LOGIN_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 POVI smiled, looking at the work Jace had just solved.“You did good,” I praised.“So, let’s move on to biology,” I said and picked up the textbook.I flipped the page and searched for a moment before I stopped.“Okay.”“Can you state the law of thermodynamics?” I asked, but there was no response.I lifted my head, pushing my hair back a little, only to catch Jace staring.He reached out his hand and my gaze followed. He helped pull my hair behind my ear.Before I could reprimand him for not paying attention, he pulled me closer and kissed me.I wanted to protest but I couldn’t. I got lost in the softness of his lips.After a while, I was able to push him away.“Come on, we need to study this,” I said and turned back to the book.His eyes remained fixed on my face, not looking away.I tried to ignore him.But he leaned closer and flipped the page.“We’ve been studying for an hour. Isn’t that enough?” he pouted.I smirked at him.“No,” I told him and tried to turn the page
Harper POVI was still fuming over my phone when Quinn rushed over, startling me from behind."Hey, girl. Are you still here?" she asked in a hushed breath.I frowned, not in the mood for any of her gossip. "What is it, Quinn?""Reagan is out there, accusing you of ruining her relationship with Jac
_ Harper’s POV My grip tightened around the edge of the table. “What?” he let out slowly, like I had accused him. “You really think that’s what I was doing?” “What else would it be?” I shot back. He didn’t answer immediately, just looked at me. My stomach twisted. I dared not think of his l
_Jace POV cont.The moment I walked into the house, I didn't wait before ascending the stairs to escape to my room. Mum stopped me and I let out a low grunt."What?" I snapped.Little miss Busybody spoke instead."Hey, don't be rude to your mum. You didn't even thank her for picking you up from sc
_Harper's POV I finally managed to push him off and put a good, long distance between us, my chest heaving."I would rather get on a roller coaster," I threw back.I tried to calm my nerves and turned to him boldly, ignoring his distracting abs."If you want to keep your dirty secret, then you ha







