LOGIN_Harper’s POV“I don’t want to go with him,” he said without hesitation once the others were out of reach.I gazed into his eyes and gently stroked his arm.“Come on, it will be fun,” I assured him.Since we were already there, I figured it was too good an opportunity to pass up.He grunted again and I chuckled as I pulled him along.We soon caught up with the others and listened to Clive introducing a few places on campus to us.I had questions so I stepped away from Jace and came a bit closer to Clive who was glad to explain it all in detail.“You know, I never knew what course you are hoping to study here,” Clive suddenly asked.I was caught off guard by the question.Even Mum had never bothered to ask me about it. No one had.“Doctor?” I said.Everyone seemed to cast their gazes on me in that moment.I forced out a laugh, pretending to have made a joke.“Seriously, Harps. What is it?” Quinn asked too, getting out of her little enchantment with Clive.I slowly pressed my lips, wan
_Jace’s POV“You are doing this for Harper?” Mum asked, surprised.I don’t want her knowing about Harper and me dating, but I had no other way to do this.This was the safer and easier option.“It doesn’t mean anything,” I added immediately after.But she still looked at me suspiciously.I sighed.“I… messed up, okay,” I confessed.“I ruined the meeting with the Harvard representative with a small prank, so now I’m trying to fix it,” I told her and waited for her answer.Mum didn’t talk for a second, but then she nodded.“Fine. I’ll help. But on one condition,” she said.I clenched my jaw. I knew this was going to happen.“Consider going to Harvard for college,” she dropped the bombshell.“What?!” I snapped almost immediately.I wasn’t expecting that.She shrugged.“You want my help, then you have to do something in return.”Typical of her and Dad. Always finding a way to corner me, demanding something of me.Dan’s issue was one thing, and now this.“I can’t promise you, but I will c
_Jace’s POVPractice was finally over.I took my phone to text Harper immediately while the rest of the team gathered near the rink, laughing and talking as they packed their things.When suddenly we heard a loud scream cut through the air.Everyone stopped and looked in the direction of the cheerleaders' practice spot.My head snapped up. That’s Harper’s voice.I ran immediately.The rest of the team followed behind me, confused by my sudden reaction.When I got there, I froze.Harper was about to hit Reagan, who was cowering in fear.I rushed forward and grabbed Harper’s arm before she could do anything else.She turned around sharply, and then I saw her face.It was red and her tears fell that instant. She looked like she could kill someone.My expression changed instantly.“Harper?”She looked at me, and the moment she saw me, the strength she had been holding onto seemed to disappear.“What happened?”I pulled her into my arms.She didn’t fight me. Instead, she held onto my shir
_Harper’s POVMy fingers tightened around the folder in my hands.I had checked it at least five times already. Everything was there and intact.My documents are strong enough; with this, Harvard will definitely see me as a worthy candidate to be chosen.This was the opportunity I have been waiting for for a long time. My future.I took a deep breath as I walked through the hallway, trying to calm myself.Don’t panic, Harper. You’ve prepared for this, I told myself.But my nerves were getting the better of me.What if I said the wrong thing? What if I wasn’t good enough?I was so focused on calming myself that I didn’t notice someone coming toward me until we collided. The force sent me stumbling backward.My folder slipped from my hands, and the papers scattered all over the floor.“Oh no,” I gasped.I immediately bent down to pick them up.“I’m sorry, I didn’t…” I tried to apologize to whoever it was.“Watch where you’re going, freak,” the voice yelled.I looked up and saw Declan
_Jace’s POV“Coach.”I called the moment he walked in.“Jace?” he called, surprised to see me.“Where did you run off to? The team is waiting for you,” he said, sounding upset.“I’m sorry, Coach,” I said.I had turned back on the way to the ice rink when Austin came to tell me that Harper was being bullied again.Coach stared at me.I knew he was going to worry again, so I spoke first.“I just wanted to change my shirt,” I told him.He finally noticed I was only in my singlet and nodded with a heavy sigh.“About playing again on the national team…”He stated, and I quickly frowned, not wanting that to be discussed. Not when Harper was within earshot.“Coach, I…” he cut me off.“I understand you're frustrated and afraid to play with the team,” he said and moved closer.I tensed, clenching my fists just a little too hard.“I’m not afraid,” I told him firmly.He sighed again, resting his hands on his waist.“I have contacted Coach Lawson. Dan has been sanctioned and will not be allowed
_Harper’s POVReagan stood there, looking fiery like a devil about to shoot flames.I gazed at her, not letting myself get intimidated by her, or her group of friends.“Ugh, too dumb to say sorry now?” she fired.“I don’t think I’m the dumb one, Reagan,” I replied calmly.That caught her off guard. She stared at me like I had lost my mind.She moved forward, intimidating. But I stood my ground. I was done tolerating her bullshit and I meant it.“Just because Jace stood up for you a few times, you think you are all that now?” she whispered in a heated breath.I inhaled slowly.“I don’t need him standing up for me,” I stated. “Not anymore.”“I am capable of standing up to you, Reagan,” I told her.That infuriated her more.She moved back instead, rather than attack like she usually would.“You know what’s funny?” she said. “Some people actually think they can move up in the world just because they get good grades.”She laughed and her friends did too.I stared at her.“And some people
_Harper’s POVEveryone seemed to freeze.The music stopped and they all stared at us. I tried not to lose my cool, not to fret.“You are the one trying to make trouble here,” he stated.Reagan put on her act again, pretending to be in pain.“How can you say that? She clearly broke the cup on my le
_Jace’s POVI opened the door and found the entire hockey team standing outside. Before I could get a word out, they all rushed into the house with loud, excited screams.I moved in fast to stop them and glanced upstairs to see if Harper was anywhere in sight.“What are you guys doing here?” I be
_Harper’s POVI crossed my arms as I stood facing Jace with a frown on my face. The night air blew around us and I tried not to sneeze.“Why are you even here?” I fired at him.“Why can’t I be here?” he replied with a question.I looked at him and he looked upset.I gulped slowly, pretending not t
_Harper's POVMy breath caught in my throat. The closet door wasn't fully shut.Through the narrow gap, I could see Marla standing in the middle of the room.I pressed myself against the wall, trying not to make a sound.Jace stood beside me, his arms wrapped around me like a shield.“Just hold on







