**Val's P.O.V**
After getting back in steady feelings, I was sprawled on my bed, a bowl of popcorn balanced on my stomach, my eyes glued to the laptop screen. No, I wasn't studying. I was watching a movie like any self-respecting straight-A student would do at 3 a.m.
When the credits finally rolled, I stretched and got up to close the window. The cold night air was biting, and I shivered as I reached for the latch. Out of habit, I glanced across to my neighbor's window—and froze.
There he was. Jax. Half-naked, his eyes wide, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks as he stared at me. My heart skipped a beat, and then I realized—he wasn't looking at my face. His gaze was lower, and I suddenly remembered what I was wearing.
A laced top that barely covered anything and a pair of booty shorts. I'd been wearing a robe, but it had slipped off when I got out of bed, and I hadn't bothered to put it back on. Why would I? I wasn't expecting my brother's best friend—a guy who happened to be ridiculously hot—to be staring at me from across the street.
His surprised expression quickly morphed into a smirk, and my face burned as his eyes raked over me again. He licked his lips, and I panicked, yanking the curtains shut as fast as I could.
---
### **Monday Morning**
It was Monday, and I hadn't seen Jax since *that* incident last week. So much had happened in just two days, and now I had to face him. The thought made my stomach churn.
I grabbed my bag with my left hand, wincing as pain shot through my wrist. I'd sprained it, but I hadn't told anyone—not Reynolds, not Jax, not even my friends. I'd wrapped it in a bandage as best as I could and hidden it under the sleeve of my baggy sweatshirt.
"OH MY GOD, VAL! WHY DO YOU TAKE SO LONG TO GET READY?!" Reynolds yelled from downstairs.
I didn't answer. I wasn't in the mood.
"I'm here," I said, slinging my bag over my shoulder. "Let's go."
"You should eat something first," Reynolds said, frowning. "You haven't eaten since yesterday."
"I ate popcorn," I said defensively.
"A proper meal," he insisted.
"I'm not hungry," I muttered.
He sighed in defeat. "Fine. Let's go. Jax is waiting in the car."
My stomach dropped at his words. "O-okay," I stammered.
I pulled the hood of my sweatshirt over my head, avoiding Jax's eyes as I slid into the backseat. I could feel his gaze on me, but he didn't say a word. He acted like nothing had happened between us, like that kiss had meant nothing.
Reynolds and Jax made small talk during the drive, but I tuned them out—until one topic caught my attention.
"So, there's this girl at school," Jax said casually. "I hooked up with her last night, and I'm thinking of asking her out."
My heart sank. I thought we had something—or at least, I thought *I* had felt something. But maybe it was all in my head. Why would someone like Jax be interested in someone like me?
I stared out the window, trying to ignore the lump in my throat. As we passed the house where the party had been last weekend, the memories came flooding back. The guy who'd almost assaulted me, the panic, the fear—it all felt so real, like I was back there again.
By the time we reached school, I was on the verge of tears. I bolted to the bathroom, locking myself in a stall as I tried to calm my racing heart. The walls felt like they were closing in, and I couldn't breathe. I bit my fist to stifle my sobs, my body shaking violently.
*Stop it, stop it, stop it. Please!*
I clawed at my arms, desperate to feel something, anything, to remind myself that I was still here. When the tears finally stopped, I washed my face at the sink, avoiding my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red and puffy, but I didn't have time to fix it. I pulled my hood back up and headed to class.
---
### **Classroom Drama**
As I walked into the classroom, I felt a hand grab my wrist, and I yelped in pain.
"Are you okay?" a deep voice asked. I didn't need to look up to know it was Jax.
I pulled my wrist away, wincing. "I'm fine," I muttered, avoiding his gaze.
"Did you see a nurse?" he asked, his tone concerned.
"I have to get to class," I said, my voice cracking as I hurried into the room.
I found a seat in the middle, knowing Jax always sat at the back. Just as I sat down, a guy I didn't recognize approached me.
"Hey, mind if I sit here?" he asked, gesturing to the seat next to me.
I nodded, and he sat down, introducing himself as **Jack**. He was attractive, with dimples and a sweet smile, but I wasn't in the mood for small talk.
"You look upset," he said after a moment. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile.
Before he could say more, Jax walked in. His eyes narrowed as he saw me sitting with Jack, and he rolled his eyes before taking his seat at the back. I ignored him, but I could feel his gaze burning into the back of my head.
An idea popped into my head—one that was either going to make me feel better or blow up in my face.
"Can I ask you for a favor?" I whispered to Jack.
"Sure," he said, leaning in.
"This is going to sound really stupid," I warned him. "But there's this guy I like, and I need to know if he actually likes me back or if he's just playing games."
Jack grinned. "You want me to help you make him jealous?"
I nodded, relieved that he understood.
"I'm in," he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
---
### **The Plan**
After class, Jack and I slipped into an empty classroom. The plan was simple: Jax would follow us, see us together, and hopefully reveal how he really felt about me.
"He's outside," Jack whispered. "Kiss me now."
I hesitated for a second before leaning in. Jack's lips met mine, and I tried to lose myself in the moment, running my fingers through his hair. He was a good kisser, but it wasn't the same as kissing Jax.
And then, right on cue, the door slammed open.
---
### **Jax's Reaction**
Jax stood in the doorway, his eyes blazing with anger. "What the hell is going on here?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
I pulled away from Jack, my heart racing. The plan had worked—but now I wasn't sure if I was ready for what came next.
---