Jaxon couldn't focus in class. His leg bounced under the desk, his grip tightening on his pen until his knuckles turned white. He replayed the moment in the hallway over and over againâRyan's smirk, his words, the way Lena tensed at the sound of his voice.
Enough was enough.
As soon as the bell rang, Jaxon was out of his seat, ignoring the conversations happening around him. He barely registered his teammates calling after him as he made his way toward the administrative office.
He wasn't going to let Ryan get away with it anymore.
Meanwhile, Lena had barely settled into her seat at lunch when she noticed Jaxon was missing. She frowned, scanning the cafeteria. Usually, he was right beside her, teasing her or stealing food off her tray. Today, he was nowhere to be seen.
Ethan plopped into the seat across from her, taking a bite out of his sandwich before raising a brow. "Where's your other half?"
Lena shrugged, trying to ignore the way her stomach twisted. "No idea."
Ethan studied her for a moment before shaking his head. "I heard what Ryan said."
Lena tensed. "Ethanâ"
"I'm not going to do anything," Ethan interrupted, though his jaw was tight. "But Jaxon? That's another story."
Lena's pulse kicked up. "What do you mean?"
Ethan gave her a pointed look. "He's not here, is he?"
Lena's breath caught. Oh no.
She was already pushing up from the table, ignoring Ethan's call after her as she rushed out of the cafeteria. Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned down the hallway, her feet moving faster as the realization hit.
Jaxon was going to the principal.
---
Jaxon stood in front of the office, his fists clenched at his sides. His entire body was tense, every muscle tight with frustration.
He hadn't even realized he was breathing so heavily until he heard Lena's voice behind him.
"Jaxon, wait."
He turned, his expression unreadable. But when he saw herâsaw the worry in her eyesâhis shoulders dropped just slightly.
"Lena," he exhaled. "I can't let this go."
She stopped in front of him, taking his hand. "I know. But just... think for a second. This isn't just about what he said today. You're talking about getting him expelled."
Jaxon's jaw tightened. "He deserves it."
Lena swallowed, searching his face. "I know. But if we do this, it needs to be handled right. Not in the heat of the moment."
Jaxon ran a hand through his hair, exhaling harshly. "I justâI hate that he's still walking around like he owns the place. Like he can say whatever he wants and never face any consequences."
Lena squeezed his hand. "I hate it too. But you don't have to fight this battle alone."
His gaze softened, the frustration in his features shifting into something else. Something deeper. "I just want to protect you."
Lena smiled softly. "I know. And I love you for it. But let's do this the right way."
Just as the words left her lips, the realization of what she had just said hit her like a freight train. Wait. Had she really just said that? Just like that? The weight of it settled deep in her chest, and before she could even think about taking it back, Jaxon's face shifted.
Jaxon froze. His grip on her hand tightened, his eyes searching hers like he wasn't sure if he had heard her right. "What?"
Lena swallowed, her heart pounding. There was no taking it back now. "I love you, Jaxon. I thinkâI think I have for a while."
For a split second, he just stared at her, completely still. Then his expression softened, something so incredibly tender flashing across his face that it made her chest ache.
"You have no idea how long I've been waiting to hear that," Jaxon murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
A slow smile tugged at Lena's lips. "Well, now you have."
Jaxon exhaled a quiet laugh before pulling her closer, pressing his forehead to hers. "Say it again."
She grinned, her hands sliding up to cup his face. "I love you."
Jaxon kissed her, slow and deep, like he wanted to savor every syllable of those words. When they finally broke apart, he rested his hand against her cheek, his thumb brushing softly over her skin. "I love you too, Carter."
Lena let out a shaky breath, feeling like she was standing on the edge of something terrifying and wonderful all at once. But with Jaxon looking at her like that? Like she was the only thing that had ever mattered?
She wasn't afraid to fall.
She leaned up, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. "Together."
Jaxon nodded, his grip on her steady. "Together."