Chapter 4: The First Demand

The school garden was as extravagant as the rest of Strathmore University, from the pathways and wrought iron benches, with rare flowers which bloomed beautifully beside the carefully manicured hedges.

Grace walked through the garden with a perfect posture, but her mind was elsewhere. Specifically on Jax and on the suffocating pressure from her parents, part of it was also the decision she made yesterday.

Her shoes tapped softly against the stone, then her phone buzzed but she ignored it. She lifted her gaze and for once, she noticed the beauty of the place, the place she worked her entire life to fit into.

She didn't see the group of students until she almost ran into them.

"GRACE!" Amber called loudly and excitedly. 

Grace stopped abruptly, blinking as Amber barreled toward her, her suitcase rolling behind her. Amber threw her arms around Grace, pulling her into a tight hug. She smelled like fresh vanilla and travel.

"I can't believe I'm back! Three weeks away felt like hell. I missed you so much. I feel like I've been living under a rock. What did I miss? Did you miss me?"

Amber was Grace's best friend, they had gone for a long school trip and the rest of the students who also went for the trip with her, were finally back. Amber was just so excited to meet Grace again.

Grace's arms went around her automatically, and for a second, it was easy to forget everything else.

The warmth of real affection made the edges of her invisible mask, soften.

Grace smiled softly, "Of course I missed you. This place wasn't the same without you."

Amber beamed, as she rocked them both back and forth. Then she pulled back, eyeing Grace suspiciously, "You're hiding something. I can tell. What is it?"

Before Grace could answer, a sharp whistle sliced through the air, "Monroe! Get over here," Jax called her out with a smug.

Grace froze. Every muscle in her body tightened. Amber turned her head, following the sound and her mouth parted in surprise. 

Jax was standing near a stone pillar by the fountain, with his dark hair a messy perfection. 

His friends, Rowan, Kade and Theo stood close by, watching with amused smirks. Their phones were already out as a few students whispered.

"Come on, Grace. I'm waiting," Jax said louder with a commanding tone.

Grace took a breath, she already knew this was it. Part of the deal. Part of him testing how far he can push her. 

Her shoes moved on autopilot as she walked towards him, and her face was blank, but inside, her heart thundered. When she stopped in front of him, he turned his head slightly, exposing his cheek.

"Kiss me," Jax commanded.

Gasps erupted through the crowd of students who had already gathered at the scene. Many of the students were filming as Amber made a choked sound behind her, "What the hell, Grace?"

Grace ignored it. Her heart pounded like it was trying to escape her chest. She thought of walking away, but what would be the point, she had already made a deal with the devil himself and she was about to kiss it.

Then she leaned in, and the distance between them felt heated and dangerous, as it crackled with a faint spark. Her lips pressed against his cheek, warm skin against her mouth, it was too soft.

Jax closed his eyes briefly but no one saw that. When she pulled back, Jax was grinning triumphantly.

The crowd erupted in cheers and catcalls as phones flashed. 

Rowan then proceeded to whoop, "Atta boy, Jax!"

"Didn't think she'd actually do it," said Kade.

"I guess even ice queens melt." Theo added.

Amber grabbed Grace's arms, yanking her back toward her, "What. The. Hell?! Grace! Explain! Now!" she said with a stunned urgency.

Grace looked at her with a dry throat, "It's complicated."

Amber shook her head in disbelief, but there was a gleam in her eye like she was watching a scandal unfold lively.

Jax was still watching Grace, and there was something deeper in his stare now. Something that didn't match his cocky smirk.

"We're just getting started Monroe," Jax teased.

The crowd laughed again, but Jax wasn't really listening to them, he was staring at Grace like she was a challenge he wasn't done unraveling. 

Grace didn't move, but something in her shifted. She turned, tugging Amber with her, forcing her steps to stay even.

Behind them, Jax's friends were hyping him up, shoving him like he just won the biggest bet of the year.

"Finally bagged her, man. Monroe's all yours," said Rowan.

Jax chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. But his fingers fiddled at his side and he felt a foreign twist in his chest, though he'd never admit it. 

For now, it was all for show.

But deep down, he knew, it was already not a game.

---

The campus cafeteria was buzzing with students as they filled every sleek space. Every table had had its cluster of social groups. Laughter, clinking of utensils, and idle chatter created a steady hum of energy.

Grace sat at a corner table by the window, picking at her salad. She was tense, but it was hidden behind her usual perfect posture and her blank composed expression. 

"You're going to tell me. I'm not leaving this table until you tell me everything, Grace Monroe." Amber leaned persistently.

Grace sighed, keeping her gaze on her fork as she moved lettuce around like it was the most fascinating thing she had ever seen. She knew Amber, she was relentless when she wanted answers.

"There's nothing to tell," Grace said flatly.

Amber groaned loudly, slumping her back in her chair in dramatic defeat, "Please. The last time I was here, you and Jax couldn't be in the same room without one of you planning to murder each other. Now you're kissing him in front of half the school? On his cheek! Voluntarily! What the hell happened when I was gone?"

Grace finally looked up and Amber's eyes were wide, almost desperate for the gossip. For a second, Grace debated telling the truth. But she thought of the video, the exam papers and she shut it down immediately.

"Fine. You want the story?" Grace said smoothly.

Amber leaned forward so fast her drink almost tipped over.

"It's nothing serious. We made a bet. At the last debate in Callahan's class, he said he'd win. I said I'd win too. The loser had to do something on the winner's terms."

Amber frowned as she processed, "So he won? And he made you kiss him?"

Grace shrugged, letting her mouth curve in a dismissive smirk, "He thinks he won. I let him have his moment. Trust me, it's just a game."

Amber tilted her head with a flicker of suspicion but the explanation was clean enough. It fit the narrative perfectly.

And it was exactly the kind of petty thing Jax would do. 

Before Amber could push for more, two trays slid onto the table. Maya and Derrick settled into the seats across from them.

"Look who we found! The ghost herself." Maya said with a grin.

Amber lit up. "Maya! Derrick! You guys are alive."

Maya laughed, her long braids catching the sunlight as she leaned in for a quick hug with Amber, then with Grace. 

Derrick offered a quiet smile, his gaze landing and lingering on Grace. 

"Two weeks on that science trip and I thought I'd lose my mind. No coffee, no signal, just experiments and data sheets," said Maya with a sigh of exhaustion.

"I missed you guys. This place is boring without you." Amber grimaced.

"Clearly not that boring. I heard a rumor," said Maya.

They all chuckled, but Derrick was quiet as his eyes were still on Grace,

Grace felt the stare of Derrick on her and she remained steady because she knew why.

Derrick always looked at her like that, like she was more than just his friend. Although Grace never wanted to acknowledge it. Not now. Not with everything that was going on.

"Derrick, are you going to say anything, or just keep staring at her," Amber teased. 

Maya snickered as Derrick blinked, his face flushing slightly, "It's ...good to see you, Grace."

Grace offered a polite and a practiced smile, "you too, Derrick."

The conversation shifted and they talked about the trip, the disastrous group project Maya barely survived, Derrick's award winning presentation, and Amber's constant FOMO.

For a moment, it seemed normal and comfortable. Until Maya leaned in suddenly, lowering her voice, "Okay, but seriously...Did you guys hear about the student who got caught sleeping with a teacher?"

Amber gasped, nearly choking on her drink, "What?! When?!"

Maya glanced around like she was worried that someone was listening as her voice dropped even lower, "a day ago, Third floor. Apparently, it was in one of the empty classrooms. The student who witnessed it, said they heard things and they swore that they saw him sneaking out."

Amber's eyes widened even more, "Who was it?"

Maya shook her head, "No one knows for sure. But...Rumor has it, that it was a guy. One of the popular ones to be specific."

Grace's stomach twisted as her grip on her fork tightened and then Amber looked at Grace, "Did you hear anything?"

Grace forced a calm expression, "No. First time hearing it."

Maya shrugged but her eyes were gleaming with curiosity. "Crazy, right? I mean...this school. Everyone's hiding something."

Amber nodded slowly, glancing at Grace again. 

Grace focused on her salad as her thoughts were in a whirlwind.

And across the room, by the windows. Jax was sitting with his crew, but his eyes were on her. A smirk played on his lips, like he already knew the next move he was planning for her next.