Liability

Chapter 22

The week passed so fast that I didn't even notice it was Saturday. I had a date with Ace today and my nerves were killing me. I felt nervous and on edge. I didn't eat much during breakfast but tried to contain the feelings so that mother wouldn't notice the whirlwind of emotions inside me. After breakfast, I did my chores and didn't make a single peep because I didn't want her to be suspicious. I received a text from Ace at 6.

ACE: Be there at 7.

Great. I had two hours with him. Sometimes I contemplate if I did the right thing by asking him to be friends with benefits. After all, I was a virgin with no experience. A part of me was scared because it knew that Ace is a guy I fantasize about but I always ignored that part.

SAGE: Ok.

I sent the reply and started getting ready. I wore some cute black pants that had white stripes and a fitted black shirt that hugged my body in all the right places. I wondered if I am actually as fat as mother claims and insecurity cluthed my heart. What if Ace doesn't like fat girls? What will he think of me when I undress myself? I shook my head and tried to stay calm because this is my body and right now I had to present myself the way I am.
I looked at myself in the mirror and the only thing that came to my mind was that I'm not fat. I'm just very curvy. I didn't have belly fat in fact even if I did it would've been fine and my waist was curved, coming to an end on my hips that were big but not big enough to not fit a size 42. I grabbed a black hoodie and put it on because I didn't want mother to notice how I dressed. Finally, I gave Pixie a pet and grabbed my bag.

"Where do you think you're going?" Mother asked when I got to the hallway.

"German class, Mother." I said and kept a straight face. She stared at me for a second and waved her hand.

"Oh. Right." She said and walked away. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until I let it out. I quickly wore my boots and got out. My phone buzzed.

ACE: Meet me near the train station.

I started walking towards the train station and my heart beat picked up. I felt so nervous. When I got to the train station, I saw Ace standing there with his hands in his pockets. He was wearing all-black like he normally does and he was looking around, probably for me. When his eyes caught mine, he walked towards me. Excitement and lust washed over me like a tornado at the sight of him.

"Hi." He said. His voice was so soft yet firm at the same time. I kind of missed hearing his voice and the way he looked.

"Hey." I said.

"Why are you so breathless? Is everything okay?" He smirked.

"Yes." I said and waved my hand meaning that I'm fine.

"You also look a bit flushed. Did you catch a cold or something?" He said and raised his hand to put it on my face, probably to check the temperature of my body. I hit his hand away and tried to get my shit together.

"I'm fine Ace." I said and started walking towards the train station.

"We're not taking the metro. I'm taking you to lake Salvador." He said. I mentally smacked myself.

"Oh um..okay whatever." I felt my bratty side take control.

"Brat." He said under his breath. I tried to hold in a smile. He got us a cab and we got in. Ten minutes into the ride my phone buzzed. It was mother. She sent a voice message. I opened it and instantly regret my decision to do so.

Mother: You cunt! Why didn't you wash the dishes the way I asked you to? There's dirt all over them! You can't do anything right! I regret having a retard as a daughter. Just wait until you come home!!!

Her screams echoed in my ears. There was an unsettling silence in the car.

"Is that your...mom?" Ace was frowning and I was speechless. I could feel tears gathering up in my eyes. I didn't say anything and nodded instead because I knew that I would cry once I open my mouth. Ace put his hand on my thigh and rubbed gently for a while to comfort me. He slowly tangled his fingers in my hair and started nuzzling me in a soothing way. My nerves calmed down but I felt anxious. I was not used to loving touches or gentle rubs. I was used to hurt, pain and abuse.

"Stop." I said and looked at him.

"Why?" He asked.

"Just stop." I said and moved his hand away.

"Tell me why." He said and tried to nuzzle me again.

"I said no. I don't want to talk about it." I said angrily and caught his hand. He gave me a cold stare and I instantly let go. I looked out of the window. The rest of the ride was agonizingly silent. I felt pity. Pity for myself for being so weirded out because of a gentle touch. For being against it and for rejecting the comfort he might've been able to give but he didn't deserve my vulnerability anyways. We were nothing. We were friends. With benefits.