The rain started without warning.
One second the evening was loud with music and chatter, the next the sky cracked open like it had been waiting all day. Students screamed and scattered, running toward the cabins, laughter echoing through the mist.
Jay froze under the sudden downpour.
Before she could even react, Keifer's hand was on her wrist.
"Move," he said, already pulling her with him.
They ran—feet slipping, clothes soaking—until they reached their cabin. The same one. The one they'd been sharing the entire trip, much to everyone's curiosity and Ella's silent irritation.
Keifer slammed the door shut behind them.
Rain hammered against the windows. The world outside blurred into silver streaks.
Jay laughed breathlessly, hair plastered to her face. "We're drenched."
Keifer didn't laugh.
He just stared.
Her kurti clung to her skin, rain-darkened, droplets sliding down her neck. His jaw tightened like he was physically restraining himself.
Without a word, he pulled his hoodie over his head and held it out.
"Wear this."
She raised an eyebrow. "And you?"
"I'll survive."
She slipped it on anyway. It swallowed her—his scent everywhere, warmth seeping into her skin. She tugged the sleeves over her hands, instinctively curling into it.
Keifer exhaled slowly.
Bad idea.
The door creaked open again as voices passed outside—Ella and her friends, laughing too loudly, pretending not to look in.
They looked anyway.
Jay stepped closer to Keifer, almost unconsciously, the hoodie brushing his chest. He reached up, pushing damp hair away from her face, thumb lingering at her cheek.
"Keifer," she whispered, glancing at the window. "They can see."
"Let them."
That low, dangerous tone again.
Someone knocked. "Bonfire's starting outside once the rain slows!"
"Coming," Keifer replied, eyes never leaving Jay.
The rain softened into a drizzle by the time they stepped out.
Jay stayed tucked into his side, his arm wrapped around her shoulders, hoodie still on her. Students gathered around the bonfire, flames hissing as rain kissed them.
Ella stood opposite them.
Watching.
Her eyes lingered too long. On Jay in Keifer's hoodie. On his arm around her. On the way they leaned toward each other like gravity worked differently for them.
Ella whispered something to her friends. They laughed.
Jay stiffened.
Keifer noticed instantly.
"What?" he murmured.
She shook her head. "Nothing."
He followed her gaze anyway.
Saw Ella.
Saw the look.
And something in him snapped—quietly, deliberately.
Keifer turned, cupped Jay's face in his hands, thumbs brushing her jaw.
"Hey," she breathed, startled. "What are you—"
He kissed her.
Not rushed.
Not hidden.
Not shy.
A slow, claiming kiss, right there by the firelight, rain misting the air, his hands steady and sure. Jay melted into him, fingers gripping his hoodie like it anchored her to the ground.
The world went silent.
When he pulled back, his forehead rested against hers.
"You're with me," he said softly. "I don't hide that."
Jay smiled—small, real—and kissed him back once more, just as sweet.
Across the fire, Ella looked away.
Her friends stopped laughing.
And everyone else finally understood what Ella already hated to admit—
Their chemistry wasn't accidental.
It wasn't fragile.
And it sure as hell wasn't going anywhere.