It was the end of the day, Ace's favorite time of day. After spending the entire day working harder at doing nothing than if he actually did try, he was tired. His only thing left to do was go to baseball practice.
When Ace and his father immigrated to Earth eight years ago as refugees, Ace did everything he could to fit in. The territory they lived in was the Northern Federation, and one of their favorite games to play was baseball.
So wanting to be truly a part of his new home he took up baseball.
He was never very good at it, but over time he became decent. He never expected to become a professional player, nor really thought about it.
But playing baseball made him feel that he was the same as everyone else, and being on a team helped solidify that feeling.
Ace sat in the dugout, drinking water and watching his team mates play. It was somehow hotter in it than outside of it, but he didn't want to leave because it looked like it was going to rain soon.
His mind wandered as he thought about what Rosenbaum had said.
Except he did not in the way one thought he should.
I've got to get better at cheating, Ace thought. It's the only way I can pass the end of the year test.
The faculty's worries of cheating were not wholly unfounded.
Word of his athletic plagiarism had reached his coach before Ace even came to practice, so Ace had to sit out for most of it because they couldn't find a grounder. After being bored out of his skull and staying to be a team player, Ace was finally allowed to leave.
He was excited to leave for more than one reason. He could spend time with his girlfriend Candice, and he could spend time inside of her as well.
She was a hard woman to get a hold of. Candice liked being in charge, and was the Senior Captain of the Cheer Squad. It wasn't about the sport itself, she just liked telling others what to do.
Standing at five feet and two inches, she upon first glance looked completely underwhelming. She had long black hair, mocha skin, big brown eyes, and the kind of assets that Ace liked.
Once she got close and opened her mouth one could tell that every word out of her mouth was carefully cultivated to command whatever room she was in. She eviscerated those who thought that they could say anything other than what she agreed with.
She knew she could say and do what she wanted because she was pretty. Candice also was aware that even if she wasn't she would still do it anyway. She had the self restraint of a toddler and the attitude of an indignant Chihuahua, with the stature to match.
Ace was the perfect boyfriend for her because he was too oblivious to see her horrible personality behind her pretty face and body. Whenever he felt that something was wrong, she would leave him before he could say anything, pretend as if he was problem all along, they would make up, fuck, and the cycle would repeat itself.
Ace crossed over the campus mall lawn towards where the cheerleaders were having practice. They were about to finish up so he made it just in time.
Candice spotted him as he was walking over and met him halfway.
"Ace", shouted Candice."Come over here".
She hugged him and led him towards the back of the bleachers, where the tree branches hung low, and the ground was littered with various papers, plastic bags, and soda cans.
Ace got a little excited. Does she wanna do stuff, Ace wondered. I don't want to get in trouble again.
When they got to the back of the bleachers, Ace leaned in for a kiss, but Candice pushed him away.
"W-what", asked Ace. "What's wrong?"
Candice sighed, her big brown eyes looking up at him.
"I can't do this anymore. I'm breaking up with you".
Ace's head began to swirl and he grit his teeth. " I don't understand", he mumbled. "I know we had a rough patch in the beginning but-"
"But that's not it", she interrupted him. "There's someone else".
Ace was speechless. He was hurt. Tears welled up in his eyes but he held them back. He didn't want her to see him cry.
"I, I left you for someone else. This isn't fair".
"It's okay sweetie", said Candice. She held his hand. "We can still be friends if you want".
Ace pulled away from her. "I don't like being treated like I'm stupid."
He walked away, hoping that she would chase after him, but she didn't. She walked off, to go meet up with her friends as if nothing happened.
After a few more steps, he teleported back to his dorm bed.
Head into the pillow, he sighed and hoped that she was throwing another tantrum.