LOGIN_Jace’s POV“Jace!”Harper protested and pulled her hands out of my hold.I pulled away, watching her struggle to catch her breath.I ruffled her hair and pulled her closer once more.“Don’t ever think of breaking up with me,” I whispered, embracing her.“I would never allow it.”She held on to my shirt, still unraveled, and buried her face in my chest.A loud murmur caught my attention from a distance, and I turned slightly to see a number of students flashing their cameras toward us.A number of them were giggling and whispering to each other.Harper lifted her head and gasped."Oh my gosh."Her eyes widened."They're taking pictures," she mouthed and lifted a hand to hide her face.I turned her toward the other side to shield her from the cameras even more and then turned toward the driver, who had already driven the car toward us.I pulled Harper along with me and opened the rear door."Get in," I said, getting inside after her.“But I still have class,” Harper said as I closed t
_Harper's POV My heart was beating much faster than usual by the time I reached the school entrance.I spotted Jace near the school gates, surrounded by his teammates.Several girls crowded around him as well, handing him neatly wrapped gifts while wishing him success.He smiled politely as he accepted the gifts.I slowed to a stop a step away, not sure if I was able to face him and break the news to him.I couldn’t help but be afraid that the news might break him and hinder him from focusing on his training.But then another thought crossed my mind.We haven’t even been dating for long now.He shouldn’t be too sad about it.“Harper?” Jace called out to me, and the girls in front of him stepped aside.He waved with a smile and crooked a finger toward himself."C'mere."My heart melted.Every bit of determination I'd built during lunch disappeared immediately.I stopped slowly in front of him and watched the others leave quietly.Then I gave a tiny wave."Hi..." I murmured.He set al
_Harper's POVThe morning classes got my attention, pushing the worrying thoughts away from my mind until math class, and I found myself drawn away by different thoughts.My fingers brushed against the necklace resting against my collarbone, and I continued to reminisce about my decision until the class ended.Luckily, the teacher didn’t bother much with me, or I would have been scolded.The bell finally rang for lunch, and the teacher made her way out of the class.I gathered my books into my arms, intending to head to my locker before meeting Quinn.I had barely stood up when two girls suddenly appeared beside my desk."Harper?"I looked up, surprised as neither of them was from my class.They were juniors from tenth grade, and we hadn't had a chance to speak to each other before."Hi..." I answered cautiously.One of them smiled nervously before extending a neatly wrapped chocolate bar toward me."We... um...""This is for you."I blinked."For me?"She nodded quickly."Oh."My su
_Harper’s POVThe morning air slipped through the half-open window as Jace drove us towards school.His free hand rested lazily on the steering wheel while soft music played in the background.Every now and then, he reached over and intertwined our fingers for a few seconds before returning both hands to the wheel.Despite how happy I was right now, I still couldn’t beat off the feelings from last night’s nightmare and Marla’s words.Jace looked at me again like he could sense that there was something going on in my head, and I put on a smile quickly.I haven’t even figured out how to tell him that I want us to break up, but I know I have to decide how and break the news to him before he leaves after school today.The car soon pulled up in front of the school.“After I speak with Principal Reid this morning, I will meet with the school’s hockey team,” Jace said, and I nodded.I tightened my grip on the bag resting on my lap and suddenly remembered something important.“Oh.”I reached
_Harper's POVI stood outside Marla’s door for a long moment after the door closed behind me and heaved.My head spun from the thoughts of what I had just promised her, and I forced myself to inhale slowly before wiping the corner of my eye.“Harper?” Jace called as he made his way towards me.I startled, then forced a smile onto my face quickly.He furrowed his brow immediately.“Did you just come out of there?” he asked, surprised.I backed away from the door and nodded lightly.“Mm-hmm.”He frowned even more and stepped closer to me.“What were you doing in Dr. Marla’s room?”“Nothing.” I shrugged.“Nothing? You just came out of Mom’s room, looking like you cried,” he muttered, pointing at my face.“She just had a message about your grades,” I answered, trying hard to make that make sense.“The other subjects. You seem to be doing better in them than in the subjects I tutor you in,” I breathed.Jace nodded slowly, not quite convinced.“I did well because I can’t stand the tutors a
_ Harper's POV SATS is in fifteen weeks. I tried to concentrate on the books in front of me while waiting for Jace to finish his practice so we could go home together. The quarterfinal match is coming up soon, and Jace has been spending his time with the team. After about an hour, I felt thirsty and hungry. Just as I was about to get up to get something, someone placed a muffin and sparkling soda in front of me. I looked up and was surprised to see Clive standing in front of me. "Hey." I got up and wrapped my arms around him, excited and surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?" I asked him, looking around. Clive smiled. "Heard my cousin would be playing again. Just came to show my support," he said. He settled into the seat in front of me, and I sat back down, taking the food. "Thank you. This came at the right time," I said and took a bite of the muffin. Clive smiled again. "I'm glad," he said gently. I was about to take another bite when Jace appeared and loo
_Harper's POVI sat on the edge of the bed, completely still, staring at the floor.The hunger I felt earlier was gone, replaced with a hot and uncomfortable feeling.I grabbed my pillow and screamed into it.I took a few seconds to calm down.Then wondered when she had gotten there.Like the univ
_ Harper's POV "This looks amazing, Mr. Carter," I said quietly. "Thomas," he corrected, smiling. "We are family now." Jace snorted. I gripped my fork. Don't cuss him. Harvard. Harvard. "So," Thomas said, passing me the potatoes. "Maria tells me you are top of your class. Valedictorian track
_Harper’s POVMarla opened the door for me at a quarter past twelve and let me in.“I spoke with Jace after you left, and I assure you that you won’t have anything to worry about,” she said as she led me to the room I will be staying in.My room was next to Jace’s. I knew it the second Marla opene
_ Harper’s POV “Yes,” she answered, then sighed. “You can stay there until graduation.” A loud whistle blew in my head, and I could see nine ladies dancing around the room. “What? Really?” “Yes,” she nodded with a smile and sat next to me. “I have an old college friend who stays around







