Chapter 15

Chloe's POV 

We pulled into the gravel parking lot of the retro diner across town, my heart was beating so fast I could feel it pulsing in my ears.

"Here we are," Jax said, killing the engine and turning to look at me. "Far enough from Northview that we don't have to deal with anyone's drama."

"It's perfect," I said, offering him a wide smile. I had spent nearly two hours in the bathroom trying to tame her frizzy hair into a neat half up style, and while her dark green turtleneck wasn't exactly high fashion, the way Jax looked at me made all the frustration melt away.

Inside, the diner felt entirely lived in and cozy. The sweet scent of maple syrup, fried chicken, and warm vinyl booths filled the air. A classic jukebox played a soft melody in the corner. Jax guided me toward a booth tucked far into the back corner, pulling out the table slightly so I could slide in.

The next two hours that followed, was the most fun I’d had since the soul swap happened. When the waitress brought out a plate of burgers, a mountain of golden, crispy fries, and a tall chocolate milkshake with two straws, any lingering awkwardness completely vanished. We ate, shared food, and talked about absolutely everything. Jax didn't mention football once, instead, he opened up about the heavy pressure his dad put on him, and he listened when I spoke. Every time he made a stupid, dry joke about our history teacher, I laughed so hard my throat ached, completely forgetting about the tight retainer pinching my gums.

See? I thought, watching the genuine warmth in his eyes as he slid a fry across the plate toward me. Maya doesn't know him at all. People can change if you actually give them a chance. I wished she could see us right now. He wasn't acting like the popular jock, he was just being Jax. My Jax.

By evening, he drove me back home. The ride was quiet, the radio playing softly between us. He pulled up to the curb right in front of the house and shifted into park.

"I had a really good time tonight, Maya," he said softly, leaning over the console.

"Me too, Jax. Thank you," I replied, my chest swelling.

I climbed out of the truck, stepping onto the cracked pavement. Standing under the porch light, I turned back and waved a slow goodbye as his engine rumbled, the tires crunching against the gravel as his car zoomed off down the dark street, disappearing around the corner.

I turned around to head up the porch steps, a blissful smile still plastered across my face, when a figure stepped out from the shadows of the large oak tree by the lawn.

I flinched, my breath hitching.

It was just Tristan.

He was leaning against the wooden fence post, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his beat up denim jacket. His jaw was tight, and even under the dim glow of the streetlamp, I could see the bitter, burning anger in his eyes.

"You're seriously ignoring me for him?" Tristan asked, his voice cracking with a mix of raw hurt and disbelief. "That's Jaxon Reid. The guy who treats you like absolute dirt? The guy who bullies you at school every single day, Maya?"

My blissful smile just got overtaken by pure irritation. I was so sick of everyone trying to hold me back, so sick of Maya's friends treating her like a fragile little victim. I pushed her lopsided glasses up the bridge of my nose, crossing my arms defensively as I looked down at his messy hair and cheap sneakers.

"People change, Tristan," I said. "Maybe if you stopped being so pathetic and insecure, you'd see that. But some of us actually want to move up in life instead of staying stuck in the gutter with you."

Tristan froze completely, his face going totally pale under the streetlight. He stared at me, utterly speechless.