With an exhausted groan escaping my lips, I begrudgingly acknowledged the persistent buzzing of my alarm clock. Reluctantly, I peeled myself out of bed, my head throbbing with an unwelcome ache. Every step felt like a heavy burden as I made my way to the bathroom, seeking refuge under the warm stream of the shower. Wrapping myself in a towel afterwards, I couldn't help but feel a sinking sensation in my chest as I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror—a bruise marked my eye, a visible reminder of some unfortunate incident. I muttered a quiet curse, resigned to the task of concealing it with makeup. Running a brush through my damp hair, I sighed as I scrutinized my reflection. The bruise was still noticeable, though somewhat diminished. Slipping into my school uniform, I descended the stairs, only to be startled by an unexpected presence.
"Jace," I gasped in astonishment.
His attention shifted from my father to me, a warm smile gracing his lips. "Lucy," he greeted, his voice carrying a sense of familiarity.
My eyes widened, my mind struggling to process his sudden appearance. "What...what brings you here?" I managed to ask, reaching for a bottle of water from the fridge.
"He's been so kind, checking up on you," my father chimed in, a wide grin adorning his face.
Confusion creased my brow as I tilted my head. "What do you mean?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
"Well, your fall was quite nasty, Lucy. So, I brought you this," Jace explained, retrieving a small ointment from his pocket.
"It's herbal," he emphasized as if to reassure me.
"Why didn't you tell us that Jace lives next door, Lucy?" my father asked a hint of reproach in his tone.
A frown tugged at my lips as I mustered a small smile. "I guess I just assumed you already knew," I replied, attempting to downplay my oversight.
My father chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "What a coincidence. It's almost as if..." he trailed off, searching for the right words.
"Fate," Jace interjected, his gaze fixed on mine, his grey eyes captivating.
My breath caught in my throat at his words.
Emily laughed, breaking the tension that had settled in the room. "You're such a joker, Jace," she rasped. "It's interesting—I saw you as a guest star on a show I watch, and there are rumours that you're dating one of the actresses," she blurted out bluntly.
Jace ran a hand through his hair, shifting his attention to Emily. "I suppose you could say we're an item," he admitted, his words piercing my heart. I couldn't deny my selfishness—I wanted him to be happy, just not at the expense of my own happiness. The thought of him speaking about Mirae and being with her felt suffocating.
"Do you know Lucy is also an actress?" my father chimed in, diverting the conversation to me. I braced myself for potential embarrassment.
"Dad, I wasn't..." I started, my voice meek.
"Don't be so modest, Lulu," my father interjected, his voice filled with fondness. "She's performed in school musicals and possesses a voice that could rival angels. Her mother used to keep me at arm's length, so I would reach out to other parents whenever there was a musical, just to get videos of her performances," he confessed, his words weighing heavily on my heart. I approached him, enveloping him in a tight embrace.
"I'm sorry, Dad," I murmured, looking up at him, my voice filled with remorse. He returned the embrace, holding me tightly.
"It's alright, princess. Now I have you and Max, and I love both of you," he whispered, planting a gentle kiss on my forehead.
"I have to get to work, or else this guy's grandfather will have my head," my dad chuckled, releasing me from his embrace.
"Bye, Dad," I said, bidding him farewell.
"See you, kiddo," he replied, giving me one last squeeze before letting go. He kissed Emily on the cheek and wished both Jace and me a good day.
"I also have to go. I have a meeting with my publisher," Emily informed me.
"Can you take everyone to school?" she asked, her request catching me off guard.
I frowned, feeling the weight of my pounding headache. "I would, but I'm not feeling well enough to drive," I explained.
"I'll take them," Jace shrugged nonchalantly.
"That would be a big help. Thank you, Jace," Emily smiled, gathering her belongings from the kitchen counter.
Before she left, she turned back and said, "Tell Andrew I said hi." Her words sounded innocent, but I knew it was a jab aimed at me. I nodded in response, silently noting my growing dislike for Emily.
I looked at Jace, a surge of emotions rushing through me as I realized we were now alone. He approached me, his presence captivating. Leaning down, he gently brushed his hand against my cheek, sending my heart into a frenzy. I told myself I would say no if he tried to kiss me. I had to remind myself that we both were spoken for, even though every fibre of my being longed for his affection to be directed at me alone.
"You did a great job concealing it. It's hardly noticeable," he remarked, leaning back against the counter. I released a tense breath, trying to ease the growing tension within me. Of course, he had a girlfriend, and I needed to get my mind out of the gutters.
A small smile escaped my lips, despite the mixed emotions swirling within me. Jace glanced at his watch and suggested, "Let's grab some breakfast."
I furrowed my brow, uncertain. "Just the two of us?" I questioned.
"No, with everyone. Don't worry, it's on me, as long as you promise to sit through the meal this time," Jace teased, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Oh, haha," I replied sarcastically.
As Jace drove, Tyler and Todd buzzed with excitement, chatting incessantly about Jace's newfound popularity. It wasn't too long ago that they wanted to beat him up, and now they idolized him.
"Please say it again," Todd pleaded.
Jace smirked, playing along. "Stay away from her," he said in a cool tone. Tyler and Todd erupted into zealous fans, cheering and applauding at that one line.
"You're so cool, Jace! Will your character ever come back?" Tyler asked eagerly.
"Maybe he will, maybe he won't," Jace smirked, keeping them intrigued.
"How many famous people do you know?" Todd inquired.
"Many. I know lots of actors and models. Did I mention I even have Tavis Inferno on speed dial?" Jace boasted, flexing his status.
Tyler shook his head in disbelief. "You're lying. You're lying!"
"Prove it!" Todd exclaimed loudly from the backseat.
"Okay, how about I get us all tickets?" Jace offered, playing along. "Tavis and I are like best friends."
"Please, Jace, please! I'll be nice to Lucy until the day I die," Todd pleaded, his excitement palpable.
I rolled my eyes at their exaggerated reactions. "Next week, Friday it is then," Jace smiled, glancing at me. "You're coming?" he asked.
"No, I love his music, don't get me wrong, but Andrew..." I trailed off, explaining my reasons.
He sighed. "Andrew hit you, Lucy," he whispered in a soft voice.
"It's because you started fighting with him," I argued, defending Andrew. Deep down, I knew he would never intentionally hurt me.
I turned my gaze out the window, crossing my arms in a protective gesture. When we arrived at the café, my appetite had disappeared. I absentmindedly flipped through the breakfast options and settled for a simple bagel.
"You're fucking joking, right?" Jace raised his dark eyebrow at me in utter disbelief.
"Language," Oliver reprimanded him.
Jace frowned at Oliver, apologizing, "Sorry, Johnathan." Then, a mischievous smile danced across his lips.
"His name is Oliver," I shook my head disapprovingly.
He turns to Oliver, "I'm sorry that they named you that, but to make you feel better get anything you want." Jace whispered, winning Oliver over through corruption and bribery.
When the waitress approached, Oliver seized the opportunity to order a sundae, and Jace ordered eggs, bacon, and toast for me. While we waited for our food, Jace entertained Oliver with his surprisingly impressive magic tricks, making straws disappear and even conjuring a hundred-dollar bill from behind Oliver's ear. Todd begged for the same trick, but Jace playfully dismissed him.
After finishing breakfast and dropping Oliver off at school, Jace and I, accompanied by Todd, Tyler, and Max, who had remained unusually quiet, arrived at the school parking lot. Jace's driving seemed smoother, and there was a noticeable change in his demeanour.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked Jace as the others exited the car.
"Yes. Grab the bag, sis," Todd encouraged, making his way out. To which I responded in a very evident eye roll directed at him.
I let out a breath as the others disappeared.
I turn to Jace, silence flooding Emily's car. "Thank you," I smiled at Jace, genuine appreciation in my eyes.
He returned the smile. "For what?" he asked.
I shook my head, my expression softening. "I really like who you're becoming," I confessed, feeling a sense of warmth toward him.
His grey eyes locked with mine, and I could sense a mixture of curiosity and vulnerability in his gaze. I reached out and held his hand gently. "I know we're not together anymore, but you can always confide in me. I'll always be here for you," I reassured him, squeezing his hand lightly.
"Why?" Jace questioned, his voice laced with both longing and confusion.
I looked at him intently, trying to put my emotions into words. "I can't explain it fully, but you remind me of myself," I admitted, my voice filled with sincerity.
"Are you also a model who did coke?" he joked, attempting to lighten the mood.
I gave him a serious look. "I had to leave my mom because of something that happened. I can recognize pain in others because I carry my own. I know what pain looks like when it's painted across someone's face because I'm familiar with that pain," I confessed, opening up to him.
Jace's head jerked up, surprise evident in his expression. Before he could respond, a sudden knock on the car window interrupted our conversation. I turned to see Andrew standing there, his face etched with a mix of anger and hurt.