Chapter: Unwanted attention
1385 Words
Lexi: “It’s Not a Big Deal”
By the time Lexi reached her locker, her hands had stopped shaking—but barely.
Of all the people she could’ve been paired with, why him?
She pulled open her locker, stuffing her books inside a little too aggressively.
“Okay, spill.”
Lexi groaned. Here we go.
Madison Torres, her best friend and the only person who knew everything about her, leaned against the locker next to hers, arms crossed.
Madison wasn’t just her best friend—she was also one of the only people who didn’t care about high school social rankings. She was cool without trying, effortlessly stylish, and had a sharp tongue when necessary.
“Spill what?” Lexi muttered.
Madison rolled her eyes. “Don’t play dumb. I saw you back there, looking like a deer in headlights.”
Lexi hesitated. If she told Madison what happened, she’d flip.
“Jace Callahan,” Madison guessed, raising a brow. “What did he do?”
Lexi sighed. “Nothing, really. The teacher told him to get notes from me, that’s all.”
Madison’s face darkened. “And Savannah?”
Lexi bit her lip. “She…made it clear I shouldn’t waste my time on him.”
Madison snapped her gum and rolled her eyes. “Of course she did. The queen of territorial drama strikes again.”
Lexi shook her head. “It’s not a big deal.”
Madison wasn’t buying it. “Lex, this is how it starts. First, it’s ‘don’t waste your time,’ then it’s ‘stay away,’ and next thing you know, your car tires are mysteriously slashed.”
Lexi laughed. “She wouldn’t go that far.”
Madison shrugged. “Maybe. But she’s gonna make your life hell if Jace so much as looks at you again.”
Lexi hoped she was wrong.
---
Jace: Just for Fun
Jace leaned against his locker, watching the hallway like he owned it.
The pep rally was coming up, and normally, that’s all he’d be thinking about.
But today?
His mind kept drifting back to Lexi Carter.
It wasn’t often a girl didn’t throw themselves at him.
Savannah was used to owning him—she played their on-again, off-again game like a pro. And sure, she was gorgeous, popular, and had every guy wrapped around her finger.
But Lexi?
She had zero interest.
He smirked. That made it interesting.
And her chest was bigger than Savannah’s. Not that it mattered. Or maybe it did.
Spotting Lexi by her locker, Jace made his move.
“Hey, Carter.”
Lexi visibly tensed before turning. “What now?”
Jace grinned. “Relax. Just wanted to thank you for the notes.”
Lexi gave him a skeptical look. “You didn’t even copy them.”
“Still appreciated.”
She sighed. “Look, can you not do this?”
Jace raised a brow. “Do what?”
“Whatever game you’re playing.” She crossed her arms. “I don’t want to be in it.”
Damn. She caught on fast.
Jace tilted his head. “Who said I was playing?”
Lexi didn’t reply, just shut her locker and walked off.
Jace watched her go, a smirk tugging at his lips.
Yeah.
She was interesting.
---
Savannah: Know Your Place
Savannah Monroe didn’t share.
She had spent years perfecting her image—queen bee, head cheerleader, the girl everyone wanted to be or be with.
And Jace Callahan? He belonged to her.
Even if they weren’t official right now, everyone knew she called the shots.
So when she saw him talking to Lexi Carter, her blood boiled.
The girl was nothing special.
Cute, maybe, but not in Savannah’s league.
And yet, Jace was giving her attention.
That wouldn’t do.
Savannah waited until Lexi was alone at the vending machine before making her move.
She strolled up, flashing a perfectly fake smile.
“Lexi, right?”
Lexi, in the middle of grabbing her drink, froze.
Slowly, she turned. “Yeah?”
Savannah’s smile didn’t waver. “I just wanted to clear something up.”
Lexi swallowed. “Okay?”
Savannah leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a sweet but firm tone.
“I know Jace can be…friendly,” she said lightly. “But don’t take it the wrong way. He’s just being polite.”
Lexi’s fingers tightened around her drink.
Savannah’s smile sharpened.
“I mean, you seem nice,” she continued, “but let’s be real. You and Jace? Different worlds.”
Lexi’s stomach twisted.
Savannah tossed her hair back, satisfied.
“Just thought I’d save you from any embarrassment,” she said with a wink. “No need to thank me.”
With that, she turned and walked off, leaving Lexi standing there, seething.
Lexi: Just Another Lunch… Or Not
The school cafeteria was always loud, filled with different social groups sticking to their own spaces. The jocks and cheerleaders occupied the best tables, the theater kids were crowded in the corner bursting into random songs, and the nerds? They kept their heads down, busy with homework and anime debates.
Lexi didn’t belong to any of those groups.
She, Madison, Mia, and Ryan sat at their usual spot—the middle ground. Not invisible, not popular. Just there.
She stabbed her salad with her fork, her mind still running in circles over her encounter with Savannah.
Lexi wasn’t stupid. She knew Savannah’s warning wasn’t just friendly advice. It was a reminder—know your place.
And yet, instead of making her back off, it just pissed her off more.
“Okay, what’s with the murder face?” Madison asked, flicking a fry at her.
Lexi sighed. “Nothing.”
Mia raised an eyebrow. “That’s a lie.”
Ryan, who had been busy scrolling on his phone, finally looked up. “Wait, did someone do something? Should I fight them?”
Madison smirked. “Savannah Monroe.”
Ryan’s face immediately fell. “Never mind. I’d like to live.”
Mia leaned in, intrigued. “Okay, spill. What happened?”
Lexi hesitated, then sighed. “She gave me a…warning.”
Madison’s eyes narrowed. “Oh, hell no. What did she say?”
Lexi repeated Savannah’s words, her voice calm, but her fingers tight around her fork.
By the time she finished, Madison looked ready to throw hands.
“Oh, I hate her,” Madison said flatly.
“Same,” Mia agreed.
Ryan whistled. “Damn, Lex. You’ve officially entered the Savannah Monroe Kill List. That’s an exclusive club.”
Lexi groaned. “I don’t even want to be in the club!”
“Well, too late,” Madison said, biting into her burger. “Welcome to hell.”
Lexi dropped her head onto the table.
---
Jace: Not Bothered… But Also, Bothered
At the best table in the cafeteria, Jace was barely listening as his teammates talked about the upcoming pep rally.
Savannah sat next to him, as always, radiating confidence and possession.
But Jace wasn’t thinking about Savannah.
His eyes kept drifting toward Lexi Carter.
She was sitting with her friends, talking fast, clearly annoyed.
He smirked.
Had to be Savannah.
Typical.
He leaned back, stretching. Maybe he should stir the pot a little more.
“Hey, Callahan, you listening?”
Jace turned back to his team and smirked. “Nope.”
---
Savannah: Keeping Her Throne
Savannah noticed Jace’s wandering gaze immediately.
She turned slightly, following his line of sight.
Lexi Carter.
Of course.
Savannah’s grip on her soda tightened. This needed to stop.
She leaned into Jace, resting her manicured nails against his arm. “Babe, are we still going out after the pep rally?”
Jace barely glanced at her. “Dunno. Maybe.”
Savannah’s teeth clenched.
Time to remind him where he belonged.
---
Lexi: Disaster Incoming
Lexi was mid-bite when Madison suddenly froze.
“Uh, Lex?”
Lexi frowned. “What?”
“Don’t panic, but—”
Too late.
A shadow loomed over the table.
Lexi already knew who it was before she even looked up.
Jace Callahan.
Holding his tray.
Looking right at her.
“Mind if I sit here?” he asked, grinning.
Madison coughed on her drink.
Mia’s jaw dropped.
Ryan just muttered, “Oh, we’re dead.”
And Lexi?
She wanted to disappear.
- Writer
