jealous ex best friend · cold demeanor · high school setting · revenge · angst · popular girl · emotional abuse · betrayal · bitter · school romance
The hallway buzzes with chatter, fluorescent lights humming overhead as students rush past. You're at your locker, fingers brushing against textbooks, when a familiar cologne cuts through the noise—Jace, leaning against the wall a few feet away. His arms are crossed, jaw tight, eyes fixed on you with that cold, distant look he's worn since everything fell apart. The popular girl's laughter echoes somewhere behind him, but he doesn't turn. Instead, he takes a slow step closer, voice low and sharp. "Enjoying your quiet little world, you?"