JAY-JAY POV
The doorbell rang.
And for some reason...
my heart already knew.
I walked toward the door slowly.
Cin whispered behind me.
"...Why do I feel like something big is about to happen?"
Rory leaned forward.
"Because it always is."
I opened the door.
And froze.
Then—
My brain stopped working.
"...Adrian?"
He stood there.
Same calm expression.
Same soft eyes.
Same quiet presence that always made everything feel okay.
Robin popped out from behind him.
"Surprise."
Cyrus raised a hand slightly.
"Hi."
And then—
"ATE!!!"
Luka ran straight at me.
I barely had time to react before he jumped into my arms.
I caught him instantly.
"Luka?!"
He hugged me tightly.
"You didn't come to see us, so we came to you!"
My eyes widened.
Then I laughed.
"...You idiots."
Behind me, the entire house exploded.
"CIN, SIT DOWN!" Felix shouted.
"THIS IS NOT NORMAL!" Rory screamed.
Denzel blinked rapidly.
Yurii just smiled slightly.
Keifer...
was completely silent.
I didn't even look at him yet.
I was already walking forward.
Straight toward Adrian.
He looked surprised.
"Jay—"
I didn't let him finish.
I hugged him.
Tightly.
So tightly I almost forgot to breathe.
"...You scared me," I muttered.
Adrian paused for a second.
Then gently hugged me back.
"I'm here now."
"I hate surprises."
"I know."
"...I missed you."
His voice softened.
"I missed you too."
Something inside me finally relaxed.
Like I had been holding my breath for a month.
Behind us—
The chaos got louder.
"OH MY GOD SHE HUGGED HIM!" Cin yelled.
"THIS IS REAL?! THIS IS REAL LIFE?!" Rory shouted.
Felix covered his face.
"I want to leave this planet."
Robin laughed.
Cyrus looked amused.
Luka immediately started demanding snacks.
Then—
A shift in the air.
I slowly turned my head.
Keifer.
He was standing there.
Watching.
Very still.
Very quiet.
Too quiet.
Cin noticed immediately.
"...Oh no."
Rory whispered,
"Jealous mode activated."
I blinked.
"What?"
Keifer walked forward slowly.
He stopped a few steps away.
His eyes stayed on Adrian.
Then moved to me.
"...You're hugging him like that?"
I frowned.
"...Like what?"
He didn't answer.
Just looked away slightly.
Then back at me.
"...Never mind."
But I could hear it.
Even if he wasn't saying it.
It was there.
Jealous.
I sighed.
"Keifer."
He looked at me.
I walked toward him.
And lightly flicked his forehead.
"Idiot."
The room went silent.
"... PROFANTONY" he asked. HE WHISPERED IN MY EAR
"Don't start here please."
"I will claim it later."
"Whatever."
Silence.
Then—
Luka pointed at him.
"He looks jealous."
Keifer immediately turned.
"Don't start."
Robin gasped.
"HE GOT CALLED OUT BY A CHILD!"
Cyrus laughed softly.
Felix muttered,
"I can't believe this is my life."
I sighed.
Then smiled.
And before anyone could react—
I walked back.
And hugged Keifer too.
Just once.
Quick.
Simple.
"...Happy now?"
He froze.
Completely.
The entire room froze with him.
Cin looked like he had seen a miracle.
Rory dropped his phone.
Felix actually stood up.
Yurii blinked slowly.
Robin stopped laughing.
Cyrus raised an eyebrow.
Luka gasped dramatically.
Keifer finally spoke.
"...Do that again."
I pulled away immediately.
"No."
A small smile appeared on his face anyway.
"...You're annoying."
"You like it."
I turned away before my face got any warmer.
"Everyone shut up and come inside."
The room exploded again.
Laughter.
Shouting.
Running.
Chaos.
But behind all of it—
I felt something warm in my chest.
Because everyone I cared about was here.
In one place.
And for once...
I didn't have to miss anyone.
Not today.
Not right now.
And even if Keifer was still standing there like he was trying not to smile...
I knew one thing for sure.
He was happy too.
Even if he would never admit it out loud.