Chapter 19

Veronica POV

We all decided to go to Queen's Park for a picnic and also because we heard there were some cultural games and activities taking place today. 

I was in a purple denim sleeveless jumpsuit with a light pink T-shirt inside. I tied my hair in a bun, perfect for the heat. 

As we all got out of the SUV and into the morning fresh air, I tripped on a rock as I stretched. I squealed as I braced myself for the ground to hit me when I was pulled back by the straps of my jumpsuit. 

Rayan let go and the guys all began laughing as Ace and Nino grabbed the picnic basket and mat. Bree and Alden grabbed the Tennikoit ring and the frisbee.

I just stuffed my hands in my pockets and pouted. Ace was walking toward me as he gave me a quick kiss, winked, and walked ahead.

I felt heat creeping into my face and felt myself blushing. Rayan came up beside me, pinched my cheek, and walked away laughing. Again...-,-.

Bree tapped me on the shoulder and led me forward, whispering something incoherent in my ear. It wasn't incoherent, to be fair.

I was just too deep in thought about Ace.

How much can your life change in one trip? 

A lot. 

Bree, Drey, Allison, and Rea got along well. 

"I have no idea what I'm going to do with Nino." Alli came up to me with her hands in the air. 

"Why, what happened now?" 

"One second, he is all lovey-dovey with me, and the next, he's laughing at me with the other guys calling me a tomboy." I smiled. Allison hated being fit into a stereotype.

She hated the entire concept of stereotypes. 

"Well, not to be rude, but seriously, you are kind of a tomboy. I mean- usually, girls would want to wear sundresses and skirts in this weather, but you prefer to wear tights. If the weather was even a bit windy, you would have worn sweatpants!!" 

"Girl-!" She left my arm and stepped back with faux disappointment on her face.

I laughed and pulled her closer. 

"Don't worry, I won't say that to anyone." I winked at her. 

She smiled and asked, "Did you ever think that Ace would've been in love with you?" I smiled and looked down, thinking. 

"No, but I'll tell you something... Now that I think back, I've always had a crush on Ace. When Damen asked me out on a date and I told everyone about that, Ace was very angry and kinda ignorant. That, for some reason, gave me satisfaction. I internally told myself that he was jealous of Damen. But he was still close to him, and that used to piss me off. A bit. -" 

She raised an eyebrow at me as I let out a laugh. 

"Then he started dating Jackie, - I mean- Jacqueline. She was my friend before, but later, when I won some award in school, she was mad because she thought she deserved it more than me. Anyway, when Ace started dating Jacqueline, it was like- they were the hottest couple in the school. Until then, it was me and Damen, after that, people used to make us compete in school on who was the best couple. I hated them, but I competed, again and again. To piss him off. Ace and Jackie's relationship used to make me so mad. When the breakup happened, and everyone started hating on me, I hoped they would stay by my side, but more than anyone, it hurt that Ace didn't believe me. At that point, I decided I liked him. But it was too late, wasn't it?"

She patted my hand. "I think he started dating that Jacqueline girl to piss u off."

She nodded. 

I looked at her weirdly and she ruffled my hair as I swatted her hand away. 

*****

"Alden, I will kick your ass if you don't catch that -!" 

"UGHHHH, ALDENN!!" 

"I'M SORRY! IT WAS SO HIGH!!" 

"YOU'RE 5'10 FOR HECK'S SAKE!" 

"THAT THING WAS HIGHER THAN THA-" 

"WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP AND THROW THE RING BACK HERE!?" I hollered while Ace snickered from beside me. 

Bree stomped towards the Tennikoit ring, picked it up, and threw it back towards us as I jumped up and caught it, and threw it right back at them.

This time, Bree caught it and threw it back and Ace sped forward and caught it. Allison, Nino, Jordan, and Drey were sprawled on the picnic mat at a distance from us.

Rayan and Rea were in the playground, sitting on the swings beside each other. I was staring at them and thinking of a way to get them both together when suddenly Ace yelled my name, and I felt a hard force hit me on my head and I fell back, with a loud shriek. 

I could hear faint voices and saw quite a few faces around, but it was all a blur. There was a ringing voice in my ear and my head hurt like a hangover. Yea, no, I never had a hangover, but- Oh, God.

I just didn't hear anything or see anything. I didn't know or understand what was happening. Slowly, my surroundings started fading into black, and then there was nothingness. Someone was calling my name. A familiar voice, but I didn't know. Something was restricting my eyes from opening. And I hated it. I put all my energy into it, breathed in and out a few times, and tried to open it.

And I did.

I was sitting, being held up, on a bench. As I slowly opened my eyes, I could see many people in front of me, ones who I did recognize.

But what caught my attention was a familiar figure standing a bit far from me, under a tree. 

Damien. 

The second I recognized him my spine was automatically erect, and a sharp pain went through my entire body.

I closed my eyes and groaned loudly, but Damien's figure came into my mind again and I shot my eyes open again.

He wasn't there.

I stood up, despite Ace, Bree, Allison, and Rea's shouts.

I ran to the tree and looked all around.

He wasn't there.

Ace and Rea came up behind me.

They looked at me with understanding in their eyes. They were about to spread out like they usually did, to search for Damien, but I stopped them.

"He isn't worth our time. Let's go."

Just as I said that a different type of relief flooded over me, and my knees went all weak and wobbly.

I collapsed, as Ace caught me. He carried me into the car, and everyone followed.

And I slowly dozed off.

The last thing I felt and heard was a kiss on my forehead, which heated my face again.

"I love you, Vera... I'll protect you."

Ace...