9 Chapter 9

Ace's pov

I sighed as I saw the rays of the sun going through the curtains, I sighed and massage my head. I couldn't sleep a wink though I only devoured two bottles of beer. As soon as I heard groaning from the stairs, I stood up and took my things including the human-sized bear and the bouquet yesterday. "Ace," Kai called

"Hm?"

"Austin," he said "He's home,"

"Uh-huh," I said as I opened the entrance door while dragging the bear "I'll go to his house. You guys don't need to follow me," I groaned as I called a taxi to come and drive directly to Shorty's house. Upon paying the driver, I pushed the bear out and move out as well. I once again drag the bear until I reached his entryway. I rang the doorbell multiple times as I heard Austin shouting "Coming!" His eyes widen as soon as he saw me "Ace... Last night. I-"

"Thanks for not coming last night," I glared as I throw the human-size bear and the flowers at the side. "Now tell me why didn't you come and didn't even bother to check your messages?"

"I'm sorry," he looks down and I noticed Jamie at the back, eavesdropping. "Jamie and I were hanging out the whole day and my phone died as well as Jamie's. I also forgot to contact you last night that I won't be ableto make it."

"Jamie again? Jamie this, Jamie did that. You have nothing to talk about except Jamie this whole time," I shouted "I know he's your friend and I respect that. But the fact that you keep treating me as if I'm invisible, bothers me so much." I clicked my tongue and bit my lower lip, stopping my self from getting mad at him. "Whatever, its not like it matters anyway. You seem to be having fun with Jamie than me so," I said as I turn my back at him and start walking away from his porch.

"So??" he asked as he rans after me and grab my wrist.

"So I'm going home. Why don't you hang out with Jamie?" I said, shoving his hand away. I sighed deeply and said "Am I really your boyfriend?"

"Yes you are, Ace! It's just that it's my first time having a friend from school other than Kai,"

"I can be your best friend and boyfriend at the same time! Though I'm not telling you to stop socializing, at least make time for me as well." I said as I took out my phone and call a taxi cab. He gently grab my hand as I look back at him and see him crying. I want to wrap my arms around him but I can't. I'm not the only one whose hurt her and I know that. "It hurts me, seeing you smile brighter when you're with him than me!"

As soon as the taxi arrived, I quickly walk in and told the driver my address. I leaned on the window, as I see Austin staring while his tears stream down. I slouch down and cover my eyes, as the tears that I've been holding on since a while ago, kept streaming down.

"Shit," I groaned

Austin's pov

I didn't even realize it myself, that I was hurting him. I was hurt about him being insensitive in the past but I can't believe for doing the same to him now. I tried calming down by squating down as I used my inhaler. Jamie came running, as he helps me stand up and walk in my house. He let me seat on the couch as he runs around to get an ice pack.

"Sorry Austin. It's all my fault," Jamie said as he sat beside me and pats my back.

"Why are you apologizing? It's not like you're the one whose insensitive enough to hurt him," I said as I was starting to calm down.

He awkwardly laughed and said "I actually said that I'm going to snatch you away from him and stuff. Maybe that made him anxious?"

"You told him what?" I shouted as I was startled and stood up.

"I was just kidding you know. Plus you know I have a girlfriend," he said as he gently pulls me down "Sit down, will you?"

"Not only I was insensitive, you also made him more anxious." I glared at him as I stood up but suddenly fell on the floor "What will I do Jamie? I don't want us to break up,""

"I will definitely make it up to you," he said as he pats my head. "Let's give a bit of space today and we'll go tomorrow,"

3 days of coming back and forth from his house to school, we didn't get anything except being ignored. I tried calling and texting him but he won't answer. I even tried to ask Kai to call him for me but still nothing. I don't want us to end up ignoring each other and pretend that we don't have a relationship. I don't even plan to let him go even for a bit. I decided to skip school today just to go to his house and try again. If he won't today, I'll come again tomorrow. I won't even give up just because of him ignoring me. Even if I have to sleep outside his house.

I was about to run but the suddenly somebody grab me by the shoulder and slowly pull me "Where do you think you're going?" he asked. I turn around and found Kai smiling at me "Your classroom is on the other way and that way is the way to the gate. Have you lost your sense of direction, Austin?"

I laughed and proudly said "No, bastard. I'll be skipping,"

"I'm proud," he claps "Let's go together then," he said as he slides his arms around me.

"Sorry," I said "No. Actually I'll be going to Ace's again today and figure this thing out on my own," I can feel that Kai is somehow hesitant to let me go but he sighed and said "Hmmm, fine." he pats my back an smiled "Just be honest with him, he'll forgive you anyway."

I smiled and quickly ran to the exit until I reach the gate. I take a little rest as I panted then called the taxi. As I hop in and told the driver Ace's address, I began to feel nervous and anxious. As soon as I started trembling and panting, I took out my inhaler and started to calm down. A lot of what ifs has been going through my head like what if this will be the end? I'll just have to make sure that it will not happen. Even if he slaps me.

"Sir, we're here." the driver said. I shake my head and go through my wallet to pay him. I once again trembled when I hop out of the taxi. I stopped by the porch and figure out what to say. I gasped as I remembered "I shoukd've bought him pancakes," I said as I scratch my head and squat down. I looked at the door and breath deeply as I stand up and push the doorbell. "Ace, please answer the door." I mumbled to myself.

"I can wait, I can do this." I said and push the doorbell multiple times. While pushing the doorbell, I took out my phone and tried dialing him. But he didn't even bother to answer the call or even view my text messages. "I don't think he didn't heard the bell. Should I at least try to waiit without the doorbell?"

I sat on the floor, and try to pass some time by reading a book and play games with my phone. Every minute that passed by, I can't help but be fidgety and to stand up everytime. I tried the doorbell once again but still nothing. My stomach started growling after a while "I wonder what time is it?" I said to myself. I check and it was 10am sharp. I sighed and go through my bag if I had something to eat. Good thing I bought a biscuit and a bottled water with me. I know it won't be enough for the whole but I'll never give this up.

Lunch time came, still no response. I stood up to ring the doorbell and tried dialing him once again, but still nothing."Never say never," I groaned as I sat down once again and sat beside the door. "I hope he orders pizza though," I said. Not because I was hungry, but this may be a chance for him to open the door. Luckily, I saw a pizza delivery car. I was immediately excited as I heard th car door opening

"Pizza delivery!" a guy shouted as he hops out of the car. My eyes widen as I quickly stand up and looked at the delivery guy. While he was walking towards the door, I pat him with sparkly eyes and said "Thank you,"

"Uh you're welcome, sir." he nodded. He rings the doorbell and shouted once again. I can hear someone unlocking the door as I stand behind the delivery guy. Finally, as it opens I saw Ace whose half naked. "That'll be 3 dollars," the delivery guy said

"Here," Ace said as he handed him money.

"Thank you for ordering at Pizzatopia," the guy said as he walks back to his car. I, on the other hand, quickly moved forward and hold the door. "Ace," I sighed and smiled "I uh need to talk to you," Chills run down my spine as he glared at me while holding the pizza. I gulped and straightened my back as I talk "Uhm a-about that Saturday night-"

"No need to explain," he said as he clics his tongue "I'm over it anyways,"

"R-Really? I mean I'll make it up-"

"Yeah.. Nope, I'm not in the mood to talk right now." he said

"Y-You know, I really need to explain-"

"No, you don't need to." he sighed as he rolled his eyes and tries to close the door"I'm busy right now so you go home,"

"No," I disagreed while I pull the door "We need to work this out," I said. He shook his head and sighed deeply as he forcefully pulls the door and closed it. "I won't leave until you talk to me, Ace!" I shouted "I'll stay here until tomorrow or even the next day, just please talk to me." I said as I leaned my head on the door. I bit my lip, trying to stop the urge to cry as I moved back and sat once again at the side of the door. I pulled my knees up and leaned my head on it. "I know you're hurting but I am too," I whimpered as tears stremed down my eyes.

Without me realizing it, I fell asleep and it was already the afternoon. I checked my phone and saw Jamie has been calling me nonstop. I dialed him back as I put my phone in my ear.

Me: Hmm?

Jamie: Austin, where are you?

Me: Ace's. Sorry Jamie but I need to figure this out alone.

I hung up the call as I crossed my legs and just stare on the floor blankly. I rub my eyes as I was still sleepy and drowsy. I stood up and tried to ring the doorbell a couple more times but still got ignored. I sighed and positioned my bag on the corner for me lie down on it later. "Maybe he'll talk to me tomorrow," I sighed as I sat down and slowly lie down on my bag. After turnin tomy side, I drifted off to sleep once again. I don't care if I won't eat the whole day or even stay outside his house for a couple of days, I just wanna talk to him and work everything out.

Ace's pov

The whole day, I didn't do anything besides playing with my PS4 and eat more pizzas. Austin ringing the doorbell for days started to annoy me even though I wanted to open that fucking door, I just don't feel like it since that Jamie has been with him. But today was kind of a shock for me, he was alone and skipped school. Ever since this morning, I never really felt anything besides guilt and tried a couple of times to open the door but I also don't want to face him. Night time came, after I turned on the light outside, I prepared my own dinner and go back to my game. "Wait until tomorro, huh?" I said as I shake my head.

As soon as I was finished eating, I paused the game for a while and wash the plate and spoon that I used. I looked at the clock and said to myself "11pm? I guess time really passed by so fast," As I finished wiping the plate and spoon, I walk back to the living room and was about to go back to my game when I heard a loud thudding sound outside. "Shit, don't tell me..." I quickly run up to the door as I unlock it and quickly open it "Austin?" I called out as I see him sleeping on the corner of the porch. He was crouching down as he was hugging himself. I run my fingers to my head and through my hair as I felt frustrated with myself. "Austin, wake up." I said as I squat down beside him and gently tap his shoulder. He started groaning as he turn to the other side and mumbled"Ace,"

I smirked as I carry him up to my shoulder with his arms around my neck and wrap his legs around my waist. I took his bag and went inside. I made sure to lock the door and continued walking until I reach upstairs. I entered my room as I put down his bag and slowly put him as well. I breathe out deeply as I took off his shoes and socks and wrap him in a blanket. I went back downstairs to turn off the game and lights. As I go back upstairs to my room, Austin is sleeping peacefully. I entered quietly and lock the door.

I slowly made my way to the other side of the bed and lie down beside him. As I move closer to him, I put my shoulder beneath his head and gently pulled his waist towards me. I kissed his forehead and said "I'm sorry," he suddenly wrapped his arms around me and mumbled "Please...don't...leave.. me," I chuckled from the words he just said and kept hugging him until I drifted off to asleep.