This is why we can't have nice things
Taylor Swift
0:52 ——•———————————

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔, 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒚
𝑫𝒊𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒊 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒊𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆?

𝑪𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔, 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒐𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 11
𝑶𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓

☆

𝑰𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏'𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑱𝒐𝒗𝒊 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 to start making her mark in the classroom, and it wasn't in the way most teachers hoped. By the first month of school, she had already earned a reputation for being the smart, sarcastic troublemaker who could turn any lesson into a comedy show. Today was no different.

Jovi and Ares sat next to each other at the back of the classroom, supposed to be working on an assignment together. Since Jovi had shown Ares her battle wounds they seemed to share some sort of connection — Jovi didn't know what kind — but she knew she still hated him, though now he had become the Schmidt to her Jenko. Usually they ended up in detention together, either because Ares had purposely done something that he knew he could drag Jovi into and Jovi would purposely get him into trouble even if she knew damn well that they'd be stuck behind after school. Jody had given up trying to lecture them on their childish behaviour, now she didn't even both asking why they were once again in detention.

Instead of focusing on the work, they were locked in their usual back-and-forth, the kind of playful, petty arguing that had become their norm.

"Seriously, Ares, are you even trying?" Jovi asked, feigning exasperation as she crossed her arms and glared at him. "We're supposed to be writing about ancient civilizations, not whatever nonsense you just scribbled down."

Ares leaned back in his chair, flashing her a smug grin. "First of all, my 'nonsense' is genius. Second, why do I always end up doing all the work while you just sit there being all... annoying?"

Jovi raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching with amusement. "Oh, I'm sorry, do you want me to do more? Because last time I checked, you couldn't even spell 'necessary' without asking for help." Sometimes Jovi wondered if there was actually a brain in that massive head of his...

"Uh, excuse me?" Ares shot back sassily, his grin widening. "I don't need your help for anything, thank you very much. I'm perfectly capable of doing this on my own. You're just here for... what exactly? To make me look smarter by comparison?"

Jovi rolled her eyes dramatically, leaning over his paper to inspect his half-finished notes. "Wow. Bold words for someone who just misspelled 'civilization.' Twice." He made it so easy for her to make fun of him, like seriously, the damn word was written at the top of the paper and he still got it wrong multiple times...pathetic.

Ares grabbed his paper back, frowning. "I did not!"

"You did," Jovi replied, deadpan. "But it's okay. Not everyone can be perfect like me."

Ares scoffed. "Perfectly annoying, maybe."

"Oh, please," Jovi shot back leaning slightly closer to him her eyes darting over his face. "You live for this. Admit it. You'd be bored to death if you didn't have me to keep you on your toes."

Ares chuckled, shaking his head feeling a weird sense of nerves having her that close to him and looking at him like that...what was he even thinking? He very quickly pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind locking them away replying. "Yeah, well, that's only because someone has to keep you in line. Otherwise, you'd be causing chaos left and right."

Him keeping her in line? If anything Ares was a worse influence on the Winchester girl. Jovi leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Chaos is my middle name, babe."

Ares snorted eyes glancing back at the paper. "Yeah, tell me something I don't know."

Jovi narrowed her eyes, leaning over to shove his shoulder. "You really wanna go there?"

Ares smirked, nudging her back. "What, you gonna cry? Gonna call Daddy Dean to come to your rescue?"

If anyone else had said that they'd already be on the ground with a black eye but instead of anger Jovi's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Oh, you're so asking for it."

Before Ares could react, Jovi reached out and yanked the back of his chair, sending him tumbling to the ground in an awkward heap. His arms flailed as he hit the floor with a loud crash, and the entire class turned to look at the scene.

Jovi burst into uncontrollable laughter, nearly doubling over. "Oh my God, Ares! That was... that was perfect!" she managed to choke out between fits of giggles. Was she childish? Yes. But she couldn't care less, this was gold to her.

Ares groaned from the floor, rubbing the back of his head. "You're such a child, Winchester," he muttered, but he couldn't help the small grin pulling at his lips.

Before Jovi could catch her breath, the stern voice of their teacher, Mrs. Porter, cut through the room. "Jovi! Ares! Detention. Both of you. After school."

Jovi stopped laughing just long enough to shoot Ares a triumphant smirk. "Worth it."

Ares, still on the ground, just shook his head. "Totally worth it," he muttered under his breath, even as Mrs. Porter glared daggers at them.

As Jovi leaned back in her chair with a satisfied grin, she kicked her feet up on the desk, completely unfazed by the impending detention. Ares, finally climbing back into his seat, couldn't help but give her a playful glare.

"Remind me why I'm friends with you again?" he asked, brushing himself off.

Was they friends? Jovi didn't know if she'd call them friends more like frenemies...Jovi just grinned, winking at him. "Because deep down, you know life would be way more boring without me around."

She wasn't wrong and he knew it. Ares sighed dramatically. "Yeah, and detention would be a whole lot emptier too."

Jovi's laugh filled the classroom, unbothered by the consequences, as they settled back into their usual routine of chaos and bickering.

☆

𝑱𝒐𝒗𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 into the bustling cafeteria, trays in hand, and scanned the sea of students for their usual spot. They landed at a table near the back, away from the chaos but with a good view of everything. Jovi tossed her bag down onto a chair,  sitting opposite Kat with her usual nonchalance.

"Okay, real talk—what's more dangerous, Leatherface chasing you with a chainsaw or Coach when you breath too loud?" Jovi quipped, poking at her food like it had personally wronged her.

Kat laughed, rolling her eyes. "Easy. Coach. She's scarier than any serial killer."

Before Jovi could respond, a familiar figure plopped down across from them— Ares, in all his chaotic glory, grinning like he'd just gotten away with something. Which, knowing Ares, he probably had.

"Well, well, if it isn't Serena and Blair" Ares announced, sliding his tray onto the table. "So, what's the plan for today? Torment teachers? Fake a fire drill? Steal the mascot?"

Jovi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Is that your subtle way of asking me to prank Mrs. Davis again? Because if you are, the answer is yes."

Kat snickered, and Ares leaned back, folding his arms behind his head. "You know me too well. But seriously, the mascot idea's not off the table."

Just then, a figure entered Jovi's peripheral vision, and her demeanor shifted instantly. Blake Winslow, the effortlessly cocky British brunette, strolled into the cafeteria. He glanced around, and his eyes landed on Jovi's table. He flashed that charming smile of his — the one that could make her heart race despite her usual deadpan exterior.

Blake made his way over, and Jovi's usual sarcastic coolness melted just a little. "Look who decided to join the cool kids," she teased as he sat down beside her, their shoulders brushing.

"Couldn't resist the company," Blake said smoothly, his accent making every word sound ten times more charming. "Besides, my usual table is missing a little... life."

Ares groaned dramatically, glaring at Blake with exaggerated disdain. "Oh great, here we go. Let the flirting commence."

Blake flashed a grin at Ares but kept his gaze locked on Jovi. "Flirting? Is that what I'm doing? I just thought I was being polite."

Jovi's lips curled into a playful smirk as she leaned toward him, her voice dropping into a mock whisper. "Please, Winslow, we both know you've been trying to charm me since I got here."

Blake chuckled, leaning closer. "And yet, here we are, weeks later, and you're still playing hard to get."

Kat rolled her eyes, biting into her sandwich. "You two need a room." She was happy for Jovi but she also enjoyed teasing her friend.

"Agreed," Ares muttered, crossing his arms, clearly unimpressed with Blake's smooth-talking. "I hate this. It's like watching a car crash in slow motion."

Before Jovi could fire back a witty retort, the mood shifted. The clacking of high heels echoed across the cafeteria as Aria Esra and her entourage approached the table. Her eyes were locked on Blake with a mixture of disbelief and barely concealed irritation. But before she could utter a word Ares looked up at the girl with wide gleaming eyes "h-hi Aria" he stuttered out earning a disgusted look from not only Aria but Jovi too.

Aria rolled her eyes completely ignoring the boy. "Blake," Aria said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass. "What are you doing over here?"

Blake barely glanced up, remaining relaxed as he casually slung an arm over the back of Jovi's chair. "Sitting. Eating. Enjoying the company, you know. The usual."

Aria's eyes flicked to Jovi, narrowing in disbelief. "Really? You're sitting with... them?" She gestured toward Jovi and Ares like they were beneath her, which, in Aria's world, they probably were.

Jovi straightened up, a slow grin spreading across her face. She was loving this already, give her one high school bitch and she'll have a field day. "What's the matter, Aria? Scared you'll lose your favorite seat warmer?"

Blake chuckled, clearly enjoying the tension, while Ares just shook his head, muttering under his breath, "Oh, this is gonna be good."

Aria's perfectly manicured hand tightened around the strap of her designer bag as she glared at Jovi, her voice laced with venom. "Please, Jovi, as if you could even compete. Blake just feels sorry for you."

Jovi leaned back in her seat, completely unfazed. "Right, because nothing says 'pity' like choosing to sit with us instead of your little clone army."

Kat snorted into her drink, trying to stifle her laughter, while Ares mimicked Jovi's laid-back posture, enjoying the show.

Blake, clearly amused, leaned closer to Jovi, his voice loud enough for Aria to hear. "I don't know, Jovi, I think I made the right choice. Things are a lot more interesting over here."

Aria's face flushed with anger, but she refused to let it show. With one last withering look at Jovi, she turned on her heel, her entourage trailing behind her as she stormed off.

As soon as Aria was out of earshot, Ares let out a dramatic sigh. "Well, that was uncomfortable. But also weirdly satisfying."

Jovi smirked, tossing a glance at Blake. "Looks like you've got a fan club. Too bad you ditched them for us."

Blake shrugged, flashing that same charming smile. "What can I say? I like the company of rebels."

Jovi met his gaze, her smirk widening as she leaned in just a little. "Careful, Winslow. Hanging with us might ruin your reputation."

Blake grinned. "Worth it."

Ares groaned again, this time louder, as he grabbed an apple off his tray and lobbed it at Blake. "Oh my god, please stop. You're both killing me."

Jovi leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms and shooting a sideways glance at Blake, who was busy picking at his fries with an amused smirk on his face.

"Okay, so you seriously don't care what Aria thinks, right?" Jovi asked, raising an eyebrow.

Blake shrugged, his casual demeanor unshaken. "Not really. I mean, it's not like she's the queen of the universe or anything." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "She's more like the queen of a glorified popularity contest."

"Right? That girl's hot but she's got issues," Ares chimed in, rolling his eyes. Jovi didn't understand how Ares was crushing on Aria, she was clearly a bitch and didn't like him very much yet he looked like a lovestruck puppy when she was near. Boys, she thought fighting back an eye roll. "Like, she can't handle the idea that not everyone is dying to sit with her. It's sad, really."

Jovi laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You know, a little humbling never hurt anyone..."

Ares met Jovi's eyes both of them sharing a silent understanding "what do you have in mind?" The boy asked a grin coming into his face, Jovi smirked picking up her drink and taking a long sip.

As Blake and Kat stared at the girl with curiosity, Jovi couldn't help but steal glances at Blake, his dark hair falling just perfectly across his forehead. There was something about him that made her stomach flip — something she could hardly admit out loud. Just then, the bell rang, breaking her train of thought.

"Time for class," Kat said, gathering her things. "Are we really going to prank Aria, though? Because I'm here for it."

"Definitely," Jovi replied, standing up. She nudged Blake playfully with her elbow. "What do you think, Winslow? You in for a little chaos?"

Blake leaned back, a confident smirk on his lips. "Chaos? I wouldn't miss it for the world. Just promise me one thing."

"Anything," Jovi said, tilting her head with curiosity but then she winced at her words, did that sound too desperate? She hoped not.

"Make sure I'm standing next to you when Aria gets humbled. I'm sure it's going to be worth watching and you're fun to be around."

Jovi felt her cheeks heat up slightly at his words. "Wow, flattering much?"

Before Blake could respond, Ares jumped in, arms crossed and mock-serious. "I just want it on the record that I'm not responsible for whatever prank we cook up. If we get banned from school, it's all your fault."

"Oh, come on, Ares," Jovi said, rolling her eyes. "You live for this kind of thing. Just embrace the chaos."

As they made their way out of the cafeteria, Jovi and Blake fell into step beside each other, their shoulders brushing again, sending a jolt through her.

☆

𝑱𝒐𝒗𝒊 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 down the hallway, heading toward the dreaded detention room, but neither of them seemed too bothered by the impending punishment. Jovi, as always, walked with a confident swagger, while Ares kept up his usual stream of sarcastic comments.

"So, what's the plan this time?" Ares asked, glancing sideways at her. "Make detention fun by getting us kicked out? Or just annoy the hell out of Mrs. Porter?"

Jovi grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. "Oh, I'm full of ideas, Cassidy. I'm sure we'll figure something out."

As they pushed the door to the detention room open, Jovi's smirk faltered for a brief second when she saw who was already there, leaning casually in his chair with a lazy grin: Blake Winslow. Her eyes lit up with mischievous glee.

"Ohhhh, look who it is," Jovi whispered to Ares, nudging him with her elbow. "It's my future husband." Obviously she was only joking but she could admit that she may have been crushing on Blake, not because she wanted to be but her stomach always done those weird flips when he was around. She didn't like it but at the same time, a part of her was hopeful for at least one positive thing in her life.

Ares groaned audibly, rubbing his face. "Please, for the love of God, don't start."

"Why not?" Jovi grinned as they made their way toward the back of the room. "He's been trying to flirt with me for weeks. I should reward him for his effort."

The British brunette sat with his legs stretched out in front of him, his sleeves rolled up just enough to show off his forearms, exuding his usual cocky charm. As soon as his brown eyes landed on Jovi, his smile widened.

"Winchester," Blake said, his voice laced with amusement and a hint of an accent. "Fancy seeing you here."

Jovi felt her heart do a weird little flip, but she masked it with an equally confident grin. "Winslow," she replied smoothly. "Just couldn't stay away, huh?"

Blake chuckled, tapping his pen against his notebook. "You know, I figured you'd be too good to end up in detention, but I guess I was wrong."

Jovi sauntered over to an empty chair, sitting down next to Blake as if it was the most natural thing in the world. "Please, this isn't even my first time in detention. You should see what I can get away with."

Blake's grin turned into something more playful. "Oh, I'm sure you're full of surprises."

Jovi leaned forward slightly, her eyes sparkling as she met his gaze. "You have no idea."

Ares, who had been standing in the doorway watching the exchange, cleared his throat loudly. "Oh great, this is just what I needed. Flirty banter from you two."

He dropped into the chair on the other side of Jovi, scowling as he crossed his arms. "Honestly, why does every room I walk into have to be a rom-com waiting to happen?"

Jovi turned her head to look at Ares, arching an eyebrow. "Jealous much, Cassidy?"

Ares snorted. "Of what? That Winslow here can't even manage to land a comeback without sounding like a Shakespeare reject?"

Blake, unfazed by Ares' snark, just leaned back further in his chair, glancing at Ares with an easygoing smile. "Mate, no need to be so tense. We're all friends here, right?"

Ares glared at him. "Yeah, well, some of us are better friends than others."

Jovi rolled her eyes, nudging Ares with her elbow. "Calm down, Ares. Not like I'm about to run off with him." Though she wouldn't be completely opposed to the idea...she's joking...obviously.

Blake's grin grew even more amused. "Well, I wouldn't mind if you did, Winchester."

The girl almost smirked that that, her stomach doing another one of those annoying flips, but she refused to let it show. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, throwing Blake a teasing smile. "Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you?"

Blake's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Who wouldn't?"

Touché, Jovi thought to herself.

Ares, now visibly irritated, looked like he might combust at any moment. "Alright, alright, can we just... not?"

Jovi gave him a sideways glance, trying not to laugh. "What's your problem, Ares? Blake's just being... friendly."

Ares muttered something under his breath that sounded like, Yeah, real friendly.

Blake, ever the picture of confidence, turned to Ares with a wink. "Relax, mate. I'm not stealing your girl."

Jovi burst out laughing, and Ares' face turned red, a mix of frustration and embarrassment. "Me? His girl? Please! That'll only happen when hell freezes over!" Jovi mocked barely able to contain her