The Hopeless Romantic ✔️

Chapter twenty eight.

I got up from my endless sleep and I dreaded going to school. I felt like I wouldn't be able to concentrate but, it had been a few weeks since Jace and I broke up and I felt like it was getting easier every day.

I walked outside, feeling the cool air against my skin. I didn't see Jace's car in his driveway and I sighed with relief because that meant that he wouldn't be taking the bus. I waited at the bus stop and when it arrived, I saw that Gwen had already saved me a seat.

"How are you doing?" She asked, the look in her eyes told me that she was still angry at what happened.

I faintly smiled. "I'm alright. But, I would've loved more holiday time." The bus roared back to life and we were off to school. Things had changed in my life over the past few months and I knew what everyone was talking about. Love was a special thing and it was an amazing feeling.

We arrived at school and I already noticed Jace's car parked in the parking lot. That hadn't happened in a long time, I guess when he made the bet he decided to take the bus until he got all of his money.

Gwen and I got off and the first thing we did was head to our lockers. I used my key and opened the lock, I got all of my books out for the day and closed it. I sighed as the first bell rung for the day. Gwen approached me after finishing whatever she was doing and Jace came into my view.

I looked down, wanting to get out of here. He was walking our way with Seth, probably going to his locker which was on the same row as mine. "Hey, babe." Seth said to Gwen.

I was about to walk off to my math class when Gwen grabbed my arm. "Don't babe me, Seth. I know what you two jerks did."

"Gwen!" I whispered, not wanting to cause a scene. Jace only looked at me but, I couldn't make eye contact with him. It was so damn hard not to look into his eyes and fall in love all over again.

Jace cleared his throat. "Avery-"

"No," Gwen cut him off, "you don't get to say anything!"

"Calm down, babe," Seth chuckled, "it was only a fun little game. Jace lost, its over. Oh and by the way, you owe me fifty bucks." Seth said to Jace.

I got angry at that and Jace showed no emotion and he didn't deny what Seth said either. "So, someone else's heart is just a game to you? We're over, I can't believe you!" By now, there was a crowd of students surrounding us. I wasn't used to this much attention and I wanted to hide under rock forever and never come out.

Seth shrugged. "Whatever." He left to go to his class, leaving Jace standing in our way. I wanted to tell him how much I missed him. But it wouldn't change anything, so I just kept it to myself. I wanted to punch him and understand him at the same time. I would always remember the time when it all started. I would always remember the place where we said it, the world that we created and the way he left it.

I put his name on a bullet so people knew he was the last thing that went through my head.

"And you," Gwen yelled, "Avery deserves someone who is terrified to lose her, she would've died for you, Jace and you left her in the mud. Long story short, you broke her and nobody else is to blame but you!"

"Gwen!" I nudged her as the second bell was ringing and everyone was clearing away quickly.

Jace stood still, showing a blank expression. "I know it's my fault and I will do everything I can to fix it."

Gwen scoffed. "No, you don't have to do anything. Stop looking at her like you want her because we all know that you fucking don't!"

I sighed as Gwen finished. I looked up at Jace who said nothing in return to what Gwen said. I said nothing, I couldn't even look at him anymore. And with that, we walked away to our class. "If I knew it was going to hurt this much, I wish I never laid my eyes on him." I told Gwen as we walked away and didn't look back.