Chapter 16

After breakfast at Ace’s, I quickly headed home and facetimed Ollie. Good thing mom didn’t hear me, she was still asleep, she must’ve been tired from work.

“I don’t know what to do, Ollie.” I groan, plopping myself down on my bed.

“The guy definitely has anger issues,” He mumbles through the phone, getting sidetracked for the fourth time since I called.

“You’re not listening to me!” I yell.

“Of course, I am! You told me that Tristan made you take this drug and was about to take advantage of you-which you should report-Ace found out and came to the rescue-that was so hot, by the way-and then he took you to the lake, where he punched the hell out of a tree and then the both of you made out, completely intoxicated.” He says in just one breath.

“Did you even hear the part where Chloe found out that I’m with him?” I snap.

“Umm no?” He made a face.

“See? Not listening.” I sighed in frustration.

“Hold on, so you were talking to her, right?” He asks.

“Yeah, and then he said that I’m tired and then ended the call,” I put my hand on my forehead.

“Oh yeah, she is definitely gonna think you did it,” He gasps.

“I called you for help! Not your candidness!” I groaned.

“Just talk to her,”

“Are you serious?”

“Deadly. Just explain every single thing to her and she will understand, trust me.” He says.

I was surprisingly reassured.

“Anyway, it’s Christmas break, what do you plan to do?” He asks me.

“I haven’t made any plans yet. It’s my dad’s birthday next week though, I might visit him and stay there for at least two days. I kinda miss him.” I said.

“Want me to come with you?” He says.

“It’s alright, I think we just need alone time, just the two of us. Don’t worry, I’ll mention you guys.” I smile.

“You better, don’t forget telling him about Ace,” He jokes.

“That has got to stop!” I yell into the phone and he laughs.

“Fine, fine, whatever. Danny’s taking me out today, so I better get ready,” He says with excitement.

“Tell us about it later,” I grin.

“Honey, I’ll tell you every single detail,” He winks.

“Alright, bye Ollie,” I giggle.

“Bye, love you,” He puckered his lips.

“Love you too,” I said and ended the call.

I sighed. The silence is deafening.

I opened my window and stared out the street, just like how dramatic girls would do it in movies.

I don’t know how long I have been sitting there, I watched the clouds move at their own slow pace, stared at the dancing trees, I looked over at Ace’s house which made me think about what happened at the party, then at the lake.

I sharply exhaled. I should message Chloe.

Hey

U wanna meet up?

Sure.

Foodcourt, at the mall. Let’s have lunch there, yeah?

Okay.

I was still wearing my outfit from the party, which made me feel dirty, so I took a quick shower.

I wore an oversized gray shirt over black shorts, and white sneakers. I let my hair air-dry while I put on concealer, curled my lashes, and some blush.

With my phone and wallet in hand, I rush down the stairs.

“Mel,” Mom says from the living room.

“Yeah?” I walked to the living room and found her sitting on the couch, watching some show on the television.

“Where’s my car?” She asks.

Oh shit.

“Um, it’s still at Chloe’s” I answer.

She crosses her arms.

“How did you get back? What happened at the party last night?”

Oh, y’know, an asshole spiked my drink with drugs so I got high, and Ace went hero-mode and saved me but then took me to the lake where he punched a tree trunk, opening up his wounds, making new ones again. Oh yeah, we also made out. He thought it was a good idea for me to stay and sleep in his room for the night because I left the house keys in your car so I couldn’t get in because you were still out working, but you know it was fine, other than my friend finding out that I slept in the room of the guy she liked since she was twelve, the rest of the night was okay.

“It was fun,” I lied.

“Chloe took me home, she didn’t want me driving late at night.” I lie once again.

“Why are you dressed up?” She asks.

“I’m having lunch with Chloe, and I’m gonna pick your car up on the way home.” I quickly say while trying to remember where I left her car keys.

I’m in so much shit right now.

“Are you mad?” I ask Chloe.

“What? No, why would I be?” She laughs.

The foodcourt’s crowded, luckily, we managed to get a table.

I ordered fried rice with lemonade while Chloe went to get a salad and a lemonade as well.

“What happened at the party?” She asks.

I told her everything that happened, leaving out the kiss at the lake.

“I don’t want you to think that I’m trying to hit it off with Ace or anything-”

“I don’t care.” She cuts me off.

“What?”

“I don’t really care, Mel. I mean, yeah, I still like him, but he made it pretty clear he doesn’t like me, and honestly, it’s okay. It hurts, but I got to move on, my world shouldn’t revolve around him, at least, not anymore.” She says and I stayed quiet.

“If you’re the one he likes, it’s an understatement.” She adds and I roll my eyes.

“And if you like him too-”

Now I was the one who cut her off.

“I don’t like him, Chloe.”

“Shut up and let me finish,” She snaps and I hold up my hands.

“If you like him too, it’s okay. I don’t get why you seem like you need my permission or anything, really, it’s fine. We’re just friends now, I’m moving on, and you need at least a tiny bit of action in your life.” She smiles.

“I’m glad you feel that way. But I don’t like him.” I say and she rolls her eyes.

“Whatever, Melannie Martins.”

I gasped and she chortled.

After lunch, the both of us went back to her house so that I can finally take my mom’s car back home.