LOGIN_ Harper’s POV The question caught me completely off guard. I was expecting a kiss, not an interrogation. “Why do you want to know?” I said again after I pulled myself out of my fantasy. “He's only helping you to get back at me,” he stated. My brows furrowed. The words hit a nerve and my scowl came back. “Seriously?” I pushed him away and got up. “You’re unbelievable,” I snapped. His face tightened. I crossed my arms defensively. “You’re just so jealous of his good heart,” I accused, pointing my finger at him. His eyes narrowed. “Jealous?” “Yes.” Jace’s expression darkened. “You really believe that? How stupid and naive,” he let out. I gasped, my mouth agape in disbelief. “You think Clive is just being nice to you? He's not.” He said again and I flared up. The anger inside me grew. “I'll be the judge of that.” Jace’s expression changed, but I didn’t give him the chance to respond. I turned around and walked out. ... The atmosphere was nothing like I had ever
_Harper’s POVThe moment I stepped into the hallway, I knew something was wrong.Stares followed me every step I took, and not the good kind of looks. I heard the laughter, same as when I was the nerdy loser Harper.My body shook a little as I paused."Ignore them."Quinn said to me, her arm coiled over mine.Only when I got closer did I see it.There were posters everywhere. A picture of me looking ridiculous, probably from one of the pictures Reagan had taken of me in the past, and of Jace too.There was a large splash line between our pictures and the word "loser" on mine.My stomach twisted.And then I saw who was standing in the middle of it all.Reagan.She was surrounded by her friends, smiling proudly as they laughed.I walked toward the nearest poster and ripped it down.The sound caught everyone’s attention. I crumpled the paper in my hand and dropped it to the floor.Reagan’s smile faded slightly when she saw me.“Well, look who finally showed up.”I stared at her.“What
_Harper’s POVI sat across from Principal Reid, astounded by the news he just gave me.“Your scholarship has been reinstated,” he said, a small smile appearing on his face."The Carter family has decided to continue their sponsorship.”For a moment, I just stared at him.“Really?” I asked, my voice almost a whisper.Principal Reid nodded. “Yes. But now, Harper, you need to focus completely on your studies. You have worked hard to get here, and I expect you to keep that same determination.”I nodded quickly, relief flooding through me.“And don’t worry,” he continued. “You will have the recommendation letter I promised you soon.”My heart jumped.“Thank you, Principal Reid,” I said sincerely. “Thank you so much.”But even with the excitement, I felt uneasy. Marla was clear. What could have made her change her mind?As I walked out of the office, I could only think of one person to ask. So, I went straight to the ice rink.But he wasn’t there.I checked the boys’ locker room next,
_Harper’s POVI carried the macarons and two cold drinks to the table where Quinn and Austin were waiting eagerly for them."Here is your sweet, delicious meal," I sang as I placed them on the table.Quinn grabbed a macaron and took a big bite. She closed her eyes and let out a soft sound."This flavor is so good," she almost cried.I smiled, satisfied, and turned to Austin. He took a little bite and waited."Tasty," he said.Quinn took a long, noisy sip of the drink."How come I never discovered this amazing place?" she asked, looking around."Right? Clive found it for me," I replied.Austin gave a loud snort, taking his drink.Quinn threw him a glare and turned back to me."Is it well-paying?"I nodded with a satisfied smile plastered on my face."Does good Clive have something to do with that too?" Austin asked.I furrowed my brows at him. "Of course not."I picked up a macaron and looked around the big space."You know this could be a good place for us to hang out and study," I
_Harper's POVThe instant I saw Gina lean to kiss him, I turned away, feeling a horrible ache in my heart.This was a mistake.I moved quickly to escape from there but collided into Zane and spilled the drink all over my body."Oh no!"Someone shouted.Immediately, eyes fell on us. I stared for a second, feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden, and tried to leave again.Zane stopped me."Where are you going? The party just started."I trembled a little."I'm sorry. I can't be here," I muttered and managed to walk out without colliding into anyone.As I stood outside, contemplating the best way to leave, my phone rang.It was Clive.My teary eyes stared at the screen and, without hesitating, I picked up and told him my location.It took a while, but Clive arrived and I got into the car.The second he saw my wet clothes, he took off his sweater and put it on me.I took off my wet jacket without thinking, exposing my body for a few seconds while I put the sweater on."Thanks." I turned to h
_Harper’s POVI stared at my reflection afterward, and I almost didn’t recognize myself.As I stepped out of Clive’s car in front of the school, I tried not to lose confidence as Clive had advised. My hair, which was usually straight, fell around my shoulders in soft curls.The slight waves gave me a different look. I could feel my features look sharper and my face look brighter.I looked down at myself, feeling strangely nervous.“You’re staring too much,” Clive said beside me.I turned to him.He leaned against the car with a satisfied smile, looking like he had been waiting for this exact reaction.“This is what my cousin should have done a long time ago,” he said, gesturing toward me.I rolled my eyes slightly, but I couldn’t stop the small smile forming.“Don’t get too confident,” I warned.He chuckled.“Just have fun with it, Harper.”I looked back toward the school entrance. My heart felt heavy. Dad, if you could see me now.I started walking toward the entrance and noticed t
_Harper’s POVI crossed my arms as I stood facing Jace with a frown on my face. The night air blew around us and I tried not to sneeze.“Why are you even here?” I fired at him.“Why can’t I be here?” he replied with a question.I looked at him and he looked upset.I gulped slowly, pretending not t
_Harper's POVMy breath caught in my throat. The closet door wasn't fully shut.Through the narrow gap, I could see Marla standing in the middle of the room.I pressed myself against the wall, trying not to make a sound.Jace stood beside me, his arms wrapped around me like a shield.“Just hold on
_ Jace's POV I lifted my head slowly from the water in deliberate slow motion. I pushed back my wet hair and exhaled as the girls all drooled at my little display. Pathetic. I walked out of the water and took the cup of drink I was offered. I pulled one of the girls closer and moved to
_ Harper POV I rushed out of the room, already late for school. I halted when I saw Jace. He wore a rigid expression and walked past me without much of a glance. He had been avoiding me for the past few days. Refusing to speak to me or even look at me. I tried to ignore his cold attitude but it







