Jay POV
By the time Mia and I arrived at the party, the place was already packed.
Music filled the air.
Lights decorated the garden.
People were everywhere.
Students.
Parents.
Family friends.
Even teachers.
It looked less like a birthday party and more like an entire festival.
I adjusted the gift bags in my hands.
"Remind me why we're here again?" I asked.
Mia looked at me like I was ridiculous.
"Free food."
I nodded.
"Valid reason."
We walked inside.
Almost immediately, I spotted familiar faces from school.
Groups of students were laughing, taking pictures, and running around.
Near the drinks table, I spotted Keifer, Yuri, David, Felix, Ci-n, Calix, Blaster, and the others.
Felix was talking so dramatically that everyone around him looked exhausted.
Which meant he was having a great time.
I smiled.
Then I headed toward the birthday twins.
Matteo spotted me first.
"Jay!"
He immediately came over.
I handed him his gift.
"Happy birthday."
He grinned.
"I knew you'd come."
"Your confidence is concerning."
"It's one of my best qualities."
"It's definitely one of your qualities."
He laughed.
Beside him, Matilda accepted her gift.
"Happy birthday."
"Thank you," she replied.
Short.
Simple.
Very Matilda.
After that, Mia disappeared somewhere in search of food.
I wasn't surprised.
I would probably join her later.
The party itself was actually fun.
There were games.
Music.
A photo booth.
Too many people.
And somehow Felix had already convinced half the guests to participate in some completely unnecessary competition.
I didn't even want to know.
A while later, I found myself standing near the garden lights.
For a few minutes, it was peaceful.
Then someone stepped beside me.
Keifer.
Of course.
"Escaping?" he asked.
"A little."
"Same."
I glanced at him.
"You don't look like you're escaping."
"I am."
"You look comfortable."
"That's because you're here."
I rolled my eyes.
He laughed quietly.
For a while, we just stood there watching the party.
Listening to the music.
Watching Felix lose an argument in the distance.
Which was honestly impressive.
Then Keifer moved slightly closer.
Not enough to attract attention.
Just enough for me to notice.
My heart immediately decided to forget how to behave.
Annoying.
Very annoying.
He leaned closer.
Close enough that only I could hear him.
"Jay."
"Hm?"
His voice softened.
"I love you."
My brain stopped working.
Completely.
Gone.
Finished.
I stared at him.
He smiled.
Actually smiled.
The kind that rarely appeared.
The real one.
Then he added quietly,
"I'll love you till scientists find the end of the world."
For a second, I forgot how to breathe.
My face felt warm.
Very warm.
Dangerously warm.
I immediately looked away.
Which only made him laugh.
"You're blushing."
"I am not."
"You are."
"I am not."
"You definitely are."
I wanted the ground to open and swallow me.
Immediately.
Before I could think of a comeback—
"Jay."
A familiar voice interrupted.
We both turned.
Matteo stood a few steps away.
His usual smile was gone.
Not completely.
Just... smaller.
More serious.
He looked between us.
Then back at me.
"Can I talk to you?"
I blinked.
"Now?"
"Alone."
For the first time that evening, something felt different.
Not dangerous.
Just important.
I looked at Matteo.
Then at Keifer.
Then back at Matteo.
"...Sure."
Matteo nodded.
"Come with me."
And just like that, I followed him away from the crowd.
Away from the lights.
Away from the music.
With absolutely no idea what he wanted to say.
End of Chapter 116