Crave

Flint teases Grace that he didn’t know “screwed up and obnoxious” (135) was her type after seeing her with Jaxon. Grace says they’re friends. Flint states Jaxon doesn’t have friends, which she doesn’t know how to interpret. Macy stays out of it as they walk outside, where students have gathered.

During the snowball fight, the three find an area with cover and build an arsenal of snowballs. Grace laughs the entire time, having a blast. They climb into the trees for better cover, attacking other students from above. A giant gust of wind hits their trees, and Grace falls off her branch.

Flint swoops down to save Grace as she falls. They land in the snow together, and he’s somehow unharmed. He also looks shameful. His reaction doesn’t make sense to Grace since he saved her. Macy worries over her cousin; Grace hurt her ankle, but she feels fine.

Jaxon arrives with his posse, and the snowball fight dies down. All students seem to fear Jaxon, who admonishes Flint. Grace argues that Flint saved her by breaking her fall. The boys confront each other, and Grace is confused about why they’re fighting. Jaxon volunteers to walk Grace back to her room. Grace, Jaxon, and Macy leave, but soon Grace’s ankle is too painful; she can’t walk though she doesn’t want to admit it. Jaxon picks her up and carries her.

In Jaxon’s arms, Grace is more attracted to him, yet she balks in his arms. She doesn’t want to be a damsel in distress. Despite her protests, Jaxon and Macy insist that she shouldn’t walk on her sprained ankle.

Once inside, Jaxon gingerly sets Grace on her bed. She tells him she’s fine to take care of herself, but he doesn’t leave. He inspects her foot lightly, with Macy overseeing. Grace finds Jaxon’s protectiveness and worry endearing. Macy gets ice; while she’s gone, Jaxon carefully bandages Grace’s foot and ankle. They flirt, the romantic and sexual tension rising. Jaxon leans over Grace to kiss her, but Macy returns with the ice. Before Jaxon leaves, he warns her to stay away from Flint because he’s “not what [she] thinks” (153). Grace argues that they’re friends, and he can’t tell her what to do. He agrees and leaves them.

Grace analyzes her rising feelings for Jaxon. He’s helped her twice, yet he swings from being kind and protective to demanding and arrogant. Macy squeals about her romance with Jaxon and Flint’s obvious care, and Grace points out that Macy warned her to avoid Jaxon. Macy admits that was before she saw how he looked at Grace, like it “physically hurts him to not be touching [her]” (155). Giddy, Grace wonders if Jaxon wants her the way Macy describes.

Macy begs for details about Grace, Jaxon, and Flint. Grace insists that she and Flint are just friends, and asks if Jaxon’s really dangerous like Macy said. Macy asks if she likes him, and Grace needs a stronger word for the mixed emotions building for Jaxon. Grace shares that he’s different from any boy she’s ever met, and Macy laughs that he definitely is. Macy tells her that she’ll always support her and can trust her as family, and Grace tears up, promising the same.

Macy warns Grace that she can’t keep hanging out with Flint if she likes Jaxon. Grace argues that the guys can be mature and get over their hatred of different cliques. Only Macy, Lia, Flint, and Jaxon have been nice to her; she doesn’t want to cut off any friends. Macy encourages her that people will accept her soon. She explains to Grace that Jaxon and Flint had a falling-out the previous year, and there’s little chance of them reconciling. Grace asks if it has to do with Hudson, and Macy agrees but doesn’t elaborate.

Grace wakes up to an unknown number texting her about her ankle. Her heart rate rises as she texts back to find out it’s Jaxon. Jaxon tells her punny jokes, surprising her with his humorous side. He repeats his question about her ankle, so Grace tests it out. She can barely put any weight on her right foot, so she’s excused from classes again.

A cafeteria worker comes to her room with a breakfast tray, including waffles, eggs, sausage, a cinnamon roll, numerous drinks, and an ice pack for her ankle. The tray is from Jaxon: He did know her favorite food, so he sent everything. Grace sends him a thank-you text, then asks about his favorite foods. Jaxon finally responds that they’re not at that point yet for him to admit it. Grace perceives his response as a sexy innuendo.

Grace texts Jaxon all day with questions, banter, and flirty messages. She learns his favorite songs, movies, and other details about him. They grow closer, as Grace realizes he’s not the rude, dominating boy who first warned her to leave. He has more compassion and depth than she expected.

When Macy returns for lunch break, she teases Grace about her breakfast tray. As they discuss the romance, a Katmere staff member delivers a package. Inside is a copy of Twilight, the paranormal romance book, from Jaxon. Macy laughs hysterically at the gift, though she agrees it’s charming. Grace is in awe that Jaxon sent her a love story. She texts Jaxon thanks, and he tells her the book is supposed to be a warning. Then he shows up at her door. Macy leaves to give them privacy, and Jaxon massages Grace’s ankle. They share stories of their lives and families until Jaxon readies to leave. He promises that if her ankle feels better tomorrow, he will take Grace to his favorite place.

The next morning, Uncle Finn stops by to ensure Grace’s ankle is better and delivers her schedule with the classes she requested. He teases Macy and Grace about homework and getting a good breakfast, then tells Grace to meet with him after classes for a check-in.

Grace and Macy enter the Gothic-inspired cafeteria, complete with Halloween decorations and chandeliers. Macy gets Grace’s food from the line for her to save her from walking on her ankle. After Macy arrives with their breakfast, Jaxon approaches and asks to sit next to Grace.

Grace awkwardly tells Jaxon he can join them. Jaxon’s group, The Order, joins their table, including Mekhi, who offers to walk Grace to class. Jaxon interrupts that he will walk Grace to her classes. While Macy barely speaks from the surprise of The Order sitting with them, Grace and Jaxon flirt. She prods him to eat, but Jaxon jokes that “Pop-Tarts aren’t what I’m hungry for” (194), and everyone but Grace laughs.

At the bell, Jaxon walks Grace to her first class, and people part the way like they’re royalty. When they reach her classroom, the teacher and students wait for Jaxon to leave before they enter. Grace is aware that everyone has been staring at her since breakfast, likely because of Jaxon’s interest in her.