Chapter 6
The Night He Looked At Me Differently
Second year.
Everything felt normal.
Classes.
Friends.
Laughter.
And him.
Still the same.
Stranger in daylight.
Something else at night.
But that day…
was different.
Freshers party.
The whole college was excited.
Music.
Lights.
Noise.
Ella was dragging me everywhere.
"Jay! Hurry up, we're getting late!"
"I'm coming!"
"Wear something nice!"
"I am!"
"No, like… really nice."
I frowned.
"What does that even mean?"
She smirked.
"It means… he's going to be there."
I froze.
"Ella…"
"What?"
"Stop."
She just laughed.
But still…
I stood in front of the mirror longer than usual.
Fixing my hair.
Adjusting my dress.
Looking at myself…
again…
and again.
"Why am I even doing this…?"
I whispered.
But deep inside…
I knew.
The party was loud.
Too loud.
Lights flashing.
Music blasting.
People everywhere.
I walked in with Ella.
Trying to act normal.
But my eyes…
were searching.
I hated that.
"Stop looking for him," I told myself.
"I'm not."
"Liar."
And then…
I saw him.
Standing with his friends.
Calm as always.
Unbothered.
But the moment…
his eyes landed on me—
Everything changed.
He didn't look away.
Not this time.
He just…
stared.
And for the first time…
I felt it.
His gaze wasn't normal.
It was slow.
Deep.
Like he was seeing me…
for the first time.
My heart started racing.
"Jay… why are you standing like that?"
Ella whispered.
I didn't answer.
Because I couldn't.
He was still looking.
And I couldn't look away.
Then slowly…
very slowly…
he started walking towards me.
Each step making my heartbeat louder.
"Hi."
That's all he said.
But his eyes…
never left mine.
"Hi…"
I replied softly.
Silence.
For a moment…
everything around us faded.
Then he spoke again.
"You look…"
Pause.
I waited.
"…different."
I frowned slightly.
"Different?"
He nodded.
"…good different."
My breath caught.
I looked away instantly.
"Thanks."
Ella, who was standing behind me, almost exploded.
"I'LL LEAVE YOU TWO—"
"ELLA NO—"
Too late.
She was gone.
I glared at her back.
"Your friend is annoying."
he said calmly.
"She is."
"But she's not wrong."
I blinked.
"What?"
He stepped a little closer.
"You did get ready for someone."
My heart skipped.
"I didn't."
"Hmm…"
He tilted his head slightly.
"Then why are you nervous?"
"I'm not!"
"Your hands are shaking."
I froze.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"Keifer—"
"Come."
Before I could react…
he gently held my wrist.
Not tight.
Just enough.
And pulled me away from the crowd.
My heart was racing.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere quiet."
We stopped near a dimly lit corner.
Away from everyone.
Silence.
I could hear my own heartbeat.
And his.
Maybe.
He looked at me again.
Softer this time.
"What?"
I asked.
"Nothing."
"Then stop staring."
"Can't."
My breath hitched.
"Why?"
"Because you look good."
I looked away quickly.
"Shut up."
"Make me."
I rolled my eyes.
But I was smiling.
Then suddenly…
I said—
"Wait."
He paused.
I took my phone out.
"Stand here."
He frowned slightly.
"Why?"
"Just stand."
He listened.
I moved closer.
Too close.
My shoulder almost touching his.
"Jay—"
"Shhh."
I raised my phone.
And clicked.
A photo.
Us.
Together.
Our first.
I looked at the screen.
And smiled.
He leaned slightly closer.
Looking at it.
"…send it to me."
I nodded.
"Why do you want it?"
He looked at me.
"…because it's with you."
My heart fluttered again.
That same feeling.
Soft.
Warm.
Dangerous.
I didn't say anything.
But I saved that picture.
Carefully.
Because I didn't know then…
That one day…
this simple photo…
would become something I'd hold onto…
when everything else was gone.
To be continued… 😏💔