Leah

"Math fucking sucks." Kayla groaned as she tossed her books into her locker. "Like why? Why do we need to know Calculus? When am I ever going to use that shit?" She slams her locker shut.

I pat her shoulder in a consoling way. "Never my friend."

She groaned once more as we walked down the crowded school hallway. We skillfully bypass other students as we have been doing the past four years.

"You know the subject of Math should just disappear. Just go poof. It would make my life simpler." She continued. "No formulas to remember, theories and all that."

"Yeah, sure." I agreed. " And no money."

Kayla stopped dead in her tracks. "No money?"

"Don't you know we use math to calculate finances?" I asked. Her face contour in the thought.

"Ah, damn I guess it's useful." She exclaimed grabbing my arm pulling me towards the school's cafeteria.

Once in the cafeteria, we stood in the line waiting to grab food just like everyone else. "So tell me, how are things between you and Nate?" Kayla asked as  we moved forward in the line.

"Better I guess." I told her. "The day after the party he came over to check on me and we just went back to our old ways."

"Friends again?" She questioned.

"Friends again." I confirmed.

"Just friends?"

I looked at her. "Just friends, Kayla."

"Really?" She asked with an arched brow. "So, this doesn't make you jealous?"

Kayla grabbed my shoulders and turned me around in the opposite direction. Directly in my line of vision was Nate sitting down at one of tables. He was sitting next to Nicole Clarke, the popular brunette. They looked like they were enjoying each other's company. Talking, laughing and even her small touch on his shoulder every now and again.

I felt a small bubble of jealously rise in the center of my chest, but not as strong as before. Odd.

I pushed the feeling back down, but soon Nate's eyes locked onto my own. His dark blue eyes held mischief. He reached up and tucked a loose strand of Nicole's dark hair behind her ear and gave her an award winning smile.

I turned back around to face Kayla away from that scene. "No jealously." I told her.

"You're so bad at lying." She said.

"I'm not lying." I grabbed a slice of pizza and place it onto my tray.

"Sure." She said not convinced. Even I wasn't as convinced myself. But one thing is for sure I wasn't as hurt as I was the last time. "But I'm sure this doesn't make you jealous." Kayla said pointing to the left of us.

I follow her line of vision. This time it was towards Jace.  A redhead girl was leaned against the cafeteria wall, Jace had his arm resting above her against the wall. Their distance was close. She was laughing at something he said. Her hand brushed against his chest. He gave her his signature smirk.

That's stupid smirk.

Anger rose inside of me. Anger and jealously? No way, I can't be jealous. I don't even like Jace.

At least I don't think so.

No way!

I forbid that.

But it just didn't stop the feeling I was having.

This burning, aching, gnawing feeling.

Everything started to feel hot, suffocating. I needed air.

I dropped the tray on the table in front of me and told Kayla I was going to the restroom.

Exiting through the doors I was greeting by the cool air. October was a few days away and you could tell the season was changing.

I took a deep breathe and felt the tension in my shoulder relax.

I wasn't hit with one, but two awkward situations.

Who wouldn't need a breather?

I felt a strong hand grab my arm. I turned around and was met with dark blue eyes. Nate.

"Are you okay?" He asked concern laced in his features.

You weren't that concern when you were flirting.

Not the time, Leah.

I nodded. "I'm okay, just needed some fresh air." I gave him a smile to ward off his worry.

His eyes studied my features seeing if there was any hint of a lie in there.

His body visible relaxes after a few seconds. "Okay, I'll believe you."

"You know I'm very compelling. I can make you believe anything." I teased to ease the tension.

Nate let out a chuckle. " I can't argue that."

We fell into a comfortable silence for a few moments as we walk down the pathway that leads to the center of the school.

"By the way, my mom keeps on asking me when you'll be coming over to see her ." He said with his hands stuffed in his front pockets. "More like pestering."

I laughed. Nate's mom is not the patient type, so I can imagine the constant asking. "Soon, I'll make it a day with her. I miss her."

"She misses you too." He said. "And so do I." He added under his breath. I'm sure I wasn't suppose to hear that.

I gave him a small smile. "How about Saturday?"

Nate looked up with hope in his eyes. "That sounds awesome. I'll let her know. That won't stop the pestering, but that should ease her off a bit. That woman is unbearable sometimes."

I laughed. "But that's why you love her." I added. "You're dad compliments her, she's the loud and impatient one and he's the quite and calm one. Match made in heaven."

"As a product of them, what does that make me?" Nate asked.

"You are your own breed. Mean and obnoxious." I teased.

Nate's mouth fell open. "You're the mean one!" He exclaimed.

I laughed. "Fine, I'm mean. But at least I'm not obnoxious."

"I am not obnoxious." He defended.

"See, even that was obnoxious."

His mouth fell open once more and couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter.

"You really are mean." He muttered.

"Oh, but you love me for it." I said giving him an award winning smile.

Nate chuckled. "You have no idea." He said softly. Too soft. I couldn't tell if that's what it said.

"Let your mom know I want those delicious brownies. I haven't had them in years."

"Trust me when I say this. She will cook a whole feast."

"Well you know I can eat, so I look forward to the challenge." I said patting my belly.

"How are we friends?" Nate questioned.

"Right? How could I be friends with someone as obnoxious as you?"

"Leah." Nate stopped dead in his tracks causing me to look back at him. "If you want to live to eat those brownies, leave now." He teased.

"I shall bow out gracefully." I said. I really want those brownies. "See you later."

I would hug him, but I feel like he was attack me if I did in that moment. Better be safe then sorry.

I walking inside the school hallway leaving Nate. It was nice and warm compared to outside. Everyone was still in lunch so I walked down to my locker to grab my books for my next class.

I turned the corner of the hallway and saw Jace leaning against my locker.

A bubble of anger started to rise in me just at the sight of him.

"What are you doing here?" I asked coldly as I approached my locker.

"You disappeared quickly from the cafeteria." He stated. I was now standing in front of him as I got a whiff of cologne.

"I just needed some fresh air. Are you going to move?" I asked annoyed.

"Are you sure that's all it was?" He asked with a cocky smile on his lips.

I leaned in close to him. "I'm sure."

Jace took a step forward closing the distance between us.

I felt my breath hitch and my heart pounding harder. His hand made its way under my chin tilting my head up slightly his eyes examining my features. "It's okay to admit you were jealous."

I pulled away from his grasp. "Jealous of what?" I asked pushing pass him to get to my locker.

"You know." He said leaning on the lockers next to mine.

"Don't worry sweetheart. I wasn't jealous of you and the redhead." I said opening up my locker. "If you're going to play this game, do a better job."

I was just about to grab my books when my locker door was slammed shut. I yelped as my hand was almost caught in it.

"What the he-" Before I could finish my sentence, my back was slammed into the lockers. Jace towered over me. He was radiating dominance.

"A better job? Instead of worrying about what I'm doing, how about you worry about yourself and Rylan."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "What is that suppose to mean?"

"It seems like the two of you are getting awfully close. Weren't you the one that wanted to start this little thing?" Jace said with an icy cold tone. "To make him jealous."

"I never wanted to make him jealous." I poked at his chest. "I wanted to show him that I moved on. That's all. You were the one that wanted to make this into a game. But yet you go around flirting with other girls, how the hell is he gonna take that seriously?"

"You want to know how? I'll show you." Jace said just as the school bell rung signaling the end of lunch.

Just as I was about to ask how, he slammed his lips onto mine.

Showing not only me, but the whole world that this agreement is still very much on.

***
Hello lovelies!

Things are starting to pick up now. So I hope you guys are ready for this roller coaster ride!

Next chapter will be soon!

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Lisa