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When I finally met Emerson, I instantly despised her Not because she was beautiful, and not because I sat around all week listening to Cole and Jax talk about her like she walked on water None of that bothered me What made me seethe was that the first time I met her, Jace had his arirl, and how did she have all of these guys wrapped around her little finger?

Cole’s new girlfriend lived next door, and froured out that Jace had been hiding out over there, so every day I tried to stay close to the door in hopes that I could catch hi out to Quinn and I ju down the hallway and heading out toward the parking lot I was still in my pajamas and my hair was in a messy bun on the top ofout Lane had called that ress, and when I told him I was still at square one, he told et back to

Jace came back down the hallith one arirl who could only be the infa I winced, knowing that I was going to have to do this in front of her But before I could even get introductions in, I had already pissed off Jace

I wasn’t trying to be snarky when I said, "Youabout" I was trying to lighten thearound for a while I knew if she left, Jace would follow

She didn’t even get the opportunity to reply Jace icily told o away, and then he slipped into Quinn’s apartment behind Em Behind the closed door, I heard their muffled voices and thanked the heavens I couldn’t ht then, I realized thata fool out of round and cried quietly into my hands

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Since it’s my last day here, I take a walk to try and actually enjoy this beautiful city Last night, I finally came to the conclusion that this trip has been a failure There’s a thin line between determined and pathetic, and I had crossed over into pathetic territory I need to go hoet Jace out of my head Yes, I wish he would have listened to what I had to say, but I can’t keep thinking about so the earlysurfers, I decide to attempt a different direction back to the apartiant carounds really are quite beautiful with their red brick buildings, spectacular fountains, and towering palht to behold There’s a giant water fountain out front and a long garden filled with red and gold flowers If I attended this school, I would love to sit out here between classes and listen to the relaxing sounds of the fountain

Eventually, I co under a tree in the middle of a beautiful courtyard I hesitate for a reat idea talking to hiain I finally coize for taking over his living rooain

As I start to walk toward him, I notice Emerson approach him first He lifts his head to look at her with a smirk on his face and a look of adoration in his eyes I haven’t spoken to Jaxon much while I’ve been here, since he’s spent all of his ti to Cole about Emerson But if this week hadn’t already proved it, that look alone would have told me how crazy he is about her It’s obvious she’s really done a nuht Jaxon Riley would be this whipped by just one girl

As I approach, I think about what I should say Maybe if I joke around with theet on Eood side, she will show me some female solidarity and help me find Jace

I call out before I reach them so I won’t overhear a private conversation "There you are!" I smile toward the at me I decide to turnhi all over for you, Jaxy," I say, while inwardly cringing at uess not having hout life has made me socially incompetent I have never called Jaxon by that nickname in the past and I can’t believe I just called hi here, Audrey? I said I would come back to rowls atout with my hubby? Besides, it doesn’t look like you’re in class anyway," I joke Sometimes I still can’t believe that ere so iain, I had already est mistake of asps Uh-oh…

"Audrey, shut the hell up!" Jaxon yells, while reaching for E form, I realize that I just made Mess 7,594 She obviously didn’t know about our sha mouth just tried to joke about it

"She didn’t know? Jaxon… I’ether… she had to know… Shit! I’ to make a joke"

He points directly at me and says, "Go hoht class and I don’t want hiet ," I assure hiht a ticket?" he asks tersely

"Sure," I reply and begin my walk back to the apartment Once Jace finds out I’ve pissed off Em, he definitely won’t want to talk to , fat flashing neon sign telling et about this whole pipe drea I can say is that I’ll never look back on this tione the distance Once again, no one has put in any energy toward me I need someone ants to meetafter a guy I o, and who has barely said a handful of words to me since

Jace doesn’t want me, I finally understand that, and Jaxon never even tried to speak to me amicably Anytime I approached him, he practically snarled at o, I would have been able to think of a million different reasons why people should hate h Now I think Jaxon is an asole and Jace just doesn’t care

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Present day…

I slowly return fro fro, but the furthest I’ve gotten is taking three glass s out of one cardboard box

"Watch this boy" I look into the dining roos "And… she’s back," he says, patting Chuck’s copper-colored fur "Wow doll, that ood one"

I have always had a habit of zoning out for long periods of tiine yourself anywhere else, you justin the present While I don’t get beat anyht all of the time It’s easy for ht of the subject, but I can tell it worries hi the res into the cabinet