All Chapters of Stuck With My Bully Until Graduation: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

_ Harper's POV I have never actually been to a party like this before. Not a real one, anyway. Except if Jace's disaster of a house party that I'd mostly experienced through the lens of cleaning it up afterward counts. Clive's hangout turned out to be a sprawling house near the lake, with string lights strung across the backyard, music thumping loud enough that I felt it in my chest before we even got out of the car. "Relax," Clive said, catching the look on my face. "It's just a party." "I don't really do parties," I admitted. "First time for everything." He grinned and held the door open for me. Inside, it was chaos in the best and worst way, with a number of people crowded around a keg in the kitchen, a playlist blasting from a speaker balanced precariously on the counter, and a group by the pool table cheering over something I couldn't see. Clive pressed a cup into my hand before I could protest. "What is this?" "Just punch. Try it." It was sweeter than I expected, ba

_ Harper POV I rushed out of my room, already late for school. I halted when I saw Jace. He wore a rigid face and walked past me without much of a glance. He had been avoiding me for the past few days. Refusing to speak to me or even look at me. I tried to ignore his cold attitude, but it was hard. I quickly hurried after him and watched him speed off in his car while I rushed not to miss the bus. I stood in front of my locker at school, arranging my books. Jace appeared in the hallway, his hockey friends with him. He had his stick slung over his shoulder. My heart slammed nervously against my chest, and I stared at him, hoping he would at least glance toward me. His eyes met mine. But then, he looked away immediately. Like I was invisible. I bowed my head as a strange ache replaced the nervous feeling. At lunchtime, I hurried to get a tray and filled it with food. I was looking for the seat Quinn had reserved for us when Reagan and her friends blocked my path. “Well,

_ Harper’s pov cont. He shut his eyes again, and I turned fully to him. I reached out and cupped his face into my palm. I frowned instantly. He was burning up; his skin looked flushed. Really flushed. "Jace?" I called, but there was no response. I reached up and pressed a hand against his forehead. My eyes widened. "Oh my gosh." I tried to stand, but his hand immediately caught mine. "Where are you going?" “You have a fever. I need to cool you down,” I told him. "Don't leave." His voice sounded like a plea. "I'll be back." I assured him. Only then did his grip loosen. I hurried to the bathroom and returned with a bowl of cool water and a towel. I rushed to his side and carefully folded the towel. I placed it against his forehead. His eyes opened slightly. "What are you doing?" "Taking care of you." A faint smile spread across his face. “This feels good,” he mumbled again before his eyes slowly drifted shut. After bringing his temperature down just a bit with the

_ Harper’s POV I checked the time carefully for the third time, not wanting Quinn to notice. She had her face buried in chips, a burger, and her phone. “Harper,” she called, taking a long sip of her drink. “Huh?” I quickly looked away from my phone, about to hit send on my text to Austin. Quinn looked up. “Why did you ask me to come here again?” she asked. I pressed my lips together. “Nothing. I just found this amazing place, and I thought we could study here,” I answered. Quinn frowned, looking at me suspiciously. “You want us to read together?” she repeated. “You know how much I hate studying,” she said. I let out a nervous chuckle. I glanced at my phone as it chimed. “Doesn’t this place look so good? Even better if you meet your special person here?” I quickly said. She shrugged. “The food is great,” she answered instead. I nodded and checked my phone again. Just then, the café restaurant’s door opened, and I looked up automatically. Austin walked in looking good

_ Jace's POV I headed to the music room to find Reagan the next morning, where her lackeys said she would be, but she was not alone. Declan was beside her, massaging her shoulders. Reagan looked up from her sheet music, surprise flickering across her face, and then a satisfied look replaced it. Declan glared instantly, but Reagan was quick to dismiss him. "Well, well," she said, setting her pencil down. "Jace Carter, coming to me." "Cut it," I said. “I need you to keep your mouth shut about Harper living with me,” I told her. She leaned back in her chair and gave an offended smirk. “I can’t believe you are making demands of me without a proper bargain,” she answered. “Fine. What do you want?” "Simple. Us. Back together," she replied immediately. "No." "No hesitation at all?" She raised an eyebrow, clearly stung despite herself. "None," I said. She was quiet for a moment, jaw tight, recalculating. Then, slowly, her expression shifted into a thoughtful gaze. "Fine," sh