Chapter 8: War is coming
1509 Words
Chapter Sixteen – War is Coming
1. Jace Plays with Fire
Jace knew exactly what he was doing.
Sitting at Lexi’s table? Poking at her protective little guard dogs?
Yeah. He was stirring the pot.
But hell—Lexi made it fun.
She barely reacted, just rolling her eyes like his presence was a mild inconvenience.
Which, of course, only made him more interested.
“So, Carter,” he said, smirking, “is it a rule for all your friends to speak for you, or are you actually capable of talking to me yourself?”
Lexi took a slow sip of her drink. Didn’t even blink.
Ryan, on the other hand? Looked ready to fight.
Madison leaned in. “She’s just too polite to tell you to get lost, Callahan.”
Mia grinned. “Lucky for you, we’re not.”
Jace just chuckled, propping his elbows on the table.
“Relax.” He flashed a lazy smirk. “I just wanted to tell Lexi she looked cute standing up to Savannah. Big moment for her.”
Lexi finally looked up.
And the glare she sent his way?
Damn.
Mia let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh, you did not just ‘cute’ her.”
Madison whistled. “Bold move, man.”
Ryan shook his head. “Dumb move.”
Lexi set down her drink, tilting her head slightly.
“Thanks, Jace.” Her voice was smooth. “And you know what? You’re cute too.”
Jace blinked.
Wait.
Was she actually—
“Like a really dumb puppy that pees on the floor and thinks it’s a flex.”
Mia choked on her drink. Madison cackled. Ryan slapped the table.
Jace just… stared.
Did she—
Lexi grabbed her tray and stood up.
“Enjoy your meal,” she said sweetly, before walking away.
The entire table lost it.
Jace just sat there, blinking.
Then—he grinned.
Oh, hell yeah.
She was definitely a problem.
2. Savannah Doesn’t Lose
Savannah watched from across the cafeteria, her fingers tightening around her drink.
She was used to attention.
Used to winning.
But this? This wasn’t winning.
Jace had ignored her all lunch period.
Lexi Carter, of all people, had stolen the spotlight.
And worst of all?
People were laughing.
At her.
Savannah’s jaw clenched.
This wasn’t over. Not even close.
She grabbed her phone and sent a quick text to Ava.
Savannah: Meet me after school. I have a plan.
3. Lexi Thinks She’s in the Clear (Spoiler: She’s Not)
Lexi plopped into her seat in sixth period, letting out a slow breath.
She had survived lunch.
Barely.
Madison and Mia were still giggling about it. Ryan had given her a fist bump.
Jace?
Well. Jace was an issue she’d deal with later.
Right now, she just wanted to focus on class.
The bell rang.
Their teacher walked in, clapping his hands.
“Alright, everyone. Pop quiz.”
Groans filled the room.
Lexi sighed, reaching for her pencil—
And then she felt it.
That weird, prickling sensation.
Like someone was staring.
She glanced up.
Jace Callahan, sitting two rows over, chin in his hand, watching her.
She rolled her eyes. He just smirked.
Lexi turned back to her paper.
Jace freaking Callahan.
Why did she have a feeling this wasn’t the last of him?
1. Wrong Turn
Lexi just wanted a moment of peace.
Lunch had been a nightmare. Jace was a nightmare.
She just needed a breather.
So she took a detour to the far end of the hallway, where fewer students lingered between classes. The restroom was right there.
She barely made it two steps—
Before a solid, broad chest blocked her path.
Lexi inhaled sharply, looking up.
Jace.
Of course.
His smirk was pure trouble.
“Hey, Carter,” he drawled, voice smooth as sin. “Going somewhere?”
Lexi exhaled through her nose. “Yes. Away from you.”
She tried to step around him—but he moved too.
Blocking her again.
Lexi’s brows snapped together. “Jace.”
He just tilted his head, like he was considering something. Like he was testing her.
“I don’t get you, Carter.”
Lexi crossed her arms. “Good.”
Jace chuckled. “Nah, see, that just makes me more interested.”
He stepped closer, and her back hit the wall.
Damn it.
His scent—that mix of cologne and something just purely Jace—wrapped around her like a trap.
She swallowed. “You’re in my way.”
Jace smirked. “I know.”
His fingers brushed the wall beside her head. Not touching her, but close enough that she felt the heat of him.
Lexi’s heart stuttered.
No. Nope. Not happening.
She tilted her chin. “What do you want?”
Jace leaned in slightly, gaze flickering to her lips. Just for a second.
Lexi’s stomach flipped.
“I think you know,” he murmured.
And then—
His lips brushed against hers.
Barely.
It wasn’t a full kiss. Just a whisper of contact.
Soft. Warm. Dangerous.
Lexi froze.
Jace didn’t move.
He was waiting.
For her to shove him away.
For her to kiss him back.
Lexi’s heart pounded so hard it hurt.
She didn’t kiss him back.
But she also didn’t pull away.
And that? Was almost worse.
Jace exhaled a quiet laugh, voice smug. “See, Carter?”
His lips hovered just above hers, teasing.
“You don’t hate me as much as you think.”
Lexi’s breath caught.
Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.
And then—
She turned her head, breaking the moment.
Jace pulled back, studying her.
A slow smirk curved his lips. Like he knew.
Like he felt her heartbeat stuttering too.
Lexi glared. “Move.”
Jace took a step back, still grinning.
Lexi pushed past him, escaping into the restroom.
As soon as the door shut behind her, she gripped the sink.
She stared at her reflection, breathing hard.
Her fingers brushed her lips.
Her heart was still racing.
Damn it.
Jace Callahan was a problem.
And for the first time—Lexi wasn’t sure she wanted a solution.
---
1. The Whisper Campaign Begins
Savannah Monroe was seething.
First, the cafeteria incident. Humiliating.
Then, Jace acting… weird.
And now? Rumors.
Little whispers slithering through the hallways.
"Did you see Jace talking to Lexi Carter?"
"No, but I heard he actually sat with her at lunch."
"Savannah must be pissed."
Damn right, she was.
Savannah tossed her hair over her shoulder and stalked down the hallway, Ava and Bri struggling to keep up.
She stopped at a group of junior girls. They idolized her. Hung on her every word.
Perfect.
Savannah leaned in, voice sweetly venomous.
"You know, it’s actually sad." She sighed dramatically. "Lexi’s always been... invisible, right? But now she’s acting all different. It’s like she’s desperate for attention."
Ava caught on immediately. "You think she’s doing it for Jace?"
Savannah faked an apologetic smile. "Well, I’d hate for anyone to think she’s using him for popularity..."
The juniors gasped.
Savannah patted one of their shoulders. "Oh, don’t spread that around or anything."
They absolutely would.
By the time lunch rolled around?
Lexi Carter’s name would be in everyone’s mouth.
Savannah smirked.
Game on.
---
2. Jace Can’t Stop Thinking About That Kiss (Almost-Kiss?)
Jace leaned against his locker, annoyed.
Not at anything specific.
Just at the fact that he couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Lexi.
The way she froze.
The way she didn’t push him away.
She wanted it.
He knew it.
But now? She was avoiding him.
Jace ran a hand through his hair. Damn it.
This wasn’t supposed to happen.
He was supposed to be in control.
So why did it feel like Lexi was the one messing with his head?
Bryan’s voice snapped him out of it.
"Dude. You okay?"
Jace rolled his shoulders. "Yeah. Why?"
Bryan raised an eyebrow. "Because you’re staring into space like a lovesick idiot."
Jace scoffed. "Not even close."
Bryan smirked. "Right. So it has nothing to do with Lexi Carter?"
Jace shot him a warning look.
Bryan laughed. "You’re in trouble, man."
Jace didn’t respond.
Because deep down?
He kinda knew it too.
---
3. Lexi’s Day Just Got Worse
Lexi barely made it to her locker before Mia and Madison ambushed her.
Mia shoved her phone in Lexi’s face. "Have you seen this?"
Lexi blinked. "Seen what?"
Madison groaned. "Savannah’s working overtime."
Lexi snatched the phone and scanned the messages.
🚨 HALLWAY TEA ALERT 🚨
Lexi Carter’s been acting real different lately 👀
Jace + Lexi = something??
Did she plan this the whole time??
Lexi’s stomach dropped.
Oh. Hell. No.
Mia crossed her arms. "We have to do something."
Lexi exhaled. "Like what? Savannah’s been queen of this school for years. No one’s gonna believe me over her."
Madison shrugged. "Then maybe it’s time you stop playing by her rules."
Lexi frowned. "What does that mean?"
Madison smirked.
"It means maybe it’s time you make a move."
- Writer
