INICIAR SESIÓNClaire’s POV
The halls were buzzing with talks about the trip.Everywhere I turned, students were either excitedly discussing what to pack, predicting which teachers would be supervising, or trying to figure out how they made the cut. It was as if the whole school had suddenly been jolted awake with new energy.I found my friends by the lockers, already deep in conversation. Sage was the first to spot me, waving a hand dramatically."Well, well, well. LookClaire The teachers called out the names, and one by one, our "representatives" were chosen. Whitney. Shawty. Celine. Two other slay queens whose only experience in a kitchen was probably ordering food from an expensive restaurant. The realization hit immediately—none of them could cook. The other team had a mix of sporty and brainy girls, all of whom at least looked like they knew their way around a kitchen. Meanwhile, our side? A total disaster waiting to happen. Then Jace’s voice cut through the noise. “If you all don’t want to embarrass yourselves, then just let Claire do it. Add her on the list.* Silence. I stiffened as eyes turned toward me. My first instinct was to say no. I hadn’t signed up for this. But before I could speak, Whitney rolled her eyes dramatically. “Of course, you’d say that,” she scoffed, crossing
Claire’s POVThe place was beautiful—almost too perfect. The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting golden streaks over the open field, making everything look soft and warm. The trees swayed gently, their rustling leaves filling the air with a quiet melody. The scent of fresh grass mixed with the distant aroma of wood burning, probably from where the campfire would be set up later.I took a deep breath, stretching my arms out as I stood in place, soaking it all in. The slight chill in the air was refreshing, and I already knew I was going to love it here.A sudden burst of laughter caught my attention."Zara, what the hell?!" Shawty’s voice rang out, playful yet exasperated.I turned my head just in time to see Zara throw herself onto the grass, rolling like a kid who had just discovered the pure joy of being outside. She giggled uncontrollably, arms sprawled out as if she were making a snow angel on the ground.Shawty sto
Jace’s POVThe bus rattled along the road, the soft hum of the engine mixing with the low chatter of students. I sat stiffly, arms crossed, gaze locked on the window, counting down the hours until this trip was over.Beside me, Whitney shifted in her seat. I could feel her eyes on me, the way she kept glancing, waiting, expecting something. When she realized she wasn’t getting it, she huffed under her breath.Typical.I ignored her, keeping my focus on the passing scenery.Another minute passed. Then another.She snapped.“Are you seriously not going to say anything?” she demanded, her voice just above a whisper but laced with frustration.I barely blinked. “About what?”She let out a sharp breath like she couldn’t believe I had the audacity to ask that. “Are you really that heartless, Jace? You don’t think you owe me an apology?”I finally turned my head, meeting her glare with a bored express
Claire's POVThe morning air was crisp, a soft chill seeping into my bones as I swung my feet out of bed. I sat there for a second, rubbing my face, still cocooned in the lingering warmth of sleep. I didn’t want to get up. I didn’t want today to start. But it had to.I sighed and pushed myself to my feet, stretching my arms above my head before getting to work. My suitcase sat half-packed in the corner, my laziness from the night before biting me now. I crouched in front of it, folding the last of my clothes and stuffing them in before zipping it shut.The weight of the trip settled heavier in my chest.I did the things a lady needed to do in the morning and after that, I grabbed my luggage handle and stepped out, rolling it behind me as I stopped in front of Jace’s door. A frown tugged at my lips as I knocked."Jace, let’s go," I called, leaning my forehead against the wood for a second, still groggy.No answer.I
Claire’s POVThe dim glow of the TV flickered across the living room, casting soft shadows against the walls. The air smelled faintly of strawberries—Jace’s snack from earlier—and the faint hum of the air conditioner filled the quiet space between us.I was curled up against him, my head resting against his chest, his arm draped lazily around my waist. His fingers traced absentminded circles on my hip, a mindless habit of his, while his attention remained fixed on the screen. The movie playing was some psychological thriller he’d chosen, something intense, filled with subtle mind games and unpredictable turns. Normally, I would have been invested, but right now, my mind was elsewhere.I shifted slightly, tilting my head up to look at him. “Jace?”His fingers stilled for a brief second before resuming their slow movements. “Hmm?”I hesitated, my teeth grazing my bottom lip. “Can I ask you something?”He didn’t look away from the s
Jace’s POVAfter Claire left for class, I stayed back in the basement for a moment, letting the silence settle around me. My mind was running in too many directions, and none of them were leading to an answer.But I knew one thing—whoever was behind this was smart. Smart enough to cover their tracks completely. And if I was going to catch them, I needed to start eliminating suspects.Which was exactly why I called Nyx.I leaned against the cold steel counter of the school’s lab, arms crossed, waiting. It didn’t take long before she sauntered in, her expression amused, her usual cocky smirk already in place.The moment she stepped inside, I moved.I pushed her against the wall, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to send a message.Nyx, being Nyx, only smirked wider.“Oh?” she teased, tilting her head. "Didn’t think you’d be this eager, Jace. Kinda hot, not gonna lie."I clenched my jaw.“Stop p
~ClaireI pushed my feet towards my couch upon recalling I had a math problem to finish. Fuck, I never should've gone to that party in the first place. Nothing was good about it. It just ruined things for me, nothing else. I mean, Maya would be so proud to hear this. I mean, I'
~Claire"Time up!" Nyx spoke loudly and I didn't hesitate to detach myself from Sage. Fuck, what was I even thinking? I never should've agreed to do it. I turned around to see that Jace was gone. He left. I looked up at Nyx who gave me a dark smile before looking away
~JaceI wasn't supposed to have enjoyed it. Kissing Claire. But I did. I more than enjoyed it, because the few seconds I spent feasting on those seemingly sugar-coated lips of hers was the best I'd had in....ever. The kiss went on replay in my head even as I
~ClaireI felt the anxiety start to kick in the moment Sage stopped us in front of Kelly's house. "Uh.... it's not too late to want to back out, is it?"i asked with an awkward chuckle. Zara shook her head, retouching her make-up. "Chill, girl. I'm sure tonight's gonna







