Jay POV
The music from the party grew quieter as Matteo led me outside.
The garden lights stretched across the pathway, and the cool evening air felt nice after being inside for so long.
I crossed my arms.
"So?"
Matteo looked nervous.
That alone was surprising.
I'd known him long enough to know he was usually confident about everything.
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I've been trying to figure out how to say this."
I waited.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he finally sighed.
"Jay... I like you."
My eyes widened slightly.
Matteo laughed awkwardly.
"Okay, that sounded worse than I planned."
I still didn't say anything.
He smiled softly.
"I'm serious."
The smile slowly faded.
"I've liked you for a while."
The garden suddenly felt very quiet.
Too quiet.
Matteo looked away for a second before meeting my eyes again.
"I'm not trying to pressure you."
His voice was calm.
"You don't have to answer now."
I remained silent.
Not because I wanted to be rude.
I just honestly didn't know what to say.
Matteo nodded.
"Take your time."
Then he smiled again.
"A lot of time if you want."
I finally managed to speak.
"Matteo..."
He shook his head.
"You don't have to say anything."
He then started getting closer to my face.
Before I could react —
A voice came from behind us.
A familiar voice.
A very familiar voice.
"What is going on here?"
I turned immediately.
Keifer.
Standing a few steps away.
His expression was anything but friendly.
My stomach dropped.
Oh no.
Matteo looked confused.
"Keifer—"
Before he could finish, Keifer walked forward.
Fast.
Too fast.
He grabbed the front of Matteo's shirt.
"What exactly is happening?"
"Keifer!" I shouted.
Matteo immediately pushed his hand away.
"Calm down."
That was the wrong thing to say.
Very wrong.
The next second both of them were arguing over each other.
Then came a shove.
Then another.
And before I knew it, they were throwing punches.
"STOP!"
Neither listened.
Typical.
Absolutely typical.
I rushed forward.
"Are you both insane?!"
Another punch.
Another shove.
Neither of them cared.
At that point I was ready to lose my mind.
Luckily, I managed to get between them.
I pushed them apart as hard as I could.
"ENOUGH!"
Finally they stopped.
Both breathing heavily.
Both glaring at each other.
Keifer had a cut on his lip.
Matteo wasn't much better.
I looked from one to the other.
Furious.
"What is wrong with both of you?"
Neither answered.
"You're acting like children."
Still silence.
Keifer wiped the corner of his mouth.
His eyes never left Matteo.
Matteo looked guilty.
More guilty than angry.
After a long moment, he exhaled.
"Sorry."
Nobody spoke.
Matteo glanced at me.
Then at Keifer.
"I didn't mean for this to happen."
His voice was quiet now.
Sincere.
Then he stepped back.
"I'll go inside."
Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Leaving only me and Keifer standing there.
The music from the party drifted through the night air.
But neither of us spoke.
I watched Matteo disappear back into the building.
Then I slowly turned toward Keifer.
He was still angry.
Still staring in the direction Matteo had gone.
And somehow...
I had a feeling this conversation was only getting started.
End of Chapter 117