Leah

"You abandoned me." Kayla pouted.

"I did not." I defended.

"You totally did." She argued.

We were currently walking through the packed school hallway trying to make to our next class.

Weaving through people has become a special skill of mine.

"Do you know how shocked your mom was to find me in your bed instead of you?" She added.

I gave her a pointed look. "She wasn't that shock."

Kayla looked thoughtful for a moment. "You're right. She actually called my name and told me their was food in the kitchen."

I chuckled. "You practically live at my house. I'm surprise she hasn't given you a room yet."

"Okay, whatever. I had to be dramatic." She waved me off.

We walked into our final class of the day, Biology. I've honestly haven't seen much of Jace today, but I wasn't actually looking.

Truthfully?

I've been avoiding him.

I've been trying to come to terms with my feelings for him. I just don't know how I would act when I'm face to face.

Walking in to class, Jace and Nate were already seated. They both looked up and smiled.

What did I get myself into?

The guy I'm trying to get over, but just recently confessed his feelings.

And the guy who agreed to my stupid idea of playing my boyfriend, who I now developed feelings for.

Shoot me.

I walked over to my seat very much avoiding eye contact with Jace.

The class started a few moments later.

"I've barely seen you all day long." Jace whispered from behind. Just the sound of his voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Sorry, just been busy." I whispered back and turned my attention to our teacher.

The lesson proceeded and put my direct focus on taking notes. Towards the end of class it was announced that we would be paired up for a project and assigned a topic.

The teacher started to call out the pairs.

Not Jace.

Getting closer to the end there were only a few names left.

Jace was one of them.

"Leah." She started.

Not Jace.

"And Nate." She finished. "You have the the topic of Cell Division."

My eye widen.

Ah damn. Not Nate too!

Believe it or not Jace and Kayla got paired up. That's a pairing I did not expect.

Kayla and I met eyes and she shrugged her shoulders.

I sighed. It was one or the other.

The bell rung signaling the end of class and the school day. I started to pack up my stuff, but before I could move an inch to the door, Nate approached me.

"You've been avoiding me." He stated bluntly.

I was taken back slightly. Was I avoiding him? My mind has been so preoccupied that I didn't even get a chance to think about avoiding Nate.

"Sorry Nate." I apologized and slung my backpack over my shoulder. "I haven't been trying to." I looked over to already see that Jace was gone.

"Well now you're stuck with me." He said referring to the project.

"Seems so." I said giving him a smile. "Do you know much about cell division?"

"Not much." He answered, but the air was filled with awkwardness as we walked down the near empty hallway.

"I know it's been weird since, you know." He added referring to his confession. "And I want you to know that I'm not forcing you into anything, to make any decision. I'll be patient."

A wave of guilt washed over me. "Nate." I started, but he continued. I've put him and myself in the middle of something that will probably not end well for the both of us.

"I'm not giving up, but I would like my friend back at least." A sense of sadness in his voice.

I smiled at him. "I'll always be your friend."

He returned the smile.

"Okay." He tossed his arm over my shoulder playfully. "So cell division."

I laughed at him. "Really? That's what you want to talk about?"

He shook his head. "Okay, pizza or Chinese?"

I furrowed my brows. "Chinese?" I answered but it came out more like a question.

"Good. I just wanted to know what to order when we work on the project." He said.

"You are really focused on this project." I teased.

"Well if it allows me to spend some time with my best friend, then yeah."

I shook my head playfully. "Alright, let's go work on this thing."

"Yes!" He cheered which caused me to laugh.

"I'm glad you mentioned it. Kayla abandoned me, I don't have a ride home." Her home project was almost finished and she was laser focused on it. Details.

"Do I look like a chauffeur?" He asked.

I sized him up. "Actually you do."

His jaw touched the floor making me laugh.

"You take that back." He demanded as we walked towards his car.

"I don't think so." I told him.

Nate muttered something under his breath as we approached his car.

Walking over to his passenger side, my eyes caught onto something. Mainly someone.

Jace was talking to someone. I could only see his side profile as he was speaking. They were standing in front of a very expensive luxury car. I looked over to see who the person was.

And I was a little taken back.

She was absolutely gorgeous. She had to be around our age. Her dark red hair was tied up in a sleek ponytail. Her tight jeans shows the curves I only dreamed of having. A black leather jacket was over her shoulders and a white top would slip through whenever she move.

Her dark eyes were set on the person in front of her. A smile lined her perfect pink lips. She stood powerfully in a the sharpest heels I've ever seen. She had to be a model.

Her well manicured hand was skillfully placed on Jace's chest. I felt a bubble of jealousy rise from the center of my chest.

Even though I tried to push it down, it still grew.

Her eyes shifted over and found me. She must have felt my gaze. I wasn't being shy about it.

Her perfect brows furrowed for a moment and realization hit her. A mischievous smile filled her lips.

Jace followed her line of vision.

"Fuck." He mouthed with a look of despair written on his face.

I turned away from them. Nate caught my flustered state.

"Isn't that Jac-" He started, but I cut him off.

"So Chinese? We should get some movies or games too." I told him with a plastered smile.

He quirked a brow, but I ignored him and slipped into the passenger seat.

Nate followed suit, but don't before giving me a concerned look.

I just gave him a smile, trying to brush off what I just witnessed.

He started the car and drove out of the parking lot. I kept the conversation flowing to make him think my mind was not still in the parking lot.

But it still was.

And the only thought that seem to keep swirling in my mind.

Who was that girl?

***
Hello loves!

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! We're finally getting some Nate again!

Who do we think this girl is? Any guesses?!

We just hit #1 in humor and #8 in romance! OMG! Thank you all so much for your support!

Please continue to vote (30 for the next chapter) and comment (5 for the next chapter) !

As soon as we hit our goals, I will release the next chapter!

-Lisa S.