Emerald braces

Chapter Two

Aurora's pov

I couldn’t stop replaying his words in my head—“I’ve missed annoying her”—as Layla and I barreled through the chaos of Ravenwood Pacific University’s crowded morning halls, praying I wouldn’t run into him again.

Layla left me at her locker, and I made my way to mine. My backpack slipped lower on my shoulder as I sprinted, sneakers squeaking against the polished floors. I rounded the corner too fast—and slammed straight into someone broad and solid.

“Whoa! Careful there,” a deep, teasing voice said, low and amused. I looked up and froze. The school’s star soccer player stood towering over me, one eyebrow arched, warm brown eyes locking on mine in a way that made my stomach twist. My notebooks scattered across the floor, and I scrambled to gather them, face burning.

"Oh my gosh! I—I’m so sorry!” I stammered, fumbling to collect my mess.

He crouched slightly, his fingers brushing mine as he helped pick up a notebook. That touch sent an uninvited shiver down my spine. “Late for class, huh?” he said, smirking, eyes glinting. “Or maybe just trying to run into me?”

I wanted to groan, to disappear, to scream—all at the same time. “I—definitely wasn’t trying to,” I said, voice squeaky.

“Sure,” he murmured, leaning a little closer, his presence impossible to ignore. “You’re cute when you panic, by the way.”

Heat flared across my cheeks. “Cute?!” I sputtered. “I’m not—”

“Relax,” he said, flashing that infuriating grin. “I won’t bite… much.”

I rolled my eyes so hard I felt them spin. My heart, however, refused to listen.

“I’m Jefferey,” he continued.

“I didn’t ask,” I replied, trying to sound tough, though my heart disagreed. “Anyway, thanks for helping me pack. I’m late!” I sprang off without waiting for a reply.

Jefferey kept his cool, hands in pockets, and smiled. “Pretty tough, huh? I’d see you again, cutie,” he called after me, even though I wasn’t there to respond.

A few girls in the hallway waved sexily, ready for a hug if he didn’t mind. But Jefferey only waved back, modeling his way to class.

***

In class, every eye landed on me as Mr. Peterson’s question landed squarely in my lap. I took a quick, deep breath and blurted out the answer before overthinking it. Relief flooded me when he nodded, letting me slide back into my seat.

Next class… Thank God, Layla. I practically skipped to my seat beside her, excitement bubbling in my chest. we both immediately buzzed with energy, whispering and giggling like we’d shared a thousand secrets already. Tiny eruptions of squeals and hand gestures filled the space around us, earning a few amused glances from our classmates.

When we realized they’d been paired for the upcoming assignment, the room practically lit up with our joy.

I leaned closer, eyes sparkling, a playful tilt to my head.

“Bestie,” I said, a mischievous grin tugging at my lips, “could you help me find my way around the sports unit? I want to play football for RPU, but I haven’t been able to figure it out these past few weeks. You don’t want me wandering off and getting lost, do you?”

I added a pitiful puppy-dog smile, almost pleading. Layla laughed—a warm, melodic sound that made even the stiff lecture hall feel friendlier.

It’s recess,” Layla confirmed. “Sure I’ll help you—but football?” She furrowed her brows, confused.

“Yes, football,” I whispered. “Since you relocated, I picked something fun to do… and I’m pretty good at it.”

Layla wondered how I would adapt to RPU soccer games. Thankfully, there was no queue for registration, which made it faster.

We both gathered their things to leave, the campus around us was alive with movement. students sprinting across the quad, the distant bounce of footballs hitting the turf, and the faint smell of fresh-cut grass mixed with cafeteria aromas. I imagined myself running across the field, the wind in my hair, football at my feet, and cheers echoing through the stadium. My pulse quickened.

Beside me, Layla clapped her hands together, eyes shining. “Don’t worry, girl, I’ve got you. We’ll navigate this place like pros. You’re going to crush it on the field!”

Gratitude and excitement surged through me. For the first time in weeks, the sprawling campus didn’t feel intimidating and annoying.

***

In the cafeteria, I grabbed a tray and quickly scanned the room. I piled on a turkey and avocado wrap, a small Caesar salad, and a slice of cheese pizza—safe, filling, and unassuming. Layla, of course, was already plotting her snack attack, sneaking a couple of sushi rolls and a chocolate muffin onto her tray with a grin.

"Try not to look like a deer in headlights,” Layla whispered, nudging me as we moved toward a table.

“Like I care?” I muttered, though my eyes betrayed me. Of course, he was there.

Jaxon. Shirt on today—but somehow, he still radiated effortless trouble, leaning casually against the beverage station, burrito bowl in hand, eyes scanning the room. Naturally, they landed on me.

Fragments of the girls’ whispers floated past my ears, teasing and annoying all at once. “My sweet boy…” “My crush…” “Jax, how about a one-night stand with you?”

I flared with irritation. Did none of these girls know the Almighty Jaxon Grayson? The RPU playboy whispered about every secret? Perfect jawline, stupidly attractive, walking disaster. He was every bad decision wrapped in charm and danger.

I thought back to Layla’s warning: the university was crawling with guys like him—jerks and heartthrobs I had yet to meet. Except… maybe the cute guy from that morning. He had been different, a fleeting distraction—but nothing compared to the storm that was Jaxon.

I shifted in my seat, irritation and awe twisting together. Somehow, he made every other guy I’d seen that day seem invisible, irrelevant, painfully ordinary.

He smirked. “Ah, the mysterious new girl,” he drawled, “Trying to avoid me already?”

Layla rolled her eyes. “Ignore him, Aurora. Just Eat and we get out of here.”

“Funny,” he added, raising a brow, “how your lunch always seems to be near me.”

I stayed silent until Jaxon slid into the seat across from me before I could protest, placing his tray deliberately close. “You know,” he said, leaning in slightly, “you don’t have to pretend I’m invisible.”

“My stomach twisted. “I’m not pretending, you dumbass. Preferable to have you invisible.” I snapped.

He smirked, glancing at me with teasing storm-grey eyes, biting his burrito.“Touché I’d hate for you to miss out on this view.” he teased

I groaned, wishing I could teleport out of the cafeteria. Layla giggled beside me. “Oh, this is going to be fun,” she whispered.

Lunchtime at Ravenwood Pacific University had officially turned into a battlefield—and Jaxon had already claimed the first skirmish.

Slowly, almost in slow motion, the guy I’d bumped into earlier appeared fully in view. His features sharpened with each step, and my breath caught. Something magnetic in his presence demanded attention, even without trying. A small, involuntary smile touched my lips. He walked with confident, model-like strides, cutting through the cafeteria’s noise until the whole room seemed to fade around him.

Across the table, Jaxon sank a little lower in his seat, feeling invisible. The girls behind him didn’t spare him a glance; their eyes were glued to the boy approaching me, as if Jaxon had vanished completely.

Whispers buzzed, excited and breathy.

“Wait… isn’t that Jefferey?”

"What’s he doing at her table?”

"Are they dating?”

"I wish I was the girl he’s going to.”

I barely heard any of it. My focus was on him—Jefferey—and the way his eyes were fixed on me alone.

Meanwhile, Jaxon, now suddenly invisible, sank lower in his seat, watching without a flicker of emotion, like he was a stranger passing judgment.

The way he sat still got some ladies attention that moment.

Jefferey appeared.

“Hey, I didn’t get your name. You ran off,” he said, flashing a smile with emerald braces.

I replied smiling,“Aurora Smith.”

He took my phone and saved his contact himself. “It’s Jefferey,” he winked, leaving the table.

Layla nudged me. “Girl… Jefferey? That's Hot cake!”

I laughed into her arms.

I turned to Jaxon. “You’re still alive?” I asked, sarcastically.

His eyes snapped to mine with dagger-like intensity, holding back an emotion too fierce to name. His composed, unreadable face made me choke on my water.

“What the hell, Jax! Quit staring!” Layla rolled her eyes.

He rose suddenly, chair crashing to the floor behind him. Conversations died instantly. He stuffed his hands into his pockets, jaw clenched, and stomped out—every step echoing what he refused to voice.

"Goddamit!” the girls echoed.

"Hmm, that's so cute of him” some were biting down their lips.

I groaned at their obsession with the silly playboy.