CHASING HALFTIME

Chapter 7: The Aftermath

Savannah’s Plan for Revenge

By the time Savannah stepped back into the cafeteria, her hair still damp from scrubbing out the marinara, the whispers had turned into full-blown gossip.

She heard her name in every conversation.

She caught glimpses of hidden laughter behind cupped hands. People who had once worshiped her were snickering.

Unacceptable.

Savannah plastered on her best gracious smile, walking through the cafeteria as if she hadn’t just suffered her most humiliating moment ever.

Lexi Carter had just declared war.

And Savannah Monroe?

She never lost.

Ava leaned in. “What’s the plan?”

Savannah tilted her head, watching Lexi. Watching Jace watching Lexi.

Her fingers curled into a fist before she forced them to relax.

“We take our time,” she murmured. “She thinks she’s untouchable? Cute. We’ll remind her of her place.”

Ava smirked. “How?”

Savannah’s lips curled. “Oh, trust me. She’ll never see it coming.”

2. Jace Keeps Pushing

Jace didn’t usually chase girls.

He didn’t need to.

But now, after everything, he was staring at Lexi Carter like she was some kind of puzzle.

She was different.

And he wanted to know why.

Sliding into the seat across from her, he smirked. “You’re really making a name for yourself today, Carter.”

Lexi froze, eyes darting up to meet his.

Madison and Mia stiffened, while Ryan raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying the show.

Lexi, however, just sighed. “Please don’t.”

Jace raised an eyebrow. “Don’t what?”

Lexi rubbed her temples. “Whatever this is. The cocky quarterback thing. The ‘I’m-Jace-Callahan-so-you-must-be-honored’ routine.”

Jace chuckled. Damn. She didn’t hold back.

Ryan grinned. “She’s got you figured out, man.”

Jace ignored him, eyes still locked on Lexi.

“You don’t like me.”

Lexi shrugged. “Why should I?”

Jace leaned forward, intrigued. “Most girls do.”

Lexi finally met his gaze. “I’m not most girls.”

A slow smirk spread across his face.

Yeah. He already knew that.

And he was starting to like it.

3. Lexi’s Growing Problem

Lexi wanted nothing more than to disappear.

But how could she, when Jace Callahan wouldn’t stop looking at her like she was his next challenge?

And worse?

Savannah Monroe had just set her sights on revenge.

This was not going to end well.

Not even close.

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Savannah Sets the Trap

Savannah Monroe wasn’t patient.

When she wanted something, she got it.

And right now?

She wanted Lexi Carter ruined.

The plan formed as she sat at her usual lunch table, ignoring the lingering stares and hushed whispers about her public humiliation.

Her reputation had taken a hit. Unacceptable.

Ava scrolled through her phone, stopping to smirk. “You know, Lexi’s kind of… cute.”

Savannah shot her a glare. “Don’t.”

Ava laughed. “I’m just saying. Maybe that’s why Jace—”

Savannah slammed her drink down.

Ava shut up immediately.

Bri twirled a lock of blonde hair. “So what’s the move?”

Savannah’s lips curled into a smirk.

Lexi Carter wanted to play? Fine.

Savannah would remind her who owned this school.

And Jace?

She’d remind him exactly where he belonged.

2. Jace Keeps Pushing (And Lexi Keeps Pushing Back)

Lexi hated this.

Hated Jace.

Okay, maybe “hate” was too strong.

But seriously, why wouldn’t he leave her alone?

It had only been twenty minutes since their last conversation, and now here he was, leaning against her locker like some kind of rom-com cliché.

“Jace.”

“Carter.”

She sighed. “Do you have a concussion or something?”

Jace smirked. “Nope. Just curious.”

Lexi raised an eyebrow. “About?”

Jace shrugged. “Why you’re so… you.”

Lexi narrowed her eyes. “Deep.”

Jace grinned. “I try.”

She rolled her eyes and reached for her locker, but Jace was still standing there.

Waiting.

Lexi exhaled sharply. “Look, Callahan. I don’t know what your deal is, but—”

“Why don’t you like me?”

That stopped her.

Lexi blinked. “What?”

Jace folded his arms. “I mean, I get it. You’re not a fan of the whole ‘bad boy quarterback’ thing. But still. You really don’t care at all?”

Lexi hesitated.

Then shrugged.

“No. Not really.”

Jace stared at her for a second.

And then?

He laughed.

Like, a real laugh.

Lexi frowned. “What’s so funny?”

Jace shook his head, grinning. “You, Carter. You’re hilarious.”

Lexi scowled. “That was not meant to be funny.”

Jace just kept grinning.

And Lexi had the worst feeling.

Because Jace Callahan wasn’t done with her.

Not even close.

3. Savannah’s First Strike

Lexi had a bad feeling all day.

And by the time she reached the cafeteria?

She knew why.

The second she walked in, the whispers started.

The stares.

Lexi’s stomach dropped.

Madison grabbed her arm. “Uh, Lex…?”

Lexi followed her gaze.

And froze.

On the cafeteria wall?

A massive printed photo.

Of her.

In gym class.

Bent over.

With the most unfortunate angle ever.

And underneath it, in bold letters?

"DESPERATE FOR ATTENTION?"

The room erupted in laughter.

Lexi’s cheeks burned.

Her stomach twisted.

And in the middle of it all?

Savannah Monroe, sitting at her table, sipping her drink with the smuggest smile ever.

Lexi’s hands curled into fists.

So. This was how Savannah wanted to play?

Fine.

Game on.

1. Lexi Takes the Hit (But Not Quietly)

Lexi’s skin burned.

The laughter, the whispers, the awful picture on the wall—it was all too much.

Her first instinct? Run.

Her second? Burn this entire school to the ground.

Instead, she took a slow, deep breath, squared her shoulders, and turned to face the enemy.

Savannah Monroe sat like a queen, basking in the attention, her smirk practically dripping with satisfaction.

Lexi met her eyes.

And smiled.

Savannah’s smirk faltered.

Lexi took a step forward, calm and collected, until she reached Savannah’s table.

“Hey, Savannah,” she said sweetly.

Savannah tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Oh, hi, Lexi. Didn’t see you there.”

Fake. So fake.

Lexi crossed her arms. “Love the poster. Really, you put in the effort. But I gotta ask… is this what you do with all your free time?”

A few students snickered.

Savannah’s smile tightened.

Lexi tapped her chin. “Or wait—was this supposed to embarrass me? Because, I mean, if anyone looks desperate for attention right now…” She gestured to the entire cafeteria. “It’s kinda you.”

The laughter turned.

Now? It wasn’t at Lexi.

It was at Savannah.

Savannah’s face flushed.

Lexi leaned in, dropping her voice. “Try harder next time, Monroe.”

Then she turned on her heel and walked away.

And the second her back was turned?

The cafeteria erupted.

2. Jace’s New Favorite Person

Jace had never been more entertained in his life.

He leaned back in his seat, shaking his head as the cafeteria buzzed with energy.

Lexi Carter.

Huh.

Savannah had set a trap, and Lexi had flipped it.

Jace glanced toward Savannah’s table. She was fuming, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her drink.

And Lexi?

She was already back at her table, acting like nothing had happened.

Interesting.

Jace stood, stretching.

Ryan, Lexi’s friend, shot him a warning look. “Don’t.”

Jace smirked. “Relax, dude.”

He didn’t care what Ryan thought.

He just wanted to talk to Lexi.

So he strolled right over and dropped into the seat across from her.

Lexi barely acknowledged him.

Madison sighed. “You’re getting really comfortable over here, Callahan.”

Jace shrugged. “What can I say? Good company.”

Ryan scoffed. “What do you want?”

Jace ignored him, resting his chin in his palm. “So, Carter. That was fun.”

Lexi finally looked up.

Flat. Unimpressed.

Annoyed.

Jace grinned. “I think I might like you.”

Lexi rolled her eyes. “Tragic.”

Jace laughed.

Yeah.

This girl?

Was a problem.

And he loved problems.

3. Savannah’s Not Done Yet

Savannah Monroe was seething.

Lexi had embarrassed her twice now.

Unacceptable.

Her nails dug into the table as she glared at Jace.

He was at Lexi’s table.

Laughing.

Flirting.

Savannah inhaled sharply.

No.

She would not let some nobody steal her thunder.

And if Jace wanted to play games?

Fine.

Savannah played to win.

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