Stepping outside the building, I took a deep breath. Thankful the fresh air and relieved that I didn't get stopped by Nate.

I might be overreacting towards him, but after what happened two years ago I can't let myself fall back on old habits.

"Are you going to let go?" A deep voice asked.

I turned around to see Jace looking at me with amusement in his eyes. My eyes widen. Shit I forgot I grabbed him.

I automatically let his hand go. "S-sorry." I apologized.

Jace arched his perfect eyebrow. "You didn't seem so apologetic when you literally dragged me out here."

I bit my bottom lip trying to think of an excuse. He needed a reason as to why he's here.

Jace's eyes landed on my lips for a moment until he cleared his throat. "Wanna tell me why I'm here?"

That was weird.

I was currently racking my brain for an excuse. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

"I need your help." I told him. My nerves were sky high at the moment. How was I going to explain this?

"With?" He asked. His hands stuffed into the front pockets of his jeans.

"Uhh, well. Uhm." I tried to start my sentence, but failed miserably.

"Tate, I don't have all day." He said a bit aggravated.

"You know my last name?" I asked in surprise. I never thought Jace paid attention to anyone. We've been going to school together since first grade and I've always thought I was basically invisible to everyone else other than Kayla and Nate.

Jace never interacted with anyone besides his friends, Ian Carson and Luke Ryder. Even though the trio are extremely popular around school, Jace acts like he doesn't notice anyone, so this is the reason for my shock.

"Yes, Leah Tate. I know who you are." I arched an eyebrow at him. "Now, wanna tell me why I'm here and not in there talking to the hot girl you pulled me away from?" He asked pointing to the gray double doors that lead into the school.

"I need your help." I repeated.

"You said that, but you have yet to tell me with what."

I took a deep breath and decided to finally spit it out. "I need you to act as my boyfriend, so my first love will think that I've moved on from him. That I no longer have feeling for him."

Jace was silent. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, he look like he was actually thinking about my offer.

I mean the worst thing he could say was no.

"No." Jace said simply.

Well, I wasn't expecting that.

"What? Why?" I asked surprised at his answer.

"Sweetheart, people do favors for me. Not the other way around." Jace said taking a step forward towards the double doors.

"That's your reason?" I asked blocking his path. "You just don't want to help anyone out?"

Jace shrugged his shoulders. "Just one of them. I'm sure you'll find someone else to fill this position." He walked around me. "See you in class." He said leaving me.

Selfish bastard.

I shouldn't be talking. What I'm asking for is pretty selfish, but he didn't even consider it!

I can't avoid Nate forever.

What the hell am I gonna do now?

****

It was finally lunch time and I couldn't be anymore happier.

One, I am starving and need food, like now.

Two, dodging Nate would be easier in the open space, since the cafeteria was packed.

It was definitely hard to avoid him. When he was in the hallway I would go the other way. When we were in class, I sat at the opposite end of the classroom.

Nate was catching on that I was avoiding him, I could tell by the look on his face. I knew eventually I was going to have to face him.

Jace on the other hand, ignoring me as usual. Like I didn't even exist. Nothing new there. In every

class, he still sat behind me. But did not say a word about what I asked.

Asshole.

I opened up my locker and placed my books from the last period in there. Closing the locker door, I came face to face with dark blue eyes.

Nate.

Damn it, I thought I had more time.

"Leah, why are avoiding me?" He asked bluntly, his lips set in a frown.

"I'm not." I told him hoping he would believe me.

"Bullshit." He narrowed his eyes. "Well?" Waiting for my answer.

What was I going to say? 'I've been ignoring you because I made a fool of myself telling you I had a boyfriend. When in fact I've never had one and I didn't want to look like an idiot even though I am?'

Might as well, there's no use lying.

At least the embarrassment will fade eventually.

Well, I hope it will.

"Look Nate, there's somethi-" I started to say when I felt strong arms wrap around my waist. I was pulled back slightly, my back hitting something hard and warm.

"Sorry, man. I need to steal Leah away for a moment." A familiar deep voice say.

I looked over my shoulder to see Jace behind me. I thought he didn't want to help me. What's this?

He leaned down, close to my ear and whisper in a low voice. "Come with me." I felt a rush of tingles run through my body from his closeness. Good or bad? I had no clue.

Jace grabbed my hand and pulled me away in the opposite direction. Leaving a confused Nate behind.

He pulled me through the gray double doors that lead outside to the side of the school. Looking around there was no one there.

"What was that?" I asked referring back to what just happened.

He already told me he didn't want to help. Change of heart possibly?

Jace didn't say a word as he looked at me with his hazel eyes. He started to move towards me.

He took one step forward, I took one back. He took another step forward and I took another one back until I felt my back hit the cold concrete wall behind me.

He closed the distance between us, standing mere centimeters away. I could feel the warmth his body radiated. The distance between our faces were close, close enough to catch the scent of his minty breath.

He took a piece of my dark locks into his fingers, twisting it.

"I have an offer." He spoke. "See, you need my help and my help isn't free." He gave me a once over which caused my cheeks to flame up.

"So, let's make this little agreement interesting." A smirk found its way onto his lips.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How?" I spoke up, curiously.

"Let's make this into a game."

"A game?" I questioned. Of course he would make this into something for himself.

"One of us is bound to develop feelings for the other. It's inevitable. Let's see who will fall first."

I rolled my eyes at his comment. There was no way I was going to develop feelings for this guy.

I scoffed. "You might, but I definitely won't."

He let out a deep chuckle. "That's what they all say."

"You've played this game before?" I asked.

"Getting jealous already?" He teased.

I raised an eyebrow. "You wish. What do you get out of this little game?"

"The satisfaction of knowing that I can make any girl, even you, fall for me." The cocky smirk on his face said it all. "Well, what do you say?" He said twirling my hair around his finger.

Unfortunately, I did need his help. If this was the only way he would actually help, I guess I have to do it. There is absolutely no way I was gonna fall for this jerk.

I didn't even like this guy. Cocky, conceited, and an ass. What was there to like?

This was gonna be a an easy game.

"Deal." I spoke, signing away my soul to the devil.