The day began like any other.

Or at least, as typical as it could be with Jordan by his side at all times.

Travis kept reassuring himself that he wouldn't let anything else bother him. Jordan wouldn't allow his foolish heart to flutter whenever he leaned in, nor would he let his chest feel warm every time he gave him that self-satisfied grin.

However, his heart was a traitor.

He heard it as he was exiting the restroom.

Jordan's buddies.

Their voices echoed in the empty hallway as they laughed.

"Dude, I can't believe he's still falling for it. Only a month and few weeks has passed"

"Isn't it? Travis is so strict, betting on him was the finest decision we've ever made."

“Jordan has him hook, line, and sinker. simple money.”

Travis stopped moving.

Every giggle that followed only served to make the words hurt worse.

A bet?

He felt a chill in his blood. The same heart that had betrayed him so often in recent days was now in excruciating pain.

Jordan.

The teasing.

The unexpected proximity.

The words that caused him to blush.

It was all a joke? But, what does he expect?

With his fist clenched so tightly around the strap of his bag that his knuckles went white, Travis staggered backwards. His chest was rising and falling too quickly, and his eyesight was blurry.

He wished to shout at them, break out, and confront Jordan's smiling face with the truth.

But after he eventually discovered Jordan...

He was not by himself.

In front of the school doors, Travis came to a complete halt. Jordan was chatting and chuckling with a girl while casually leaning against his vehicle.

Attractive.

Wearing a lovely cardigan and skirt.

With a grin that caused Travis's stomach to sink, Jordan tousled her lengthy, dark hair as she laughed.

He felt a break within.

With tears burning in the corners of his eyes, Travis held his chest. "Therefore, it's true..." he said, his voice faltering.

Before his heart broke any more, he spun around, prepared to flee and abandon everything—

"Travis?"

Jordan's voice.

A wave of fear washed over him. It was too late for him to wipe his face with rage. He was betrayed by his red eyes, quivering lips, and tears, all of which Jordan had previously observed.

"Hey, wait!" Jordan's steps thundered on the pavement.

Jordan grabbed Travis' wrist and twisted him around as he attempted to move more quickly.

Travis screamed and fought, "Don't touch me! Let go!"

With a mixture of puzzlement and pain, Jordan's face contorted. "What's going on? Why are you crying?"

“Like you don’t know!” Travis exclaimed, tears streaming down his face. Jordan just took hold of his other wrist and tugged harder as he yanked his hand back.

"Stop running away from me!" Jordan's tone was now urgent and harsh. Travis was pulled toward the vehicle by him before he could say anything.

"Leave me alone!"

"Only if you tell me what's wrong!"

After Jordan gave him a little push into the passenger seat, he got in the driver's seat and slammed the door. The engine sprang to life with a roar.

As he gazed out the window, Travis's chest rose and fell as he ignored him.

"Fine. If you won't talk here, then you'll talk at my place," Jordan said, his jaw clenched and his knuckles white from holding the steering wheel too tightly.

The vehicle drove away, leaving the school and Travis's shattered heart in its wake.

They had left the GIRL behind. Well, it's Steven, Steven Wallace Alvarez which was Jordan's younger brother wearing clothes that girls wear, paired with a wig and a light make up to enhance his features.

He could still picture the expression on Travis’s face, tearful and shattered, while Jordan embraced him. Now by himself, Steven observed them silently as the vehicle moved off, his fingers rubbing the back of his neck.

He let out a breath. Please… let everything turn out okay between them, he thought. A small, secret smile appeared on his face. “Good luck, brother,” he mumbled softly, sending good wishes to Jordan for bravery.

Lost in his own thoughts, Steven didn’t notice that someone else was there.

A sudden bright flash caught his attention—it was quick and lit up the corner of his sight. He turned his head, puzzled, and saw a person leaning casually against the wall of the gates. A camera sparkled faintly in his hand in the dark. Steven realized that he wasn’t just taking photos—he was recording a video too.

“Hello there,” the guy said smoothly, his tone revealing a hint of playful pride. His smile suggested he had something up his sleeve, as if he had already thought about how to use what he had filmed.

Steven tilted his head and remained calm, his face giving nothing away. One eyebrow raised slightly in quiet interest as he examined the stranger.

The man’s smile grew wider. He wasn’t just curious—he was genuinely fascinated.