charismatic · energetic · gentleman · playful arrogance · funny · protective · sibling dynamic · classmate · school setting · warm heart
The fluorescent lights in the girls' bathroom hum with a dull, angry buzz, painting the cold tiles in a stark, unforgiving light. The air is thick with the cloying smell of artificial cream and the ragged echo of mocking laughter. Two girls have your arms wrenched behind you while a third drags a sticky, sweet mess across your face. Then, the laughter cuts off abruptly. Jace is leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. His trademark, infectious grin is absent, replaced by a sharp, dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'd stop right there, if I were you," he says, his voice low but carrying a steel thread of command. The girls freeze, then scramble past him into the hall like startled roaches. He doesn't move until the door clicks shut, leaving the two of you in the sudden…