Jessica lay on her bed, alone in her room, her eyes locked on the ceiling above. She wasn't really looking at anything, not really. Just floating in the storm of her thoughts.
"Who does he think he is, huh?" she muttered to herself. "Just walks back into our lives like nothing happened… opens up like some kind of reborn saint?"
She scoffed, shaking her head.
"I don't believe it. I don't believe him. He's hiding something… hiding what he really is."
Her fingers gripped the sheets as the memory flashed again—his face, shifting into something inhuman. She still wasn't sure if she'd imagined it or not. She hadn't dared to tell anyone. Who would even believe her?
"But what was that anyways?" she whispered. "Could it be his ability? A side effect? Or… was I just imagining things?"
Jessica was conflicted, she remembered the speech Jayden had given the previous night. And a part of her wanted to believe him, to trust him again.
Then some memories began to resurface... memories of when she and Jayden were really close.
The games. The late-night laughter. The dumb inside jokes. The whispered secrets under blankets.
A bittersweet smile crept onto her lips as she remembered those moments... moments they spent together.
"Oh, God," she muttered. "Why did we have to grow up? Why did he have to push me away? Her throat tightened. "We had something together… something beautiful. And now? I'm looking at my old friend… like he's the enemy."
Her chest ached. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Why does it still hurt?"
Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes.
"Why do I still think about him?" She swallowed. "Do I still..."
Knock!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
She blinked, startled. Quickly wiping her face, she scrambled off the bed, her emotions hurriedly stuffed back into their box.
"Coming!" she called, voice tighter than she wanted it to be. She opened the door, expecting to see Tasha... but instead, she froze.
Her smile dropped. Her eyes narrowed.
"…Tasha isn't here," she said flatly.
Jayden stood there, hands tucked behind his back, looking like a boy caught between a smile and something heavier.
"I didn't come here to see Tasha," he muttered softly. "I came here for you,"
Jessica continue frowning, she was putting on a stern face. But the same couldn't be said for her inner self
"What the hell is he doing here!?" she pondered, clearly panicking. "And what does he mean 'Came here for me'?"
Her heart began to race for reasons she didn't want to acknowledge him. "Well, I'm fine. So..."
She began to close the door
"Wait! Wait... Can we talk?" he said
Jessica's frown deepened. "There's nothing to talk about.. Now leave me alone," she muttered and slammed the door in Jayden's face.. or so she thought
Jayden had caught the door just in time, putting his fingers by the edge. "If you want to close it now.. then do so. But know that you'll be crushing my fingers in the process,"
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "You think I care about your fingers?" she muttered. "Screw you."
She shoved the door harder, trying to press it closed, but just as it was about to make contact, she paused. Her hand trembled.
She couldn't do it.
Jayden chuckled. "Come on. Do it. I know you want to. I deserve it, don't I?"
Jessica looked up, startled by the weight in his voice. Her heart stammered. "Why is he saying that? What does he mean?" she thought
"Look, Jayden. I'm busy with... things. Please, just take your hand off the door,"
Jayden smiled, his expression filled with affection and hint of regret. He looked sorry.
Jessica saw his current facial expression and almost forgot to blink. "God, I forgot how cute he was... Damn it! What am I thinking? He's the bad guy,"she pondered
"Jessica, please give me a chance... I just wanna talk," Jayden said
But Jessica was adamant. "No!" she muttered and pushed Jayden away from the door. She had to, it was the only way she could close it without hurting him.
But before door could close shut, Jayden was already in front of it again. This time, shoving half of his body between the tiny space left for the door to close up.
Jessica saw the scene and almost laughed, but she held it in, only letting out a soft chuckle. "You really want to get yourself hurt, don't you?"
Jayden nodded. "If it'll get you talking to me again... then, yes," he said
Jessica sighed. "No means no, take a hint," she shook her head
Fine," Jayden muttered, stepping back... then casually lifted his hand, revealing two glowing blue joysticks.
"But I guess we'll never know who got better at gaming over the last five years…"
Jessica blinked, the sight hitting her like a wave. A dozen memories burst into her mind like fireworks.
Her breath caught. "Where… where did you get those?"
"I found it by a corner in my room," Jayden replied. "And it made me remember how much I loved playing games... especially with you,"
Jessica's stomach flipped. "Did he just flirt with me?"
He took a step forward. "So I figured, why not play a match? To know who's better. You know… like old times,"
Jessica smirked despite herself. "You're wasting your time. I'm better than you... and you know it,"
Jayden tutted with a doubtful expression. "Hmm, I don't think so, princess. Let's play a game and find out,"
Jessica's eyes widened. "Prin... cess?" her face went warm
"Unless... you're actually scared to play?" Jayden added with a smirk. "Knowing that I'm better than you... and you'd lose,"
Jessica scoffed. "Fine, you're on,"
She stepped back and opened the door fully. Jayden entered with a triumphant grin.
"Arigato." he muttered and took a seat on her bed
"Dō itashimashite," she replied, moving to the wall and tapping a small button. A large holographic screen shimmered into view.
Jayden smiled. "You still remember your Japanese," he said
Jessica set up the screen, operating the controls while smiling. "Of course, I had a good sensei," she muttered, remembering all the times Jayden would teach her Japanese just so they could both watch animes without subtitles.
"And I still wonder how that sensei already understood Japanese at the age of 11," Jessica added, and walked towards her bed and sat beside Jayden. She had already forgotten all about his transformation, forgotten her fear. Right now, she just wanted to play a game.
Jayden chuckled smugly. "I was just too awesome," he said, handing her one of the joysticks.
Their fingers brushed.
For a moment, time froze.
Jessica's cheeks flushed. She quickly snatched the joystick and turned her face away. "Yeah… you were," she muttered under her breath.
Jayden smiled wryly, shifting his gaze back to the screen. He scrolled through the game options with casual confidence. "Pick something. I'll let you choose since I already know I'm going to win."
Jessica snickered. "In your dreams, Private."
Jayden smirked. "Okay, Sergeant Major. Fortnite it is."
Jessica shook her head with a knowing grin. "Actually, let's start with Black Desert. I call dibs on Deadeye."
Jayden groaned. "You always call dibs on Deadeye… But fine. I'll go with Sage," he muttered as he loaded the game.
The match began. Within seconds, they were both locked in, immersed in the familiar rhythm of battle, laughter, and trash talk. The divine art of MMO gaming.
Minutes passed.
Jessica burst out laughing as her victory screen lit up. Jayden, on the other hand, wore a smug, defeated smile.
"Hahaha! You're no match for Deadeye," she teased. "And... no match for me. I win, which means I'm better. Admit it."
Jayden chuckled. "Hold your horses, cowgirl. We only played one match. Let's go two more. Whoever wins the most takes the crown."
Jessica leaned back confidently. She already had one win in the bag. "Alright. Get ready to lose."
Jayden grinned. "Okay, but let's make it interesting. If I win, I get to stay... and talk. If you win, I get out of your hair and admit you're better than me."
Jessica narrowed her eyes, sizing him up. "Fine… but if I win, you also tell me a secret. Something you've never told anyone."
Jayden nodded slowly, the grin still lingering. "Deal."
And just like that, it was game on.
Two matches later...
"What!?" Jessica gawked at the screen. "How? No way. You cheated!"
Jayden chuckled. The scoreboard didn't lie: two wins, zero losses. Both in under thirty seconds.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said innocently. "I won fair and square. You? Lost fair and square."
Jessica's eye twitched. "You're lying. I know you used a cheat code... admit it!"
Jayden raised his hands. "I didn't. I swear. I'm just… that good," he said, laughing louder.
Fuming, Jessica grabbed a pillow and slammed it into his face, only to end up laughing herself.
"I can't believe this," she groaned. "But I'm not admitting you're better."
Jayden shrugged. "I don't need you to. I know I am." He laughed again.
Jessica chuckled along, then found herself staring at him... his grin, his bright eyes, the boy she used to know.
"When last have I seen him laugh?" she thought. "Maybe he was telling the truth... maybe he has truly changed. What am I even saying? Of course he has...
"First he saved Cassandra... then stood up for me... then cooked dinner for everyone? Her thoughts swirled.
"Hey," Jayden's voice cut through, snapping her out of it. "You okay?"
"Huh?" she blinked. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."
Jayden smiled. "Good. Don't zone out on me—we still haven't started the main course." He selected a new game, one with a glowing coiled dragon on the title.
Jessica nodded and focused on the screen, then picked a character. One that read "Sonya Blade" underneath.
Jayden smirked, seeing her choice of character. Then he selected his as well. A funny looking shirtless dude in sunglasses with white hand wraps.
"FIGHT!" the game announced.
They both snapped into motion, thumbs dancing across buttons.
But then Jessica's voice came, quiet, uncertain.
"You said you... wanted to talk?"
Jayden paused, eyes flicking to her.
He smirked faintly. "Nice try. That won't work... I know what you're doing."
He knew Jessica was trying to distract him so she could win.
Jessica laughed softly. "Aw... come on. Is it that obvious?"
Jayden smirked. "Yes, it is. I was the one who taught you that trick, you can't outwit me. But... you were a good student," he smiled softly
Then... silence.
Jessica didn't reply, she had stopped pressing buttons. Her smile faded. Her gaze dropped.
And then, her voice broke the silence... barely a whisper.
"So why… did you push me away?"