Ch 5

Chapter Five

**JACE**

I hated her.

With a mouth fit for a viper, and the eyes of a stinging wasp. I hated her. The way she speaks, the way her brows arch in the most condescending manner, the way those stupid hips of hers move in such a suave way. I hated all of it—her, Aria Blackwell.

I slammed my locker and headed straight for the practice rink, barging into Nathan who was one of the new recruits. I let out a gruff sound, plopping down on the bench to get ready for warm up when he came up to me, still in the middle of lacing my skates.

“Are you playing center?” He asked.

I grunted in response, not wanting to host a conversation at the moment. Nathan, not knowing about my encounter with the witch of the east end kept on pushing, “Are you playing center, Carter?”

I shot my face up, giving him a death glare, “You take center. I’m playing left wing.”

Everyone gasped, eavesdropping on the conversation. Konner, another player on the team walked up to me, “You never play left wing unless you’re mad. What happened?”

I sniffled, “It’s nothing. I’m taking the left wing and that’s final.”

*******

Twenty minutes into the game and my anger was clearly shown on the field, from checking Nathan to body slamming Konner, I even almost hit my coach in the eye with the puck in my possession. He blowed a whistle to call time out.

“Carter, I don’t support this behavior. What’s going on?” He asked, a deep scowl on his face.

Panting heavily, I grabbed another pack of protein powder and downed it with an energy drink. I just couldn’t get it off my head, that smug look of hers as she rained insults on me. The nerve of that lady, pushing me to lengths I never thought I’d reach.

“Coach it’s—

“That’s it.” He snapped, “Come back when your head is in the right place. The last thing I need is this terrible sportsmanship. We can’t have this if we’re going to the playoffs, Carter.”

I groaned loudly, glancing around as my other teammates watch as I was just dismissed off the court. It was unlike me, Jace Carter, lashing out in such an uncouth manner.

It was all her fault. The demon herself.

“I’m sorry coach.” I murmured before gliding off the court, ready on my way back to the locker, making a mental note to apologize to everyone later.

I was the star player of the team, everyone relied on me to be on my best game and here I was being a disappointment because of the words of some freshman.

I kept on grunting as I took off my gear, stepping into the showers and as the warm water glided down my body I only felt angry even more. Aria Blackwell—she was doing something to me . I hated it.

“It’s her isn’t it?” Konner, from behind me muttered, “It’s that freshman, isn’t it?”

I let out a sigh, “Konner just—-

“We thought egging was—

“It’s fine.” I wanted to snap at him, but my behavior a few minutes ago was enough to curb my nonsense, “I have to work with her. It’s a Bio project thing.”

“Ouch.” He grimaced.

“Yeah.” I rolled my eyes sarcastically, “Ouch. If it wasn’t for this stupid extra credit.”

**ARIA**

The library had dimmed lights but still perfect for what I was about to do. I checked my watch and great—he was late.

I walked over to the back shelve to get some books. They were at the top and out of my reach, I couldn’t help but frown as I stretched my hands to get to them, when a figure towered over me.

That scent. It was vague and yet I knew who it was. The frown on my face creased even deeper. As I turned around only to hit my head against something rock hard. Typical. It was his chest.

“I thought you wouldn’t come.”

“I’m not as unserious as you think I am.” He grunted.

Rolling my eyes, “Yeah right.”

I brushed past him, he smelled of cologne and after practice sweat which was typical for an athlete like him, pretty sure he just doused himself with perfume to mask his naturally male scent. I placed the books on the table, he joined me on the other side.

“Has anyone ever told you how much of a snarky bitch you are?”

My eyes shot up, “I don’t appreciate being called a bitch. Has anyone ever taught you manners?”

He cleared his throat, “Sorry. Has anyone ever told you his much a snarky, rude, witty, I-think-I’m-better-than-others woman you are??”

A snarky smirk tugged at the corner of my lips, “All the time. It’s sort of an ego boost.”

“Prick.”

“Asshole.”

There was silence again. He took a deep breath, “I’m just in Bio class for the extra credit. The least I need is you—

“I can tell.” I cut him off, not bothering to lift up my head to face him.

“Listen to me Blackwell!!” He snapped, slamming his hands against the table and I flinched. It brought back memories, ones I didn’t appreciate or like, so I shot up to my feet.

“This meeting is adjourned.” I turned around to walk away and he bolted after me, grabbing onto my arm, “Let go!!”

“No!!” He fired back, “I fucking hate you, more than anything, because you barely give a guy a chance to speak before you start raining venom!”

“The feeling is mutual!!” I snarled, “You really think because you’re the school’s star, you get to flunk around while I do all the work?. News flash, I’m not that kind of nerd!!”

“Nerd?!!” He scoffed, “No one thinks of you as a nerd. You’re very—

“I’m very what?”

“You’re..” He stuttered, “You’re very….bitchy!”

I couldn’t help but feel like that wasn’t his original word, “You’re very dumb.”

“I’ve had enough of your nonsense, Blackwell!”

I tilted my chin upwards, “Yeah? What are you going to—