First

Chapter 6

"So minus 3x from this side... Okay now collect the xs. Great now solve for x."

Jace and I were sitting at the island putting the finishing touches on my math homework, as usual.

I did as he said and not surprisingly I had gotten the right answer. My math skills had improved drastically in the short time that Jace had been tutoring me.

"It's right. Awesome." Jace held up his hand for a high five and I was never one to pass up an opportunity to touch him. And when our palms connected, that all-too-familiar jolt of electricity shot through my system.

Even though I expected it, each time we touched it was like a rocket went off in my body. My heart sped up and my body lit up.

"So just keep working on those and you'll be ready for the test on Wednesday."

"Yeah hopefully. You make a good tutor, but I'm still nervous," I admitted softly.

"You'll do fine; I'm sure of it. But if you need any help between now and then, let me know. You've got my number and I'd be glad to help," he replied, closing his books.

I nodded and began to pack up my things as well. I couldn't help the slight smile that touched my face when I thought back on Jace and I exchanging numbers. It had been so awkward and I found myself composing a text to him and deleting it before I could work up the guts to send it each and every night.

"Well, I better get going," Jace said. Tonight was one of the rare nights he didn't have to work. Jace had just come over to help me study; the gesture made me feel all tingly.

"Well thank you for helping me study. I know you didn't have to do that," I said, walking him to the living room to grab his bag.

"Anytime; I'm glad to help. Anyway," Jace slung his backpack onto his shoulder. "I won't be here tomorrow night. One of my friends dared me—and I can't turn down a dare—so now I'm part of my school's Christmas play. The show's tomorrow night so..." Jace trailed off.

Before I could process the words and just what they would mean, I said, "I know, I'll be there too." As soon as they were out of my mouth I wanted to push them back in.

Jace spun around so fast I thought he was going to fall over. "What?"

This was it; this was the moment everything was going to change for us. Our 'relationship', friendship or whatever you wanted to call it was about to hit the real world. And I couldn't have been more scared. I didn't know what would happen from this point on.

"You'll be there too?" he asked again, seemingly unable to wrap his head around what I had just foolishly announced.

"Yeah, my drama teacher is the one putting on the show so my class got roped into helping," I replied sheepishly. I looked at my feet, unable to look him in the eye.

"What? Drama? Wait...we go to the same school?" Jace asked, incredulous.

"Yes," I managed to squeak out.

"Why didn't you say something? You have obviously known about this the whole time."

I didn't know what to say so I just shrugged my shoulders.

"Kadence, come on. Why didn't you tell me?" He seemed really angry and I didn't know why.

"I don't know. I just... After we first met... You never noticed me at school and I just thought... I don't know, I thought you were ignoring me or were embarrassed by me or something," I admitted softly.