(Keifer's POV)
She didn't move.
Not even when I got closer.
Still sitting there—
like the whole beach didn't exist.
Like the fight didn't happen.
Like she didn't walk away first.
Of course.
I stopped a few steps behind her.
Watched her for a second.
Phone in her hand.
Scrolling.
Too focused.
Too normal.
"…you're going to pretend I'm not here?" I asked.
"No," she said calmly.
Pause.
"…I'm choosing to ignore you."
Fair.
I stepped closer.
Sat beside her.
Not touching.
Not yet.
She didn't look at me.
Didn't move either.
Silence stretched.
Then—
"You're doing too much," she said.
Same line.
Same tone.
I exhaled lightly.
"Maybe."
That made her pause.
Just slightly.
Not what she expected.
"But you're doing too little," I added.
Now she looked at me.
Finally.
Annoyed.
"What does that even mean?"
"It means you act like nothing's wrong."
"Because nothing is."
There it was again.
"I'm not doing this again," she added quickly.
"Good," I said.
That stopped her.
Because I didn't push.
Didn't argue back.
Didn't say you're not fine.
Just—
sat there.
Quiet.
Watching the water instead.
A minute passed.
Maybe more.
Then she spoke again.
"…so why are you here?"
I glanced at her.
"Because you walked away."
"And?"
"And I didn't like that."
A pause.
She looked away again.
"…that sounds like your problem."
"It is."
Another pause.
Shorter this time.
The wind shifted slightly.
Her hair moved with it—
falling across her face.
She didn't fix it.
I did.
Gently.
Tucking it back without asking.
She didn't stop me.
Didn't react either.
Just watched.
"You don't have to prove anything," I said quietly.
There it was.
Not an argument.
Not a command.
Just… said.
She frowned slightly.
"I'm not proving anything."
"Then why does it feel like you are?"
No answer.
For once.
She looked away again.
Jaw tight.
Thinking.
Good.
That was new.
"I can handle myself," she said after a moment.
"I know."
That made her look back again.
Confused this time.
"Then stop acting like I can't."
"I'm not acting like you can't," I said.
A pause.
Then—
"I'm acting like you don't have to."
Silence.
Longer this time.
She didn't argue.
Didn't snap.
Didn't walk away again.
Just… stayed.
Her hand rested beside her—
close enough.
Not touching.
But not far either.
"I'm still mad at you," she muttered.
"Yeah."
"I mean it."
"I know."
"And I'm not forgiving you that easy."
"I didn't expect you to."
That earned me a look.
A small one.
Less sharp than before.
"…good," she said quietly.
Then leaned back slightly.
Not on me—
but not away either.
Somewhere in between.
And for now—
that was enough.
"I'm still mad at you."
"I know."
Silence again.
She didn't move.
Didn't come closer.
Didn't leave either.
Just sat there—
stubborn as always.
I looked at her.
She felt it.
"Stop staring," she muttered.
"Stop talking."
She scoffed.
"Make me."
There it was.
I didn't say anything.
Didn't warn her.
Just leaned in—
and kissed her.
Quick.
Clean.
Done.
She froze.
Then pulled back instantly.
Eyes wide—then narrowing.
"…what the hell—"
"Language."
A pause.
Then it clicked.
Her expression changed immediately.
"…no."
I almost smirked.
"Yeah."
"You did not just—"
"Say it again."
She made a face.
Full annoyance.
"You're so—"
She stopped herself mid-sentence.
Glared at me.
"…this is so unfair."
"Very."
"You made that rule."
"Yes."
"I hate that rule."
"Don't use it then."
"That's not happening."
"Then neither is this."
She rolled her eyes.
Hard.
"…you're actually the worst."
"Careful."
She looked like she wanted to say it again.
Didn't.
Barely.
"…I'm still mad at you," she repeated.
"I know."
"And this doesn't change anything."
"It doesn't."
A pause.
She looked away again.
Annoyed.
But she didn't move.
Didn't create distance.
Didn't leave.
Just stayed there—
choosing it.
Even now.