JAY POV The bus had barely left the university, and I was already tired.
Everyone was excited.
People were talking loudly, laughing, changing seats, taking pictures, and arguing about who was sitting where.
I was sitting beside Kiefer.
He looked way too excited for someone who had to spend hours sitting on a bus.
“You know this trip is seven days, right?” I asked.
“I know.” he said “And we’re going to be stuck on this bus for hours.” i said “I know.” he said “Then why are you smiling like that?” i asked He looked at me.
“Because you’re sitting next to me.” he said I rolled my eyes.
“You’re so cheesy.” i said He laughed.
The road ahead was long.
The destination was really far, so we knew we’d be on the bus for most of the day and probably into the night.
At first, we talked about everything.
The trip.
University.
Our classes.
Our friends.
Random things that didn’t even matter.
Kiefer kept making stupid jokes just to make me laugh.
Sometimes I’d tell him to stop, and he’d do it for about two minutes before starting again.
I don’t even know how many times I laughed that day.
At some point, we started talking about what we wanted to do when we got there.
“I want to see everything,” I said.
“Everything?” he said “Everything.” i said He smiled.
“Then I’ll take you everywhere.”he said I looked at him.
“You better.” i said “I will.” he said The hours passed slowly, but somehow I didn’t mind.
Every time I thought the ride was getting boring, Kiefer would start another conversation.
We talked until our voices became quieter.
Then we talked less.
I looked out the window for a while.
The sky outside had become darker.
Most people on the bus were starting to get tired.
Some were already asleep.
I rested my head against the seat.
Kiefer looked at me.
“Tired?” he asked “A little.” i said “Sleep.” he said “I’m not sleepy.” i said He raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been yawning for the last twenty minutes.” he said “I have not.” i said “You just did.”he said I laughed quietly.
“Okay, maybe I am.” i said I adjusted my seat and closed my eyes for a moment.
I don’t even remember exactly when I fell asleep.
I just remember feeling warm.
And safe.
LILY’S POV The bus had been driving for hours.
At first, I tried to enjoy the trip.
Ella and Sophia were talking beside me.
Everyone was excited.
People were laughing and taking pictures.
But as the hours passed, I became quieter.
I looked out the window.
It was dark outside now.
Most of the lights inside the bus were turned down, and almost everyone was either sleeping or talking quietly.
I couldn’t sleep.
My mind wouldn’t let me.
I shifted in my seat and looked around.
That’s when I saw them.
Kiefer and Jay.
Jay was asleep.
Her head was resting against Kiefer’s shoulder.
She was holding onto him loosely, almost like she had fallen asleep without even realizing it.
Kiefer was awake.
He looked down at her.
And he smiled.
That smile.
The one he only seemed to have when he looked at her.
I stared at them.
I shouldn’t have.
I knew I shouldn’t.
But I couldn’t look away.
Jay moved slightly in her sleep and leaned closer to him.
Kiefer carefully adjusted himself so she could sleep more comfortably.
My chest tightened.
I looked away.
Then, a few seconds later, I looked back.
Why?
Why was I doing this to myself?
I could have looked out the window.
I could have talked to Ella.
I could have slept.
But instead, I was sitting there watching the person I wanted most in the world hold someone else.
I swallowed.
Seven days.
We hadn’t even reached the destination yet.
And already, I was hurting.
I looked down at my hands.
They weren’t shaking this time.
But my chest still felt heavy.
I tried telling myself that it didn’t matter.
Kiefer had chosen Jay.
He loved her.
That was the truth.
I knew it.
Everyone knew it.
So why couldn’t I accept it?
I looked at them one more time.
Jay was still sleeping against him.
Kiefer was looking out the window now, one hand resting near hers.
They looked so comfortable together.
So natural.
Like they belonged beside each other.
I turned my face toward the window.
I didn’t want to watch anymore.
But my mind had already memorized the image.
And somehow, I knew I was going to think about it for the rest of the night.