Temporary ✔️

Chapter 14: Remembering

AN: here's chapter 14. Enjoy, people.

Ace's POV:

When I reached home, I had a pounding headache. Sweat was dripping from my forehead and my thoughts were consumed by the blue-eyed girl from the fair. Lexi...

"Sweetie, are you okay?" Mum asked.

"I don't know," I whispered, "um, I'm gonna go to my room... I'll have dinner later than usual today," my gut feeling was telling me not to tell Mum about Lexi.

I locked myself in my en suite and leaned against the sink. Something in my pockets rustled; I took out the paper Lexi dropped and unfolded it.

It was of me leaning against a tree, looking up at the sky. A girl was curled up with her head in my lap. It was Lexi.

I clutched my head and winced, flashbacks playing through my mind.

***
"I'm Ace," I stuck out my hand.

The little girl's face was filled with tentative hope as she accepted shyly, "I'm Alexandra, call me Lexi."

***
Me and Lexi were in her kitchen. It reeked of alcohol and drugs and she was sitting on the counter. I noticed some white scars on the ten-year-olds arm.

"Lexi, what's this?" I asked, pulling her arm in front.

She averted from my gaze, "I'm sorry, Ace, I couldn't help it. It hurts."

I grabbed a knife from the kitchen counter and pressed it against my palm, hard enough to draw blood.

"What're you doing?!" Lexi gasped and pulled the knife away. She began fussing over my bloodied palm.

"It hurts doesn't it? Watching someone you love hurt themselves," I gently cupped her cheek with my other hand, "please don't do it again."

***
"Ace!" A seven year old girl ran into my arms.

"Hey, what's wrong?" I asked, hugging her back.

"Some kids were mean to me at school," she mumbled, "they made fun of me because I don't have parents."

I kissed the top of her head, "if a person throws stones at you, pick them up and build something stronger. Stand up to the bullies, Lexi. You're a strong, amazing girl- don't let someone blow out your candle."

She looked at me, the tears drying on her face, "thanks Ace!"

***
We were lying down on the grass, looking at the starry sky above us. Lexi was pointing out the different constellations she'd learned in her book and I was listening carefully.

Suddenly, she stopped, her hand dropped to her side and she stared at the sky in quiet contemplation.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked.

She looked at me, "I was just thinking... everyone in my life has let me down or left me. My parents didn't want me, the kids at the orphanage hated me, hell even Liam and Isla hate me," she turned her gaze back to the sky, "am I really that horrible that I don't deserve any happiness?" She whispered.

"Look at me," I said sternly, "I don't ever want you to say that again. You're the best person in the world, Lex- you deserve all the happiness in the world."

"You'll leave me one day," she said quietly, "they all do."

I reached over and squeezed her hand, "I won't, I promise you. I love you Lexi."