wax, but it turned suffocating the moment Cheska walked back in—this time with her "squad" in tow.
Cheska wasn't just any girl; she was the daughter of Don Alberto's closest business partner. In the world of Manila's elite, she was practically considered the "unofficial" Mrs. Watson.
"Keifer, love," Cheska cooed, ignoring the 'No Loud Voices' sign. She pulled up a chair right next to Keifer, effectively squeezing Jay to the very edge of the bench. "I told my dad you'd be at the country club this weekend. You're not actually going to spend your Saturday with tax codes, are you?"
Keifer leaned back, looking slightly annoyed but keeping his usual cool. "I told you, Cheska, I'm behind on my units. Jay is helping me catch up."
Cheska finally turned her gaze to Jay. It wasn't a friendly look. "Jay, right? You're so hardworking. It's almost sad. Do you ever go out? Or is your life just... books and being helpful?"
Jay's heart felt a sharp, unfamiliar pinch. Seeing Cheska's hand resting so naturally on Keifer's shoulder made something hot and uncomfortable stir in her chest.
Is this what jealousy felt like? She didn't like it. It felt messy.
"I enjoy my life, Cheska," Jay replied, her voice as smooth as silk. She offered her most perfect, radiant smile—the one that usually acted as an impenetrable shield. "Education is a privilege. I don't mind the work."
"How noble," Cheska sneered, turning back to Keifer.
She began playing with the drawstrings of his hoodie, whispering something in his ear that made her friends giggle.
Keifer didn't lean away, but he didn't lean in either. He caught Jay's eye over Cheska's shoulder.
He expected Jay to look annoyed, or at least a little bit bothered. But Jay was already looking back at her laptop, her expression as calm and sunny as a summer morning in Boracay.
Doesn't she care? Keifer wondered. He felt a strange urge to provoke her, just to see if there was a real person behind that smile.
"Actually, Cheska," Keifer said loudly, "Jay was just telling me she's immune to my charms.
Maybe I should spend the weekend studying with her just to prove her wrong."
Cheska's face contorted. "You're joking."
"Maybe," Keifer smirked, glancing at Jay. "What do you think, Partner? Should we study at my place this Saturday?"
Jay felt the "pinch" in her chest tighten. She knew Cheska was staring at her with pure venom.
Part of her wanted to say yes just to see the look on Cheska's face, but the louder part of her—the part that lived in fear—reminded her that she couldn't let anyone get too close.
"I have chores at home, Keifer," Jay said, her smile never wavering even as she lied. "But I can email you the notes."
"See? She's a bore," Cheska laughed, regaining her confidence. She leaned heavily against Keifer. "Come on, let's go to the cafeteria. My treat."
Keifer sighed, standing up. "Fine.
I'm starving anyway." As he walked away with Cheska clinging to his arm, he looked back at Jay one last time.
Jay was still sitting there, smiling politely at the group as they left.
But the second they turned the corner, the smile didn't just fade—it vanished.
Jay stared at the empty seat next to her. Her chest hurt, but she didn't know why. She forced herself to take a deep breath, clutching her bag tightly.
"Smile, Jay," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling. "Just keep smiling."
She didn't notice Sandro, who had stayed behind to grab his forgotten water bottle, watching her from the doorway. He saw the way her shoulders slumped and the way her "sunshine" died the moment she was alone.