194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyAhKO0zDq
Audrey waited by Ashley's car, deciding to call her friends before reading a text from them saying they couldn't leave due to other commitments. She was relieved, as this gave her time to come up with an excuse for her behavior at lunch, the girls wouldn't drop the subject.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8bYyzgASk
Audrey was grateful for her friends, as her parents were never present, always busy with work or traveling. She hated discussing her parents, but she had similarities with her mom Katie in looks and character.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW62aywZnCc
Audrey returned to the tree where she sat at lunch, waiting to see if Ace would show up when she suddenly overheard James and Ace arguing, and her heart raced as Ace pulled out a small blue box.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO2jStkqM5j
James punched Ace, and Audrey gasped, losing her footing before strong arms caught her. To her surprise, it was James who saved her from brusing.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEZAELmLkq
Ace told James to release her, and James pulled her away, offering to drive her home. Audrey tried to convince him to not leave Ace behind, but James chuckled and warned her that she and Ace didn't belong in the same world.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyruySCYmCo
During the silent drive home, Audrey asked James if Nancy had spoken to him about her. James replied that she didn't need to, as he already knew.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKRPRxX8lw
When James dropped her off, he warned her again, "Don't get too close to him, you don't deserve him." Audrey nodded, hiding her emotions, but as soon as she reached her room, she broke down in tears.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOouuFnC5I5
The next day, Audrey couldn't concentrate in class. Her mind kept wandering back to Ace and James's confrontation. She wondered what James meant by "you don't deserve him." Did he think Ace was too good for her, or was there something more sinister at play?
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHHXtxRqGE
As she walked out of school, she saw Ace leaning against his car, looking effortlessly cool. He caught her eye and smiled, and Audrey felt her heart skip a beat. She hesitated for a moment before walking towards him.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24Z0zaRMLk
"Hey," he said, pushing off from the car. "I was worried you'd avoid me after yesterday."
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTCw1j6ftY
Audrey shrugged. "I'm not one to shy away from drama."
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOeNGsjK8lo
Ace chuckled. "I like that about you."
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡahvQe93YIZ
They stood there for a moment, the tension between them palpable. Audrey knew she should leave, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yEkp2JHWE
"Listen, Audrey," Ace said, his voice low and serious. "I know James warned you away from me. But I want you to know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm interested in you, and I want to get to know you better."
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGkK6bQmsG
Audrey's heart raced as she looked into his eyes. She saw sincerity there, but also a hint of danger.
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXISl43ymIk
"I don't know, Ace," she said, trying to sound casual. "I don't want to get caught up in whatever drama you and James have going on."
194Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTn2b9lbYB
Ace's expression turned intense. "This has nothing to do with James. This is about you and me. And I promise you, Audrey, I'm worth the risk."
ns3.22.61.111da2
