VI

                                    

                                          
I haven't spoken to Jace in a week and a half. Yes, I kept track of time. Today is going to be my first day at school. Jovante, or Jojo, who is going through some kind of phase and wants to be called Jojo by all his friends, is driving us to school. I initially planned on walking. After that night at dinner, I haven't really spoken to anyone but my little brother but it's not like I can talk about my feelings to a six-year-old, he would understand. But I finally explained to my parents last night why I prefer to not have Jace as a mate. They believe I should give him a chance, but with the way, he went about things I can't even stand to look at him. Apparently, today had to be the day I did just that. 
                          
Alya failed to inform me Jace was riding with us this morning and maybe that was because I didn't tell her that Jace is my mate. "I think I'll just walk to school," I said walking past Jace and ignoring his presence. "No Jade, com'mon. We were all looking forward to riding together." Jojo said. "And you owe me for not telling me anything" Alya added and I couldn't tell her no. I agreed but I told Alya she has to sit next to me.
                          
Surprisingly Jace didn't attempt to fight me on my decision. He kindly took the front seat and he didn't say anything to me. The ride was dead silent. No one made conversation mainly because they didn't want to anger anyone, which made me wonder if Jace was angry.  I just stared at my phone the entire time and soon enough my question was answered. I received a text from Alya asking if I really said I wish Jace wasn't my mate. I'm glad she texted me to ask instead of whispering since there was no way they couldn't hear us. I responded with a simple yes. 
                          
"No wonder," Alya said breaking the silence then typing a big paragraph that read "Well no wonder he's been so angry lately. He hasn't spoken much and canceled all the plans he created with Jovante." I didn't know what to say, I just threw my head back and sighed loudly. So he's been grumpy and it's all my fault. Great.
                          
When we got to the school Jace was the first to get out. He grabbed his bag from the trunk and stormed off without the rest of us. Jojo looked at me as I grabbed my bag. "When?" he asked me. "When what?" I asked confused. "When will you guys talk it out?" He asked. "I don't know." was all I could say and we walked into the school. "So your locker is next to mine, let's head there now." Alya offered and I took her up on her offer. She kissed Jojo and continued to walk with me. "I'm sorry.." I started, "For what?" She asked me. "For not telling you and for making Jojo miserable. "What can you do? I mean you could've told me about this, but you can't help the fact that Jace wants to take his anger out on his friendship with Jovante." She was so right, but I can't help but feel that it's my fault. 
                          
When we got to our locker, I struggled to get it open. "Some of the lockers are a piece of shit. Try applying pressure." Alya said while successfully getting her's open. I kept trying but nothing worked. I was so focused on getting the locker open I didn't notice Jojo came to join us. "Okay I give up, guess I'm not using a locker this year," I said throwing my hands up and turning around in defeat. I didn't see Jace until he walked up and punched the locker hard enough to unjam it. I was going to thank him but he left me speechless when he said, "Maybe you should try harder instead of giving up so easily." and he obviously meant that towards us.
                          
 After that, he stormed off. I felt overwhelmed at that moment. I felt like everyone was getting angry with me. My eyes began to water. "Jade... Jade, please don't cry, I tried convincing him to come talk to you. I didn't know he was going to say that." Jojo confessed. I was just so stunned by what he said and how this morning was going. "I'll see you guys later," I said, my voice cracking and as I walked away I wiped my tears that fell from my eyes.
                          
The first bell rang and my first class was pre-calculus and I headed straight there. When I walked into class I looked directly to the back of the class and I felt my heart drop. Jace was sitting in the back and when I walked in it's like he sensed my presence and looked up at me. I contemplated sitting next to him in the empty seat and trying to talk with him, but just as fast as he looked up at me, he pulled his gaze from me and looked at this girl who was making cupcake faces at him. A smiled pulled on his lips and I couldn't help but grow furious. I stormed to the back of the class and sat in the empty seat next to him. He scoffed and turned to face the front of the class. 
                          
"What the hell are you doing?" I asked him. "Minding my business, as should you." His tone sounded familiar, not a good familiar. It was as if, I once again was nothing to him but someone he could talk down to. 
                          
I didn't know what to say. It was like he was a completely different person, colder than before. "What is wrong with you?" I asked dumbfounded by his act. "You," he answered without hesitation. I felt the same way I felt in the hallway. 
                          
"I came over here to apologize and let you know that I regret what I said to you, but I guess you don't need me to do that. I knew that no matter what I did you would always be a dick, you proved that at dinner and you're proving it now" I said standing up, hoping he would say something so we could continue this conversation and I wouldn't have to leave him. Just as I was going to walk away, Jace grabbed my wrist. I looked back at him and he still looked annoyed. "Sit, we'll talk about this later," he growled and I did as told.
                          
When the class began, I didn't really pay attention. I kept glimpsing at Jace from the corner of my eye. He looked so focused and smart. I was enjoying how good he looked, I didn't notice he caught me staring. "Jade, maybe you should be taking notes instead of staring at me," he said breaking my gaze. I blushed and faced forward to copy what the teacher wrote on the board. 
                          
The bell finally rang and instead of staying to talk Jace left me to walk to my next class
                          
~~~~~~~~~~~

When lunch came I saw Jace and part of me wanted to run to catch up with him but I obviously was the last person he wanted to see. I knew he could sense me because he looked back and saw me. I kept my fixed on him even though he turned his back to me. I was getting angry with the way he was treating me. I was so focused on him I didn't notice anyone else and I ended up falling on my ass. 
                          
"I am so sorry!" his accent sounded like a well the sweetest melody. "Oh no, it's okay. I wasn't paying attention at all." I admitted. "I'm guilty of it too," he confessed. " Well, then we can't be mad at each other" I joked. "I'm Timothy," he said sticking his hand out to help me up. I accepted his kind gesture. "Jade," I said smiling. "You must be new, I haven't seen your pretty face before." he complimented. " I, um... I'm sorry I" I stumbled to find my words as my cheeks heated up. "You have a boyfriend? It's okay" he said. "No! I-" I started 
                          
"Yes, she does have a boyfriend. Jade you were supposed to join us for lunch a while ago,  now let's go" Jace butted in with the end of his sentence sounding very aggressive. He grabbed my wrist and led me down the hall. "It was nice meeting you!" I called over my shoulder to the nice boy. When I turned around I tried to fight Jace's grip. "What the hell was that?" he said through gritted teeth. "I didn't do anything! While watching you walk away from me I bumped into him and fell, he helped me up and was being very nice. " I had nothing to hide. 
                          
"It wasn't like I was giving him a reason to keep hitting on me like you did in my fucking face this morning. " I added. "Jade stop. " Jace said. "No, you purposely embarrassed me today, twice! Then left me by myself when you said we'll talk about it! I get I hurt your feelings but it doesn't give you a right to turn around and be a man whore and tear me down like you haven't done that enough." I reproached. "Jade just stop!" he shouted, letting go of my hand and facing me. "You told me you wished I wasn't your mate. What do you expect me to do?" he asked. "Instead of entertaining other girls, we could've talked it out. " I said. 

                          
"You told me to leave you alone. I did just that. " and like that, he turned on his heels and walked into the cafeteria. I stood there for a moment and then headed in behind him. I could see where Alya and Jojo were sitting, she looked at me and raised both of her eyebrows, asking what happened. I just shook my head and walked to the table. Everyone including Jace was eating but me. I just kept to myself. I honestly wanted to go home.
                          
At the end of the day, I rushed to pack up all my things. I didn't want to be in the same space as Jace, I just wanted time to think without seeing his face every second. I enjoyed the walk to until Alya started blowing up my phone asking where I was. I told her I was walking because I had to stop and run errands, I knew she didn't believe me but she let it be.
                          
When I got to the pack house, I made my way to my stay and went straight to my room, closing the door behind me and falling back on my bed. I hated this, and everything about it and I have to say it was my fault that any of this was happening. I should've just kept my mouth shut, or told Jace to leave that day. I sat up to grab my book bag and get a head start on my homework.


                          
Suddenly there was a knock on my door. I went to open it and to my surprise, Alya was standing there alone. "Why aren't you with Jojo?" I asked. "My best friend needs someone to talk to, so here I am."