Nancy Carter
Had I thought things were disorganised before, I hadn't seen anything yet.
I knew I had pushed Jake too far when he bolted yesterday from the cafeteria.
But what then was my intended response?
Let him triumph. After what he did to me, let him go undamaged?
Not one.
That girl was not who I was anymore.
But pushing someone like Jake Matthews has a flaw.
They constantly rebel with more force.
I felt it two steps inside the school. I barely made it.
That weighty, seething presence right next to me.
I turned; sure enough Jake was there.
Arm crossed; eyes fixated on me like a predator observing its prey while leaning on his locker.
He felt more than simply resentment.
He was raging.
And he was not by himself.
Kayla stood next him muttering something in his ear, her eyes darting towards me as like she knew something I did not.
Excellent. just what I needed.
I straightened my shoulders, pushed my face into cool indifference, and passed without looking back at him.
I had almost reached it when—"Nina."
I breathed loudly then turned, my look bland. " WHAT?"
Jake moved off his locker and approached closely. "We have to talk."
I crossed my arms. "No, we truly don's."
His jaw locked. "Fine. Afterwards, just listen.
I answered nothing, but I also didn't leave.
Apparently sufficient for him to go on.
"You think Enzo actually cares about you?" he said, voice low, harsh. "You believe you to be unique?"
I started to chuckle under duress. And I ought to trust you since—?"
"Because I know him," Jake said quickly. "Better than you could possibly do. And I know how this ends for you, Nina. With him bored. Walking away when you cease being entertaining for him."
Something sparked in my chest: uncertainty, reluctance, something I wanted not to admit.
Since deep down, wasn't it just what I feared?
I shucked the idea aside, swallowing hard. "Then it's a good thing I don't need your concern."
Jake's demeanour worsened. "You will see it although you do not now. And when it occurs, do not count on me to be there waiting."
I laughed silently, without of humour. "Jake, trust me." Not will."
His eyes shimmered with something I could not quite identify.
Then, just as I turned to go, he reached out, fingers lightly stroking my wrist in a manner too familiar.
Too hazardous.
"Last chance, Nina," he said low. "Let this go before it is too late."
I turned back my arm. The already too late is "it."
And I turned my back on him with that.
For great benefit.
At least, that is what I believed.
The second I saw Jake caressing Nina, something within me caught fire.
I was not the kind of person to participate in dirty petty dramas involving others. I was not the man claiming someone.
But when I saw Jake's hand on hers?
Her look—angry but somehow conflicted—made me wonder.
I went before I gave it much consideration.
I was already here by the time she turned.
I put an arm around her waist and zero-hesitantly pulled her into me.
She hardly had time to respond before I planted a temple kiss.
Jake became stiff.
Fantastic.
"You alright, princess?" I said quietly.
Nina faltered for half a second. She nodded then, as I was about to turn away. Sure.
Jake's jaw seemed to be so clenched it hurt.
He walked slowly ahead. "This is real now," asked.
I sneered. You tell me.
A muscle in his jaw clicked. "You're blundering, Carter."
This time Nina hardly paused at all. Just raising her chin, she added, "I think I've made worse."
And for the first time—Jake Matthews did not have a comeback.
I was mistaken to believe that would mark the end of it.
Because later on the evening?
In hockey practice?
Jake was still sauntering.
He skated, and I could see it. assertive. Mindless. harmful.
The strain burst not too long thereafter.
We were sprinting exercises one minute. The next—Jake came slamming into me. Tough.
I get on the ice, my eyesight whites out for a moment.
Then I started to hear it.
whistling of the whistle. The sound of skaters scratching.
And suddenly Jake was ahead of me.
His helmet wasn't on. Mine was also too.
"You think this is a game?" he snarled.
I smirked even though blood was running from my lip. "I considered that to be all you were good at, Matthews."
His palm swung.
I Sw avoided it. faintly.
I then gave him initial punches.
Damage was done by the time the coaches separated us.
I had battled with Jake once. We had always been competitors on the rink.
Still, this is what I mean.
This differed.
Because I realised something when I cleaned blood from my lips.
Jake wasn't only annoyed at Nina.
His fear was losing.
Not just the game, then as well.
Her:
I let out a strong gasp, slanted head. " Guess it's not as phoney as you thought, huh?"
The stare from Jake was pure hatred.
I also saw it for the first time.
He was faltering.
He disliked it as well.
Later that evening, I discovered Nina outside her home, still experiencing the effects of the battle.
Sitting on the bonnet of her vehicle, she seemed to be attempting to make sense of things by gazing upwards.
I watched her while slung against the doorframe. "You looking for me, or just hoping I would show up?"
She laughed softly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I do not even know anymore."
I slowed down. Then, without thinking, I moved over and jumped up next to her.
She kept silent.
Not either did I.
The stillness lingered, but it was not embarrassing for once.
That was just...
She sighed last, too. "Jake expects you to break me."
My voice softer than I intended, I turned to her. "Are you??"
She faltered. Then, almost above a whisper——"I don't know."
I watched her and breathed slowly.
Because for the first time since this all began?
I wasn't sure if I was engaging in game play.
Alternatively if I were the one performing.