One Temptation

West vs Jaxon (Chapter 20)

It was the next morning, and I was way too tired for a Wednesday.

Me and the girls had stayed up way too late, talking about everything we hadn't had time for at school. By the time I got home, Aiden was already asleep, and I wasn't hungry enough to bother with dinner.

The girls had told me they'd make their own way to school today, so I didn't have to worry about picking them up.

Since it was surprisingly sunny outside—something that hadn't happened in a while—me and Aiden decided to walk to school together.

The warmth was a nice change, and honestly, it helped shake off some of the sleepiness I was feeling.

As soon as I walked in, I spotted West coming out of the meeting room with a few of the guys from the football team.

I figured it had to be about the camp they were preparing for or something like that. He walked on the other side of me.

His jaw was clenched, eyes narrowed, and as he passed me, he shot me a glare that made my stomach drop. I had no idea what I'd done this time.

Before I could even dwell on it, though, Elana, one of the girls from the popular crowd, walked right up to him. She leaned in, whispering something in his ear, and whatever she said must've been gold because it made him smirk.

I watched as they exchanged a few more words, their voices low, before they both turned and headed toward the back of the school, where the parking lot was. No one ever went back there, and I knew exactly what they were doing. Disgust curled in my stomach as I watched them walk off together.

Of course.

West was pissed off one minute and smirking with Elana the next.

I mean seriously, at school?

I shook my head, but found my way into the next building, where Em and Lia were waiting for me.

I leaned against the lockers, trying to focus on my friends, but my nerves were firing off. Soon Jake and Cole made their way to us.

"Y'all ready for some serious fish facts?" Jake grinned, then lowered his voice. "Kaleb got caught in the net with Elana again."

Cole laughed, adding, "Looks like he's fishing for some extracurriculars in the parking lot."

Everyone laughed out loud at their very badly attempted joke. It was funny because it wasn't funny at all. But that's how Jake and Cole's humour was. Absolutely horrible yet they still make everyone laugh.

"No but seriously, he's been gone for a good one hour," Jake sobered up.

"Round three in a parking lot?" Cole smirked at Jake.

I rolled my eyes, "You guys are disgusting."

Em shook her head, smirking, while Lia tried (and failed) to hide her smile. "Maybe stick to marine biology jokes," Lia said.

Before I could respond, my gaze flickered toward the courtyard. There, leaning against a wall, was Zora, talking to West.

So he wasn't fucking Elana anymore.

Zora was way too close, her hand brushing his arm while she talked, her eyes practically glued to his face. West, though... West looked pissed.

Then I caught a glimpse of Jaxon walking up from the opposite direction. My stomach dropped. He was headed straight toward them, his eyes locked on West.

The warning bell rang, pulling me back. We filed into the Marine Biology classroom, where Mr. Winters was already setting up. I slid into my usual seat, glancing at the door every few seconds.