Chapter Nine

The next few days with Dylan were interesting, every day I was learning something new about him. He was confident, caring, interesting, and above all else extremely smart. He was intelligent in a way that wasn't well known, he would never raise his hand but received hundreds on every test and it was only his first week. I asked him at lunch on Friday to reveal his secrets to passing, but he just shrugged.

"I just know it," he said radiating nonchalance.

"Well, can you teach me so I can know it?" I ask.

"I'm not a good teacher." I huffed, annoyed as he continues to eat his Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwich. Nobody else is at the table with us because they decided to eat outside for lunch while Dylan and I were adamant about not freezing our asses off in 60-degree weather.

Kayden walked over to our table a few minutes later with a sullen expression etched onto his once cheerful face. He sits down wordlessly beside me and starts eating a Poptart.

"Are you still upset over what happened Tuesday?" He nodded slowly. "I'm sorry Kayden, but there's nothing I can do. She doesn't like you and I can't force her."

"Thank you for trying though," He stays to finish his Poptart before shooting the wrapper into the trashcan and waltzing over to another table.

He is laughing and smiling within the first two minutes of being over there, but I know it's a charade. One thing I learned about Kayden over the past few years was that he's a very good actor. He's been chasing after Destiny since we met him in freshman English and it hasn't stopped since. Every time she rejects him I know she takes some of his confidence with her, but the boy is persistent. I will give him that. His intentions are pure unlike the other guys who pursue her, but for some reason, she won't give him a chance.

I look back over at Dylan who is staring at me with a puzzled look on his face.

"What now?" He's been questioning my attempts to get Kayden and Destiny together all week.

"That kid is going to keep trying, isn't he?"

"Of course he is, this was just a minor setback."

"I just don't understand,"

"What is there to understand?"

"Why is he killing himself for a girl who doesn't give two shits about him?" He spits out.

"Because he's in love with her!" Dylan scoffs

"That isn't love, trust me." What does he know about love? Nothing, he's just a stupid egotistical little boy.

"Then what is it?" I ask, challenging him.

"A prize," I purse my lips. "Boys like to win and Kayden is no different from the rest of us. The only reason he would like her for this long without any hope is so he can claim her."

"And that's where you're wrong," I say smugly. "Kayden isn't like that. He's honest and sweet. Not an egotistical asshole who is only doing this to win some game made by the boys haunted by the pressures of toxic masculinity." Mic drop. He looked at me, wide-eyed and stunned.

"I don't believe you." He quickly recovered.

"I didn't ask you to." The lunch bell rings and Dylan walks me to my next class. We don't talk about Kayden or Destiny instead he tells me a story about how his brother pantsed him in front of everybody in the cafeteria when he was in 6th grade. I told him to give props to his brother before he left and went to his class.

Jace texted me as I was walking to my car after school. Destiny was already there waiting for me and I slid into the driver's seat.

U still coming over?

I sent him a thumbs up and Destiny started telling me about her day. Her day wasn't eventful until the last period when 'everybody and their mother' asked her about Kayden. I wasn't surprised that people around school knew about her rejecting Kayden with how well known he was. His mother is a teacher at the school which means he's been coming up to Turner way before he was a freshman which gets him in with the upperclassmen. And because he brings our school basketball championships which didn't happen often before he came. He's also one of the nicest guys I've ever met (despite what Dylan said) and it's the reason why Destiny thinks he's soft.

"What did they say about Kayden?" I ask and she gets into her rant mode. Her lips are pursed and her eyebrows are raised like she's about to challenge the entire Junior class.

"They tried to make me feel bad for rejecting his soft ass! Girls in this school are such dick riders for him like damn! He ain't all that, I should know!" She keeps going, but I block her out after this point when she starts insulting everybody in her class.

Then something she says catches my attention, "And I already got a boyfriend!"

"YOU HAVE A WHAT?" She turns to me confused.

"A boyfriend... I thought I told you," I shake my head quickly. "Well, I'm dating Jasper."

"Wait-- wait... you mean Jace's twin, Jasper!" She nods her head like this wasn't a huge bombshell she just casually dropped

"When? Why? How? What?" She starts picking at her nails, a nasty habit of hers that she can't stop.

"He asked me when I was over at his house yesterday and I really like him." I try to comprehend the words that are coming out of her mouth right now.

"That's... interesting." Great, she's dating another asshole. She groaned.

"Can't you just pretend to be happy for me for five minutes?" I sighed.

"Okay fine," I took a deep breath before starting my performance. "OH MY GOD! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! THIS IS AMAZING!" Fake enthusiasm pouring out.

"Isn't it great? We can date twins!" She looks genuinely excited, but all I know is that Kayden is going to be crushed. "Unless you wanna get with Dylan then by all means get a slice of the dark chocolate." She nudges me with her shoulder and I push her away.

"All of that is a huge NO!" She looks disappointed. "I would never date Jace or Dylan. They aren't my type."

"So absolutely undeniably fine, isn't your type? Okay." She snickered.

"Can I drive now?" I said ignoring her. She nods and I pull out of the student parking lot. When I first started driving I hated parking, but slowly I got better because I had a determination never to take the city bus again.

Destiny was absorbed in scrolling through Instagram trying to find the perfect outfit for the birthday party she's going to tonight. The girl invited me too, but I declined and instead opted to tutor Jasmine and hang out with Jace. I didn't feel like entertaining my classmates tonight plus Jace promised me that I could show him the Princess and the Frog because he claimed he's never seen it.

I dropped Destiny off at home and she gave me a quick squeeze before she left. She also told me to send Jasper her love and I rolled my eyes. I know the kind of guy Jasper is, I've read about his type in a million books. The only love for her is love for her vagina.

I got to Jace's house an hour later and the butler from last week opened the door for me. He told me that everybody was in the game room and I learned that his name was Arthur. Since I've never been to the game room (or knew that there was one) he directed me. It was in the basement and I almost fainted when I saw the door and the sign above it marking the theater.

I walked into the game room expecting Jace and Jasmine, but instead, it was Carter and two other boys huddled around a green pool table with sticks in their hands. All three of them were wearing a preppy school uniform consisting of white button-ups and red ties as opposed to my jeans and t-shirt that I changed into at school before I came here. One of the boys had blonde hair peeking out from under a baseball cap and the other had light brown hair and aviator sunglasses on top of his head.

Everybody, but Carter stared at me like I had an extra head. I awkwardly waved and Carter jumped up and pulled me into the open seat next to the table. He was beaming and I shot him an awkward smile.

"Where are your manners in the presence of a lady, my friends?" Carter said, nudging the sunglasses guy who began coughing nervously.

"Hey, I'm Henry," Blondie said, holding out his hand for me to shake. I shook it and he shot me a small grin.

Sunglasses recovered and looked at me, nervously. "I'm Alexander. Sorry about that." Jace's gay best friend, not that it mattered.

"No worries, you must be Jace's friends, I'm Scarlett!" I introduce, over-enthusiastically

"You're Scarlett? The one from Barnes and Noble?" Sunglasses-- I mean Alexander asks. I nod and the boys all bow.

"I told you she was awesome!" Carter says, confusing me more.

"What's happening?" I asked nervously.

"You put poor Jace-y in his place! He called us in the car and ranted about some insufferable bitch from Barnes and Noble." I choke on my spit at Jace's first impression of me.

"HEY GUYS! WHAT DID I MISS?" Jace comes bounding in with a huge grin on his face that I'm about to wipe off.

"Insufferable bitch?" I question and he stops grinning. He looks around nervously, but the guys turn their backs.

"First impressions don't mean anything!" He stammers, nervously.

"Insufferable bitch, Jace," I say quieter and back him up against a wall. He looks around the room, frantically for a way to get away from me.

"I'm sorry, I was stupid. Please don't do this in front of witnesses!" He pleads and I trail a finger down his jaw before grabbing it firmly.

I bring his face close to mine and say in a whisper. "Insufferable bitch, you say." He is whimpering and an utter mess.

"I don't know how you're so intimidating when you're two feet tall." He says quietly.

"You really aren't helping yourself."

"I know." He whispers. Suddenly, we flip sides and he has my wrists in his hands and holds them over my head. My back is hitting the wall and I'm struggling to get out of his grasp.

"Get off me!" I shriek, trying to wiggle away from him. He lets go of my arm and I deliver a swift punch to his arm. He keeps laughing and I stare at him, waiting for him to finish.

"I'm stronger than you think." He chokes out between laughs. I knee him in the groin and walk away from him whimpering on the floor.

"You sure about that?" His three friends who were watching the whole thing started cheering and clapping for me. I theatrically bow and Jace stood up groaning. We all go silent and stare at him.

"Did you not see me switch sides with her?" He exasperates

"The winner is someone who wasn't on the ground whimpering like a child," Carter responds

"But she was shrieking like a little girl!"

"Remember what you said Jace. I'm like two feet," I yank him by his collar down to my eye level. "I am a little girl. Four foot eleven inches, bitch!" I release him and he stands up straight looking angrier than before.

"Whatever!" He pouts and throws his arms up in the air.

"Am I still an insufferable bitch?"

"No," He grunts. He walks over to the pool table and gets a stick

"Where's your sister?" He ignores me and hits the white ball against a green and white one which goes into the hole next to Henry. I walk over and pinch his ear, making him yelp in pain. "I'm going to ask again, where's your sister?"

"She's upstairs in her room!" He screeches. I let go of his ear and wave goodbye to the boys before leaving.

I hear Ed Sheeran playing as soon as I get to the third floor and I follow it until I get to a door with a bright pink J on the front. I knock on the door lightly and the music shuts off. She swings open the door and looks up at me with a bright smile.

"Hey Jasmine, are you ready?" She happily nods before grabbing her backpack and leading me down the stairs. Jasper is blocking the exit to the stairs and Jasmine squeezes under his arm to stand in front of him.

"Jasper, can you please move?" He looks up from his phone confused.

"Hey kid, I'm busy." He states before looking back down.

"But---" He sticks his hand over her mouth. She tries to speak, but it's muffled behind his hand.

"Get the fuck out the way, dude!" I say from behind him. He looks back at me startled and I notice his bright red eyes. He's stoned as fuck right now.

"Who are you?" He asks in a hazy voice. He moves his free hand in front of my face, but I strike it down.

"I met you last week," He still looks confused. "I'm Scarlett, your girlfriend is my best friend."

"So, why are you in my house?"

"I'm also friends with your brother," Again, he looks confused. "Your twin brother, Jace, remember?" He nods. "And I tutor your sister." He suddenly remembers Jasmine and removes his hand from over her mouth.

"I can't stand you!" Jasmine scowls. She grabs my hand and pulls me past him. We escape to the dining room and get started.

Halfway through we stop so that she can use the bathroom. While I'm scrolling through my phone, somebody sits across from me. I look up thinking it was Jasmine, but instead it's Jace. He sets a book on the table and slides it over to me. A smile takes over my face as I read the title To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han.

"You've inspired me," He starts. "I know I said I would never read the book, but since you read the great and amazing Harry Potter I've decided to give this a try."

"I'm very proud of you for giving my absolutely amazing favorite book a try!" I slide the book back over to him. "I'm also surprised not many guys would have the balls to buy this girly romance book."

"I guess I'm very secure in my masculinity." He puffs his chest out and I take a Dorito out my bag and throw it at him. He laughs, stealing the bag and popping a few in his mouth. His curly hair is flopping all over the place and I resist the urge to push it back.

"What are you doing here Jace-y?" Jasmine asks going over and sitting on top of Jace. He pushes her off and she lands on the floor with a thump. She kicks him in the knee before sitting in the seat next to him.

"I came to visit your lovely tutor," He shoots me a grin and a wink.

"I thought I was an insufferable---" I looked over to Jasmine before smiling at Jace. "Insufferable girl."

"I feel like the guys got my wording wrong. I said lovely girl, not insufferable."

"Mhm... sure you did. I forgive you considering I wasn't the most pleasant person in the world." He chuckles, standing up.

"I should get going now," He taps the book in his hand. "I can't wait to get started on my new book. Come and find me when you're done." He kisses Jasmine on the top of her head before walking out of the room. My eyes cut to Jasmine when she shrieks loudly.

"What's wrong?" I say frantically.

"You and Jace!" She squeals

"What's wrong with me and Jace?"

"Nothing absolutely nothing! You guys make the cutest couple!" I burst out laughing at her statement.

"Jace and I could never happen. Sorry to break it to you Jas." She shakes her head

"I can't wait until you guys realize how cute of a couple you would make!"

"You keep living in that fantasy, but live in it as we do this math homework." She grabs her paper from her binder and starts on the worksheet I printed out for her. Her wide grin doesn't leave for the rest of our session.

After our session, Jasmine grabs my hand and drags me upstairs. She knocks loudly on the door a few away from hers. We hear a lot of commotion from behind the door before Jace opens it with wild hair and without a shirt. He looks like he just woke up from a nap, but that doesn't stop Jasmine from pushing past him and jumping onto his bed. We watch her make herself comfortable under his green comforter.

"Oh hello Jasmine, yes make yourself at home." She ignores him, stealing his phone from the charger and taking ridiculous selfies. He opens the door wider and invites me in. I take a seat on the couch in front of his TV. His room is considerably bigger than Jasmine and cleaner. The only thing on the ground is a few stray socks and his olive green North Face bookbag that is the same color as his walls. I scrunch my nose at all the green in the room.

"What are you making that face for?" He's putting on an Adventure Time shirt that covers his lean stomach probably from years of playing baseball.

"There is nothing I hate more in life than the color green." He looks at me, offended.

"You shouldn't have said that!" Jasmine comments from the bed.

"But green is my favorite color!" He whines, clutching a dark green hoodie.

"And it's disgusting."

"What do you have against the color green?"

The color green has haunted me every day that I've been alive. My parents must've been high when the painters came in for the house because everything is green. Every single wall in the house that isn't for the bedrooms is a hideous shade of green. Seeing this color every day for 17 years forced me to hate the color. Every bad day. Every fight. I came home to the color green.

"It's the color of vomit. That's enough for me to hate the color."

"It's the color of nature!" I shrugged.

"I've never been a big fan of nature. Nature brings bugs." I say squirming.

"I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you!" He snapped

"Great, can we stop? I remember you promising me pizza and a movie!"

"You hate the color green and nature. What else do you hate, puppies?" He dramatized.

"Hey Jasmine since Jace is being a big baby, would you like to watch the Princess and the Frog with me?" She nods enthusiastically and pulls me out of the room. Jace follows behind us, sulking the whole way downstairs.

"What do you want on your pizza?" He asks us. We both agree on sausage and cheese, but Jace has to be different and order a pepperoni pizza. He orders the pizza from Papa Johns before leading me down to the theater. I suddenly remember the guys from earlier when we pass the game room.

"So, those guys from earlier were super cool," He nods, pushing open the door to reveal ten huge movie theater chairs spread between two rows and a huge movie screen at the front of the room. "Why do they hang out with you?"

"The same reason that you do because I'm an amazing guy," He answers smugly. "No, but I met them both freshman year, they are on the baseball team like me and Carter."

"You mean Carter and I." I correct him and he chucks a pillow at my head which I expertly catch and throw it back to him. He dodges it and it falls on the floor. Neither of us moves to retrieve it; instead, he grabs the remote and turns to Disney+.

"Did you ever watch this show?" He scrolls over the new High School Musical show. I nod eagerly and squeeze a pillow against my heart.

"Of course, I love me some Joshua Bassett," I look at him with raised eyebrows. "Did you watch it?" He clears his throat.

"As a matter of fact, me and the boys watched it. We wanted to know what all the girls at Riverside were yelling about."

"Oh, and what did you think of it?" He scratches the back of his head.

"It was okay." He says stiffly

"Okay?" I stare him down as he refuses to meet my eyes.

"It was amazing." He spits out, conceding.

"That's what I thought." I snatch the remote out of his hand and turn on my favorite Disney Princess movie. I looked behind me and noticed that Jasmine was nowhere in sight.

Before we started the movie, I promised not to sing any of the songs. That proved hard as we went through my favorites especially when Mabelle Evangeline came on and all I wanted to do was scream out all the lyrics. He wasn't talkative like he usually was during the movie. He wasn't making his usual jokes or imitating some of the characters. It was like he was in a trance that soon broke as the familiar Neyo song played on the credits.

Jace closed his eyes for a few seconds before opening them. They were glistening with tears, something I could never manage to do was cry at movies. I'm not a very emotional person unless that emotion is anger or annoyance sometimes joy. We didn't speak as we watched the end credits. Honestly, I was afraid to. The Neyo song ended and Jace wiped his eyes. The first noise that was made came from Jace's phone. He grabbed it quickly and checked it before standing up.

"Pizza's here." He said distractedly. I followed him back upstairs and it was like nothing ever happened. Our magic Disney moment where time suspended was over and reality was back. Reality meant pizza.

I yawned before checking the time and realizing if I wasn't home in the next hour my parents would kill me. We got upstairs and into the dining room where there were several pizza boxes strewn around the room. Jasper was leaving with one in his hand as we walked in. He pushed past Jace roughly causing Jace to almost knock me down. Jasper didn't acknowledge us and kept walking.

"My apologies, Scarlet," Jace says in his prep school voice.

"I'm good, nothing happened." He nods before handing me a box of sausage pizza. He steals the pepperoni one from in front of Jasmine. She sweetly smiles and when Jace's back is turned and forms a heart with her hands. I shake my head and follow Jace to the empty living room.

"Are your parents still on a business trip?" He murmured a response close to yes. "How did you like my all-time favorite movie?" He looks up from the pizza slice halfway in his mouth.

"It was really good."

"I was hoping for amazing, eye-opening, magnificent, something along those lines," I suggested. "But no you just said really good."

"The movie was genuinely a good movie and I understand why it's your favorite. Is that better?"

"I guess so," I mutter, stuffing a slice of pizza in my face. He moves his hand closer to me and I watch him warily.

"Stay still, I'm not going to hurt you." He wipes something off of my nose and moved back. He holds up the tomato sauce on his thumb and licks it off. I scrunched my face in disgust.

"There are so many oils and dirt embedded in the skin and you licked tomato sauce off of it." he shrugs and shoots me a wide grin

"It was delicious." I finish my four slices and he finishes his six. He offered to take my plate and I let him. I look around the room and surprisingly there isn't one family photo. Come to think about it, I've never seen any family photos in the house.

Jasmine appears at the doorway and comes to sit next to me. Her wide grin still hasn't left her face.

"Jace and Scarlet sitting in a tree--" I cover her mouth, afraid Jace will hear.

"No, it's not going to happen so stop playing matchmaker!" Her grin doesn't leave even when Jace comes back.

"Goodnight Scarlett!" She gives me a quick hug and whispers in my ear. "K-I-S-S-I-N-G" She gets off quickly and runs up the stairs. I stand up and meet Jace halfway.

"My parents are expecting me home soon," I say and he walks me out to my car. "Thanks for everything. See you next week!"

"The movie was better than good." He admits.

"I know it is!" I say before getting in the car and rolling the window down

"Text me when you get home." He leans against the window.

"I always do." He takes a step back. "You can pick the movie next week, I promise." Jace smiles. He never stops smiling. Even when he's supposed to be angry, he's always smiling.

I drive off into the night and get home at five past 11. My parents are already asleep and Brielle is nowhere to be found. I tiptoe into my room and quietly shut the door. After I've taken a shower and changed into my PJs I lay in my bed and take out my phone.

I'm safe.

Thank you.

Good night, Scarlett

Good night, Jace