(Jay's POV)
By the time we got off the second ride, everything felt louder, brighter, and slightly out of control—in the best way possible.
Cin was still complaining about how he almost "died," Felix kept replaying the drop like it was some heroic moment, and Rory was laughing at literally everything. Even Josh had stopped acting calm and was arguing back properly.
I walked a little ahead of them this time, slower than before, letting the noise fade just a little.
"Running again?" Keifer's voice came from behind.
I didn't turn immediately. "I'm walking."
"Big improvement."
I glanced back at him. "You're still following."
"I never said I wasn't."
I rolled my eyes, but I slowed down just enough for him to catch up. Within seconds, he was walking beside me, matching my pace without even trying.
"You're not tired?" he asked.
"Not really."
"Liar."
"I'm not lying."
"You ran like you were being chased."
"That was fun."
"That was unnecessary."
I looked at him, raising a brow. "You still chased me."
"I had to."
"No, you didn't."
"Yes, I did."
"Why?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Just looked at me.
And that look—calm, steady, a little too knowing—made me look away first.
"…because you'd disappear," he said finally.
"I was literally in front of you."
"You weren't."
I huffed. "You're impossible."
"And you run too much."
"Only when I feel like it."
"Exactly my point."
I shook my head, trying not to smile.
"Okay, listen!" Cin shouted from behind. "Next is water ride."
"No," Edrix said instantly.
"Yes," Felix replied.
"No."
"Yes."
"I just dried my shoes!"
"No one asked your shoes," Rory said.
I laughed, turning slightly. "We're going."
"Of course you are," Edrix muttered. "You enjoy chaos."
"I enjoy fun."
"Same thing."
The water ride line was longer, but no one seemed to care. There was constant pushing, arguing over who would sit where, and Cin somehow managing to annoy everyone at once.
"I'm sitting in the front," he declared.
"No, you're not," Josh said.
"Yes, I am."
"No."
"Yes."
Keifer leaned slightly closer to me. "You're getting drenched."
"I don't mind."
"You will."
"I won't."
"You will."
I crossed my arms. "You say that about everything."
"And I'm usually right."
"Not this time."
"We'll see."
I turned away before he could see me smile.
The ride proved him right.
Obviously.
By the time it ended, I was completely soaked.
"Don't say it," I warned, stepping out.
"I didn't say anything."
"You're thinking it."
"I always am."
"Don't."
"I told you."
I sighed. "Okay, fine. You were right."
"I know."
"That doesn't mean you say it."
"I didn't."
"You were about to."
He smiled slightly, like he enjoyed this way too much.
We moved toward a quieter side after that, mostly because half of us needed a break and the other half were forced into it.
I sat down on a bench, pushing my damp hair back. The noise from the rides was still there, but softer now.
"You look like you just lost a fight with water," Keifer said, sitting beside me.
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"Right now, I do."
"You'll get over it."
"I won't."
"You will."
I looked at him. "You're very confident."
"I know you."
There it was again.
That tone.
Not teasing.
Not fully serious either.
Just… certain.
I leaned back slightly. "You think you know everything."
"Not everything."
"Then?"
"Enough."
I didn't reply immediately.
Because for a second, it didn't feel like a joke anymore.
Before it could turn into something else, Cin's voice cut through again.
"FOOD BREAK ROUND TWO!"
"Again?" Josh asked.
"Yes. Recovery is important."
"For what?"
"For surviving this group."
"That's valid," Felix said.
We ended up grabbing snacks again, standing this time instead of sitting. Everyone was talking over each other, laughing, arguing about which ride was best.
I wasn't even fully part of the conversation.
Because every time I looked up—
Keifer was already looking at me.
Not obvious.
Not intense.
Just… there.
Like he always knew where I was.
"Stop staring," I said quietly.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm observing."
"That's worse."
He smiled slightly. "You noticed."
"Obviously."
"Good."
I frowned. "That's not something to be proud of."
"It is."
"Why?"
"Because it means you're looking at me too."
I froze for a second.
Then looked away. "You're annoying."
"And you're smiling."
"I'm not."
"You are."
I took a bite of my food just to avoid answering.
He didn't say anything after that.
Didn't need to.
As the evening started settling in, the lights around the park turned on one by one. The noise didn't stop, but it changed—less chaotic, more alive.
We were still moving, still arguing, still laughing.
But somewhere in between—
it slowed down.
Not the day.
Just…
us.
And for once, I didn't feel like I had to keep up with anything.
Not studies.
Not expectations.
Not even him.
Because he was right there anyway.