Jenn returned to the mansion later that evening, her steps quieter than usual as she slipped into the kitchen for a glass of water. The lights were dim, the house settled into its nighttime stillness.
Alden stood by the counter.
For a second, she froze.
Normally, he would have looked up. Asked how her day went. Made a small comment, anything at all.
This time, he didn't.
He kept his focus on the cup in his hand, took a slow sip, and placed it back on the counter. No questions. No glances. No acknowledgment beyond the fact that he knew she was there.
The silence stung more than words ever could.
Jenn swallowed, grabbed her water, and left the kitchen with her chest tight. That hurt more than she expected.
⸻
The following morning came with unexpected joy.
Jenn was still half-asleep when the doorbell rang. Minutes later, Rosario stood in the living room, travel bag at her feet, cheeks flushed from the early train.
"Rosa!" Jenn squealed, rushing forward to hug her tightly.
"I missed you," Rosario laughed. "You look thinner. Mansion life stressing you?"
Jenn smiled, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
As they headed out together, Rosario glanced at her sideways. "So… Alden. How are things?"
Jenn hesitated. "We're… okay. I think."
Rosario raised a brow but didn't push.
⸻
At school, they sat together during lunch, trays pushed aside as Rosario leaned closer.
"You know," she said gently, "sometimes men don't listen to words. Do something small. Make him his favorite snack."
Jenn scoffed immediately. "No. Absolutely not."
Rosario laughed. "Why not?"
"I'm not trying to bribe him."
"But you care," Rosario said softly.
Jenn paused, staring down at her drink. After a moment, she sighed. "Fine. Maybe. I'll think about it."
That was when Jeff walked over.
"Hey," he said with a grin, bending down to kiss Jenn on the lips — brief but obvious.
Rosario's smile faltered for half a second before she masked it.
"I'll see you later," Jeff said, squeezing Jenn's hand before walking off.
As soon as he left, Jenn turned to Rosario. "About the exams… I think Jeff and I will be reading together."
Rosario's fork paused mid-air.
"Oh," she said, forcing a smile. "That's… fine."
But Jenn saw it. The stiffness. The way her eyes dropped.
"Rosa, hey," Jenn said quickly. "If you're not okay with it, tell me. I can talk to Jeff."
Rosario shook her head. "No, really. It's fine."
Jenn wasn't convinced — not even a little.
Before she could say more, Jovan appeared beside their table, holding two cups of ice cream.
"Delivery," he said casually, setting one in front of Jenn. "Your favorite."
Rosario's eyes widened. "Since when does this house come with ice cream service?"
Jenn blinked. "I didn't order this."
Jovan shrugged. "Doesn't matter. Enjoy."
As he walked away, Rosario leaned in, whispering, "Things really changed while I was gone."
Jenn smiled faintly, unaware of the truth.
Because across town, Alden had never touched the ice cream stand himself — but he had made sure it got to her anyway.
And that, quietly…
said more than he was willing to admit.
By the time they got back home, the mansion felt livelier than it had all day.
Jenn tied an apron around her waist in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up as she focused on the tray in front of her. The sweet smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies filled the air, warm and comforting.
Rosario leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching her closely.
"So," Rosa finally said, breaking the silence, "about the reading."
Jenn paused, spatula hovering mid-air. "I know," she said quietly. "We planned it together first. I didn't mean to push you aside."
Rosario sighed. "It just felt like… everything changed."
Jenn turned to face her fully. "You didn't. You still matter. How about this — you come with me to Jeff's place when we read. We'll do it together."
Rosario studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. I'd like that."
Relief washed over Jenn's face.
Just then, laughter echoed down the hallway.
Jovi, Jovan, and Marco walked into the kitchen like a storm.
"What smells this good?" Jovi asked dramatically.
Marco sniffed the air. "Whoever made this deserves an award."
Jenn smiled despite herself. "They're not for you."
Jovan was already reaching.
"Hey!" Jenn yelped as he grabbed a cookie and bolted.
"Oh no you don't!" she laughed, chasing after him.
Jovan zigzagged through the kitchen, dodging chairs. "Worth it!" he shouted, taking a bite mid-run.
Jovi laughed so hard he had to sit. Marco clapped. Even Rosario cracked a smile.
Jenn finally stopped, breathless, pointing at Jovan. "You're dead."
After the chaos settled, Jenn placed the remaining cookies neatly on a plate.
"They're for Alden," she said quietly.
The room shifted.
Marco frowned slightly. "I thought things were still… tense. Since movie night."
Rosario looked between them, confused. "Movie night?"
Jenn stiffened.
Jovi cleared his throat quickly. "I can take it to him," he offered. "You sit. Relax."
Jenn hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."
Jovi picked up the plate and disappeared down the hallway.
A few minutes later, he returned alone.
"So?" Jovan asked.
Jovi shook his head. "He said no."
Jenn's smile faltered.
"He didn't even taste it," Jovi added. "Though… the smell almost convinced him."
Jenn looked down at her hands, the warmth from the oven suddenly gone.
Across the hall, behind a closed door, Alden leaned against his desk — jaw tight, chest heavy — the scent of chocolate still clinging to the air.
He wanted to say yes.
But wanting wasn't the same as being ready.
And Rosa, watching Jenn's quiet disappointment, finally understood that whatever had happened that night…
had cut deeper than anyone realized.
________
Jeff hadn't been expecting Rosario.
When the door opened and Jenn stepped in — smiling, familiar, warm — his face lit up immediately. Then his gaze shifted slightly.
"Oh," he said, surprised but polite. "Hey, Rosa."
Rosario smiled. "Hi, Jeff. Thanks for letting me come along."
"Of course," he replied, stepping aside. "You're welcome."
They exchanged brief pleasantries before Jenn slipped out of her shoes, already at ease like she belonged there.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Carlos appeared, keys in hand. The moment he spotted Jenn, his face broke into a grin.
"There you are."
Before she could react, he pulled her into a quick hug. "Good to see you."
Jenn laughed. "You too."
Carlos grabbed his car keys from the table. "I'm heading out. Don't let these two distract you from studying," he added teasingly, already walking toward the door.
Jeff smirked. "No promises."
The door shut behind Carlos, leaving the room suddenly quieter.
Rosario moved toward the couch and sat down, placing her bag beside her. She watched quietly as Jeff turned back to Jenn.
He didn't hesitate.
His hands found her waist, pulling her in. Their lips met — slow at first, then deeper, familiar, like they'd been holding it in all day.
Jenn melted into him.
They forgot — completely — that they weren't alone.
Rosario looked away.
Her jaw tightened, but her face stayed calm. Neutral. Controlled.
She told herself it was fine.
She told herself she'd expected this.
Still, something twisted painfully in her chest.
Jeff finally pulled back, resting his forehead against Jenn's. "I missed you."
"I'm right here," she whispered.
He smiled, brushing his thumb across her cheek. "You look beautiful."
Jenn laughed softly. "You always say that."
"Because it's always true."
Rosario cleared her throat gently.
"Oh— sorry," Jenn said, suddenly remembering. "We should probably start reading."
Jeff chuckled. "Right. Before we fail everything."
They settled down, books spread across the table.
Jeff leaned close to Jenn, whispering explanations, teasing her when she got answers wrong, praising her when she didn't. Sweet words slipped out easily — natural, unfiltered.
"You're smarter than you think."
"See? I told you you'd get it."
"I like studying with you."
Jenn smiled at him, eyes soft.
Across from them, Rosario listened.
She followed along.
She answered questions when asked.
But inside, she was fighting a quiet battle —
one she didn't intend to win.
Jeff was mid-sentence when he caught it.
Rosario hadn't spoken in a while.
She sat across from them, book open, pen resting between her fingers — but she wasn't writing. Her eyes lingered on the page without really seeing it.
"Rosa," Jeff said gently, "you good?"
She looked up quickly. Too quickly.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."
Jenn smiled. "You sure? You've been quiet."
Rosario returned the smile, practiced and light. "Just tired. Early train and all."
Jeff nodded, but something didn't sit right.
A moment later, he stood. "I'll grab us something to drink."
When he walked into the kitchen, Jenn followed him.
"She's okay, right?" Jenn asked softly.
Jeff leaned against the counter. "I think so. But… she feels off."
Jenn frowned. "Off how?"
He shrugged. "Like she's here, but not really here."
Jenn thought of the kiss. The laughter. The way she and Jeff had slipped so easily into their world.
"I'll talk to her later," Jenn said. "Maybe I pushed too hard bringing her."
Jeff squeezed her hand. "You didn't do anything wrong."
Still, when they returned to the table, Jeff kept his distance just a little — no whispering, no teasing. He made sure Rosario was included, asked her questions, slowed the pace.
Rosario noticed.
And somehow, that made it harder.
They studied until the clock crept forward, the room filled with the sound of turning pages and quiet explanations.
Eventually, Jeff closed his book.
"That's enough for tonight. We'll fry our brains if we keep going."
Jenn laughed. "Agreed."
Rosario stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "Thanks for having me."
"Anytime," Jeff said sincerely.
As they stepped out into the night air, Jenn glanced back once — just once — and saw Jeff watching Rosario with concern, not desire.
And for the first time that evening, Rosario breathed easier.