"Ace?" Zen called my name. It's crazy how time flies.
Tomorrow will be our sophomore year. "Hmm, what is it?" I was busy looking at the night sky. After that cookie friendship happened, Zen and I became inseparable. Our parents let us stay at each other's places, and we've become the best of friends.
It's just so crazy how everyone thinks that he and I are a thing. Seriously? Can't they be more open-minded? There's no rule stating that a male and female cannot be friends. Maybe they just can't believe the kind of strong bond this monkey and I have created over the years. I was lost in my thoughts when Zen shook me. "Monkey, what is it?" I annoyingly took his hands off my shoulder. "Hey! Be nice!" he replied and flicked my forehead, which made me flinch a little. "Ouch! What was that for?" This guy is really something.
I mean, I've known Zen pretty much his whole life, but lately, he's been acting weirder than ever. "Ace?" he asked. "What?" I looked at him, staring for a second as his face started to get closer to mine. "Can I keep you?" My heart beat so fast, and why was I getting this feeling? I was so lost, and the next word just came right out of my mouth.
"Yes," and his face got even closer, and all I knew was that I was closing my eyes, and I felt warmth on my forehead. Did he just kiss me? I asked myself, opening my eyes to see him walking out of my room. I was stunned, shocked, and I just didn't know how to react. Should I go after him or just let him be? "Ace? Honey?" I was back in reality when I heard Mom's voice. When did she get here? "Are you okay? Your face is all red. Are you sick, baby?" Oh no! Is it really? I ran straight to the bathroom and, holy cow, I looked like a freaking tomato! Darn you, Zen! Darn you!!! I looked in the mirror and saw Mom leaning on the door.
"Did something happen between you and Zen? His ears are all red, and he was sweating when he came down," Mom said, crossing her arms and looking at me. "Did both of you have a fight again?" Huh? Fight? When? "No, Mom, we didn't. He was just gassy. Don't mind him; I'll ring him up later." I kissed Mom's cheek and walked her out of my room.
"Night, Mom. I love you," and closed my door. I placed my hand on my chest and felt my heart still beating twice as fast as it normally should. What the heck was that, Zen? I hopped into my bed, closed my eyes, and hoped this weird feeling would be gone when I woke up.
Xenon's POV
She probably is wondering why I did that. Stupid Xenon, stupid! I sat down on the floor and laid my head back on my bed, just reminiscing about what happened earlier this evening. I just can't help it. She's a goddess. "I WANT HER, I WANT TO KEEP HER," I told myself while looking at her picture on my phone.
Ace is such an amazing woman, aside from my mom, of course. She's the only woman who can make me feel this way. Every time she smiles or laughs at my corny jokes, childishness, and how I simply express myself to her that nobody sees, it's always like the world just stops.
I never believed in soulmates and destiny because I found it cringey, but I guess they were right. Once you're in love with someone, everything feels right and makes you go crazy in a good kind of way.
Falling in love with your best friend sounded cliché to me before, but now that I'm stuck in that situation… "MAN! IT JUST MAKES SENSE! IT'S THE MOST PERFECT THING EVER!"
"Who are you talking to, kiddo?" Mom said, looking at me with that teasing smile. Wait, what? MOM'S HERE???!!! I slapped my face, and it hurt. Darn it! I forgot to close my room again. I cleared my throat and looked at her, embarrassed as I should be.
"O-Oh, nothing, Mom!" I uttered and quickly put my phone in my pocket. I really should be careful and aware of what I'm doing. "Are you sure, Honey?" she asked worriedly. "Mom, I SWEAR I'M OKAY," I responded and gave her a thumbs up.
"I was just talking to myself. That's all. Anyways, Mom, I'm sleepy; I should probably go to bed." I covered my mouth and acted like yawning. "Oh, are you sure? You were red as a tomato a while ago, kiddo, after we went to Ace's place. I just want to make sure that you're fine," she smiled.
"Yeah! No! Mom, I'm good; it's just chilly, that's why. Goodnight, Mom! I love you!" I kissed her forehead and playfully pushed her out of my room.
"We love you too, Son!" a voice came from downstairs. I took a deep breath and headed to my bed.
Smiling out of nowhere while looking outside my window, I thought, "Woman, what have you done to me?" And the next thing I knew, I dozed off.
The Next Morning…
Ace's POV
I grabbed my blanket since it was colder than usual. That's odd, how come it's freezing cold? I turned my alarm off and slipped my phone inside my blanket to check emails and messages. As usual, Zen was awake earlier than I was, sending me morning greetings as part of his routine… Wait, is it raining right now? I ran to my window, and I was right! No wonder it's cold.
I was staring through my window, enjoying the scene, when I was startled by a series of sharp, urgent knocks that echoed throughout the room. "Ace, baby, are you awake? Get up and get ready for school!!!" Oh, Mom. I opened my door and hugged her. "Good morning to our beautiful queen!" I greeted her. I love my Mom so much. "Mommy, it's raining!!!" I told her.
"I know, darling, and we know how much you love rain. Also, I already made you hot chocolate and pancakes for your breakfast, our angel's fave!" I couldn't help but smile at my Mom, and my tummy growled all of a sudden. "OOPS," I laughed at her and walked myself downstairs, following Mom. As I sat down, Dad's face looked annoyed, which was weird because he's not usually like this. I reached out for Dad's hand and squeezed it.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" You could clearly tell that he was a little shocked. "Oh dear, your hand is cold. Are you okay?" he cupped my face. "Of course, Dad! It's just a little cold, that's why," I giggled. "OMG, MOM! THIS IS AMAZING! LET'S EAT!" and started stuffing my face with the amazing meal Mom prepared for me. "Good heavens, child! Slow down, no one's taking your food away from you."
Not ladylike, I guess. "I'm sorry, Mommy, I just love your cooking so much!" and continued. She just nodded her head while watching me eat. "Anyways, Ace, your father will drive you to school today," she said, which made me stop eating.
"But Mom, you promised," I sighed and looked at her, giving her my sad, irresistible, cute face. "Oh baby, as much as I want to, I can't. I'll be leaving early because we have a lot of patients today. I'll just pick you up afterward. Here, make sure to eat all of it," she handed me my lunchbox.
"Alright," she kissed me on my cheek and went to work. Now I didn't want to finish my food. "Hey, Angel, don't look so sad. Do you not want your old man to be driving you to class?" Of course, here comes Dad. "Daddy, you driving me to class? Of course, I love that!" We just finished our meal, and I did my morning routine and got ready for school.
The drive didn't take that long. "Have a great day! Learn something!" Dad reminded me. "I WILL!" I responded. As I entered the hallway, there I saw Zen waiting for me, as always. Wait, he looks extra today, more than usual. I mean, there's something new about him, but I can't exactly tell; I just feel it. "Hey there, Gorgeous!" he wrapped me in his coat, which made me feel like I was hugging a warm marshmallow.
"Hi, handsome," I smiled. "OKAY, THAT'S ENOUGH, LOVEBIRDS!" someone shouted, which made both of us let go of each other and laugh. Class had started, and it was so cold, so I started rubbing my hands together; this warmth was everything. I guess I really was about to have a good day today.
I was in the mood to be bad, so I decided to skip class and hang out inside the school's indoor pool. I don't know why; I guess I was just craving some alone time, and yes, in the most unexpected place. I'm that weird, I know. I heard the door open but did not mind until I felt someone's presence beside me.
I knew very well whose presence it was, so I rested my head on his shoulder while staring at the pool.
"Ace," he uttered.
"Hmm? Yes?" I answered.
"Can I keep you? Can I? The thought of losing you hurts me." His voice is full of sincerity and somewhat in pain? Goodness gracious I know Xenon my entire life, but I never knew he had this side. He really is full of surprises.
This man is really something…
I took a deep breath and didn't think at all and answered him back with these words I never knew I'll say
"In this world full of pain, I will stay. So yes, keep me. Keep me forever."