Nessa

Chapter 11

"We're running late. who are we waiting for?", Jace asks looking around

"Max. He said he's almost here", Simon informs us

"Hi guys ", Max flashes me a smile and I give him one right back. Shouldn't he be with his girlfriend?

"Max! You were supposed to meet me!", we heard an annoying voice. Joey groans on everyone's behalf

Marissa.

"Hey babe ", he moves to plant a kiss on her cheek but she turns her head and he ends up pecking her lips .

"Morning handsome ", she grins pulling him in for a deep kiss

"Why are we watching all this?", Jace asks annoyed

"Mari's coming along", Max reveals with a stupid smile on his face and I bite my lip to prevent myself from screaming in frustration. Can't he tell nobody likes her?

I invited Nico but he was saying something about sleeping in late today. Now I wish I had actually convinced him

We get our permission slips and head to the mall first. The boys are entering random shops. Jace is trying on the most ridiculous outfits and annoying shopping attendants. He's crazy.

"Maybe I should've booked a spa day at dad's", I whisper to Jace remembering two of my dad's hotels are here in New York.

"Spoiled", he sticks his tongue out at me and I return one right back. Hey don't judge, we're both being immature anyway.

"Is Joey always like that?", I ask once everyone's ahead of us.

"Like what?"

"Broody. Mysterious?"

"Yeah but he's a great guy. He just doesn't talk much"

I nod absorbing all the information.

"And Max?"

"Max is a bit of a lover boy but he can be a bit of a man whore sometimes - if he's not in a relationship. Personally, I think he just wants to find 'the one' but well I don't think that's Marissa no matter what he thinks "

"Right. Nobody should be treated like that. He deserves respect . From what I see he's pretty much sought after. He can have so many others."

"I thought you didn't like him", he looks at me surprised and I just shrug saying nothing in response

"Jace. I'll be outside-"

We both stare at Joey who looks slightly uncomfortable and disoriented

"Are you -"

"I'm good", he cuts of walking off quickly

"Is he okay?", I ask concerned

"Yeah. Well no- you know what? I actually don't know", Jace runs a run through his hair looking frustrated

"You have a thing for 'dudes in distress '", Jace jokes

"Shut up"

"Nah you're just too nice. Remember when Ash used to act like this you'd quietly sit with him till he cracked. You're good at it."

I look at him surprised. I didn't realise it's something I do often.

I look around to the rest of the friend group. Max is following his girlfriend into a nail salon, Simon is flirting with a group of girls.

"I'm going to get some soccer boots. Wanna come with?"

"Uh no, I think I'll just wait with Joey outside"