Everleigh Carter never believed in ghosts.

But standing in the middle of Ridgewood High’s crowded hallway, staring at the boy she thought she’d never see again, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

Jace Donovan was back.

Her childhood best friend. Her first love. The boy who had promised to stay in her life forever.

And the boy who had broken that promise without a second thought.

Six years ago, he had disappeared—no calls, no messages, not even a goodbye. She had cried for weeks, clutching the friendship bracelet he had once given her, waiting for him to come back. But he never did.

Now, he was here.

And he wasn’t the same.

The boy who used to share his last slice of pizza with her, who used to hold her hand when she was scared, was gone. In his place stood a stranger—taller, sharper, colder. He leaned against a row of lockers, his broad shoulders relaxed, his smirk lazy yet calculating. A group of jocks surrounded him, hanging on to his every word like he was a king.

Everleigh knew his reputation already. Jace Donovan—the school’s golden boy. Star athlete. Most popular guy in Ridgewood High. A heartbreaker with an ego too big for his own good.

He wasn’t just different.

He was dangerous.

But what hurt most wasn’t that he had changed.

It was the way he looked right through her.

Like she was nothing. Like their past never existed.

Like she was a complete stranger.

Everleigh’s heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to keep walking. She wasn’t that weak, lovesick little girl anymore. She was fine. She had moved on.

Or so she thought.

Because just as she passed him, Jace’s gaze flickered in her direction. Their eyes met for the first time in six years.

For a split second, something flashed in his expression. A hint of recognition. A memory buried deep.

Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

And then he smirked.

“Well, well,” he drawled, loud enough for everyone to hear. “Looks like Ridgewood still lets in charity cases.”

A chorus of laughter erupted around him.

Everleigh’s breath caught in her throat. She stopped in her tracks, heat crawling up her neck as whispers spread through the hallway.

Jace Donovan had just humiliated her. In front of everyone.

Her Jace—the one who once swore to protect her—was gone.

And this boy?

He was her worst nightmare.