Ace of Hearts

59| my first time... doing drugs

I'm silent as I walk with Ace to the airport entrance. I tug my luggage behind me with one hand. My other hand is clasped with his, but I've never felt farther away from him.

His thumb rubs anxious circles on my skin, but I don't even act like I feel them.

While we walk along the sidewalk, he speaks.

"I suppose you will nap when we board our plane?" He keeps his voice light, but I notice the strain in it. He's waiting on me to forgive him. But last I checked— I never heard an apology.

"I had a nightmare last night." The words are a whisper on the air.

His grip on my hand tightens. "Oh?"

"I can't remember much of it." I lie.

His eyes focus sharp ahead, but he speaks softly.

"What do you remember?"

"You were in it." I breathe. "And the blonde girl."

A pained look crosses his expression. "I had almost forgotten her."

"We're going back home. Returning to all of that stuff." I think about going back to school in a few days. It will be my first day back since all of the nude photo stuff.

Seems like forever ago.

Ace glances at the side of my face. "Bryn, I wish there was something I could do about her-"

I remember my dream as he speaks. The truth was, it wasn't really just about the blonde, at all.

The blonde took Ace from me, tries to take Ace from me, all the time. And now... so is that school.

Maybe if it was his dream school, the best thing for him and us simultaneously, everything would be different.

But the fact is, Ace didn't tell me about it. The school is across the country. It does the same thing as every other school. And it isn't his dream or anything.

We make it up to the airport doors. Ace lets me in before him. When we get inside of the building, he whispers to me.

"I talked to Rye this morning" He says, "when we get off the plane. He's taking us home."

I respond without a word. Ace's jaw grits.

"Is that okay with you?"

"Fine." I lie.

I love the idea of riding in a car with my best friend's ex boyfriend, and my boyfriend who I am currently in a rough patch with. Peachy!

Ace puts his hand on my back, and leads me across the airport. His fingertips touch me, and I want to douse their heat with water.

We're waiting to board, when my phone rings. As soon as I see it is Anson, I answer it.

"Anson?!"

"Bryn," my brother-in-law's voice is stern, "listen. Indie is in labor."

"What?!" I shriek into the phone. I notice my boyfriend watching me with worry as I take the call. Indie. I mouth her name to him, and his gaze softens.

"It's going to be a few hours. But we're heading to the hospital now."

"Ace and I haven't boarded the flight yet!"

He sighs, "I know. But this child is on his own timeline. Don't worry. You get here when you get here."

I'm shaking inside. My big sister... Indie... she's really about to become a mother.