Everleigh should have known today was going to be a disaster the moment she walked into Ridgewood High.

Jace Donovan had made it his life’s mission to ruin her, and today was no different.

It started small—petty things. A smirk in the hallway. A whispered insult just loud enough for her to hear. Bumping into her shoulder, sending her stumbling. It was annoying, but Everleigh could handle it.

What she couldn’t handle was what happened next.

It was lunchtime. The cafeteria buzzed with students, conversations mixing with the sound of trays clattering and chairs scraping against the floor. Everleigh had just gotten her food and was making her way to an empty table when it happened.

Jace stuck out his foot at the last second.

She didn’t see it coming.

One moment, she was walking. The next, she was falling—her tray slipping from her hands, food flying everywhere. A loud crash echoed through the cafeteria as she landed hard on her knees, mashed potatoes and juice splattered across her clothes.

For a split second, there was silence.

Then, laughter.

Loud, cruel, merciless laughter.

Jace leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, watching her with a slow, lazy smirk. "Whoops," he drawled. "Better watch where you’re going, Carter."

Everleigh’s chest tightened. Heat crept up her neck, embarrassment burning her skin. Around her, people whispered. Some pulled out their phones, recording the humiliation like it was a scene from a movie.

Anger boiled in her veins, mixing with something else—something raw.

It wasn’t just about today.

It was about every day since Jace had come back.

The insults. The smirks. The way he looked at her like she was dirt beneath his shoe.

And the worst part?

Once upon a time, he had loved her.

Once upon a time, he had promised her forever.

Everleigh’s fingers curled into fists.

Slowly, she pushed herself up, ignoring the sticky food clinging to her clothes. The laughter hadn’t stopped, but she didn’t care.

Jace was still smirking, clearly waiting for her to cry, to run away humiliated.

But Everleigh Carter didn’t run.

She took her ruined juice carton from the ground.

And in one swift motion, she squeezed it—sending the last of its contents flying straight into Jace’s face.

The entire cafeteria gasped.

Jace’s smirk vanished. His jaw clenched, sticky juice dripping down his cheek.

Everleigh smiled sweetly, eyes flashing with fire. "Whoops," she said, voice mocking. "Better watch where you're sitting, Donovan."

Silence stretched between them.

For the first time, Jace didn’t have a comeback.

For the first time, Everleigh saw something else in his gaze.

Something that looked a lot like shock.

And for the first time, Everleigh realized something.

Jace Donovan might have declared war on her.

But she was damn well ready to fight back.