**Val's P.O.V**
"What the hell, Val?" Jax's voice cut through the air like a knife, his tone sharp and accusing.
"Excuse me?" I shot back, crossing my arms as Jack—my accomplice—looked between us with an amused smirk.
"Val, what the *hell* is this?" Jax demanded, his eyes blazing.
"Why do you even care?" I snapped, glaring at him. "It's not like you've ever stopped making out with random girls. Why should I be any different?"
Jax cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Whatever. You shouldn't be messing around with some random guy. You don't even know what he's capable of."
"What I do is none of your business, Jax," I said flatly, my voice icy.
I turned to Jack, extending my hand. "Shall we?" He took it without hesitation, and we walked out of the classroom, leaving Jax fuming behind us. Mission accomplished.
Once we were out of earshot, I high-fived Jack with a grin. "Thanks for that," I said, feeling a small sense of victory.
---
### **Lunchtime Drama**
By lunchtime, Jax's death glare had been practically burning holes into the back of my head. I could feel his eyes on me, and it was driving me insane. Why did he even care? He wasn't my boyfriend, and it wasn't like I was stopping him from doing whatever—or *whoever*—he wanted.
"You okay?" Jack asked, his voice laced with concern.
"Yeah," I said, picking at my food. "Just thinking."
Jack nodded, understanding. He'd told me earlier that he was gay, which made me feel a little guilty about using him to make Jax jealous. But he'd assured me it was fine, and honestly, I was grateful to have a guy best friend who actually *got* me.
"Valentina," Brielle called out in a sing-song voice, snapping me out of my thoughts.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"Never mind," she muttered, waving me off.
*Okay, weird.*
My phone buzzed, and I glanced down to see a text from Reynolds.
**Reynolds:** Hey baby sis, the guys are coming over after school. Just a heads-up. ;)
**Me:** Okay. And stop calling me baby sis. I'm not a baby, and you're only one minute older.
**Reynolds:** Whatever you say, baby sis. ;)
I groaned internally but couldn't help the smile tugging at my lips.
---
### **Heartbreak**
Later that evening, I heard the front door open and the sound of voices downstairs. The guys were here. I was about to head down when Jax's voice stopped me in my tracks.
"So, remember that girl I was talking about this morning? Yeah, I asked her out, and now we're kinda official," Jax said, his tone casual.
A chorus of cheers erupted from the guys, but my heart shattered into a million pieces. Of course. Why would someone like Jax ever like someone like me?
I felt the tears welling up before I could stop them. I bolted to my room, slamming the door behind me as I buried my face in my pillow, sobbing. I hated how dramatic I was being, but it hurt. It hurt so much.
---
### **Comfort Food**
A soft knock on my door pulled me out of my pity party. "Go away!" I shouted, my voice muffled by the pillow.
But the door creaked open anyway. "Hey, what's wrong?" Reynolds asked, his voice gentle.
"Nothing," I mumbled, not lifting my head.
He gave me a look that said he didn't believe me. "Girl problems?" he guessed.
"Something like that," I muttered.
"Well, there's pizza and ice cream downstairs if you want," he offered.
I lifted my head, my tear-streaked face probably looking like a mess. Reynolds grimaced but quickly covered it with a cough. "Really?" I asked, sniffling.
"Yeah," he said, nodding. "Want me to bring it up?"
"Please," I said, pulling the blanket over my head. "I don't want anyone to see me like this."
"Got it," he said, closing the door behind him.
---
### **Midnight Snacks**
Later that night, I tiptoed downstairs, the house dark and quiet. The sky outside was pitch black, and the only sound was the hum of the refrigerator as I opened it, searching for leftovers.
"Hey," a voice said, startling me so badly I dropped the chocolate bar I was holding.
"Jax," I sighed, clutching my chest. "You scared me."
"Sorry," he said, walking closer. "Couldn't sleep. Thought I'd grab a snack."
"Same," I said, grabbing the pizza box and popping a slice into the microwave.
We stood in awkward silence for a moment, the only sound the hum of the microwave. When it beeped, I handed Jax a slice.
"So, new guy?" he asked, taking a bite.
"We're just friends," I said, shrugging.
"Cool," he said, nodding. "Why were you crying earlier?"
I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "I wasn't crying," I lied, looking away.
"Val, your eyes were all puffy, and your nose was red," he said, his tone serious.
"Wow, I must've looked amazing," I muttered sarcastically.
"Val," he said, his voice softening.
"I'm on my period," I said, shrugging. "Happy?"
Jax turned bright red, clearing his throat. "Oh. Uh, okay."
I couldn't help but laugh. Boys were so fragile when it came to periods.
"How's your wrist?" he asked, changing the subject.
"It's fine," I said, holding it up. "I went to the nurse. She said I should ice it."
Jax nodded, his expression unreadable. "So…you have a girlfriend now," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Yeah," he said, shrugging. "She's cool, I guess."
"Just cool?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I mean, she's pretty and all," he said, avoiding my gaze.
"Right," I said, forcing a tight-lipped smile.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" I said after a moment.
"Sure," he said, taking another bite of pizza.
"Would you care if I started dating someone? Like, I don't know…Jack? Or someone else?" I asked, my heart pounding.
Jax cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. "Of course I'd care. You're like a sister to me."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, please."
"What?" he asked, confused.
"Nothing," I muttered, grabbing a juice box and heading back to my room. "Goodnight, Jax."
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