I wipe my tears using the pocket tissues. I've been crying since Kayla told me something heart-wrenching. I stare at my phone, holding it firmly to stop myself from contacting Jace. The music room is currently closed for a lesson so I can't go there, that's why I am sitting behind the big tree at the far corner of the school ground, hiding from anyone's prying eyes.

"Are you avoiding me, Eloise?"

I jump when I hear Jace but don't see him. I detach myself from the tree and find him leaning his back on the opposite side of the tree, staring at the open ground. I return to my previous position quickly before someone sees us.

"Is it obvious?" My voice breaks, making me cry again.

"You use to contact me whenever you're...Fuck! Stop crying."

I hear him say through gritted teeth. I wish that we weren't talking with a big trunk in between our backs.

"Go away Jace. I'll be fine. Someone saw us exiting the music room last time and if you stick around, they might figure out that it was you."

"Screw it! I don't care. It will be just rumour unless we confirm it."

"Stop Jace. I want to stop using you."

"What do you mean?"

I wipe my tears before speaking. "I won't contact you anymore to get rid of my pent-up emotions. It isn't right."

"Did I do something wrong, Eloise? I thought we're doing well. I told you, I'm not complain—"

"We are surely good in bed and you've been a great help. It's just that using sex — using you — doesn't feel right anymore." I want to do it out of love. I want to add that but I don't. He will surely laugh at me. We only agreed on casual sex, classmates with benefits. "Your secret might blow up if we continue this."

"Are you ending us?"

"What are we? I'm not your girlfriend. There's no us, Jace." My lips tremble and I cover my mouth to suppress the sob.

A few minutes have passed and Jace is not saying anything. Then, I hear his footsteps. I thought he's leaving but his runners appeared in front of me.

I abruptly stand and pull him to my side to hide. "Are you crazy? Why did —"

My words die when I feel his thumb stroking my cheeks, wiping my tears. The close proximity is making my body on fire again.

"Stop crying, Eloise. Stop worrying about everything."

I become putty in his hands as I stare at his eyes which are looking intently at me.

"But you are the one who told me to keep it a secret."

"I know and I'm sorry for the burden it has caused. Can I hug you?"

His eyes are pleading so I nod. I cry when he pulls me to his chest, wrapping my arms around his torso. My heart is breaking.

"Shh! You know you should not absorb their feelings. Lend your ears not your fucking entire self," he says while stroking my back.

But for you, I lend — no — I give all of myself. I'm crying because of you.

Once I stop, I pull away and he holds my chin. "Is this what you really want?"

I nod.  "Thank you for everything, Jace," I say while holding his gaze.

I tiptoe and as if he understands what I want, he grabs my waist and kisses me passionately. I let myself savour this parting gift.

🧽

Three weeks later

"Happy birthday Harrison," I say, handing my present to Finn's cousin.

"Thank you. Archer, Finn and Selena are on the far corner to the left, close to the fountain."

"Okay. See you around."

Harrison's family is rich and looking at the sea of people in this beautiful outdoor venue, mostly are rich and models like him. It's because of Selena and Finn that we entered his circle.

"Over here, Eloise!" I smile when I see Archer waving at me.

"Selena, you bitch, can you stop eating Finn? It's too early for dessert," I say, chuckling.

"They make me feel very single. Thank God, you arrived," says Archer dramatically.

"Is that Jace?" That's Blair, making me freeze.

For three weeks, memories we shared together haunt me everyday. We avoid each other but my body knows when he's around and I steal glances at him as much as possible.

"Impossible. That aloof guy never comes to high school parties," says one of her minions.

"Pinch me! Pinch me! Jace is here." I hear another girl say.

"Of course he will be. Harrison is one of their models."

I raise my eyebrow and turn around. It's Jace in dark jeans, white T-shirt and black leather jacket, smiling at Harrison. His hair is stylishly slicked back and tucked behind his ears.

"Hold my thong, it's slipping down. I will definitely go home with him."

My eyes narrow at Blair who's wearing a skimpy black dress.

"That's Jace Vanderhart?" I hear Selena asks.

"The one and only." Another guest confirms.

How come they know Jace, the aloof guy who doesn't want any attention drawn to him.

"My parents work in The Harts so we've met many times. They say he's hiding his real identity in school."

"What do you mean?" asks Selena.

"He's the son of the owner of The Harts."

My jaw drops, shock is surely in my face. I return to look at him and I forget to breathe when he walks towards us, his eyes are fixed on me.

"Can we talk, Eloise?" His deep voice and scent consume me again.

"We have nothing to —"

"There is and you will go with me or we'll do it in front of them."

"The guy, you're—you know, is Jace?" Selena fires another question.

"Yes. Excuse us."

I drag him away and stop behind one of the thick bushes. I release his hand and cross my arms over my chest.

"Is it true that you own The Harts?"

"My parents, not me."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't think it's important if I want to be a normal guy in school."

"Then why did you come here? What happened to keeping your identity a secret?"

"You happen."

I cock my head.

"I'm done hiding myself. Those 3 weeks are fucking torture, I can see you but I can't talk to you nor touch you. I miss you so much."

Tears form in my eyes. "Same here, I miss you too."

Just like that, he pulls me into a tight hug and I return with the same intensity. When we detach our bodies, our eyes meet.

"I'm going crazy if I keep fighting this feeling. I can't stop thinking about you. Agreeing with you to end us was the stupidest thing I've done. I watch how you help your friends by keeping their secrets and comforting them. You're a human sponge, absorbing the burdens of others. How about you? Who will carry yours?" He tucks my hair behind my ears. I'm speechless. No one has ever asked me that question.

Before I can answer, he continues, "I don't like it whenever I see you cry or run towards the music room. I want to be the only person you will run to if you need someone." A shiver runs through my body down to my core when he speaks in my ear. "I will not make your burdens lighter, I'll make them disappear, if not, at least make you forget them, even for a few blissful hours."

His words prickle my eyes with tears. "I think I'm in love with you too, Jace." My voice comes out breathy. "Sex with you is no longer casual. I feel a strong emotional connection." Tears of joy make their way down my cheeks.

His smile grows widely. "Can we start all over again?" he says, cupping my face while his thumb wipes my tears.

I nod and he slams his lips to mine. This time it's sweeter, our bodies are perfectly molding into each other.

The kiss ends but our body doesn't want to separate as the desires are heightened by the kiss.

"Do you want to get out of here?" He asks while peppering my face with light kisses.

"Yes."

"Let's make this day as our first official date."

My heart races at the thought of dating and making love with Jace.

"That day in the music room, where did you go?" I ask while we walk towards the parking lot, our fingers are interlocked and I love it.

"My cousin came to tell me that she needs me to pretend like I'm her boyfriend to make a dumb guy jealous."

"Did it work?"

"Yes. They're together now."

When we stop in front of the same BMW car he drove weeks ago, I knew that I was dumb to think he borrowed it from someone.

"I bet, this is yours." I facepalm myself.

He chuckles and kisses my knuckles. "You bet! Get inside, love. My buddy misses you too."

🧽  E N D 🧽

###
Waahh! I did it! I finished another story.

Thank you for reading. Are you going to miss them?  Don't worry, they will have a small role in the next story.

Did you like Jace and Eloise's story? If yes, can you please vote on this chapter and let me know in the comment section?

The next story will be Bad Boy On Scooter. I think it will have a slow update because I'm plotting my upcoming Christmas novella.

See you on BBOS. Don't forget to add this book in your private library or follow me for updates.

:-) Alya :-)