Chapter 5: Friends.

The party was still going strong when I finally found myself standing alone on the balcony.

Well, almost alone.

Jayden was standing beside me. His parents had suggested that we take some time to talk to each other. Considering the fact that we've attended the same school for years and will be going to the same university, getting to know each other had become something much more compulsory.

I never really expected this day to come, though. A day when I would be standing on a balcony with Jayden; the boy I had secretly liked for years.

I could feel my heart pounding as I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was leaning against the balcony railing, staring into the distance without a care in the world.

He looked so relaxed and so effortlessly handsome that I found it hard to tear my gaze away from him.

How could he possibly look so calm when I was practically having a heart attack just standing beside him?

Everything still felt unreal. Me coming first in the entrance exam, surpassing Jayden. Me being here with Jayden, who had never spoken a word to me or taken notice of me. A party celebrated mostly because of my achievements, when just a few days ago, the pack members barely knew my name.

I could still hear the loud music and laughter coming from inside the pack mansion, but out here, everything felt quieter. The cool night breeze brushed against my skin, making me shiver slightly.

I wrapped my arms around myself and stared at the beautiful view of the pack grounds below. Soon, I'll be leaving this place for a new life. A life revolving around Moonlight University.

Deep in thought, I didn't see Jayden taking off his suit jacket until he eventually draped it around me.

I looked at him, stunned, while trying to contain a blush.

"T-thank you," I stuttered, avoiding his eyes to hide my blush. It was the first time either of us had spoken since we came to the balcony.

He nodded with a smile before speaking.

"So..." he began. "I have to admit, Jane. I never expected you to come first. If I am to be honest, I'm still in shock."

I lowered my gaze shyly, hoping he wasn't mad that I was first and not him.

"Neither did I. I didn't even want it in the first place."

He chuckled.

"Seriously?"

I nodded eagerly.

"I knew I did well, but I never thought I'd be number one. I-I was actually also rooting for you to be number one."

He looked at me curiously, and I avoided his gaze. I was too shy to keep looking at those captivating blue eyes of his. I might melt.

"So how does it feel?" he asked in a gentle tone.

I thought about it for a moment. Ever since knowing I came first worldwide, I've felt nothing but anxiety, knowing that the whole world's attention would now be on me. It's kind of...

"Overwhelming." I smiled nervously. "But I'm trying my best to get used to it. I was the one who wrote the exam and came first, so I guess I'll have to deal with the consequences after all."

"Don't say it like it's a curse," Jayden said with a soft chuckle. "You made it happen, and you deserve to enjoy it. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your place right now?"

"Are you?" I asked curiously, and he raised a brow at me in question of what I meant, so I added, "Are you among those who would kill to be in my place?"

He dipped his hands into his pockets and shrugged.

"Well, I'll be lying if I said I didn't want to be first, but I'm kind of grateful that you made it. At least you achieved what I couldn't."

My heart skipped, and I tightened his jacket around me, enjoying his warmth and the sweet scent of his manly cologne.

"Thank you."

There was a brief, comfortable silence between us. For once, I didn't feel like I had to run away from a conversation or force myself to say anything.

Jayden was actually making me feel like I could just be myself and say whatever I wanted to say. He had always had that effect on me, but I just never had the courage to approach him.

"I've been thinking about something," he said again, and I looked at him curiously.

"About what?"

"It's just, you've been a part of our pack since the day you were born, but somehow, I barely knew you."

I gulped hard.

"Th-that's kind of my fault. I never talk to anyone except my friends, Drake and Annie. I'm kind of antisocial."

He shook his head.

"That's not really an excuse, you know. I mean, I should have noticed someone as smart as you. As long as I came first, I never cared about anyone else and failed to see who my real rival in intelligence was." He sighed and stared at me. "I should have noticed you."

I stared back at him with wide eyes. Jayden was actually admitting that he had never noticed me, and somehow, instead of hurting, it made me feel hopeful.

"I'd like to change that now," he added.

My eyes widened slightly.

"Change what?"

"I want to get to know you, Jane. The real you, because I do not plan on letting you surpass me again," he said in a teasing tone.

My heart practically stopped, and I had no idea what to say, so he continued.

"I mean, we're going to the same university now. That's a pretty big opportunity, isn't it? We can get to know much about each other, and I think I won't mind having you as a friend. Or would you mind?"

I shook my head quickly.

Hell no!

"N-no, I won't mind."

He nodded and smiled that lovely smile that always made my brain short-circuit.

"You know, I've been hearing a lot about you lately, but I don't want to know you because you became the smartest wolf in the world. I want to know you because you're Jane, the girl I've never noticed before."

I didn't know what to say. Nobody had ever said something like that to me before, and it made warmth spread through my chest.

"I'd like that a lot," I finally whispered.

His smile grew, and he turned back toward the view.

"Promise not to ignore me when we get to Moonlight University. We should even exchange contacts so we can keep in touch. Moonlight is a really big place. Anyone can get lost or grow distant there."

I smiled happily.

"I promise, and yes, I think we should exchange contacts."

He brought out his phone, and I did too. He put his number in mine and then mine in his before handing it back to me.

"It's done."

I resisted the urge to hug the phone to my chest. I couldn't believe I had Jayden Blackwood's number.

"Thank you, Jayden."

"You're welcome," he replied with a smile.

For the first time tonight, I felt completely happy.

Maybe... just maybe... I finally had a chance.

Moonlight University was going to be the key to winning Jayden's heart. I was going to do everything within my power to make him fall for me.

I knew it wouldn't be easy.

But I was willing to try.