Good Girl, Bad Habits

JACE

I shouldn’t have looked up, but I did and there she was, standing in the balcony like she was trying so hard not to been seen but I coukd see her perfectly. On her toes sge stood and her eyes, focused on somewhere that wasn't me— MJ. Of course, I mean it was MJ, he always had that effect on girls. He was calm, composed and east to like, the kind of guy people felt safe around, the complete opposite of me. I exhaled through my nose, slipping my hands into my pockets.

“She’s staring,” MJ muttered beside me, low enough for only me to hear. I smirked slightly. “You’re used to that.”

“Not like that,” he said, glancing at me briefly. “That’s not the usual ‘you’re attractive’ look.”

I didn’t respond immediately, because he wasn’t wrong, the look on Ayla's face wasn't surface level, it was something deeper and quieter and for some reason, I didn't like it

“Relax,” I said after a second, my voice casual “She’s basically family.”

MJ hummed, unconvinced “Yeah,” he said slowly. “That doesn’t mean she sees us the same way.”

And before I could respond, he started walking toward the gate, I stayed back for half a second longer, just enough to glance up again and there she was, still watching except this time, our eyes locked, she saw me looking and just like that she panicked and disappeared inside like she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. A quiet chuckle left my lips.

Too easy— way too easy.

PRESENT DAY

AYLA

A knock on the door pulled me out of my solitude

“Come in,” I called.

The door opened slightly, and Helen peeked in.

“Miss Ayla, Master Jace asked if you could come downstairs.”

My stomach dropped.

“What?”

She nodded politely. “He said it’s important.”

Important?

Since when did Jace have anything important to say to me?

I frowned slightly but nodded anyway. “Okay… I’ll be down.”

The door closed and just like that the calm nonchalance I had forced on myself and put on for days disappeared.

Why would he call me?

What did he want?

Did he say something to Lina?

Did he—

No.

Stop.

I grabbed my phone and took a deep breath.

It’s nothing.

He’s just being annoying.

That’s all.

…Right?

JACE

She took longer than I expected, I was leaning against the same counter, arms folded this time, when I heard her light, careful, hesistant footsteps like I remembered but I didn’t look up immediately

“Why did you call me?” she asked, her voice guarded

There it was— attitude.

I pushed off the counter slowly, turning to face her up close, yeah, she really wasn’t that little girl anymore, not even close.

“Relax,” I said, watching the way she instantly stiffened. “It’s not that serious.”

“Then say it quickly,” she replied, crossing her arms. “I have things to do.”

I almost laughed, she definitely didn't have things to do, she wanted to sound and act tough. “I wanted to ask you something,” I said instead and her brows furrowed slightly. “What?”

I tilted my head, studying her, rally studying her this time, the way her fingers pressed slightly into her arms, the way her eyes kept shifting in an alert and cautious manner

Yeah.

Same habits.

Same patterns.

“Why do you write everything down?” I asked calmly and the room fell silent, dead silent, Ayla didn’t move, didn’t blink, didn’t breathe and for a second I thought I pushed it too far then–

“…What?” her voice came out quieter this time but in a careful and dangerous manner. I held her gaze and didn't look away, neither did I soften it “Your journal,” I said, and that’s when it happened, the exact second she realised this wasn’t a guess

AYLA

No.

NO NO NO NO!

There was no way, I stood there, frozen, staring at him like if I looked long enough, he’d laugh and say he was joking, but he didn’t. Jace just stood there, watching me, waiting, like he had all the time in the world.

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said finally, my voice steadier than I felt.

Lie

A clean simple and safe one, but his expressions didn't change, if anything, it got worse, more patient, more certain

“Yeah?” he said quietly and I swallowed, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “Yeah.” Silence stretched between us, a heavy, uncomfortable one and then he nodded

“Alright”

………wait what? That was it, no argument, no pushing, no smirk, nothing, just……alright? It threw me off so badly I almost took a step back

“That's it?” I asked before I could stop myself abs I could see his lip twitch slightly

“You want more?”

“No,” I snapped quickly. “I just—” I stopped because what was I even saying? Jace tilted his head slightly, studying me again and God, I hated that look “I just thought you’d argue,” I finished, trying to recover.

“About something you said isn’t true?” he replied calmly. “Why would I do that?”

I blinked, once, twice, this wasn’t how this was supposed to go, hewas supposed to push, tease, provoke, not agree, not make it feel like I was overreacting………wait why do I even want him to do that “Right,” I muttered, looking away.

“Exactly.”

I turned slightly, grabbing onto the back of one of the chairs like I needed something to ground me, my heart was beating too fast, way too fast because that didn't feel like a win, it felt like he knew and just didn’t feel the need to prove it

JACE

She folded too fast, fster than I expected, but not in a good way, in a defensive way, like someone trying to protect something fragile.

I watched her carefully, taking in every small detail, the way her fingers tightened against the chair, the way she avoided eye contact now, thhe way her breathing had changed.

Yeah.

She knew exactly what I meant and I almost pushed it further, but I stopped myself, it'll be too soon, if I went too far now, she’d shut down completely and I didn't want that, atleast not yet. So instead, I leaned back slightly, creating just enough distance to make it seem like I’d dropped it.

“Relax,” I said, voice lighter now. “You look like you’re about to pass out.” and that got her attention, her head snapped toward me, eyes narrowing, “I’m fine.”

“Didn’t say you weren’t.”

“You implied it.”

I shrugged. “If the shoe fits.” And her jaw tightened, there it was again, that fire

I smirked slightly. “There she is.”

“Who?” she shot back.

“The version of you that doesn’t pretend,” I said simply and that hit, I saw and felt it while looking at her

She went still again, but this time, not out of confusion, out of something else, smething deeper.

“You don’t know me,” she said again.

But this time, it didn’t sound as strong and I pushed off the counter slowly, took a step closer and another until I was standing right in front of her, close enough to feel the shift in her breathing, close enough to see the way her eyes flickered for a second before locking back onto mine.

“You keep saying that,” I murmured.

Her fingers tightened again on the chair. “Because it’s true.”

I leaned in slightly, just enough to make her breathing pace increase faster than anything I've seen

“Is it?”

Her breath caught and for a second, she didn’t answer, didn't move, didn't even try to ague and that told me everything I needed to know

AYLA

He was too close, way too close that I could smell his minted breath on my face,the space between us wasn’t enough and it made my head spin. “Move,” I said, my voice lower now, not as steady and controlled as it was. Jace didn't budge Of course he wouldn't. Instead, his gaze dropped slightly but not in a disrespectful way, in a way that made me aware, then back up to my eyes, his gaze was slow and intentional making my chest tighten

“Say it again,” he said softly

“What?”

“That I don’t know you.”

I frowned. “I just did.”

“Say it again,” he repeated.

Something about the way he said it, it didn’t feel like a challenge, it felt like a test and I hated that I hesitated just for a second.

“I—”

“Ayla?”

Lina’s voice cut through the air like a knife and I jerked back instantly, stepping away from Jace so fast it almost felt obvious. Jace straightened just as quickly, all traces of whatever that moment was disappearing like it never happened.

“Yeah?” I called out, trying to sound normal

Lina walked into the kitchen, glancing between us in a suspicious and curious manner “Why do you both look like that?” she asked and my heart dropped “Like what?” I said quickly.

“Like you just got caught doing something,” she replied, raising a brow then Jace spoke “Relax,” he said casually. “I was just telling her she overthinks too much.”

Lina snorted. “Oh please, that’s not new.”

I forced out a small laugh “Exactly,” I said, grabbing onto the moment like it could save me. “That’s literally all.” Lina looked between us one more time, then shrugged “Whatever,” she said. “Breakfast is getting cold.” she turned and walked out just like that, and just like that, the moment was over but a small part of me kept wondering what would have happened if Lina didn't come in. I glanced at Jace, he was already looking at me with that same look, calm, knowing and dangerous, like he had all the answers and I was just trying to catch up.

The house felt different after that, quieter, but not peaceful and I stayed in Lina’s room longer than necessary, pretending to scroll through my phone while Lina got ready, talking nonstop about something that barely registered into my head

“…and then she really thought I was going to apologize first—like, for what exactly?” Lina said, standing in front of the mirror.

“Mhm,” I murmured.

“You’re not listening.”

“I am.”

“You’re literally not.”

I sighed and dropped my phone onto the bed. “Okay, sorry. Say it again.” but Lina narrowed her eyes slightly, studying me like she always does “You’re off.” she blurted

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’re not.”

I forced a small smile. “I said I’m fine.” but Lina didn’t look convinced and she didn’t push it either.

“Whatever,” she said, turning back to the mirror. “Just don’t start acting weird and then tell me nothing’s wrong. I know you.”

Yeah, that’s what she thought too.

Later that afternoon, Liina had stepped out to run a quick errand, leaving me alone. I sat cross-legged on the bed with my journal resting in my lap and it felt heavier today, like it knew something I didn’t. My fingers hovered over the cover for a moment before she opened it, familiar pages, familiar handwriting, my thoughts, my secrets, the parts of me didn’t ever say out loud, the only place I didn’t have to pretend. I flipped to a blank page, exhaling slowly before pressing pen to paper.

I don’t like him, I really don’t.

A small frown formed on my lips, it didn’t feel honest

He’s annoying, arrogant, too sure of himself, I paused— and somehow always right.

I exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair “Why am I even writing about him?” she muttered under her breath.

Because he was in my head, that's why

I looked back down at the page.

He looks at me like he knows something I don’t, my grip tightened slightly around the pen— and I hate that it makes me feel seen.

I stared at the words I just wrote for a long second, then quickly shut the journal

No, that was enough, more than enough.

I pushed it aside on the bed, like putting distance between myself and what I just admitted.

A soft knock echoed against the door and my head snapped up at once, my heart jumped harder than it should have “Yeah?” I called out, hoping my voice sounded normal and te door opened slightly with no other than JACE

He leaned against the frame like he had nowhere better to be, eyes flicking briefly to me before scanning the room, then landing on my journal just for a second but I saw it and it made my stomach dropped instantly “What do you want?” I asked, sharper than necessary and he looked back at me unfazed

“Relax. I’m not here to start anything.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” and immediately a faint smirk tugged at his lips.

“You’re always this defensive, or is it just with me?”

“Just with you.”

“Good to know.”

I resisted the urge to move the journal closer to me, it would make it obvious, and for some reason I didn't want him noticing it neither did Itwant him near it or HIM a whole at all

“Lina left her charger in my room,” he said suddenly. “Told me to grab it.”

I blinked back to reality “Oh.”

“Yeah.”

Neither of us moved, then Jace pushed himself off the doorframe, stepping into the room and I sat up straighter instantly, watching him as he walked past me casually, like my presence didn’t affect him at all, like the air hadn’t shifted the moment he stepped closer. He grabbed the charger from Lina’s side table, but instead of leaving, he paused and I felt it, the hesitation.

“Still writing everything down?”

My breathe stopped and my eyes snapped to his. “What?”

Jace turned slightly, meeting my gaze, that same calm look again, like he was too sure “Nothing,” he said lightly, like he hadn’t just said something that made my chest tighten. “Just seems like your thing.” and I frowned. “You don’t know what my ‘thing’ is.” He held my gaze for a second longer.

“That so?”

And my stomach dropped again “Yeah,” I said, trying to keep her voice steady and he nodded slowly, like he was humoring me and didn’t believe her at all “Right,” he murmured as he turned and walked out just like that, leaving the door slightly open behind him, leaving me with my heart racing and miind spinning because that didn’t feel random or like a guess, it felt targeted I looked at my journal, then back at the door and a slow, uneasy feeling crept in, it felt cold and unsettling, almsost impossible to ignore because now it wasn’t just a thought anymore or just overthinking.

It was a question, a real one, one that refused to let my mind be and refused to go away.

HOW DID HE KNOW?!