ACE
Human

I woke up breathless because of the nightmare that came my way. My breath was heavy and my forehead was dripping with sweat. My heart felt like it was about to burst through my chest as I took a deep breath.

I looked around my pitch-black room letting my eyes adjust to the darkness for a moment. I lay down, sighing in relief after calming down. I can't even remember anything about the dream. I got out of bed and checked the clock next to the nightstand.

At 2:32 a.m., I rolled my eyes and wiped the sweat on my forehead with my sleeves. I stepped out of my bedroom and into the kitchen.

Since the party, Ace's parents haven't been home for a few days, but there's no need to worry, they may have homes all over the country.

I was still trembling as I filled a glass of water in the kitchen. "You're awake." I heard someone's voice and it surprised me.

"Jeez Ace," I gasped for air, because I was still terrified of the dream I had.

"Why did you wake up?" He looked out the window across the room.

"No excuses, I'm just thirsty." I shrugged my shoulders to get my drink.

Ace nodded in response.

Something's gone wrong with Ace's attitude since. He looked annoyed but in his own way, Ace looked at the photo on the wall with a sad look on his face and he couldn't seem to take his eyes off the photo.

There was a cigarette in his hand that might help him deal with the stress of the problem he was facing right now.

"Why are you awake?" I asked in a soft tone, wondering why Ace didn't really sleep.

"I don't like to sleep." I stick a cigarette to his lips.

"Why not like it?" I almost whispered considering how lonely the house was.

"I don't want to dream." Honest answer.

"Surprisingly, most people like to dream." I said puzzled, astonished at what had just come out of Ace's mouth.

"Why would I want to dream of things that would never happen, that doesn't make sense." Ace shrugged while flicking his cigarette butts out the window.

"Well, you're not expecting much." I raised my eyebrows at him.

"I'm Ace Hernandez, my life is full of pain and misery, of course I'm desperate." He rolled his eyes, mocking what people were saying about him.

"You're not in a good mood." I pouted at him.

"No, I don't." His frown was angry but not at me, I don't know who.

"Do you need a hug?" I suddenly asked that, and Ace did not respond, just staring at the window. "Oh my God, you need it." I said surprised.

"I never needed it, so why do I need it this time?" He grumbled.

"OK fine but seriously you need it." I said, standing with open arms towards him.

"No." His face seemed to threaten me.

"What are you gonna do? Killed me?" I replied mocking him in a seductive tone.

"If only I could." Ace rolled his eyes. It better be a joke.

"What makes your mood go bad like this?" I asked again, to be really worried.

"Why do you care?" His impact suddenly while slamming his fist into the table. I covered my face with both hands, surprised that Ace suddenly snapped at me.

I listened to her quiet footsteps approaching where I was standing, I could hear the unsteadiness in her breath that was only a few inches away from me.

"Because I care about you," I murmured softly as I took my hand off my face. His face was calm hearing my words. I took her hand slowly but carefully, of course. I could feel a burning desire between us. Our fingers are clinging to each other down there, refusing to let go. Ace's breathing slowed down as I looked at him gently.

"You don't have to pretend that everything's okay Ace, I know something's wrong with you" I whispered to him again, making sure he was calm. I looked at the glaze in her eyes like she wanted to cry.

"What's going on?" I said in a whisper.

"What's up!" I demanded to know, grabbing her soft cheeks with my free hands. He opened his mouth to speak but not a word came out of his lips.

"Ace you can tell me, I'm on your side!" I convinced. I hate to see it like this. Ace glanced at the floor before looking straight into my eyes, he leaned over my shoulder and closed his eyes, receiving my touch. He opened his eyes again and breathed. "My dad killed my mom at the dance yesterday, I just got word a while ago." Ace said softly, almost as if he did not want to say it. It seemed like if he said it, he had to believe it.

I feel my eyes water, I don't know why. Perhaps it was the fact that I knew his mother was the only person in Ace's life who really took care of him as best as possible under these circumstances.

I put my hands around him. "I'm sorry." I murmured, tears streaming down my cheeks. His soul is beautiful and not included in the Mafia. The bad guy tied her up with a chain.

Ace did not answer but his hand slowly lifted up to my back and then he wrapped his hand around me, hugging me, as if I was the only stable thing in his life. He clung to me, not wanting to let go.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry Ace" I said softly, hugging him as hard as I could. He buried his head against my neck. I moved one of my hands over her head, gently rubbing her hair. "He doesn't deserve that. You don't deserve that." Whisper at him while sobbing. She shook her head slowly as I saw one of her tears fall to the floor.

I pretended not to see her, until her tears fell again to the floor. Ace didn't move his head from my neck. "It's okay" I whispered as I hugged her tightly.

"It's my fault I shouldn't have left it with her." Mumbles pain.

"No. No no, don't ever say that." Whisper me to him.

"I left it there." He spoke with a tone of pain in his voice.

"You don't know." I cried for her as I put my hands behind her head.

I feel guilty for some part in this. If Ace had killed me, his father wouldn't have punished him like this.

"I'll never see her again." Ace shook his head again, still burrowing his face around my neck.

I grabbed Ace's face with both hands, pulling him out of my neck to see his face. He hesitated but he glanced at me before staring at the floor. Her eyes were red and watery, I stroked her cheeks, wiped her tears with my thumb. "I believe you'll see her again someday." I whispered softly to Ace who did not let go of his gaze from the bottom. The sad thing is I know exactly how she feels.

I just pulled him back into my arms.

A few minutes passed and we just hugged each other. "Come, you need to sleep." Whisper me to her, grab her hand and take her to her room.

"No." Ace spoke sharply.

"You must!" I looked at him a little sharply.

"All right," he let out a disappointed breath.

I opened the door to her room, It was still the same as the last time I went to her room. No posters or anything. We both went to bed.

Ace lay down before me before he sighed. "Close your eyes." Whisper me while stroking his cheek.

"I don't like to sleep." Ace hesitantly admitted again but kept his eyes closed.

A few minutes have passed.

"Ace," I whispered very slowly.

"Yes." Yeah." The answer, made me laugh a little.

"You should've slept." I glared at him.

"I told you I don't like to sleep." Repeat Ace again.

I stared softly at him in the dark. "Give me your hand." Suddenly said. Ace pointed his hand at me.

I began to draw a calming circle in the middle of his palm with my finger. Ace finally relaxed, his body not tensed anymore.

"You're so tense" I whispered as I lifted the back of his shirt. Ace didn't even ask what I was doing, my hand crept up to his back, rubbing it there, causing him to smile. "You like this?" I asked him quietly, Ace only muttered a little. That's how I knew he was finally asleep.

I know he fell asleep because of his regular breathing and relaxed body. I pulled my hand from her back and intended to get out of bed, suddenly Ace's hand grabbed my wrist, like it wasn't letting me to go. She was half asleep, I could only smile at her peaceful expression while asleep, Ace was completely flawless.

"You deserve a better life than your current one." I whispered softly while closing my eyes.