Leah

You know those moments where you just want to just close your eyes and hope you become invisible? Yeah this was one of those moments.

After that dramatic confession from Nate, I just wanted to disappear into my room and be left alone to my thoughts, but the universe had different plans.

Those being Jace Emerson.

I furrowed my eyebrows towards Jace as I looked at him through my car window.

After disappearing for days with no communication what so ever, he appears in front me.

What was he doing here?

I guess we'll have to find out.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him as I exited the car. He was dressed in a black sweatshirt and medium washed jeans. His dark hair was in its normal sexy slightly tousled look. He had his arms folded across his chest, which enhance his muscles even more.

Not the time to be checking him out, Leah.

"Didn't you miss me?" Jace asked teasingly.

"Hardly." I answered.

"Really? Your many messages and calls say differently." He retorted with a small smirk on his lips.

I couldn't help the small smile that found its way to my lips. I missed our constant back and forth.

"I hate you, you know that." I told him.

"No, you love me. You just don't want to admit it." He argued back playfully.

Love?

Ha.

I shook my head at him. "Go home, Jace."

"Aw and here I thought you were worried about me." He said fake pouting.

"Well if you're here bickering with me, I think you're perfectly fine." I told him as I walked towards my front door.

He grabbed my hand and I turned around to look at him. Worry was etched across his face.

"Nothing strange has happened, right?" He asked with concern.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing weird or out of the ordinary?"

"Jace, what are you talking about?" I pressed.

"I guess not, then." He said as he released my hand.

I took a step closer and placed my hand under his chin turning his head to the side. "The bruise is almost healed." I told him examining his cheek.

"I heal pretty quickly. I mean I have pretty amazing genes."

"Way to find a way to compliment yourself." I patted his cheek softly which caused him to hiss in pain slightly. "Yeah, not that great."

"Why are you out so late?" Jace asked.

I glanced at my phone to look at the time. 9:45pm.

Whoa I didn't know I spent so much time over at the Rylan's.

Nate.

I flashed back to confession and the kiss.

Oh my god.

The kiss.

Jace.

It's best if he didn't know any of this yet. Once I settle my thoughts I will tell him.

"Leah." Jace waved his hand to catch my attention. "Did something happen?" He asked noticing my tense stature.

"No, no. Nothing happened." I lied giving him a smile.

Jace arched a brow. "Okay, I'll believe you this time."

"You don't always believe me?" I asked.

"You actually suck at lying." Jace stated.

"Excuse me? I don't." I said defensively.

"You do. You actually do this thing with your eyebrow when your telling a lie. It arches up and stays up until you finish."

My mouth dropped open as I touch my eyebrow. "That doesn't happen!"

How did he know that?

If not like it's super noticeable. It's a slight arch. But the only ones to ever know have been my mom and Kayla.

Jace laughed at my reaction which caused me to playfully shoved his shoulder.

He grabbed my hand softly right as I was pulling away. The next thing I knew I was in his arms. My head against his chest.

I felt the beat of my heart pick up as I felt his arms wrap around me tighter. I swear I thought I heard his heart beating at the same rate as mine. Automatically, my arms wrapped around him as I felt the strong muscles of his back.

Jace whisper something super softly, I don't think he expected me to hear what he said, but I did.

"I missed you." His voice said so faintly.

I missed you too.

I didn't realize how much I really did until this very moment.

Jace pulled away after a few moments. He looked into my eyes. "Please be safe. If you notice anything strange let me know right away."

"Jace, what's going on? Why are telling me this?" I asked. "Is it because of that guy in the parking lot the other day?"

Jace stayed silent.

"Jace." I called out concerned. "Please tell me if your in trouble."

Jace shook his head slightly and let out a sigh. "Leah, just promise me."

I knew better then to argue. "I promise."

"Good. Now get inside. It's getting too late."

I nodded. "Will you tell me the truth eventually?"

Jace paused.

"Truth? I don't have anything to tell you." He said brushing the topic aside.

I narrowed my eyes at him and he stood there unfazed.

"Now go." He said signaling the the front door.

I actually listen and walked to front door and unlocked it. I turned back to see Jace still standing in my driveway. "By the way you suck at lying!" I yelled towards him.

Jace chuckled as I stepped inside my house and closed the door locking it.

I switched on the lights and glanced out the window to see if he was still there. But he was long gone.

Damn he's fast.

I slipped off my shoes and laid onto the couch. I let my mind recap today's events.

As shocking as Nate's confession was and trust me it still caught me off guard, my mind seems to settle on Jace and wanting to know what he is hiding.

Is he in trouble?

Do Ian and Luke know?

Is he in danger?

Who was that guy in the parking lot?

Is he linked to all of this?

So many questions and no answers.

I need answers.

And I am determined to find out.

***

Monday morning came around a lot quicker than I expected. And trust me I was not prepared for it.

Who even likes Mondays?

Let's be honest, I don't think I'm prepared to see Nate after that confession. What am I suppose to do?

Technically I should be over the moon that he actually likes me and don't get me wrong a small part of me is happy.

But I can't let him back into my heart so easily.

And that's something I have to tell him.

But that's not my main focus.

I need to find out what is going on with Jace.

What is he hiding?

First step, ask Ian and Luke.

I don't expect them to say much, but I'll try to see what I can get from them.

Unfortunately, I don't have any classes with either of them. So the only way is to catch them at lunch or after school.

Kayla and I walked into the school hallway and made our way to the lockers.

"I know I've been missing these past few days. But anything new?" Kayla asked.

I grabbed my textbook for my first class. "No not really, unless you count that Nate confessed that he actually likes me and has for a while, even two years ago when I confessed." I said nonchalantly.

"Excuse me!?" She yelled so loudly that all the constant chatter in the hallway from the other students stop. "Sorry." She apologized sheepishly.

She turned her attention back to me and whisper yelled. "Are you serious? And you didn't tell me."

"I know, I'm a bad friend. But I'm actually still trying to process it."

"What did you tell him?" She asked as we closed our lockers and walked down the hallway.

"That it's too late."

"Is it though?" Kayla questioned.

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know."

"Maybe it is because someone new has entered your life." She stated.

"Who?" I asked, oblivious to what she meant.

"Seriously? Jace."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "I don't think so. Jace and I are just friends despite this 'relationship'."

But, could my feelings for Nate have changed?

Kayla scoffed. "I think your 'relationship' has developed more than you and him expected."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Kayla shook her head and toss her arm around my shoulders. "Oh my dear friend, you will figure it out soon. I hope."

Before I knew it, it was lunchtime

I honestly didn't see much of Nate today, but I knew I would see him at lunch.

I wasn't sure how I should approach him. What should I say?

After Saturday, I haven't heard from Nate. It seems like he's giving me space. Which I greatly appreciate. I still have to figure out my feelings, but right now that's not my main concern.

Once I entered the cafeteria, I scanned the room and eyes locked onto a certain boy. I took long strides over to their table and stood right in front of them.

Luke was mid bite into a sandwich as he looked up to me with big doe eyes. "Leah!" He exclaimed as he dropped his sandwich onto his tray.

I couldn't help but smile. "Hi Luke." I said giving him a small wave.

"Dude, where have you been?" He asked as I took a seat in front of him.

"I could ask you the same. I barely see you and Ian." I said taking a chip off his tray. "By the way where is Ian?"

"What? Did you miss me?" A deep voice said behind me before Luke could answer.

I turned around to face Ian. "Something like that." I said giving him my award winning smile which caused his cold expression to break into a small smile.

He took a seat next to me. I didn't notice it until now, but I actually miss these boys.

"So what's new?" I asked.

"Nothing." Ian said simply as he took a sip of his water.

"You're not much of a talker, huh?"

"I thought you knew this." He retorted.

I narrowed my eyes and toss one of Luke's chip at him.

"Hey! I was gonna eat that." Luke argued.

"Sharing is caring." I told him as I grabbed another one off his tray.

Luke glared at me as he took another bite of his sandwich.

I decided I'm not going to beat around the bush with this.

"Where is Jace?" I asked curiously.

"He's not here today." Ian said simply.

"He's been missing school quite a bit. Is he okay?"

Tension grew in the air.

"He'll be back soon." Luke said.

"Soon? Like tomorrow?" I questioned.

"Just soon." Ian reiterated.

Silence.

I knew I was not gonna get anything for these guys.

"Okay, fine. If you guys say so." I got up from my seat to leave.

"Leah." Ian called out. "We know you care and you're concern."

"But?" I turned back to them.

"But there are some things that we can't tell you. Jace would have to be the one." He continued.

"Why don't you pay him a visit?" Luke offered.

A visit?

Luke gave me a confirming smile and Ian just nodded his head.

I took the hint.

It's time for a visit Jace.

***

Hello loves!

Jace has this special something that he just makes you forget about everything around you. Is that just me? Lol

We're starting to get to know Jace more and more!

Get ready!!

Next chapter soon! (70 votes for it!)

Lisa