The energy in the MSU gymnasium was electric
. It was the first tune-up game of the season, and the bleachers were packed with students screaming for the Falcons.
In the center of the court, Mark Keifer Watson was in his element.
He moved like lightning, sweat glistening on his forehead, a confident smirk never leaving his face as he sank a three-pointer.
Jay sat near the top of the bleachers, tucked away from the crowd.
She had a textbook open on her lap, but she hadn't turned a page in twenty minutes. Her eyes were glued to the court.
Beside her, Bea was screaming her lungs out. "Go, Keifer! Grabe, he's so hot today, Jay! Admit it!"
Jay forced a giggle, adjusting her glasses. "He's a good player, Bea. That's all."
"Good player? He's the star," Bea teased, nudging her. "And he keeps looking up here. Don't tell me you don't feel the 'kilig' when he does that."
Jay didn't answer.
She did feel something, but it wasn't just 'kilig.' It was a heavy, sinking feeling in her stomach.
The game ended with a buzzer-beater from Keifer.
Immediately, the court was swarmed. A group of girls from the sophomore class rushed down, holding Gatorade bottles and towels. And right at the front was Cheska.
From her high vantage point, Jay watched as Cheska draped a towel around Keifer's neck.
She saw Cheska lean in close to wipe the sweat from his cheek, her hand lingering on his jaw.
Keifer was laughing, talking to Sandro and Paolo, seemingly unbothered by the crowd of admirers.
Jay's grip on her textbook tightened.
She felt a sharp, hot sting behind her eyes. Why does it matter?
she asked herself.
He's just a partner. He's the Golden Boy. He belongs to everyone.
But the memory of him sitting on the library floor in the dark, his voice soft and protective, kept playing in her head. She hated this feeling. Jealousy felt like a heavy stone she wasn't allowed to drop.
"I think I'm going to head out," Jay said suddenly, standing up.
"Wait, the game just finished! We're going to get signatures!" Bea protested.
"I... I have a headache, Bea. The noise is too much," Jay lied, her smile appearing like a reflex. "Tell the guys they did a great job for me, okay?"
She hurried down the back exit of the gym, wanting to escape before Keifer could see her.
But as she reached the bottom of the stairs near the locker rooms, a familiar voice stopped her.
"Leaving so soon, Sunshine?"
Keifer was leaning against the doorway, still breathless from the game.
He had ditched the crowd, and Cheska was nowhere to be seen.
Jay turned around, her "perfect" mask already in place. "Great game, Keifer! You were amazing. I was just heading home to finish our report."
Keifer stepped closer, his eyes scanning her face. He noticed the way she wouldn't quite look him in the eye. "You didn't stay for the celebration. Cheska brought treats for everyone."
"I'm sure she did," Jay said, her voice a little too high. "She's very... attentive."
Keifer tilted his head, a small, knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Is that a hint of salt I hear in your voice, Mariano? Are you jealous?"
"Jealous? Me?" Jay let out a bright, airy laugh. "Don't be silly, Watson. I'm just happy you have someone to take care of you so I don't have to."
The words came out sharper than she intended.
The silence that followed was heavy. Keifer's smirk faded, replaced by an intense, searching gaze.
"You're a terrible liar when you're mad, Jay," he said softly.
"I'm not mad. I'm late," she snapped, her smile finally faltering for a split second. "See you in class."
She turned and walked away, her heart racing. She didn't see Keifer standing there, watching her go, a look of realization dawning on his face.
He didn't care about the Gatorade or the cheers or Cheska's towels. He was only thinking about the way Jay's voice had trembled.
For the first time, Keifer didn't want to flirt with the campus—he only wanted to follow the girl who was running away.