Different

42.

Halloween seemed to sneak up on me this year. I hadn't even made any plans—not even the simple kind, like finding someone to watch scary movies with and binge on popcorn. The kind of movies I'd regret watching later, but still couldn't resist.

Instead of spending the whole afternoon wondering what Jace might have planned for tonight, I decide to just ask him. I let my iPad drop onto his bed, interrupting not only my own reading but also his. For once, Jace is actually doing some uni work.

"Jace?" I ask, nudging him gently.

He closes his laptop slightly to look at me, his back leaning against the back of the bed. "What's up?"

"Today's Halloween."

He laughs at me softly. "Yeah, no shit." 

I give him a teasing, fake-angry look. "Do you have any plans?" I ask him quietly.

"I didn't tell you? I'm out with Austin every year on Halloween," he answers, fully closing his laptop and starting to type away on his phone.

"Oh, okay," I say back, just as quiet as before. 

Not the answer I'd hoped for. Guess I'll spend Halloween alone this year. The past years I usually hung out with Ava. I miss her.  "So, are you thinking of going to a party?" I ask, trying to sound casual, though the curiosity is hard to hide.

Jace puts his phone away, shifting his full attention to me. He turns to face me, settling beside me on the bed. "We'll see," he says, tracing his thumb gently along my cheek. "I'll let you know when we decide."

Ever since that day—the incident with Jessica —Jace and I have been inseparable. So when he mentions going out tonight without me, a knot tightens in my stomach. My mind flashes back to the texts he sent her that night, and an uneasy feeling creeps in. I can't help but wonder if she'll be wherever he and Austin decide to go. Jace notices the flicker of worry in my eyes right away.

"Why don't you invite Bree over? Austin can drop her off on his way here, he's picking me up anyway," Jace suggests.

I don't feel like going out today, so I like his idea.  Also, just knowing he'll come home to me eases the anxiety. It reassures me—he won't have the chance to bring someone back here or leave with anyone else. Not that he ever would, I can't forget that.

"You don't mind us hanging around in your apartment?" I ask him quietly, just to be sure. 

"No," he admits right away. "I'd rather know you two are safe here than have you hang out in your dorm. I'm sure Austin agrees with me on that."

I nod my head at him. "Okay, I'll ask her."

Jace gives me a quick peck on my cheek. "I have to get ready," he says before disappearing in the bathroom.  He looks so excited about going tonight. I don't want to ruin it for him, but I can't shake this bad feeling. I can't help but think about what Jessica would wear for Halloween—probably the skimpiest skirt, fishnet tights, bunny ears, her boobs spilling out of her top. Not just her, probably every other girl, too. And what if Jace gets the idea to text some other girl the same things he texted Jessica? He must have enough numbers in his phone to do that. Okay, stop. This is spiraling. I have to trust him. But trust can be hard sometimes.

Trying to push the thoughts aside, I text Bree. Horror movies and popcorn at Jace's tonight? Girls night?

I assume she already knows about the boys' plans. So in! I'm bringing wine. She texts back after just seconds. 

Happy she said yes, I decide to change into something at least a little nicer. No need to keep wearing sweatpants any longer than I already have today. I pull on my light blue, comfortable straight-leg jeans and just pair them with the cozy white sweater I'm already wearing. Deciding to make movie night with Bree a bit cozier, I grab a few extra pillows from the bed and arrange them on the couch. Then I head to the kitchen, and to my surprise, I find two wine glasses tucked away in the cabinet. I set them on the table and wonder if there's still any of that microwave popcorn Jace and I had last time. I make my way toward the bathroom and knock on the door.

"Jace?" I yell, so he can hear me. 

The bathroom door swings open unexpectedly. Jace stands in front of me, a towel wrapped low around his waist while he uses another to dry his damp hair. Water beads still cling to his torso, glistening against his skin, and I have to stop myself from staring too long.

"Yeah?" he asks, his voice innocent, interrupting my thoughts.

"Do you still have the rest of the microwave popcorn?"

"We do. It's in the corner cupboard over the toaster," he answers, leading the way to show me. We. I like the sound of that. Jace hands the small box over to me, and I place it right in front of the microwave for later. 

"Austin's picking me up in thirty minutes. We're going to a pub and then to the same party we go to every year," Jace informs me after checking his phone.

I sigh slightly, knowing that what I had feared might come to. "Sounds good," I answer quietly, placing myself on the couch.  Does it, though? 

I try not to stare a Jace is getting dressed into dark blue jeans and a thin white sweater. He's looking as good as always, without even putting too much effort into it. 

"You okay?" he asks, settling beside me and wrapping one arm around my shoulders.

"Yeah," I say and nod my head, turning my body towards him to look into his eyes. I should've thought twice about that, knowing he can read me a little too well. 

He stares right into my soul. "Bullshit." 

A sigh leaves my mouth. "I guess I'm struggling a little."

"With what?" Jace asks, pulling me into him gently. I smell his scent and feel like home. 

"I don't know...I had to think about Jessica. And that you could run into her tonight," I admit quietly, almost too embarrassed to even talk to him about any of this. 

His body tenses, it's as if he relives what happened just like me. He knows exactly why I'm worried about it.  "Even if I do," he says, stroking my jaw with his thumb softly. "You know I don't want anything to do with her." 

His words should make me feel better, but they don't. I look down to the floor to avoid his gaze that's lingering on me.  "I guess I'm just... scared of you changing your mind, again," I admit, not wanting to hurt him but just trying to explain myself the best I can. "There'll be so many other pretty girls there tonight..."

This time, it's Jace who lets out a sigh. "That night was a mistake, you know that. I was scared of everything I was feeling for you, but I'm not anymore. I won't change my mind again, Mila."

My eyes find his, and it's like they confirm that I can trust him. That I should trust him. I feel awful for even doubting him in the first place, despite what happened. I nod my head at him slowly, signaling that I understand, and that I'll drop the topic. 

Jace scoots me closer to him, and his lips are on my seconds after. They move together, slow and certain, as his hand slides from my cheek to my waist. I take it as an invitation to settle into his lap, one leg placed on each side of his body. 

He runs his fingers up and down my back, leaving goosebumps on the bare skin under my sweater. I sigh from the sensation, and Jace wastes no time after the reaction he clearly wanted out of me. He bites my lip softly, letting shivers run down my spine. I wrap my arms around his neck and scoot closer onto him automatically. 

"Maybe I should stay in after all," he murmurs roughly, placing his hands on my ass.

 I want to convince him to so do, but a knock on the door interrupts us.  "Too late," I whisper back, giving him one more kiss before removing myself from his lap.

Jace grins at me. "We'll have time later."  He heads toward the door to let our guests in. 

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What happens tonight?

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