Chapter 4

Averie's POV

“Because I go to school here now.“

“What?“ The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. My voice, which was louder than intended, attracted the attention of everyone in the gym.

Jace didn't say anything; just kept staring at me like I was the only thing he could see in the room.

Cassian turned back at me. “You look… different too. What's with the outfit?“

I opened my mouth but no words came out. I bit down on my lower lips, subtly regretting it now. I know Cassian was going to school with me too. Talk about how I'm supposed—

He added, “You look great, Averie.“

“Really?“ I asked, startled.

“Huh,” he nodded. “My sister is the most beautiful woman in Draycott,” he said, his voice brimming with pride like it was true.

“Thank you,” I muttered.

“Now go to your lectures. Dinner is on me—you and Lena. I will send you the restaurant address later.“

I nodded.

Cassian turned back to Jace. “Let's discuss your entry to the ice hockey club, Jace.“ He swung his arms over Jace's shoulders and they started walking outside. “I miss you bro. How is America….“

I stood there, watching for a long time.

“Hey,” Lena's voice pulled me out of thoughts. “You are drooling over Jace, Averie.“

She caught me. She always does.

I forced a smile. “I'm not.“ I quickly started walking outside to avoid the subject that she would probably bring up next—which would be, you're falling for him already.

“I think you are falling for him already, Averie,” she called after me, trailing behind. “He's hot, so why not?“

I didn't answer her.

I'm not that stupid, am I?

I'm definitely not falling for him, not right after I just got my heart broken. Not when he is my ex-boyfriend brother and my brother's best friend. Not after I just promised Cassian that there's no boys for now, especially Draycott boys.

______

I sat down in class trying to listen to professor Aliyah as she talked on the topic The Mechanism of Drug Resistance in Bacteria, but I couldn't. My mind keeps wandering off to the recent incident, especially someone whose name I don't want to mention.

Oh shit!

I shook my head frantically as if it could make the thought vanish from my mind.

Then my phone beeped on the desk.

I clicked on it.

It was an unknown number: Meet me at the gym at lunch. Just you. I will be waiting.

My eyes widened. Who is that?

Lena noticed my distraction. “What is happening?“ She whispered.

I showed her the message and her mouth fell open slightly.

I hesitated. “Should I go?”

Lena smirks. “What if it's a secret admirer?“

I shook my head in a mix of frustration and disbelief. I'm definitely not in for all these. The only thing I want to do now is concentrate on the reason why I'm here—which is to study of course.

“I don't think so.“

“Go, Averie…. What If it's Jace. I saw the way he looked at you earlier,” she teased.

“Jace?“ I repeated.

I wouldn't deny the fact that he was the first person that came to my mind when I received the message. But then.... I'd prefer to stay away from him. I opened my mouth to refuse, but she shut me up.

“Just go. I’ll be three doors away with a taser in case anything happens.“

Knowing she won't give up, I nodded. “Fine.“

_________

The moment it was lunch, I walked into the gym and it was just as I had suspected. There he was,

Jace Carrington. My tormentor.

He was my brother's friend right, but I made sure to always avoid him while we were younger. The reason is because he tormented me all my life until he left for America five years ago. He would call me Muffin because of my big size, which I had lost now.

Jace was leaning casually against the wall at the far end of the gym, arms crossed over his chest like he'd been waiting for me since forever. He tilted his head up when he saw me, and a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

“Seriously, Jace?“ I muttered under my breath, approaching him slowly. “How did you even get my contact?“

He shrugged, his voice brimming with pride. “Do you forget I'm Jace Carrington? I always have my way.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You are so full of surprises, aren't you?“ I stood a few steps away from him, crossing my arms over my chest.

He didn't say anything; just scoffed like I was a joke he didn't get.

I clenched my fists. Both brothers are so annoying. But Jace? He's worse than Julian.

I tried to calm the anger rising inside me. “So why the mystery? Why the message?”

His gaze darkened slightly, serious now. “Because I think I owe you an apology. For how I talked to you last night. I was a dick.”

Really? Jace apologising. I nearly couldn't believe my ears.

Taking a deep breath, he continued, “But I’m not sorry about what I said regarding your dress.“

I blinked. Why did I even feel touched by his apology? “Wow. You had me for a second.”

“You looked… tacky,” he added quietly, sizing me up. “Even now. This dress is too short.“

I rolled my eyes. “Tacky?“ I scoffed. “That was because you realise I was the one beneath the mask. You called me beautiful, remember?"

He didn't say anything, just a smug expression on his face.

“You need to stop acting like I’m seven, Jace. I can wear whatever I want without you throwing a tantrum.“

He pushed himself off the wall and took a slow step toward me. “You think that was a tantrum? Trying to keep you safe was a tantrum?“

I stepped back instinctively, heart thundering as his deep blue beautiful eyes never left me.

Another step from him.

I took another step back and hit the wall with a soft thud.

He stopped, just inches away with his height towering over me. I could feel his body heat radiating off me, and I hated that it made my skin tingle.

I swallowed hard, trying to stay calm.

“You think you're all grown, huh?” he muttered. Then ran a hand through my hair fondly like I was a child. “You're still my Muffin no matter what.“

Anger surged through me at the sound of the word. I shoved his hands away. “Stop calling me that!“ I snapped, pushing against his chest but he didn't bulge.

He scoffed, then his gaze dropped to my lips, then to the neckline of my dress which was a little bit revealing. I could feel the rise and fall of my chest quicken under his stare.

He leaned in, so close his breath warmed my cheek. “You drive me insane, Averie.”

My hand gripped the strap of my bag tighter.

Then—

“Jace!”

Cassian’s voice echoed through the hallway like a gunshot.

I panicked. Cassian can never see me together with Jace. Before I could react, the gym door flew open, banging against the wall with a loud slam.