JAY-JAY POV
The silence after that moment didn't last long.
It never does in Section E.
Robin cleared his throat first.
Very loudly.
"…I feel like I just witnessed something illegal."
"YOU DIDN'T," I snapped immediately.
Cin was already filming.
"Too late, it's evidence."
"I WILL BREAK THAT PHONE."
"You won't," she said confidently.
"I might."
Rory suddenly appeared between us like a ghost.
"So… are we ignoring what just happened or—"
"Yes," I said instantly.
"No," Keifer said at the same time.
I turned to him sharply.
"…Excuse me?"
He looked calm again.
Too calm.
"Why would we ignore it?"
That question made everything worse.
Robin gasped dramatically.
"Oh my GOD, he's starting again."
Cyrus leaned back on the couch, amused.
"This is going to be a long day."
Adrian didn't say anything.
But I noticed he was watching Keifer and me closely now.
Too closely.
Luka, completely unbothered, pointed between us.
"You guys always look like that."
"LIKE WHAT?" I snapped.
"Like you're about to argue or not argue."
"…That makes no sense."
"It does to me," he said proudly.
Traitor child.
Keifer stepped a little closer again—not enough to cause chaos, but enough that I noticed.
I hated that I noticed.
Robin immediately pointed at him.
"DON'T YOU DARE MOVE CLOSER AGAIN."
"I didn't do anything," Keifer said calmly.
"That's the problem!"
Cin suddenly gasped.
"WAIT WAIT WAIT—GUYS—THIS IS CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT."
"No it's not," I muttered.
"It IS," she insisted. "They're in their 'awkward tension phase.'"
"I'm going to leave this house," I said flatly.
Rory grabbed my arm.
"No you're not, this is peak entertainment."
"I hate all of you."
Keifer finally spoke again, quieter.
"You always say that."
I looked at him.
"…Because I mean it."
A small pause.
Then—
"That's fine."
That made me blink.
"…What?"
Keifer shrugged slightly.
"You still stay."
The room went silent again.
Even Robin paused for half a second.
Then immediately—
"OH MY GOD HE'S RIGHT."
"I SAID STOP TALKING," I yelled.
But my voice didn't sound as strong as I wanted it to.
Because he was right.
I stayed.
I always stayed.
Cin leaned forward dramatically.
"So what now?"
Cyrus answered for once.
"Now they pretend nothing happened."
"Correct," I said immediately.
Keifer didn't disagree.
Which was worse.
Because instead of denying it…
he just looked at me.
Like he already knew pretending wouldn't work anymore.
And I hated that he was right again.
LATER THAT DAY
I was in the kitchen trying to breathe normally.
Alone.
Finally.
Until—
Keifer walked in.
Of course he did.
I didn't turn around.
"What."
He leaned against the counter.
"…You're avoiding me."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm getting water."
"You already have water."
I looked at my glass.
Paused.
"…It's empty."
Silence.
Then I heard it.
That small sound.
Not a laugh.
Not fully.
Just… him finding this funny.
I turned sharply.
"Stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Looking like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're enjoying this."
He tilted his head slightly.
"I am."
That made me freeze.
"…That's concerning."
He stepped a little closer again—but slower this time.
Not teasing.
Just natural.
"You're easier to read when you're flustered."
"I'm NOT flustered."
"Sure."
I glared at him.
"…You're annoying again."
A pause.
Then—
"Good."
That single word made my heart do something incredibly stupid.
I turned away quickly.
"…You need help."
"I know."
But he didn't move away.
And for the first time—
I realized something very, very annoying.
Keifer wasn't avoiding me anymore.
And worse…
I wasn't avoiding him either.
END OF CHAPTER 58 🌙✨