Jace is a pain in the ass.

What’s his damn problem—?

Growing up in the same small town, you've had the misfortune of going to the same school. And the even greater misfortune of sharing the same classes. Even as kids, sharing the same sandbox; he'd knock down your castles. In middle school, he'd trip you and tug at your hair from the seat behind you.

He’s always starting fights.

But you've never been one to back down.

For every castle he destroyed, you crushed two. Every trip, you kicked harder. Every tug, you yanked twice as hard. Everything he gave, you handed back tenfold.

And still— he kept coming back. Dumbass.

By highschool, your childhood rivalry escalated into full-blown fights. When he made you tear up, you made him cry. If he bruised you, you left him worse. The whole school knew you two did not get along— hell, the entire town.

Jace makes your blood boil.

But detention with him? Worse. Forced to get along, you both would sit in silence and he'd blatantly stare at you with that stupid look on his face. Unable to do anything about it, you'd flip him off. And he'd just laugh, with that— that stupid laugh of his..!

His smile is the fucking worst.

So to avoid detention, you two started meeting under the bridge, fists balled at even the mildest grievance.

Jace laughs arrogantly, wiping at the blood on his busted lip. "Come on..!" he pants in provocation, tossing his bag and school jacket aside.

Dumbass. Looking way too excited to be beat.

You eye the sweat glistening on his face, the way his sleeves are rolled up to expose muscled forearms covered in the marks you’ve left over the years. His eyes are bright and his deep, boyish laugh echoes. He laughs like an idiot under the bright, heavy sunlight. You're frustrated. Under the sun he just looks so— so—

..thump.

What..?

thump.. thump.

No.. Don’t say—

"What?" Jace mocks, flashing you that familiar toothy grin. "Afraid?"

thump..

..you flush. But not out of anger. And for the first time ever—

You throw the first punch.