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It was a typical Friday at school, the warm buzz of weekend excitement hanging in the air. Blair sat at her locker with Maddie, chatting idly about their weekend plans. They had decided to spend it at the Covey house — a mini getaway with Jazmine, Cassie, and the boys.
As Blair tucked a textbook under her arm, she noticed Jack approaching from across the hallway — tall, athletic build, messy dark hair, and warm brown eyes that were a little too sure of themselves.
"Hey, Blair," Jack greeted with an easy smile, blocking her path.
Blair forced a polite smile. "Hey, Jack."
"You busy this weekend?" he asked, tilting his head, the tone in his voice casual but suggestive. "Maybe we could grab a bite. You know... hang out."
Blair shifted uncomfortably. "I can't. I have a boyfriend," she said, instinctively brushing her hair behind her ear.
Jack raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You mean James Covey? You guys hooking up or what?"
The words hit her like a slap. Blair's heart pounded — not out of nerves, but anger.
"Don't you ever say that to me," Blair said, voice low but shaking with restrained fury. "James and I aren't just hooking up — and even if we were, it's none of your business. We haven't even slept together. I'm not... one of those girls, Jack."
Maddie immediately stepped forward, her face full of fire. "Watch your mouth, Jack."
Jack threw up his hands in mock defense. "Whoa, Blair, relax. I was just messing with you." But the damage was already done.
Blair turned sharply on her heel, Maddie following close behind. They made their way toward the back of the school where they could eat lunch away from curious stares.
Once they sat, Blair let out a heavy sigh, picking absently at her sandwich.
"Did I... overreact?" she asked quietly.
Maddie shook her head. "What? No! B, you handled it perfectly. Honestly, you could have gone even harder on him."
Blair leaned back against the brick wall. "I hate it, Mads. I hate that people just assume I'm another random girl James is hooking up with. Last week after our first kiss..." She paused, biting her lip. "I couldn't stop thinking about how many other girls he's probably kissed just like that."
Maddie softened, nudging her shoulder. "Hey. That's not the way to start a relationship, Blair. You gotta let him show you who he is — not who people say he is."
Blair nodded slowly, twirling a strand of hair. "Yeah... you're right."
After a few beats of silence, Blair tilted her head thoughtfully.
"Mads... did you notice Cassie's reaction when I told everyone about the kiss?"
Maddie widened her eyes dramatically. "OMD, yes! I didn't wanna say anything, but she totally froze."
"I guess," Blair said with a small frown. "Cassie liked James for years. It wouldn't be easy to just... turn it off."
"That's bullshit," Maddie said bluntly. "She's your sister. She should've gotten over it. And anyway, she's with Joseph now."
Blair smirked slightly. "She did tell me she's not really into Joseph... she just loves the sex. She said she thinks she likes someone else."
Maddie gasped. "Oh no. It's James. Your sister wants your man."
"Ughhh," Blair groaned, covering her face. "Why did I have to attract someone so attractive?"
Maddie laughed so hard she nearly dropped her sandwich.
After a moment, she wiggled her eyebrows. "Sooo... has James kissed you since then? Or maybe... you know..." she winked dramatically.
Blair nearly choked. "Nooo! God, no. I doubt James would even think about sleeping with me before I'm eighteen. He's... restricting himself. Like... he probably still sees me as a kid."
Maddie giggled. "Okay, maybe. But when it does happen... you have to tell me everything. I'm serious. Word on the street is that sleeping with James Covey is like spending an hour in heaven."
"Maddie!" Blair screeched, laughing so hard her sides hurt.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and they hurried to gather their things.
Later, after a long day of classes, the chauffeur pulled up in front of the school gates. Blair, Maddie, Cassie, and Jazmine piled into the car, the windows down, the wind tugging at their hair as they headed back to the Covey estate — ready for a weekend that promised more excitement, drama, and tangled hearts than any of them could predict.
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The black Covey car pulled into the driveway, and Blair felt her stomach knot tighter with every second.
The ride had been full of laughter — Maddie, Cassie, and Jazmine trying to lift her mood — but in the back of her mind, Jack's disgusting comment at school still lingered like a bad taste.
They had packed their bags earlier that morning, so Andrew and Caleb had already brought everything inside.
Now, as they stepped into the massive Covey entryway, Blair felt herself shrinking, needing space to breathe.
Caleb didn't seem to notice — he went straight to Maddie, picking her up slightly as he kissed her temple, making her giggle.
James was waiting a few steps inside.
When he saw Blair, his expression immediately softened. He gave a small smile and said gently, "Hey Maybell. "
Blair tried to smile back, but it barely reached her eyes.
Instead, she glanced at Jazmine — who noticed instantly — and said quietly, "Could you show me to my room?"
Without hesitation, Jazmine nodded. She motioned for Cassie and Maddie to follow, and the girls started up the stairs with Blair.
As soon as they disappeared upstairs, the boys were left alone in the front hall.
James frowned deeply. "What was that about?"
Maddie, halfway up the stairs, turned back and called, "Jack happened."
James's entire body tensed. "Jack? That junior, the quarterback?"
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "What do you think ?"
James's hands curled into fists. "Someone better start explaining before I find him and knock his teeth out."
Maddie, still holding onto Caleb's hand, shook her head. "Calm down, James. Jack was being a jerk at school. He said some crap about you using blair."
Caleb, still standing near the stairs, said dryly, "What else is new?"
James ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to keep himself from losing it. "I hate that Blair has to deal with that kind of bullshit."
Maddie gave a small teasing smile. "Well, to be fair... you did build a bit of a reputation before her."
James shot her a look. "Maddie."
She shrugged with a grin. "I'm just saying."
Andrew snorted. "She's not wrong."
James groaned under his breath. "I'm not that guy anymore."
Caleb clapped James's shoulder firmly, speaking more seriously. "Then show her that."
James nodded stiffly, the guilt clear on his face, before turning and stalking off toward the dining room to help set the table.
Andrew watched him go, exchanging a knowing glance with Caleb.
Maddie leaned into Caleb's side and whispered, "He's really gone for her."
Caleb smiled a little. "Yeah. He really is."
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(Blair and Jazmine's POV)
Jazmine led Blair quietly up the staircase, the house warm and alive with weekend energy. As they reached a bright, airy bedroom on the second floor, Jazmine opened the door and turned to her with a soft, lingering smile.
"This is your room," Jazmine said. "You will share it with Maddie for the weekend."
Blair nodded, feeling the tension in her chest ease slightly. "Thank you, Jaz."
There was a pause—one of those small, meaningful silences that meant more than words. Then Jazmine leaned against the doorframe, arms loosely crossed, studying her.
"You know, Blair," she began lightly, "when James was with other girls... he never really talked to them."
Blair glanced up, curious.
"Like, he might text back if the sex was good," Jazmine continued, wrinkling her nose like the idea physically annoyed her. "But he never really tried to know them. Not the way he's trying with you."
Blair gave a small, shaky laugh.
Jazmine pushed herself off the doorframe and came closer, voice lowering. "He really likes you, B. I can see it. We all can." She smiled, but there was a sad glint in her eyes. "I know it's going to be hard sometimes. Being with someone who probably slept with half the town isn't exactly easy."
She shrugged. "But... you have to try. James isn't the boy he used to be. And you... you're something good, Blair. You're someone real."
Blair swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding slowly.
"I understand," Blair said quietly. "I'm trying. It's just..." She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It's exhausting."
Jazmine smiled warmly. "I get that. Believe me, I do."
Blair sat down on the edge of the bed, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. "It's so complicated," she murmured. "Like... there are so many people just waiting—waiting for us to seperate and we haven't even started dating . It's exhausting, feeling like everyone's hoping it falls apart."
Jazmine laughed gently. "Don't worry," she said, sitting beside her. "You'll get through it. And you'll be the one smiling in the end."
"Thanks, Jaz," Blair said, sincerely. "Really."
They hugged briefly, then Jazmine got up, saying she'd go downstairs to help set up lunch. Blair watched her leave, feeling a new lightness settle over her.
As the door clicked shut, Blair practically bounced on the bed, grinning to herself. She felt excited—giddy in a way she hadn't in a long time.
Maybe... maybe this could really work.
She hopped up, ready to change into something cute for lunch.
But before she could even unzip her overnight bag, her phone buzzed aggressively on the nightstand.
Jack. Again.
The texts were piling up, one after the other:
> Blair please answer me
I'm sorry for what I said earlier
I didn't mean it that way
Please don't be mad
Blair stared at the screen, anger flashing through her chest. What right did he have? After humiliating her, after making her feel cheap?
Without a second thought, she blocked him.
Her heart thudded in satisfaction as the messages disappeared into nothingness.
"I don't owe you anything," she muttered under her breath.
With that, she tossed her phone aside, grabbed a towel, and headed into the adjoining bathroom. The hot shower washed away the lingering tension, her mind drifting to James, their kiss in the garden, the way he made her feel like she wasn't just another girl.
As she stepped out, skin warm and fresh, she caught her reflection in the mirror.
A small smile curved her lips.
This was her fresh start.
And she was going to own it.
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