Chapter 27

A bright ray of light peeking through the curtains woke up from my deep slumber. Rolling over, I couldn't help but notice how the softness of the white blankets brushed against my skin. I slowly sat up, feeling small aches of pain at my feet from wearing four-inch heels last night. Glancing over, I noticed that my emerald green prom dress was sitting on a hanger. I stared down at myself, almost forgetting how I ended up changing into Jace's white t-shirt the previous evening.

Glancing down at the floor, I saw Jace's sleeping figure. Somehow, his blanket was tossed to the side, and his pillow had become his personal teddy bear, rather than a cushion for his head. I chuckled quietly, but secretly admired the way he looked so calm and serene in his sleep- like everything would be okay from this very moment on.

It gave me hope.

I slowly crawled out of Jace's bed, making my way toward his bathroom. I closed the door behind me as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake him up. I turned on the faucet of the sink, splashing my face as I gently wiped away any remains of yesterday night's makeup. I found some spare toothbrushes and towels in Jace's cabinets, and took it upon myself to freshen up. After coming back to Jace's house last night, I was too tired to do anything but change out of my dress and head straight to bed.

When I finished, I stepped out of Jace's bathroom. I shrieked with surprise when I saw him standing in the center of his bedroom, running a towel through his wet hair, wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants that sat dangerously low on his hips.

My reflexes reacted quickly as I shielded my eyes with the towel. "Dude!" I screeched, hiding the fact that my cheeks were turning hot and red. "Cover up!"

I heard Jace chuckling with amusement as he snatched the towel from my hands. Standing in front of me, I couldn't help but stare at the droplets of water that slowly cascaded down his defined chest.

Brushing a wet strand of hair behind my ear, Jace held my cheek while giving me a teasing smirk. "Says the one who isn't wearing any pants." He whispered.

Snapping out of trance, I stepped away from him as I slapped him across the chest with the back of my hand. "Y-Your shirt nearly reaches my knees!" I defended myself.

"I wish it didn't." Jace winked before turning to his drawers and pulling out a fresh, clean t-shirt.

I crossed my arms over my chest, sticking my tongue out at him childishly. "You're annoying."

"You love me, though." Jace said.

Silence and tension came in between us, and just like that, it felt as if we were thousands of miles away, once again.

Memories from last night, at prom, flooded my mind. I remember Jace holding me close, finally confessing his love for me. Words, actions, and emotions couldn't describe exactly how I felt at that moment. Pure happiness- pure bliss.

However, memories of that night on New Year's came rushing back, as well. Shivers shot down my spine as I recalled myself stupidly blurting out my love for Jace, just moments after feeling my heart shatter into small fragments of glass. Months later, and it still brought an ache in my chest. Will it ever go away?

"Everly," Jace mumbled, suddenly appearing in front of me as he held my hands gently, "you remember what I said last night, don't you?"

I stared up at his eyes, almost not believing that this was happening right now. After all of these months of thinking I would never get to be this close to Jace again, here I was. "Which part?" I asked quietly.

Jace glanced down at my lips. "The part where I said that I am in love with you."

I was in love with him, too.

I was hopelessly, stupidly, insanely, in love with Jace Wasson.

But, I couldn't bring myself to verbally tell him how I felt- not again. I restricted myself, held myself back from saying such a strong word because a small part of me was still scared.

I was scared of love and scared of heartbreak.

Pain was evident in Jace's eyes when moments passed, and I still hadn't uttered a word. "It's okay," Jace whispered, forcing a small smile as he pressed his lips against my forehead, "whenever you're ready, princess. I'll be waiting."

*

Jace pulled the car up to my driveway later that morning. I had my heels in one hand and my prom dress in the other. I readied myself to get out of his car, but before I could, he placed a hand on my arm. "Everly," he paused, "are you busy tonight?"

I bit back a smile, shaking my head. "Nope. Do you have something in mind?"

Jace grinned sheepishly before nodding. "I'd like to take you out for dinner."

Blushing, I couldn't help but wonder if this was his way of asking me out on a date. Looking up at Jace, I saw that his eyes radiated with anticipation and hope. I didn't even have to think twice about his offer before nodding. "Sure, what time?" I asked.

"I'll pick you up at seven, princess." Jace smirked.

"I'll see you then." I said, getting out of his car.

I watched as Jace pulled his car out of my driveway and sped away. I stood there momentarily, after Jace was long gone, reminiscing on the events that had happened recently. Smiling like an idiot, I couldn't help but feel incredibly happy and relieved that after all of the obstacles that were thrown at Jace and I, we were going out on a date tonight.

I wasn't usually one who cared much about her appearance, but strangely enough, I was already wondering what I should wear and how I should do my hair for tonight. I wasn't even half as attentive as I was now for prom last night.

As I unlocked the front door to my house, I was immediately greeted by the sound of my mother's voice. "Everly!" she shrieked. "How was prom, honey? Did Julianne's parents take any pictures? Because if she did, she has to forward them to me!"

I laughed as my mother hugged me with excitement. I found it slightly amusing that she was so interested in my prom. "It was great, mom." I said truthfully, thinking about Jace yet again.

"You have to tell me every detail, later!" she beamed.

"I could just tell you now." I offered.

My mother began guiding me towards the kitchen, where I found the back of a blonde figure sitting on a stool by the counter. "You have a visitor, Everly." She smiled. "I'll wait to hear all of the prom details later."

I watched as my mother went upstairs, most likely to her bedroom. I cautiously made my way into the kitchen, coming face to face with Christiana.

I already had a guess as to why she was here- she was going to rip my brains out and feed me to the sharks for breaking my promise.

"Hey Christiana," I tried to conceal the shakiness in my voice, "how long have you been waiting for me?"

I saw that my mother gave her a mug of coffee before I came home. Her cherry red lipstick left a mark on the rim of the cup. "I've been waiting to talk to you since last night." Christiana said, stoically. "But, I've only been waiting at your house for fifteen minutes."

I stared down, fiddling my fingers nervously. "I know why you're here," I muttered, "I'm sorry for-,"

"Don't apologize." Christiana cut me off curtly. She took in a sharp breath before slowly releasing it. Her eyes slowly shifted up to mine, holding my gaze. I've always known that Christiana had unbelievably blue eyes, but I've never noticed how intimidating they were until now. "I should be the one apologizing to you."

My eyes snapped up alarmingly. For the short period of time I've come to known Christiana, I knew that she was unpredictable, but never in a million years did I see this coming.

Christiana Collins was apologizing, to me?

"W-What?" I stammered. "Why are you saying sorry?"

Christiana sighed, tugging on one of her curly blonde locks. "I love Jace," she whispered, making my heart drop, "but it's so blatantly obvious that he's still in love with you."

I held in my breath, unaware of where she was going with this.

"I took away Jace's happiness when I asked you to stay away from him." Christiana said. "And I am sorry for asking you to."

The ice queen had a heart?

"I-It's okay. I forgive you." I said.

I chose to forgive Christiana because deep down, I knew that she was not a bad person. Just like I was, she was hopelessly in love with Jace and she went to an extreme level to try and make him love her back.

A small smile appeared on Christiana's lips, and for the first time, I noticed how unhappy she actually was. Her powder blue eyes reflected her inner emotions precisely- she was miserable.

"You know, Everly, I'm actually kind of envious of you." She admitted. Just when I thought Christiana didn't have any more shocking news, she managed to surprise me, yet again.

I snorted, raising an eyebrow, unwilling to believe that out of all people, Christiana Collins was jealous of me. "What can I possibly have that you do not?" I asked.

"You have Jace," she joked, "but you also have a best friend and a mother who loves you no matter what. You're insanely smart and likable, unlike me. I failed three classes this year and I don't have a single friend."

I pursed my lips, never realizing how lonely Christiana was.

"I have a crazy idea," I began to suggest, capturing the attention of Christiana, "do you want to hang out with me and Julianne next Friday?"

Christiana's eyes widened. Her lips parted with surprise, and for a split second, I was certain that she was going to say no. But, she didn't.

"I-I'd love to."

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I am such a crappy person for updating so late.. I'm sorry!! ):