The Bad Boy's Princess

CH. 24 - The Queen Has Returned

Avery POV

Never in a billion years did I imagine that I would run into the boy from my childhood again. Let alone having that boy turned out to be Jace Vanderbilt. I kept having to pinch myself to see if I were dreaming. The way Jace said my name made everything seemed so unreal, made this past weekend seemed so unreal.

I remembered during the charity luncheon, when we first met, Margo my nanny had told me that there was a boy who was adamant on wanting to play with me. But I was never interested in playing with the other kids at all. That was just how I was during that time. And during lunch, he blatantly said he wanted me out loud and made the adults laugh. I thought he was the most obnoxious and weirdest kid I've ever met in my life. Until he fell and got chocolate ice cream all over himself, trying to give me a surprise after my mom said I loved chocolate ice cream.

After that, I thought he was the cutest boy I have ever met in my life. The first boy who ever made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt.

At my birthday party a few months later, he gave me a giant teddy bear that smelled like lavender, my favorite scent. And I kept it on my bed because it helped me sleep well at night. We even played together out in the tomato garden that my mom and I planted together. I showed him the green house where my parents and I often spent time together as a family.

Yet I couldn't remember him. Or his name. Maybe it was blocked by the trauma from the incident a few years after that. I didn't remember much except for my parents. And even with their memories, it was hazy.

Until he called out my name, like he opened the curtains in the room and let some light in.

"I still can't believe Jace Vanderbilt has a romantic side. Even staring at that cute ass necklace, I still can't picture him being soft." Nicole playfully crunched her nose in disgust after I told her about this past weekend at lunch. Will and Daniel offered to grab our lunches so we could have some private girl time. We were in the cafeteria again and of course, Jace and the guys were absent again.

They had gone off to go golfing with their dads as some group father-son bonding time. Apparently, they did it pretty often. I've come to get less and less surprised at all these facts I learn along the way about Jace's life. He and his family pretty much came from another universe.

"He's really sweet and kind, you just need to hang out with him more!" I laughed at her reaction. Nicole and Jace always looked uncomfortable whenever we all hung out but I knew they'd like each other if they just made effort to talk to one another. "You guys actually have a lot in common, very straightforward and blunt. And very protective and loving."

"Gross..." She shook her head but laughed. "But he was treating you really well at homecoming. I'll give him credit where it's deserved. Not to mention that necklace is gorgeous."

"His sister helped me design it so I don't think you can give him all the credit on this one." Jace and I hung out with Ali after we came back from the cabin trip since she was pretty upset about what happened with Charles. I gotta say I did not see that one coming.

Our girl talk was postponed when the guys came back with our lunches, but there was something off about the looks on their faces. Both Nic and I caught onto it when she asked them what was going on.

"Ave... Someone made an anonymous post on the school's gossip blog about how you had a plan all along to seduce Jace Vanderbilt because of his family background and all that bullshit. Everyone's talking about it." Daniel was the one who was talking while will was furiously typing on his phone. "They even said you act nice and innocent but it's all just an act. Did you really not hear about it at all?"

"Don't worry, I already reported the post." So that was what will was going on his phone. He looked furious. "People really have nothing better to do with their pathetic lives."

"Will, it's okay... they're just gossip and rumors... there's no point in us getting upset. We'd only let them win." Nicole seemed even more upset but she was hiding it pretty well. "I swear when I find out who did this, I'm gonna kick their sorry asses."

"Are you going to tell Jace?" Daniel asked. "He can definitely do something about this."

"He should be." Will was hissing now. "He shouldn't have even let this happen."

"Will, it's not like he can control every student here Jesus Christ. Relax." Nic smacked his arm. "Avery, you should tell Jace. I agree with Dan."

"It's not a big deal, I don't want him to start anything with everyone. Jace would get mad and do something rash. You know how he is..."

I didn't want Jace to feel like he had to protect me all the time. It was just high school drama, I could handle it. Not like I didn't have any experience from East High.

"Maybe this time, for once, his rage would be well deserved." Will balled his fist and slammed it on the table before leaving.

"I'm sorry, he's just really protective over you..." Nic sighed. "He's just like that, don't mind him. Today is just full of big news."

"Yeah, I heard the queen devil has returned from rehab." Daniel whispered. "It's all anyone can talk about. I wonder if Jace knew she was back. I mean she's crazy but damn she's hot."

Nicole smacked Daniel and he went back to eating his favorite pepperoni pizza in silence. Who were they talking about?

Of course Jace and the guys were back for practice, they would never miss a single one. It became our routine that I would watch Jace at practice after my shift ended and then we would go eat or study together. Jace saw me and waved at me, along with his gorgeous smile that made me melt.

Nicole, Daniel, Will and Cameron joined me today. We were eating nachos as we waited for the guys to get out of practice so we could all go out together. I was happy the guys and my friends started to get along so well after homecoming. Maybe school functions really did bring people together, I guess.

"Whoa. The queen devil is really back..." I heard Daniel said in horror and when I looked to see who he was talking about, I finally understood why everyone called her the queen.

She was beautiful with her wavy raven hair and not to mention the most envious body. She was striding across the field as if she owned it, straight towards Jace and Charles who were standing next to each other. The look on their faces told me that she was someone they knew, someone they were shocked to see. She was wearing a black jeans and a black leather jacket. I couldn't help but stare at how gorgeous she was.

She threw her arms around Jace and planted a kiss on his lips.

She just kissed my boyfriend, right in front of me.

Hurt and confusion flew through my body, not knowing what just happened. Jace pushed her off and he looked angry. But it was a different anger than his usual attitude towards Ava and London. This was someone who meant something to him, I could tell. He looked at me and I couldn't help but look away, not wanting him to read my expression.

She walked away from Jace and back out to the exit, but before leaving, she looked and smirked at me. She knew who I was. She did it intentionally. Of course she did.

Should I leave? Should I stay here? I was so lost and probably looked pathetic standing there staring at her as she walked away.

"Oh, hell... Scottie is back..." Cameron groaned. "The bitch is back from hell."