A Few Days Later – University Campus
Jay was walking to class when she saw someone crying behind a tree.
She stopped. It was Grace.
Jay walked closer slowly. "Grace? Are you okay?"
Grace looked up. Her eyes were red and puffy. Her face was pale.
"Jay?" Grace wiped her eyes quickly. "I'm fine. Go away."
Jay didn't move. "You're not fine. Talk to me."
Grace looked around. No one was near. She took a deep breath.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered.
Jay's eyes went wide. "What?"
Grace started crying again. "I just found out. I don't know what to do. My parents will kill me. The school will kick me out. And Denzel... he doesn't even know."
Jay's heart hurt for her. She grabbed Grace's hand. "Does Denzel love you?"
Grace nodded. "Yes. But he's poor. He can't support a baby. And I'm rich. My family will never accept him."
Jay held her hand tight. "First, breathe. Second, you need to tell Denzel. He deserves to know."
Grace shook her head. "I can't. He'll feel forced to stay with me."
Jay looked at her seriously. "Grace. If he loves you, he will stay because he wants to. Not because he feels forced."
Grace was quiet for a long time.
Then she nodded slowly. "Okay. I'll tell him."
Jay smiled. "Good. And I'll be there if you need me."
Grace hugged her tight. "Thank you, Jay. Thank you so much."
Later – Behind the Gym
Jay found Denzel sitting alone. He looked sad. He was always sad lately.
Jay sat next to him. "Hey Denzel."
Denzel looked up. "Hey Jay."
Jay took a deep breath. "Grace needs to talk to you. It's important."
Denzel's face changed. "Is she okay? Is she hurt?"
Jay shook her head. "She's not hurt. But she needs you. Be kind to her, okay? No matter what she says."
Denzel looked scared. But he nodded. "Okay. Where is she?"
Jay pointed. "Behind the old building. She's waiting."
Denzel ran.
Jay watched him go. She prayed everything would be okay.
Behind the Old Building
Grace was pacing. Her hands were shaking.
Denzel ran up. "Grace! What's wrong? Jay said you needed me!"
Grace stopped. She looked at him. Her eyes filled with tears.
"Denzel... I have to tell you something."
Denzel stepped closer. "Anything. You can tell me anything."
Grace took his hands. They were shaking.
"I'm pregnant," she whispered.
Denzel froze. His face went white.
Grace started crying. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I understand if you want to leave. I know you're poor and a baby makes everything harder. I—"
Denzel pulled her into a tight hug.
"Don't," he said softly. "Don't say sorry. Don't say I'll leave."
Grace cried into his chest. "But your future—"
Denzel held her tighter. "My future is with you. I don't care if I'm poor. I don't care if it's hard. I love you, Grace. And I'll love this baby too."
Grace looked up. "Really?"
Denzel wiped her tears. "Really. We'll figure it out together. Okay?"
Grace nodded, crying and smiling. "Okay."
They kissed. It was soft and sweet.
From a Distance
Jay watched from behind a tree. She smiled big.
Then she felt someone behind her.
She turned. Keifer was standing there. Watching her.
"How long have you been there?" Jay whispered.
Keifer shrugged. "Long enough."
Jay looked back at Denzel and Grace. They were still hugging.
"I'm glad they worked out," Jay said softly.
Keifer looked at her. "You did that."
Jay shook her head. "I just talked to them. They did the rest."
Keifer stepped closer. "You listened. You cared. You helped. That's everything."
Jay felt her face get warm. "Stop being sweet."
Keifer smiled a little. "No."
They stood there together. Watching their friends find happiness.
Keifer looked at Jay. Her face was soft. Her eyes were warm.
He fell in love with her a little more.
Later – Section E Hangout
Everyone was together. Denzel and Grace sat close, holding hands.
Ci-N noticed first. "Wait. Denzel and Grace? Since when?"
Grace smiled shyly. "Since today."
Denzel nodded. "We're together now."
Mayo gasped. "FINALLY! Jay helped, didn't she?"
Jay laughed. "Maybe."
Drew yelled, "ANOTHER BET WON! JAY IS THE LOVE DOCTOR!"
Everyone laughed.
Rakki smiled at Jay. "You're really good at this."
Jay shrugged. "I just want people to be happy."
Keifer watched her from across the circle. His eyes never left her face.
Percy nudged him. "Stop staring at my sister."
Keifer didn't look away. "No."
Percy sighed. "I give up."
Aries laughed. "Told you. He's got it bad."
Yuri nodded. "Really bad."
The sun set over the campus. Friends laughed together. Couples held hands. And two people kept looking at each other, knowing something was growing between them.
Something special.