376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzwjtfySa4
At lunch, Ashley and Nancy bombarded me with questions about Ace. I tried to brush it off, but they wouldn't let up. "I don't do boyfriends," I said firmly, giving them a stern glance. "I'm not interested in romance. I've seen how you both get heartbroken, and I don't want that."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNI2LnFWePR
Just then, the cafeteria fell silent, and we turned to see Ace kissing Estella, the school queen bee. I felt a pang in my heart, and my appetite vanished. I quickly gathered my snacks and left, telling my friends I'd meet up with them after school.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ubIGJoWa
As I sat outside under a tree, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Why did I care about Ace? He wasn't even my friend. But there was something about him that drew me in.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnaxSh9gGHN
Ace appeared beside me, his legs folded, and handed me my juice. "Wanna talk about it?" he asked after a few minutes. I hesitated, not wanting to express my feelings. But he reassured me, "You don't need to talk if it makes you uncomfortable."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44b5LiloUH
Before I could respond, he lifted me onto his lap, facing him. I felt a rush of emotions, and Estella's whining in the background only added to the tension. Ace's gaze locked onto mine, and I saw a flicker of emotion I couldn't decipher.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmhyEV93fn
"This doesn't suit your beauty," he whispered, ignoring Estella's taunts. I felt like I was in a competition for his attention.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HAq3uPcNu
As Estella whined again, Ace sighed and told me he'd talk to me after school. He kissed my ear and rubbed my sides soothingly before leaving with Estella. I was left wondering if he wanted me to wait for him after school.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLy3djCygu
I sat there for a few minutes, trying to process what just happened. Ace's words and actions left me confused and intrigued. Why did he care about my feelings? And what did he mean by "this doesn't suit your beauty"?
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SUALos4oO
I gathered my thoughts and headed to my next class, trying to focus on the lesson but my mind kept wandering back to Ace. I couldn't believe I was actually considering waiting for him after school.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1glPuqSs8z
As the final bell rang, I hesitated outside my locker, wondering if I should wait or just go home. That's when I saw Nancy and Ashley approaching me, grinning mischievously.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HugsyzsLr
"So, what's going on with you and Ace?" Nancy asked, raising an eyebrow.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc45dUDeVKV
I sighed, knowing I couldn't avoid the conversation. "I don't know, guys. He's just...different. And confusing."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU4DhNEav74
Ashley nodded. "We know, girl. We've seen the way he looks at you. He's got it bad."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbcHQDg8J2
I rolled my eyes. "You're just imagining things."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyyL71ekhD
But deep down, I wondered if they were right. Was Ace really interested in me? And what did I feel for him?
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxfo3KXuGXt
As we chatted, I saw Ace walking towards us, Estella nowhere in sight. He nodded at my friends and turned to me.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1qkOrXosO
"Hey, princess. Can I talk to you for a minute?"
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0TGGMeW09
My heart skipped a beat at the nickname, and I nodded, following him to an empty corner of the hallway.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1FzszwG6h
"What's up?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUj9lbz8yRW
He leaned against the locker, his eyes locked onto mine. "I wanted to explain what happened earlier. With Estella."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuitEYT0qW
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "What about it?"
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqbZS3tCxXj
He took a deep breath. "I know it looked bad, but I swear, it's not what you think."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiEvVNqaH8
I folded my arms, intrigued. "Try me."
376Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9c0874Ok3
And with that, Ace began to tell me a story that would change everything or not maybe.
ns216.73.216.82da2
