Ace's POV:

CHAPTER 10: PARTY POOPER
"Where have you been?," Adeel gave me a smile, all of his shiny white teeth blinding me with Mason in line.
"Um, home?," I returned back with a sweet smile.
"Uh-huh, What's that big parcel we saw being taken your room?," Mason raised a brow.
Bloody traitor knows everything.
"Just," I paused for a dramatic effect and leaned in,"stuff."
"What," Mason paused, leaning in,"stuff?"
"Why are we," Adeel leaned too," talking like this?"
I cleared my throat and all of us straightened up.
"Go to your own room or go trouble somebody else," I muttered before moving to my room.
As I was unlocking my room, I turned left to see Lucas walking down the corridor, his back facing me, shoulders slouched.
Did he come here?
I shook my head before opening my door and a scream came from my right, I screamed back, closing my eyes shut tightly. They shouted louder, I yelled back, putting my hands over my eyes.
What I can't see can't hurt me.
"Go away," A female voice shrieked at me.
I squinted to see Vivian standing there in the middle of my room, her hair wet and her eyes bloodshot red, like she had been doing nothing but crying since I had left for the past two days. My eyes moved further down to see her wearing nothing but a towel, my towel.
I quickly turned around and swallowed, hard.
"What the heck are you doing in my room?" I managed to squeak out.
Wait this is my room, right?
I looked around for confirmation and saw my stuff lying around, the papers scattered across the desk, some of my clothes in the laundry basket and the others lying here and there with food wrappers adorning the floor.
Yup, definitely my room.
"Well, I didn't know you were going to be here," Vivian countered,"Now, get out. We can have this conversation after some time."
The door shut behind me with a bang and I stood there for a moment, thinking.
Did I just get kicked out of my own room?
I stood there for about fifteen minutes before I was pulled back to my room.
I kept my eyes closed,"Can I open my eyes now?" I questioned.
"Yes," Even though my eyes were closed, I could literally feel her rolling her eyes at me.
"Why were you crying?" I questioned while sitting on the desk, avoiding discussion about what just happened.
She shuffled on her feet, crossing and uncrossing them, her eyes everywhere but at me.
"You're uncomfortable," I stated.
She snorted before picking at her nails. She looked up at me and nodded her head.
"What is it?," I asked and she looked away. I followed her line of sight to see her looking out the window.
"You don't wanna talk about it," I guessed while raising an eyebrow.
She shook her head.
"You do wanna talk about it?," I assumed and she nodded her head. I looked in her direction expectany and she slumped on my bed.
"I need time and chocolates," She croaked out.
Finally! She spoke. Otherwise this game of "Guess my emotions" was becoming really tiring.
I bent down and reached under my bed to get out my secret stash of junk food, only to come out empty handed. I frowned and looked up.
"I already finished that one," She smiled at me, sheepishly.
I took a deep breath and shook my head.
I've been doing that quite a lot. I feel like I snapped my neck.
I reached for my bag and took out the box of cookies I made yesterday. Vivian's face lightened up. I offered her a cookie and she snatched the box out of my hand.
"Hey, at least share," I chided her and she grumbled before taking out a cookie and breaking it in half before offering it to me. I gave her my best stink eye.
"Do you want it or not?," She challenged.
Well, something is better than nothing.
I took it and she stuffed her face with cookies. After finishing half of the box, she threw it back at me.
"These are good. You must've paid those chefs a fortune to get food like this, " She commented while licking the remnants of the cookies that was on her mouth.
I smiled proudly.
Yup, she's definitely going to love these.
After finishing the whole box, we laid on my bed in silence. It was comforting. The silence. Her presence. A bit weird but comforting. I looked to my side to see her looking up at the ceiling, deep in thought. She turned to me, her hazel eyes staring at mine, looking, searching. For what? I've no idea.
We laid there for what felt like hours before she finally decided to speak up, "He was here."
What? Who? When?
"He had been sitting here the whole night," She continued.
Then, it clicked. Lucas. Lucas had been sitting outside.
"He admitted that Olivia had been with him that night and that they kissed. And he still had the audacity to talk to me. He sat there the whole night," Vivian sobbed, "He told me that he tried to hide it from me beacuse he was scared that it would hurt my feelings. Why don't you guys understand that the lies hurt more than the truth. I hate men. Why can't I like girls? They are so much more trustworthy."
"Yeah, like Olivia," I interrupted.
"I want to cry. Don't make me laugh," She hit my head.
"Look, I know Lucas. I know he wouldn't even think of hurting you. So, please, before coming to a conclusion, at least talk to him," I raised a brow at her,"And to be honest, give him some credit. I don't know how he handles you. Cause I know I definitely can't." I teased.
And that statement earned me a glare.
"What? You've been invading my personal space since the last week. I need peace in my life. So, please, please, sort this out. That way, both of us can be happy," I gave her a soft smile.
"That was mean. But maybe you're right," she huffed, "Maybe I should talk to him. Maybe tomorrow?," She looked at me for confirmation.
"Ugh, Okay" I approved,"Maybe at the party? I mean everyone will be busy. You can get him out of there and-" I trailed off as my eyes landed upon my Jane.
She opened my parcel?
"I'm sorry," Vivian mumbled, embarrassed as her eyes followed mine.
Before I could give her a full blown out lecture,"She's pretty. Even when I can't see her face, she looks cute and sweet. Also, the color pink looks good on her."
It does. And those bunny sneakers are too damn cute. Her hair looks so soft and shiny with a flower tiara framing her face. Her dark brown hair perfectly complementing her white skin. I wonder what color her eyes are. She posed with her small hands holding onto the white rose covering half of her face, the other half barely visible with her eyes closed, her slim legs crossed, her pink tennis skirt flowing in layers and her collarbone prominent in the white tank top she wore. Her cheekbones raised as she gave a beautiful, full-fledged smile, showing her teeth. Everything about her looks so fraigle.
"And here, she says she absolutely loathed her date with you," Vivian mentioned while handing me the letter that must've came today before I arrived. By now, I'm not even surprised that she snoops into my stuff. I wouldn't be surprised if she knows where I keep my underwear.
Wait! What did she just say?
Jane didn't like our date?
Of course, she didn't.
Who would want their first date to be with a guy she doesn't even know the name of, one she has never met. That too through a letter.
What was I thinking??
Maybe, this was a mistake.
I was so happy that I get to have my first date with her that I didn't even consider that she might not want the same. I just assumed that she liked me and would like to have her first date with me.
She would've been much happier if she went on a date with that new guy from her school. At least, he could have been present there physically. Unlike me.
Why am I such an idiot?
I ruined her first date for her.
What should I do now?
"Chill out, man. I was just teasing you. If I knew that you'd go hyperventilating, I wouldn't have."
"Room hogging chick say what now?," I raised a brow.
Damn, I've been watching Hannah Montana way too much.
"You like teasing others? Let's see how you like the taste of your own medicine" I smirked as I move towards her and before she could run away, I caught her in my arms and started tickling her. She tried to push me off. I didn't move. She begged me to stop. I didn't.
"Promise me that you would never snoop into my stuff. Say it!," I demanded while still tickling her.
"N-No, I-I" She gasped in between laughter, her cheeks red.
I tickled her harder.
"O-Okay. N-Now get off m-me, you monster." She said, pushing me off.
"Are you going to read that letter or what?," Vivian asked after she finished laughing.
I took the letter from her and started reading.
Dear John,
Thank you for the best day of my life. It was awesome. I ate the cookies you sent and now I have a stomach ache. Why were they so good? And I feel like I'll have to go to a dentist soon. So, you win.
"You made those cookies!!," Vivian's eyes widened, shocked," Rich people cook food? Since when did this happen?"
"What?," I asked, offended. "Why can't I make cookies for the girl I like?"
Vivian shook her head and I ignored her.
I sent you the cookies I made. Have a taste and tell me how like it.
"Oh, that's what was in the box." Vivian muttered,"And I thought."
"Where's the box?," I said while looking around and my eyes landed on my desk.
I opened it and took out a cookie, taking a bite before I swallowed it whole. And I thought my cookies were good. This is heaven on earth. Vivian snatched the box from me and I yelled at her.
"Oh my dear lord, now I know what it means when people say they've found heaven on earth." Vivian moaned, taking another bite of the cookie, savouring the flavour.
"I can marry her just to eat this stuff," She commented.
"She's mine," I threatened.
See? I told ya I would give you a taste of heaven. (Wink)
Also, thanks for the ring. I have something that would remind you of me too.
I got this from an antique shop and I was going to give it to you on your birthday but it looked like the perfect thing for this day. The lady at the shop said that it's a promise ring, it'll always remind you of me when you need me. She said that it's magical, it will slip off your finger if you break your promise. You can just take a look at it and it'll be like you're looking at me. It'll stay with you as long as I do. And you better like it cause I spent my whole summer babysitting to get this.
It was beautiful. White gold. It had a heart carved out in the middle. It didn't look expensive but there was something about it that made it invaluable. I looked on the inside to see the letter 'C' inscribed on it. I smiled.
I get to know her a little better everyday.

It slipped on my finger perfectly. It looked like it belonged there. Forever.
"Wow, you look like a lovesick puppy," Vivian interrupted my train of thoughts, startling me. I forgot she was here.
"Ugh, what do you want from me?," I asked, annoyed while keeping the letter aside.
Can't a guy live in peace in his own room?
"I'm bored. Entertain me." Vivian stated.
Entertain her.
Who am I?
A joker?
"Why don't you get ready? That way we both can live in peace." I offered.
"Get ready? For what?" Vivian asked.
"The party. Duh"
"Why do I need to get ready? I can go like this." Vivian said, pointing to herself.
My eyes roamed down to see her wearing Minnie Mouse Pjs and then back to her face before I gave her a look.
"Ok, ok. I get your point and I'll wear something decent but I can't go to my room. Lucas will be there." She reasoned.
I opened my phone and messaged one of the bodyguards that were always around me.
"Yes, young master. Did you call for me?," I jumped back, startled to see the guy in a black suit appear out of nowhere. Holy crow.
"Was he here the whole time?," Vivian questioned, her hand over her chest.
"No, ma'am." He replied curtly.
"I need you to get a dress for her. Something for a teen party." I scratched my head.
"I'm a size 4." Vivian added.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll be back within an hour." He said and moved for the window, jumping out of it.
"That's where he came from!" Vivian nodded her head.
"Ok, you took care of the dress. Now what?"
"Don't girls like to do makeup?" I asked and moved towards the gift wrapped box I'd bought for Jane. I trace the letters inscribed on it with my hand.
I'll get another one for her.
After nodding my head at myself, I looked at it for a second before I gently tore open the packaging and opened the box.
"Here," I offered her the box and she looked at it like she didn't know what to do.
"What? I have no idea how to do makeup. Why are you giving that to me? Why do you even have it?," She raised her brow.
"It was for Jane, Ok? She told me that she wanted to try makeup and I thought that I'd buy this for her," I huffed,"Now sit down." I pulled a chair in front of the vanity and pointed to it.
She sat down without an argument. Well, that's a first. I leaned in, my hands on either side of the chair, trapping her and I whispered in her ear," What I'm about to do to you, you won't tell anyone outside this room."
She shivered and I withdraw myself before grinning at her, "Seriously though, don't you dare tell anyone and no questions ," I threatened before I began doing her makeup.
"Oh my god, where the heck on this earth did you learn to do makeup?," Vivian shouted, almost making me ruin the eye makeup.
"What did I say?" I asked while pretending to zip my lips.
"But I-" She began.
"Uh-uh" I shushed.
"But-"
"Ub-buh"
After applying the blushing nude lipstick, I stood back, admiring my work.
"How the heck? That's not me." Vivian sat back, stunned and I smiled, full of pride.
Of course I knew how to do makeup. If you had a mother who was obsessed with painting her face and had professionals coming to your house everyday, you are bound to catch a few things. Though, I never dreamed that the outcome would be so flawless.
"What about my hair?," Vivian grinned at me.
This is the first time she's been so nice to me.
I like Nice Vivian.
"What about it?"
"What are we going to do about my hair," She rolled her eyes.
And Mean Vivian is back.
"I don't know. Leave it open. Looks good that way." I eyed her straight, jet black hair. It looked smooth and shiny.
She could've been in a pantene hair commercial.
My mom spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get straight hair.
"Here's the dress, sir." I bounced back only to hit my head against the dresser, causing the makeup kit to hit my foot. Oh damn. I shouted out loud. I didn't know these things were so heavy. As if this wasn't enough, I stubbed my toe against my desk.
After half an hour, Vivian sat in front of me, finally finished bandaging my toe.
"Are you okay, now?," She asked, hesitantly.
I shot a dirty look to the door, outside of which I'm sure that damned bodyguard was standing. Aren't bodyguards meant to protect you and not send you to the E.R.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Go and get ready." I waved her off and while she was in the bathroom, I decided to get ready in the closet. When I was done, the door opened and she came out wearing a satin rose gold dress that went down just a few inches above her knees, it wasn't too tight but showed the curves she had, it had thin straps and a deep v-neckline that left enough for imagination. I stood there for a second, not knowing what to do.
Compliment her, idiot.
Thank you, subconscious.
"You look good," I complimented and she blushed," Should we go now?"
"Okay," she said shyly.
•••••••••••
"Yo man. Over here," Adeel called out to us. Vivian and I made our way through the crowd, almost getting squished. I knew this was going to be grand. But this. I looked around to see the crowded place. It was huge and almost all of the students from school were present. Don't they have anything better to do?
Everyone was seated on the circular couch. My eyes fell on Lucas who had his down, his eyes red, hair messy and clothes wrinkled. He looked up at Vivian who paid him no mind. Olivia sat beside him, a little too close with another girl I have never seen before. Adeel sat beside the girl with another one on his other Side. Abigail sat beside Aiden and Noah sat in the corner, his sole focus on his phone.
I settled down on the couch and Vivian plopped on my lap.
Oh. Ok.
I looked up at her, surprised to see her pleading with her eyes, begging me not to say anything.
I already know this night is not going to end well for me.
I looked over to see Lucas throwing daggers at me and I got very well acquainted with the phrase 'If looks can kill' when he clenched his fists.
"Let's play a game of 'Do or drink'," Olivia suggested.
Drink?
Aren't we all underage?
Adeel brought out bottles of what looked like expensive beer.
Drinks at an underage party.
Great.
"I'm out," I announced and everyone eyed me.
"Don't be a party pooper. It won't be a fun game without you," Adeel tried buttering up.
"I won't play either," Noah added.
"Then who's gonna play?," Aiden complained," Two breakups in a day and Adeel?" He pointed to Lucas and Adeel who gave him a sullen look.
"I'll play," Vivian interrupted.
On the third drink, I held Vivian's hand "I think that's enough." I tried stopping her but she ignored me.
After a very eventful game that left Vivian wasted, she abruptly stood up, pulling me along with her.
"I want to dance," She declared and pulled me with her into the crowd.
She put her arms around my neck and I stilled, my arms at my side. She put my arms around her waist and I was still stiff until she put her head on my chest and sniffed. I awkwardly rubbed her back and hugged her for a minute until she slightly pulled back.
Vivian raised her head from my chest and her red eyes stared into mine. She leaned in, her eyes moving down to my lips before looking back up at me. Her arm moved up my neck and she started playing with my hair.
Just how much has she had to drink?
"I like your hair. It's so soft and shiny," She giggled softly in my ear before she made a move to kiss me. I released her completely before stepping back.
"I'm sorry," She apologized, embrarassed and swayed a bit.
"Vivian I-"
Before I could even comprehend what was happening, Lucas was sitting on top of me and my cheek hurt.
"How dare you! I'll kill you!!," He growled before making a move to hit me again but I dodged it and pushed him off me before standing up, brushing off the dust.
"Oh so the weak ass princess hits back," He chuckled at me," That's what you are, Ace. Weak. You're weak."
I clenched my fist and my teeth gritted on its own and for a moment, I saw Zayn in his place. I don't know what got over me but I launched at him. I punched him as hard as I can before grabbing his collar and repeating the same once again.
"Fight! Fight!" The crowd started chanting.
He managed to get out of my hold and landed a few punches at me before Mason, Adeel and Aiden managed to stop us.
"Fuck, what the heck were you both thinking?," Mason shouted at me, still holding me. I pulled away and moved out of the crowded room, everyone clearing the way for me.
I inhaled fresh air as soon as I got outside and I don't know how long I sat there on the ground until I heard footsteps behind me and I turned around to see none other than Lucas Anderson.
He plopped down beside me and looked straight ahead before muttering, "I'm sorry."
"What? What did you say? Sorry I didn't get that" I pretended not to hear.
"I said I'm sorry, asshole!" Lucas shouted at me," I'm sorry for saying all that to you. I shouldn't have, knowing that it'd hurt you."
Honestly, I'm not even surprised that he knows about it. Heck, everyone here probably knows. With Zayn's big mouth and my reputation, nothing can stay hidden for a long time. I'm lucky that nobody knows about the PTSD. Yet.
"So?" He raised his eyebrows at me.
"So what?" I frowned.
"Do you forgive me?" He insisted.
"Why do you even want my forgiveness anyway? Last time I checked, you didn't give a shit," I chuckled.
"I still don't but Vivian does," he mumbled.
Ohhh. Figures. I turned my head to the door, seeing her trying to hide behind the pole.
Wow. She should be in the FBI.
"You know, she really believed that you slept with Olivia," I paused ,"Did you?"
I stared straight into his eyes.
"No" He said without a moment of hesitation.
"Good for you" I patted his back before standing up," You know, she really likes you. Don't cheat on her. She has a fragile heart."
He nodded his head before standing up and walking back to Vivian.
••••••••••••••