Chapter Five (5)

Aurora's POV

The reunion party was alive with chatter, laughter, and the gentle clink of cutlery and glasses. Everyone seemed so comfortable, so intertwined, like a big, perfect family-but I couldn't relax.

My eyes kept drifting to Jaxon, That damn shirtless figure, sprawled on the couch like he owned the world, stretching back my phone as if it were some fragile, meaningless object. The infuriatingly casual way he held it made me want to throw it across the room.

"Why would you even grab it like you own it in the first place?" I muttered under my breath, immediately texting Layla: "Let's go get our nails done, parents said yes!"

We were practically at the glass doors when Mrs. Grayson's voice floated from the dining area:

"Amelia should come with you both, if you don't mind."

I snapped: "No!" while Layla simultaneously said, "Yes."

I shot Layla a warning glare, girl, it's our first outing together! She could only shrug apologetically, whispering: "I'm sorry."

Jaxon's calm voice slid into the moment, colder than ice: "Oh yes, I think she needs to go with you both too, so she doesn't get left out." He brushed past me deliberately, the faint touch of his shoulders sending a hot pulse up my spine. I grind my teeth and give in, muttering under my breath in defeat.

Amelia insisted on driving, which meant I got to know her a little better while she navigated the streets of Ravenwoods. My hands flexed over the emerald-green nail polish I had picked-a tribute to Jefferey's braces, and Layla had chosen her own color. Amelia's long, sharp red nails drew my attention despite myself.

Getting home, Amelia waved goodbye. Layla and I went straight to our paired assignments. I was halfway through freshening up when the door burst open.

"AHH!" I shrieked, my eyes flying wide. Shirtless Jaxon stood there, stormy grey eyes locked onto me like I was a puzzle he needed to solve.

"What the actual fuck!" I yelled, pressing my hands to cover my chest as the bralet did its best to contain everything.

"I just came around to see if Amelia was still here," he said in a hoarse voice, his gaze sliding dangerously down to my waist beads.

"Then you call her, you fuckin' prick!" I yelled, grabbing the nearest object and hurling it toward him.

He closed the door slowly behind him, as if daring me to react further. I sank to the floor, clutching my head and muttering curses under my breath.

Layla emerged from the restroom, lotion in hand.

"Yo! Did you see a ghost?"

"I thought you locked the door while I was in there," I muttered, voice low.

"Oh, no, I didn't. What's wrong?" she said casually.

I crawled onto the bed, whispering nothing.

"Can we continue our assignment later? I'm feeling weak," I said, forcing a smile.

"Weak? Should I help you get something you can use?" she asked, panic flickering across her face.

"No, just rest a bit," I said, closing my eyes.

In School,

The partying weekend had left me drained. Arriving early, I called Layla immediately. A notification popped up from Jefferey:

"Princess, are you in school already?"

"Yes," I texted back, smiling.

"Oh, same here. Can you come around the love pack?"

"Sure."

I found him easily. Jefferey enveloped me in a warm hug, faintly smelling of cherry. His hands traced my arm to my palm, kissing it softly. His eyes flicked to my nails and sparkled:

"Ooouuu! My favorite color?"

"Yup," I said, smiling.

"Come here, princess," he said, pulling me into another hug. He handed me a paper bag.

"I want you to wear this today. The male team is having a friendly match, and I want you to cheer me on."

"Your jersey?" I asked, astonished.

"I've got something else. I just want to see you cheering me up."

The bell rang in, and I sped off to class, stashing the bag in my locker.

Class ended, and I was feeling drained.

"Layla, is the men's football team playing today? Will you go?"

"Definitely. Jaxon's on the team, so why not?" she replied, surprised I didn't know.

"Jaxon plays football too?" I asked.

"Of course. He's one of the top three players... yes, that's my brother," she said, doing a little chicken dance.

I jumped in excitement.

"Girl, Jefferey gave me a jersey to wear! Let's go cheer him on!"

Layla squealed, and we ran to the field.

The crowd's cheers were everywhere-but I felt eyes burning into me. Whispers rolled around:

"Are they dating?"

"Why is she wearing Jefferey's jersey?"

"She's not even that pretty."

I rolled my eyes. Layla dragged me to the first row. I loved the view. My eyes immediately searched for Jaxon, and as if sensing me, he locked eyes with me. Tension surged.

Jefferey waved from the field, and I smiled, waving back.

The match started, Jefferey's team scoring first. The crowd erupted. Jaxon's team fought back fiercely. By the end, Jefferey's team had won, and I rushed to congratulate him, leaving Layla to catch up later.

---

I was at the last corner of the hall, scrolling through the match pictures that were already posted on the school's platform, when I collided with someone-hard.

"Uurrghh!" I groaned, clutching my head. "Jaxon?! Why would you have to stand on the way?" What the hell. Angry from pains forming on my head.

"And what's the reason for this?"Jaxon asked, staring cold and harsh, lifting the jersey between two fingers like it was something contaminated. His brows pulled together in a bored frown, eyes dragging over it like he was personally offended by the color alone.

"Do I look like someone you fuck around with? What right do you have to question my choice?" I snapped, brushing past him.

He grabbed my arm and pulled me back with enough force to knock my balance off. My foot slipped, and before I could even process what was happening, I stumbled straight into him. My body collided with his, My breasts were practically on his chest, warm and solid. In the messy blur of movement, one of his large hands landed firmly on my bum, while the other slid instinctively to my waist beads, his fingers brushing my skin. dizzy shiver racing up my spine.

A cold, sickening wave shot through me-disgust so sharp it made my stomach twist. My skin crawled where he touched me, heat rising not from embarrassment but pure humiliation. My breath caught, my heart punching against my ribs as the reality of his hand on me hit like a slap to my chest.

Before I could think, before I could even blink, my body reacted.

My palm flew up on instinct, fueled by shock-and I slapped him, hard, the sound cracking through the air like my own heartbeat trying to escape my throat.

My fingers stung, my pulse roared in my ears, but I didn't care.

"Get your hands off me.i whispered silently.

And he let go immediately.

Layla arrived seconds later.

"What's happening here?" she asked, scanning for trouble.

I ran off without changing back into my dress. I couldn't let this ruin our friendship.

"I'm not one of those girls he can mess with never!"

I can't bring myself to tell anyone what just transpired between us.

Chapter six

Jaxon's POV

Staring speechless at the marbled tiles of the hallway, I could still feel the sting of Aurora's slap against my face. My hands instinctively went to my jaw, touching the spot where her nails had dug in. My eyes went flat, icy-cold enough to make anyone think I was capable of murder in that instant.

I turned away, heading back to the locker room. Jefferey's team was still buzzing with victory energy, loud and obnoxious, replaying every moment of the match as if they'd just won the World Cup. Their laughter echoed through the metal lockers-sharp, cocky, deliberately aimed to needle anyone wearing my teams' colors.

"Bro, did you see the knock on Jaxon?" one of Jeff's teammates cackled. "He fell like a fucking leaf!"

More laughter exploded, bouncing off the walls.

Jefferey leaned casually against a locker, smirking. "Leaf? Nah. More like a toddler learning how to walk."

My jaw tightened. I walked straight to my locker, trying to ignore them. But Jeff's voice followed, sharp, mocking-

"Hey, Jax! Next time try staying on your feet, yeah? Or do you need training wheels?"

The room erupted again in laughter.

My shoulders stiffened. I inhaled slowly, trying to remind myself murder was illegal-but only barely.

Then I turned.

"What the fuck did you just say?"

Jeff grinned, stepping closer. "Oh relax, golden boy. Don't be salty because you lost. Again. And that knock? Man-your ass hit the turf like a bitch."

The room froze for a moment.

I didn't hesitate. My fist crashed into Jeff's jaw, lockers rattling with the force. Jeff's head snapped back, stumbling into a bench, water bottles flying.

"Motherfucker!" Jeff yelled, blood trickling from his lip.

He lunged forward fast. His punch connected with my cheekbone, a sharp crack echoing through the room.

"YEAH? You mad because you got flattened on the field?" Jeff spat. "Or because my team showed you how real players score?"

My eyes went ice-cold.

I grabbed Jeff by the front of his jersey, slammed him against the lockers, and drove another punch into Jeff's ribs-hard enough to steal his breath. Jeff groaned, half-collapsed, before forcing himself upright.

Players tried to intervene, coaches shouted from the hallway, chaos erupting around them. But I shoved everyone off, breathing like a storm barely contained.

I leaned in, voice low, venomous:

"Talk shit again, Jeff... and I'll fuck up more than your teeth."

With that, I shoved Jeff away violently, letting him collapse once more against the lockers. I wiped the blood from my own mouth, grabbed my bag, and kicked the locker room door open with a resounding slam. I didn't look back.

Coach barged in, furious, voice booming. "What the hell is wrong with both of you?!

I didn't even glance at him-jaw tight, knuckles split, breath sharp. Jeff wiped his bloodied lip, still glaring like he wanted a second round.

Coach pointed, shaking. "Jaxon, you're suspended for two games. Effective immediately!"

A few teammates gasped. Big deal-but I only smirked.

"Whatever," I muttered. "Your team can choke without me."

Jeff stepped forward, chest heaving. "Coach, he threw-"

"And YOU," the coach snapped, turning to Jeff, "are benched for the next match and running laps for the rest of the week. Since you apparently don't know how to walk away."

Jeff froze, humiliation written all over his face.

"One more fight," the coach continued, voice cutting, "and both of you sit out the entire tournament. I don't care how good you think you are."

He stormed out, leaving a choking silence behind.

I tossed one last cold look at Jeff-sharp enough to slice.

"Next time you mock my team," I said in a low, icy drawl, "I won't wait for the locker room."

Then I walked out, suspension or not. I wasn't just angry. He was dangerous.

---

When I got home, my mom shrieked. "Omg! You fought at school?!"

"No, mom, I fell down the stairs," I lied, barely glancing at her.

"What do you mean you fell?" she pressed, puzzled.

"A little wound, don't worry," I said, heading to my room to freshen up.

Layla appeared with a first aid kit, eyes full of questions. I ignored her, numb, not wanting to think about the fight. She left.

I lowered myself into the steaming tub, mint-scented water curling around his skin. "The Hills" by The Weeknd played from the speaker-the same edge-laden song I'd been blasting in the locker room.

No lady has ever done that to me...

What the fuck! Aurora! Smirked in my mind. No one gets away with that... I'll make you pay.

I got out, grabbed my bike keys, and called Amelia. She'd be on standby for sure. Maybe letting off some frustration elsewhere would clear my head.