ENDLESS

S7 Chapter 16

THE HOMECOMING DANCE

Amongst the groove of teenagers enjoying the entertainment, Jace stood in the corner with his arms crossed and a scowl on his face.

Things had turned out better than expected. Everyone was enjoying themselves. The upperclassmen have been consistently praising Rayne for the efforts on her end. There's been a bigger turnout of freshmen compared to previous years.

They've been flocking around her like a swarm of hungry pigeons! The young prince couldn't stand it. She didn't do all of this by herself. Why isn't he getting any notice?

It's not fair. The president position should've been his in the first place!

But.. he couldn't deny that Rayne has been doing her job well. He would just like some credit, too. Despite the obvious fact he would be a better president, he has been fulfilling his role with the utmost diligence.

He hated trying so hard for it not to be noticed at all. What is the point, then, if he can't reap the benefits?

This is all so stupid.

Jace took another glance around the dance hall before heading straight for the doors. He couldn't stand another moment of being inside this suffocating place with its shitty music and self-absorbed people.

No one would notice anyway. They're too busy chatting her up.

The cool night air whipped the boy in the face as he opened the exit. He let it fall close behind him, walking down the concrete pathway towards one of the benches settled on the border of it.

Jace takes a deep breath in, the chilliness flowing down into his aching chest. The familiar emptiness only made the frown relax further upon his lips.

There are so many reasons he wanted to be president. Well, maybe not that many, but they're important enough.

He's the candidate that is the best qualified, the one that makes the most sense.

But he had also hoped that would be a good entry to his high school career. A way to make friends. To become well-known and liked for... him. Something else other than being the Death King and the Water Queen's child.

He's proud of that. It's part of who he is. At school, though, he simply wanted to be the smart cool guy that everyone admires. Someone mature, confident, the one you always go to.

Things simply couldn't be that easy. It never is. He's always had to work hard, and that's made him who he is. That's made him strong.

He just didn't want to have to work so hard sometimes. Why is it so difficult to be loved?

Why does he have to try so hard to get that admiration when people like Rayne can merely exist and get it?

Gods, I hate her, Jace thought. He looks up at the dark sky, the stars barely visible. I hate her!

''Jace?''

The familiar sweet voice almost makes his heart spasm out of his chest. He turns his head, his eyes landing on the lady of his ire. Rayne stands there with a corndog in each hand, offering the obviously grumpy boy a smile. ''Want one? I figured you'd be hungry.''