Chapter 23

I sat in front of my vanity table,doing nothing but staring at my reflection,I could hear Mason make whining sounds as he headed to my room.

"What do you think you are doing?,staring at your reflection,could you hurry up,you just have the habit of making everyone late"He whined,his face held a frown.

I expected exactly what he came out from his mouth,he was already dressed,he wore a skyblue long sleeve,a red tie hanging on the collar of the shirt,in a blue suit with a cream coloured trousers.

"Look,if you want to leave,you can,I know the way to my school"I eyed him.

We were already late to my school dance or should I say class dance? Thanks to Leo,we were able to convince Principal to organize it for us, should I call it Prom?We told him,our set wanted to do something different for the school before we left so he agreed to it,we had already done our Christmas carol,it wasn't that bad.

"Can you get out!I want to get dressed"I ordered,not sparing him a glance."Don't tell me you want to wear that?"He asked, pointing towards my gown on the bed.

"Ehen,do you have a problem with that?Is it your body,it's not like I complained about what you are wearing"I was obviously getting irritated by his bossy nature.

"Better change it to something decent"He ordered,as he slammed my door.

I mentally cursed him,I stood up to grab my burgundy strappy sheer panel sequin bodycon dress from my bed to put it on.

"Maya!!"I screamed,I wanted her to come help me zip my dress."Yeah,what is it?"She walked in,her eyes on her phone.

"Help me zi__Oh my God,what did you do to your hair?!"I yelled.

"Isn't it obvious,I bigchopped it"

"But why?"

"I wanted a new look,duh"

"Jesus!What did you do to your hair!"Mason questioned as he popped his head through the door,she rolled her eyes and continued tapping on her phone.

"Anyways you look beautiful tho"I complimented."Tho?"She frowned.

"Stop lying jare,she looks like a boy"He held back his laugh."I look like a boy,okay good, atleast I'm still cuter than you even when I'm a boy"She scoffed, shooting deadly glares at him.

I shook my head,"Maya,please help me zip my dress"

She zipped it and I quickly wore my pair of black lace-up heels,I didn't bother in styling my tiny box braids into a ponytail,I let it down,I wore my pearl beaded hoops earrings and a necklace which had my name on the locket,I was ready,I observed my face in the mirror for the last time before I headed out. We boarded a cab to school,my classmates were already in the hall upstairs,I could hear music playing,we walked in,Mason left to join his guys while I stood at the door using my eyes to fish out my boyfriend and my bestfriend,none of them were here,I called Lucas immediately, he told me he would be here in 10minutes, Olivia's number wasn't going through,I walked in and sat at a corner,pressing my phone.

Jace's POV

My eyes fully focused on her even though she hasn't noticed yet,I watched her from afar,my eyes not wanting to move,I heard the boys talk about their girls but I cared less about their conversation.

"Jace"

"Jace"

"Jace!!"

"Guy!"

"Yeah, what's up"I replied, finally diverting my eyes from her to the guys."I have been calling your name since"Mason frowned."We"Leo added.

"Sorry,I was distracted...

"By my sister,eww,take your eyes off"

"Why!I mean she looks gorgeous"I defended as if he was insulting my girlfriend."By the way, aren't you supposed to be with your babe or something"I questioned looking around for Olivia.

"She's not my babe......yet"He emphasized on the yet. "What do you mean?"Leo inquired on my behalf.

"I asked her out but she hasn't given me a reply, maybe she doesn't like me"Mason shrugged,his face holding a sad look."Well,if she doesn't like you then it isn't a big deal,you have a backup"I patted him on his back.

"Huh?!"He was slightly confused by what I meant. Leo rolled his eyes at how oblivious Mason has been and I shook my head for the same reason,"I mean if Olivia doesn't want you then Kim is there for you"I explained.

"Nay,I don't think she likes me"

I facepalmed and shook my head again,"Don't be a blind Bartimus"Leo said while smiling at one of our pretty classmates.

"See guy,is like you don't know that girl is crazy over you,she likes you like mad"I explained to my confused looking bestfriend.

"She's also damn beautiful too"Leo added,making a point. "But I don't like her"Mason stated. We both hissed at his reply.

"Whatever"Leo replied.

"Your choice"I added.

"Both of you are just all up on me on this relationship thing while you both are still single.... correction...still players"He remarked.

"I don't know of you guys but this thing called relationship, I'm not in for that"Leo raised his hands up in the air in defeat. "That's because you have commitment issues"Mason opposed. "We all have commitment issues"He scoffed.

"Speak for yourself"Mason replied.

"Now just look at Jace,he likes a girl but he doesn't want to admit it because he has commitment issues"Leo said,pointing towards me.

"Hey... hey,I don't like anybody okay"I defended,trying to die the topic he's about to bring up. "What?Who does he like?"Mason asked. "Guy,you won't want to know,trust me"Leo stifled a laugh.

"Wait...hollup..you like my sister?!No...nope...not happening..."Mason shook his head in disagreement.

"I don't like your sister,relax and if I do,is it a bad thing"I asked more like a statement. "Yes, it's bad...very bad...I mean...you of all people... she's gonna end up in tears in day 2 of the relationship"He remarked.

"What do you mean?! She's dating Lucas!Lucas of all people and yet you allowed her,you know fully well she's gonna end up in a terrible state when she finds out the truth but you let her,now you are saying it as if I'm worse than Lucas"I retorted in a fast speed.

"I didn't mean that,I know you very well,I don't just want her to get played...I cut him short.

"Yeah by me right?!I don't even like her,you should be after Lucas not me"I deadpanned.

I took a deep breath and exhaled in an attempt to calm my anger,"Look,I know what you mean but you are supposed to know that I won't act like that,you and I both know that when I like a girl,I always treat her right so chillax, I'm not gonna hurt her if I eventually have a thing for her"I explained.

"Okay but if you hurt her,I'm gonna kill you"He passed me a playful glare. "Like you can"I replied jokingly. "You guys know she has a boyfriend right"Leo stated looking at both of us like we have gone crazy.

"Forget that one,abeg....oh...here comes my girl"Mason smiled as he saw Olivia catwalking towards us. "She's not your girl yet"I whispered to him and he nudged me.

Ow

I excused myself and walked towards Michelle who was on her phone.

Michelle's POV

As soon as Olivia left me to meet Mason,I grabbed my phone for the umpteenth time to text Lucas,I called him when he didn't respond to my texts,he told me to hold on alittle that he was on his way,I was already loosing my patience,I'm not used to waiting for someone for long,it's annoying and it would be selfish of me to tie Olivia with me when she's supposed to be having fun with my brother. I was lost in my thoughts when I felt a figure behind me,I turned to see Mr.Handsome.

"Hi,muffin"He beamed as he moved from my back to my side to take a seat. "Hey,badboy"I passed him a smile as he took his seat.

"Badboy?"His eyebrow raised which made him extremely cute.

I took time to check him out,he wore a red blazer jacket,a skyblue long sleeve buttoned up shirt and a dark blue trousers,he was smoking hot. Unlike the other guys I have seen including my brother,they were all wearing a tie or a bow tie but Jace didn't have one on, instead his first two buttons were opened,Typical Jace.

"Of all the nicknames, badboy?Anyways,I like it"He chuckled.

"You do?"My face holding a surprised look.

"Yeah,I do atleast I'm your badboy"He grinned before winking at me. I shook my head and hit him playfully on his chest.

"I see you alone, where's Lucas?"He inquired as he sipped his drink.

"Oh, he's on his way"I replied. "Aren't supposed to be dancing with one of your girls"I stated,looking around.

"Not in the mood to dance with them"He stressed the word mood. I mouthed an "oh" in response.

"You wanna dance?"He asked out of the blue.

"I thought you said you weren't in the mood"I smirked which made him smile.

"I said with them,you aren't them,so come on,let's dance"He grabbed my hands leading me to the dancefloor.

We got to the dancefloor,I was shy to dance as I looked at my classmates who were busy dancing like mad people,I can't blame them,Naija hits has the power to make you move your body to the beats. Slowly,I started moving my body then boom! The spirit entered and I joined in the craziness,Jace laughed at the way I danced,I cared less,he joined in the craziness and we laughed at each other's dance moves.

"You are horrible dancer"He teased.

"Oh really?"I asked in a British accent. "Yes,really"He smirked as he replied.

"Atleast,I'm better than you"I giggled before smirking.

My words made him pull me by my waist with his hands,he pushed my braids backwards to see my face clearly,"are you sure?"He whispered,his face close to mine. "You look extremely stunning"He whispered very close to my ears."Um...um..."I couldn't find a reply,because his eyes were piercing into mine,I was lost. His hypnotic eyes moved to my lips as he inched his face closer to mine,he was going to kiss me?! No no stop this

You have a boyfriend remember

My eyes widened at the realization,I pushed him softly with my hands on his rock-hard chest,"Jace...st..op,I have a boyfriend"I stuttered as I looked elsewhere,avoiding his eyes. "Oh...yeah..I'm sorry...I forgot"He stammered as he removed his hands from my waist. "It's okay"I managed to say as I looked at the ground still avoiding his eyes. "Do you like him?"He questioned,as he tilted my head upwards to meet his eyes once again.

"Huh?"

"I said do you like him?"He inquired."Yes,I do"I affirmed, looking straight into his eyes with boldness."I don't think he's good for you"He replied."What do you mean by that?"I questioned,moving backwards from him. "He's going to hurt you"He pointed out,his face held a cold look. "Hurt me?! Atleast he isn't going to hurt me the way you did"I scoffed, already getting annoyed.

"What do you mean?"He was slightly offended. "What I mean is you have hurt thousands of time and I'm sure you don't know"I stated. "I don't still get you"He scrunched his brows in confusion. "Are you really that oblivious?"I asked,not believing the fact that he's trying to play dumb.

He still had the confused look on his face,"I see you really don't know,okay let me help out,I liked you,there!I said it,I confessed my feelings for you on several occasions,I told you directly and indirectly,I don't even understand you,one moment you act as if you want me,the next moment you are making out with different girls and it really hurt me,all I could was to watch from a distance and do nothing,I'm sure you knew about my feelings that's why you decided to hurt me but I was dumb and stupid to think you would like me back, I mean why would you then when I finally get the chance to be with someone who will make me happy and forget about you,you try to tell me he's a bad person,how dare you?"I yelled,hitting hard on his chest.

"So you actually thought...you know what! suite yourself"He scoffed before walking away. I looked at his retreating figure,a tear escaped my eyes,some of my classmates were already looking at me,I wiped my tears and walked outside,I just need fresh air right now.

As soon as I got outside,I called Lucas and he answered at the third ring,"Babe,where the hell are you?!I have been waiting for you for the past thirty minutes,aren't you coming?!"I snapped across the phone,I was obviously transferring aggression to him.

"I'm not coming anymore"He answered after few seconds of silence from his side."What!what do you mean?!"I whispered yelled. "Something came up,I'm sorry but I can't come"He replied before ending the call.

He just ditched me?!Okay it's cool,the second time it's happening,noted...

I was damn angry,I walked in,I didn't find Jace anywhere,Mason and Olivia were busy devouring their mouths,I wanted to gag at the sight,I didn't want to disturb so I took my leave.

Lucas's POV

We both walked into my former school,Crestview High,as Joan and I walked in with her arms intertwined with mine into the Hall,my ex-classmates came rushing towards me.

"Long time,guy"

"Dozie,how far"

"Oh my gosh,is that Lucas"

"He's looking more handsome than before"

They all greeted me,it was good to see them once again,I missed them,I waved some that didn't bother to greet me.

"Thanks for not ditching me"Joan said,as we took our seats. "It's okay"I replied,looking around the hall. "Dozie"She called my name softly.

"I'm sorry,I was a douchebag,so stupid,I shouldn't....."I cut her short to keeping my finger on her lips to shut her up. "Sshhh,it's okay"I managed to say.

"Can you ever forgive me?"She questioned,her eyes already watery. "Yes,I forgive you"I gave her a reassuring smile.

She pulled me into a hug and cried on my shoulders,"Come on,stop crying,you are going to ruin your makeup"I patted on her back,she pulled the hug and I wiped her tears with my handkerchief,I couldn't bear to see those pretty eyes cry.

I love her

"Aren't you seeing someone at the moment"

"Yes,I am"My reply made her eyes dull at that moment.

"But I'm going to break up with her"

"What!Why?you shouldn't do that,don't ruin your happiness because of me,I don't deserve it"She cupped my face with her soft hands.

"She's in love with someone else and my happiness lies with you not her"

"But...."

"No buts,now let's go dance"I pulled her up and dragged her to the dancing floor.

We were dancing when my phone rang

What now!

I checked my phone and saw texts from Michelle and missed calls from her,the last time she called,I lied to her that I was on my way.

Why can't she just let me be,isn't Jace Walker there to keep her company

I excused myself to call her back,I was about to dial her number when she called again.

"Babe,where the hell are you?!I have been waiting for you for the past thirty minutes,aren't you coming?"She yelled. I went silent for few seconds because of her outburst,"I'm not coming anymore"I replied after awhile. "What!What do you mean?!"She whispered yelled. "Something came up, I'm sorry I can't come"I replied in a cold manner before hanging up.

Dating her was a big mistake

I turned back to go inside but I met Joan standing behind me,"Hey,what are you doing outside?"I asked. "Nothing"She took a step closer.

"I just wanted to...."

"You just wanted to what?"I scrunched my brows in confusion.

"To do this"She replied before claiming my lips with hers. I froze on the spot,it's been long I tasted her sweet lips. I kissed her back,she wrapped her arms around my neck,I curled my arms around her waist in response,our tongue battled with each other,we continued kissing but she stopped for unknown reasons.

"I love you"That was the first thing she said after she pulled from the kiss.

I grinned like an idiot,"I love you more"

"Why don't we ditch this dance and go to your place"She suggested and I nodded my head in agreement before pulling her along.

Good to have my girl back