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Awkward. It was the first word that came to mind to describe my current predicament. There was nothing more uncomfortable than standing on the sidelines of my school field, still clad in my school blazer, and watching my boyfriend's school play mine.

To be fair, it would've been more awkward if I were naked.

Jack stood on the field, his coach mouthing angrily at the team of boys. My eyes strayed just as Levi propped the mouthguard back into his mouth. There was something about the insignificant action that was almost striking. With that absurd thought, I snapped my eyes back to Jack's figure.

"Who do you want to win?" Ji-hye asked before she took a loud sip of her drink. The green of her kale juice sloshed in the clear cup, the re-useable straw lingering on her lips.

I shrugged unfazed. "It's a win for me either way."

"I really want Jack to lose."

I snorted at her words, unsurprised.

When I didn't say anything, Ji-hye continued, "To watch that smug smile fall off his face. I'd do anything for that."

"Keep talking, and I'll assume you don't like my boyfriend," I drawled sarcastically, biting my lips as Levi took Jack down with a tackle.

Malachi cheered, covering the outline of his mouth with his hands. Even, quiet and poised Lachlan, hollered.

Watching Jack brush himself off, my lips tipped down. He cracked the muscles in his neck, and I recognised the habit instantly. There was no way our plans for tonight were going to go down smoothly.

Malachi leaned in towards me. "How come you're not cheering your mans on?"

"Because she secretly wants us to win," Ji-hye replied with a scoff.

I directed a pointed gaze at her, but she avoided my stare, facing the game.

The referee blew into his whistle, the shrill sound piercing through the air.  At the announcement of the end, everyone relaxed. The hollering and cheering beside me intensified and Tori, Levi's younger sister, jumped into Isaiah's arms.

I stood rooted in my spot, unsure of whether to celebrate with my school or comfort my sulking boyfriend. Jack made the decision for me as he strode closer.

"Why were you cheering for them?"

My brows slammed down. "What do you mean? That's my school."

As if sharing a secret with me, Jack bowed his head and dropped his voice to a whisper as he said, "That was really embarrassing, babe."

Usually, the word babe was enough to melt me into a puddle. Today, it just sounded condescending.

I stared at him, taken aback; unsure of how we had gotten here.

Jack's hand tightened around my elbow, and the action itself felt more territorial than anything Jack had ever done. His eyes flared in a way that I hadn't seen before, and I didn't recognise the boy in front of me.

I could feel eyes boring into us. I swallowed and lowered my voice. "Jack, don't make a scene."

He looked at me with bewilderment. "You're the one that always makes a scene, Scarlet."

"Excuse me?" I asked. Instantly picking up on the rise in my volume, I pressed my lips tight.

"See?" Jack pressed. "You always make a scene. Nothing I say or feel matters."

I studied his face, searching for the truth in his words. Was I a bad girlfriend? Had I unknowingly made everything about me?

"Jack," I started, my voice softer and more regretful. "I never realised you felt that way."

He didn't look at me, choosing to shake his head.

I continued, "I'm sorry."

"Whatever," he replied, dropping my arm and stalking away.

Lips parted in surprise, my eyes trailed up, taking in my surroundings. Some students were occupied with celebrating, but others had witnessed what had gone down. Lachlan and Ji-hye had more tact, trying to face the opposite direction. But Levi stared straight at me. His gaze unwavering, the muscle in his jaw ticking.

My ears flushed with embarrassment. He held a cloth in one hand, and the other was wrapped into a fist. His body was locked into position with Malachi's hand resting on his shoulder.

He shrugged out of Malachi's grip and stalked towards me. As he neared, I turned into the opposite direction, not willing to face him. Even as I turned, I knew it was late.

Levi's scent enveloped around me before I felt his hand wrap around my upper arm. I expected the touch to feel harsh and demanding like Jack's had felt. Instead, it felt like the complete opposite; gentle.

I halted mid-step. I didn't turn, but I stopped.

"Are you okay?" Levi asked. His voice was softer than I had ever heard it. And once again, Levi was toying dangerously with the boundaries of whatever we had.

I still didn't move to turn, and he didn't force me either. I stood with my back towards him.

I choked out a, "No."

"Do you want to talk?"

This time, I felt his words tickle my hair. I inhaled, comprehending the proximity. Unable to use my mouth, I shook my head, my hair moving wildly.

Levi spluttered. "Do you want me to eat your hair or something?"

My lips quirked up. "Hungry?"

"Not for your hair, no."

Levi's fingers burned on my arm, in a way that felt too pleasant to be safe. "I should go."

"Okay," he said, stepping back. As his fingers dropped, I wondered if I should've asked him to walk with me.

Instead, I tipped my chin up and walked away from Levi.

My feet carried me to the parking lot, where Jack was angrily shoving all of his gear into the boot. His blue car seemed so out of place in our parking lot. It was way too flash, it even put Poppy's stupid two doored car to shame.

"Jack!"

He glanced up. As I neared, he pulled me into his arm, planting a kiss onto my lips.

Leaning back, he said, "I'm sorry. I think I was just angry about the game."

"That's okay," I murmured, mentally questioning if it was.

"Do you want to head back to mine?"

I hesitated as I answered, "I'm on my period."

Jack's eyes narrowed. "Do you think sex is all I care about?" He turned away from me, shaking his head. "Honestly, Scarlet. You always make me feel like shit."

My mouth formed an 'o'. "Jack, that's not what I meant."

"That's it. I need some space." He opened the door to his car. "I'll call you in a few days when I've cooled off."

I stepped back from the car as he drove off.

Alone in the parking lot, I felt the tears well up in my eyes. Pressing the bottoms of my palms against my eyes, I groaned loudly.

Relationships were work. Relationships were work. Relationships were work.

I repeated the words in my head. I tried to think about all the memories Jack and I had in the past two years. Days spent in the park or in front of his TV. Good days. Dancing with him at his school ball.

Relationships needed work.

With a sigh, I got into my own car, hoping for a better tomorrow.

Thank you for your love and support on this book.
There's a lot of silent readers that leave an occasional vote
or comment, but seeing them makes me giddy.

Thank you for adding this story to your reading
lists.

What are you theories about Sawyer?
Thoughts on Jack and Scarlet's relationship?

Much love.