Chapter three
Admitting
The previous day had gone smoothly. Bonding with her best friend and Tanya and liam seemed to be getting comfortable with her….she would have never guessed it was that easy but she was hopeful ... .and oh she didn't have an encounter with Jace.
Adera woke up, went through her morning routine, packed her books and essentials then headed downstairs. Her siblings were already at the dining….she joined them.
"Hi peeps" she said smiling at her big sis while patting her brother's head.
"Hey how was your night" Kiara responded with a warm smile
"Don't bother, I bet she enjoyed herself dreaming about some Mr Broody"
"Yes of course I did ,Josh and maybe I should also find someone to make you enjoy your sleep as well" Adera eyed her brother in a playful way .
" Okay calm down guys, put more energy into your breakfast and try to be quiet for once " Kiara nudged them.
"I'm always quiet, it's Josh that makes talk, " Adera said while batting her eyelashes in a puppy-like manner.
"Liar" Josh muttered trying to fit a large piece of sandwich into his mouth.
Soon they were done with breakfast and Said goodbye to their mum.
Campus 9:12
Adera met Chloe in their usual spot. They talk about yesterday, how Adera had used some time to revise her biology notes.
After about 9:22 they both headed for class.
Afternoon – Library Encounter
The quiet of the campus library was interrupted only by the occasional rustle of pages and the low hum of the printer. Adera tucked herself into her usual study nook near the windows and began organizing her notes.
She was midway through color-coding her organic chemistry flashcards when someone's coffee cup tipped dangerously close to her notebook.
She looked up sharply—right into the ever-serious, slightly broody face of Jace. he was in school . "great" she said in her mind… her life was much better yesterday.
"Sorry," he said, sliding the cup back with one finger. "Didn't see you there."
Adera blinked. "It's a library. Where people... sit."
His lips quirked. "Fair."
Jace took the seat across from her, pulling out his laptop and a thick textbook.
He looked different in the daylight—less sharp, more real. Tired maybe. But not in a way that looked lazy. Just worn.
"Did you actually finish the assignment for Professor Hill?" she asked, carefully.
Jace didn't look up. "I did. Mostly."
"I don't trust 'mostly'."
He smirked faintly. "You don't seem like someone who trusts easily."
She glanced back at her notes. "I don't waste time on people who don't try."
A beat passed.
Then he said quietly, "Good thing I try, then."
---
Jace's POV – That Same Moment
She had that same focus in her eyes—like the world could spin around her and she'd still keep her pen steady. Jace didn't know what it was about Adera that got under his skin. She wasn't showy. She didn't flirt. She didn't even seem to like him.
But she was real.
And sharp. Like a scalpel. Beautiful, sure—but that wasn't the part that made her dangerous. It was the way she didn't back down.
He noticed the little things. How her notes were organized. How she chewed on her pen when she was confused. How she never seemed intimidated, even when he pushed.
He hadn't meant to sit across from her. He just... wanted to.
The tension between them was quiet. Not the kind that exploded, but the kind that simmered just under the surface—like a kettle that hadn't started to whistle yet.
Adera turned back to her notebook, but she could still feel his presence like static. She didn't want to care. And she certainly didn't want to notice things—like how his lashes were unfairly long, or how he tapped his pencil with this unconscious rhythm when he was thinking.
"Why do you always act like I'm going to steal your homework?" he asked, breaking the silence again.
She looked up. "Maybe because you tried to peek during our quiz last week?"
"That was once. And I was stretching."
"Right. Stretching your neck to copy."
Jace smirked. "I'm not that desperate."
"Good. Because I'm not that generous."
Adera didn't miss the way his smile twitched, like he was fighting it. She turned back to her notebook, lips pressed together to hide her own.
Few minutes passed in awkward silence. Adera prayed for Chloe or anyone to come save her this mess of a situation she found herself in. It was as if God heard her prayers. She saw Tanya heading towards their table.
"Ha adera don't you know we're having economics class now"
" Oh really it's time already? Wait for me please" Adera said, packing her books. She knew their next class was economics ... .but the presence of Jace had taken over her brain….she wanted to make sure she didn't embarrass herself in front of him.
She noticed josh packing his books also, how could she forget…. Jace was having economics too….why just why.
They all headed to the hall.
...….
Adera leaned slightly forward at her desk in class, pretending to focus as Professor Maduka droned on about economic systems. But she could feel Jace's eyes on her again from the next row, like the way you sense the sun behind clouds—subtle but constant.
"You look like you're trying to kill the textbook with your mind," he muttered, low enough that only she could hear.
She didn't glance at him. "I'm trying to ignore the noise pollution behind me."
"Ouch. That actually hurt."
"Good."
Behind them, Tanya snorted. "You two need a ceasefire agreement."
Adera shot her a look, half amused, half warning. "Don't make me accidentally spill my pen ink on your notes."
---
After Class – Walking to the Parking Lot
"You're heading to Smoothie Wave, right?" Chloe asked, catching up to Adera as they made their way to the car park.
"Yup. I promised Josh I'd get him the mango passion one," Adera replied, unlocking her mom's car. "Plus, it's Friday. I've earned it."
Chloe slid into the passenger seat, grinning. "It has nothing to do with the fact that Nathan works there?"
Adera raised a brow. "Subtle."
"I'm just saying. I may or may not be wearing lip gloss for the first time this week."
"I noticed. Is it sparkly on purpose?"
"Duh."
They both laughed.
---
At Smoothie Wave
The place smelled like pineapple, mint, and coconut milk. Beachy vibes met city energy.
Nathan stood behind the counter, all dimples and charm. His apron had a little pineapple embroidered on the side, and his sleeves were rolled just enough to reveal toned forearms.
Chloe pretended to browse the menu she had memorized. Adera ordered their usuals.
"And for you?" Nathan asked Chloe.
Chloe blinked. "Um… smoothie?"
Adera suppressed a giggle. "She'll take the berry energy bowl. Extra chia seeds."
"Got it," Nathan said with a smile. "Coming up."
They took a seat by the window.
Chloe hissed, "Did you see that smile?"
"He lingered. That's practically a love confession."
Chloe buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to marry him. But slowly. Respectfully."
---
Evening – At Adera's House
Later, while Adera sat at the dining table surrounded by highlighters and open textbooks,she was trying to do a quick revision on economics,Josh sat nearby with his tablet.
"Did you know that you can build a whole village in Minecraft now?" he asked, not looking up.
Adera highlighted a sentence. "Nope. But I do know that inflation is eating the economy."
Josh glanced at her. "You're no fun."
"I'm an academic weapon," she said proudly.
"More like a nerd with anxiety."
"Same thing."
He grinned and went back to gaming.
Education was important to Adera. It wasn't just pressure—it was purposeful. She wanted to do something that mattered. Build something real. Her grades weren't just marks, it gave her some sort of comfort.
That Night – Jace's House
Jace tossed a basketball into the hoop in his backyard under a dim porchlight. His mom was inside finishing her hospital paperwork; his sisters were singing karaoke with the neighbor's kids next door.
Daniel his friend messaged him.
Dan: "You ghosted us after class again."
Jace: "Got distracted."
Dan: "Let me guess… Education girl?"
Jace: "She has a name."
Dan: "So do your feelings. Admit them."
Jace: "Goodnight."
But even as he put his phone away, Jace's mind returned to her—Adera.
She was smart, sharper than anyone he knew. Confident, but not obnoxious. She made him feel like being better was an option.
And she didn't fall for him easily. Which made it worse.
And better.
And complicated.
---
Saturday – Group Study at Chloe's House
"I still don't get this equation," Liam groaned, pushing his physics notebook away.
The little interaction with Tanya and liam had turned into something more …concrete
"You're overthinking it," Tanya said, leaning in. "You substitute the value after you isolate x."
Adera sat cross-legged on Chloe's rug, balancing her notes and a mug of tea. "Also, don't divide before moving the constants. That's what messed up my entire mock test."
"Ok thanks "
The group bantered, exchanged snacks, corrected equations. It was a cozy chaos.
At some point, liam tapped Adera's notebook. "Your handwriting is nice."
She looked at him, surprised.
"I mean, it's annoying how organized you are. But still. It's… nice."
She blinked, then said, "Thanks. That almost sounded genuine."
"It is"he giggled
They all studied for 3 hours before Tanya and liam decided to take their leave. Adera and Chloe went on about Nathan and Jace.
" I think Jace is not that bad, I mean he was mean on our first encounter but he's not that bad" , Adera said, correcting her posture.
"Hmm, is this you finally admitting that you like him?" Chloe teased with a mischievous smile.
Oh please, I just said he's not bad. How does that translate to me liking him?
"You do baby girl….you do"
Chloe had been Adera's best friend since junior school. She knew when Adera has a crush on someone her body language always gave her away.
"Is it obvious like a stranger can tell?"
Adera asked. A worried expression on her face.
"No I don't think so"
"Phew… thank God" they both laughed.
"Ha I need to head home now... Kiara and mum might be worried."
"ok dear let me see you off.... I'm coming" she said heading towards her mum's bedroom.
Adera packed her books while she waited .
Her mum's room was slightly opened and her mother seemed to be reading a prayer book.
"mum I'm heading out , Adera is going home now. lemme see her off "
"okay don't stay long" her mum said still focusing on her prayer book.
"I won't "
she returned to her room. Adera was ready now. they both headed out. Adera house was not that far away... in less than 15 minutes she should be home....if she trekked faster and not stop to giggle on every little joke Chloe cracked.