I WASN'T HIDING. I WAS EATING DINNER

Chapter 5

Max

I stood there staring at Ace for what felt like forever but was probably only a few seconds.

My heart was pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it and my mouth went completely dry. This couldn't be happening.

No

"Well this is just perfect," Ace said, his voice cold and sharp. "As if my day couldn't get any worse. What the hell are you doing here, Beta?"

I wanted to say something back but my brain wasn't working right. All I could do was stand there like an idiot while he looked at me like I was something disgusting he'd stepped in.

"What's wrong, Rivera? Cat got your tongue?" He crossed his arms over his chest and I couldn't help but notice how the movement made his muscles flex under his shirt. "Or are you just as thrilled as I am about this little reunion?"

I finally managed to find my voice. "I didn't know this was your room."

"Obviously." He rolled his eyes and pushed his door open wider. "Trust me, if I'd known you were ever going to be here, I would have picked a different school."

That stung more than it should have. I knew Ace didn't like me but hearing him say he would change his entire future just to avoid me was like a punch to the gut.

"Look, we don't have to talk to each other," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "We can just pretend the other one doesn't exist."

Ace laughed but there was no humor in it. "Oh trust me, I plan to. The last thing I need is people thinking we're friends or something."

He stepped out into the hallway and locked his door behind him. He was wearing workout clothes that showed off his athletic build and I found myself staring at his arms before I caught myself and looked away.

"See you around, Rivera," he said, but the way he said it made it sound like a threat. "Try not to embarrass yourself too much on your first day."

Then he was walking away down the hall and I was left standing there feeling like I'd been glued there. My excitement about starting at ESU had completely evaporated and been replaced by a sick feeling in my stomach.

I went back into my room and sat on my bed for a few minutes trying to collect myself. Jordan was in the shower so I had the room to myself which was good because I needed a minute to process what had just happened.

Why did seeing Ace affect me so much? I'd dealt with his attitude for years and it had never bothered me this much before. Maybe it was because I was already nervous about starting at a new school and his presence just made everything worse.

I checked the time and realized I needed to get moving if I wanted to make it to my first training session on time. I grabbed my gear and headed out, hoping I wouldn't run into Ace again.

The basketball facilities at ESU were incredible. The gym was huge and state of the art with equipment I'd only dreamed of using.

There were maybe twenty other guys already there when I arrived and I could tell just by looking at them that the competition here was going to be fierce.

Coach Williams introduced himself and went over the basic rules and expectations. He was tough but fair and I could tell he knew what he was talking about.

The other players seemed decent enough and a few of them even introduced themselves to me during water breaks.

But no matter how hard I tried to focus on basketball, my mind kept drifting back to that encounter with Ace in the hallway. The way he'd looked at me with such disgust and the casual way he'd insulted me like it was nothing.

During scrimmage I missed two easy shots that I should have made with my eyes closed. Coach Williams called me over after practice.

"Rivera, you seem distracted today," he said, studying my face. "First day nerves?"

"Something like that, Coach."

"Well shake it off. You're here because you're talented but talent isn't enough if your head isn't in the game. Tomorrow I want to see the player who won that championship game, not whatever showed up today."

"Yes sir."

I headed back to the dorms feeling frustrated with myself. I couldn't let Ace get to me like this. I had worked too hard to get here to let his bad attitude ruin everything for me.

My afternoon classes went better. Introduction to Sports Psychology was actually pretty interesting and my professor seemed cool. I met a couple other basketball players in my Marketing class and we exchanged numbers.

But as the day went on I found myself getting more and more anxious about going back to the dorm. What if I ran into Ace again? What if he said something even worse this time?

I decided to grab dinner at the student union to kill some time. Maybe if I stayed out late enough, he'd already be asleep when I got back. I know it was stupid to let him affect my schedule but I wasn't ready for another confrontation.

I was picking at a burger and fries when I heard a familiar laugh from across the dining hall. My stomach dropped as I looked up and saw Ace sitting at a table with three other guys.

They all looked like athletes, probably hockey players based on their size and the way they carried themselves.

One of them was telling some story and Ace was laughing, actually laughing, like he was having a great time. It was weird seeing him look relaxed and happy because every time I'd ever seen him he'd been scowling or looking pissed off about something.

I tried to look away but I couldn't help stealing glances at him. When he smiled, really smiled, it changed his whole face. He looked younger somehow and not nearly as intimidating as usual.

Then one of his friends said something and Ace's eyes swept across the dining hall. For a split second they landed on me and his expression immediately changed. The smile disappeared and that cold mask slipped back into place.

He said something to his friends and they all turned to look at me. I couldn't hear what he said but whatever it was made them laugh and not in a nice way.

My face burned with embarrassment and I looked down at my food. I wanted to get up and leave but that would make it obvious that their attention bothered me.

So I sat there and tried to pretend I didn't notice them looking at me and whispering.

After what felt like hours they finally finished eating and left. I waited another ten minutes before I felt safe to go back to my dorm.

The walk back felt longer than usual and I found myself walking slower the closer I got to my building. When I reached my floor I paused at the stairwell door and listened carefully.

I didn't hear anything so I quickly walked to my room and got my key ready before I even reached the door.

I was almost home free when Ace's door opened behind me.

"Running away already, Rivera?"

I turned around slowly. He was leaning against his doorframe with his arms crossed and that smirk I hated so much.

"I'm not running from anything."

"Right. That's why you've been hiding in the dining hall for two hours instead of coming back to your room."

Heat flooded my cheeks. He'd been watching me. "I wasn't hiding. I was eating dinner."

"For two hours? What did you do, chew each bite fifty times?"

I didn't have a good answer for that so I just turned back to my door and tried to get my key in the lock. My hands were shaking slightly which only made it harder.

"You know what your problem is, Rivera?" Ace said behind me.

I didn't answer but he continued anyway.

"You're weak. Always have been. I don't know what Freya sees in you but I guarantee it won't last. She'll figure out soon enough that you're not worth her time."

The key finally turned and I pushed my door open. I wanted to say something back, wanted to defend myself, but I couldn't think of anything that wouldn't make me sound pathetic.

I wasn't so weak, never. But when he comes to Ace, I just can't help it. And I don't know why.

"Sweet dreams," Ace said and I could hear the mockery in his voice.