University Gymnasium – Game Day
The gym was packed. Students filled every seat. Everyone was excited for the big basketball game.
Today was Keifer's team vs. another school. And that other school had Kiko.
Kiko was tall and handsome. He always flirted with Jay. It annoyed Keifer a lot.
Jay sat with Mia, Ben, and the Section E boys. Grace and Mica sat with them too. Denzel and Calix were close by.
Ci-N bounced in his seat. "I'm so excited! Keifer is going to destroy them!"
Drew nodded. "I bet 5000 pesos Keifer scores the most points."
Mayo grinned. "I bet 5000 pesos Keifer shows off because Jay is watching."
Jay's face turned red. "He does not show off for me!"
Everyone looked at her.
Kit laughed. "Sure, Jay. Sure."
On the Court
The players ran out. The crowd cheered.
Keifer looked up into the stands. His eyes found Jay immediately. He smiled a little.
Jay's heart fluttered. She waved small.
Then the other team came out. Kiko was leading them.
Kiko looked up too. He saw Jay. He winked at her.
Jay blinked. "Did he just wink at me?"
Mia nodded. "Yeah. And Keifer saw it."
Ben pointed. "Look at Keifer's face."
Keifer's smile was gone. His eyes were cold. He was staring at Kiko.
Percy, who was sitting with Aries and Yuri, noticed. "Oh no. Keifer is jealous."
Aries nodded. "This will be interesting."
Yuri grinned. "Kiko has no idea what's coming."
The Game Started
Keifer was on fire.
He stole the ball. He scored three pointers. He blocked shots. He ran faster than everyone.
The crowd went wild.
Ci-N screamed, "THAT'S OUR BOY!"
Drew yelled, "HE'S A BEAST!"
Even quiet Josh clapped hard.
Jay watched with wide eyes. She didn't know Keifer was this good. He moved like water. Fast and smooth.
Every time he scored, he looked at Jay.
Every. Single. Time.
Mia grabbed Jay's arm. "He's looking at you! After every basket!"
Jay's face was burning. "I see that!"
Ben laughed. "He's showing off. Just like Mayo said."
Half Time
Keifer's team was winning by a lot.
During the break, Kiko walked over to where Jay was sitting. He smiled his charming smile.
"Hey pretty girl," Kiko said. "Enjoying the game?"
Jay nodded. "It's a good game."
Kiko leaned closer. "You should cheer for me next time. I'm better than Keifer."
Before Jay could answer, a voice cut through.
"She's good where she is."
Keifer stood there. Sweaty from the game. Looking cold and dangerous.
Kiko turned. "Watson. Playing well today."
Keifer stepped closer to Jay. "Stay away from her."
Kiko laughed. "Why? Is she yours?"
Keifer didn't answer. He just looked at Kiko with cold eyes.
Kiko held up his hands. "Okay okay. I'm going." He walked away, but he glanced back at Jay. "See you around, pretty."
Keifer's jaw tightened.
Second Half
Keifer played even harder.
He scored again and again. His team crushed the other school.
Every time Kiko tried to talk to Jay from the court, Keifer stole the ball from him.
Every. Single. Time.
Percy laughed hard. "He's not letting Kiko breathe!"
Aries nodded. "Jealous Keifer is scary but funny."
Yuri grinned. "Kiko can't even look at Jay without Keifer attacking."
After the Game
Keifer's team won. Big time.
The crowd cheered. Players shook hands.
Kiko tried to talk to Jay one more time. But Percy, Aries, and Yuri blocked him.
Percy smiled sweetly. "Where are you going?"
Kiko frowned. "To talk to Jay."
Aries crossed his arms. "No."
Yuri stood beside them. "She's busy."
Kiko looked at the three of them. Big, strong, and not moving.
He sighed. "Fine. I get it." He walked away.
Percy high-fived Aries and Yuri. "Teamwork!"
Jay Found Keifer
Jay pushed through the crowd. She found Keifer sitting on a bench, drinking water.
She sat next to him. "Hey."
Keifer looked at her. "Hey."
Jay smiled. "You were amazing. I didn't know you were that good."
Keifer's ears turned red. "Thanks."
Jay bumped his shoulder. "And I saw you looking at me. After every basket."
Keifer looked away. "No I didn't."
Jay laughed. "Yes you did. It was cute."
Keifer looked back at her. "Cute?"
Jay nodded. "Really cute."
Keifer smiled. That real smile. "Kiko kept looking at you. I didn't like it."
Jay tilted her head. "Jealous?"
Keifer didn't answer. But his face said everything.
Jay felt warm inside. "You don't have to be jealous. I only look at you."
Keifer's heart stopped. "Really?"
Jay nodded. "Really."
They sat there. Close together. The crowd cheered in the background. But they only saw each other.
Percy watched from far away. He sighed. "They're so in love it's painful."
Aries nodded. "Yeah. But it's kind of nice."
Yuri smiled. "Good for them."
The sun set over the gym. Two hearts beat closer than ever.