Chapter: "Do You Like Him?"
(Jay's POV)
I was avoiding everyone.
Okay fine.
Not everyone.
Just him.
Every time I remembered how Keifer's arm wrapped around my waist… how close he was… how he didn't let go immediately…
My brain stopped working.
So yes.
Avoiding was the only solution.
That's why I escaped to Section D during break to meet Mica.
She was leaning against the corridor railing when she saw me.
She squinted.
"You look suspicious."
"I almost died today," I replied dramatically.
She straightened instantly. "WHAT?"
I told her the whole staircase story.
The slip.
The fall.
The catch.
The… holding.
She didn't interrupt.
She just stared at me the entire time.
When I finished, she crossed her arms.
"How long did he hold you?"
"I don't know."
"Seconds."
"… Maybe five."
Her eyebrow went up.
"Maybe ten."
She gasped softly. "TEN?"
"Why are you reacting like that?!"
She leaned closer. "Jay."
"What?"
"Do you like him?"
My heart literally stopped.
"What? NO!"
Too fast.
Too loud.
She smirked.
"That was the fastest lie I've heard."
"I'm not lying!"
"Okay," she said calmly. "Then why are you blushing right now?"
I touched my face.
It was warm.
Great.
"You're overthinking," I muttered.
Mica tilted her head. "When he held you… did you feel safe?"
I paused.
Safe?
I remembered that split second when I thought I was going to fall.
And then his grip tightened.
He didn't hesitate.
He didn't panic.
He just pulled me back.
"Yes," I admitted quietly.
Mica smiled softly.
"That's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Because when a girl starts feeling safe around a boy… that's where it begins."
I stared at her.
"Begins what?"
She leaned closer dramatically.
"Feelings."
I immediately shook my head. "No. No way. He's annoying."
"You argue with him daily."
"Yes."
"You look for him in class."
"I do not."
"You get jealous when girls talk to him."
I froze.
She noticed.
"Oh."
I turned away. "That doesn't mean anything."
Mica sighed. "Jay. You don't avoid someone unless they affect you."
That hit.
Hard.
Because I was avoiding him.
On purpose.
Because every time he came close, my heart started acting weird.
And I hated that.
Before I could reply, we both heard a familiar voice behind us.
"So this is where you disappeared."
I turned.
Keifer.
Hands in pockets.
Looking at me.
Only me.
Mica's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"I'll leave you two alone."
I grabbed her arm. "NO—"
Too late.
She walked away, giving me a look that clearly said:
We're not done talking about this.
Now it was just me and him.
He stepped closer.
"Why are you avoiding me?"
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm busy."
"With what? Section D?"
His tone had something new in it.
Possessiveness.
I crossed my arms. "Why do you care?"
He looked at me for a few seconds.
Longer than usual.
"Because," he said quietly, "if you're going to fall again… I need to be there."
My heart betrayed me.
Again.
And from the corner of the corridor…
I could swear Mica was watching with the biggest smirk ever.