Love or war?

Chapter Fifteen

As I pull up to Ace's house I feel my stomach sink again. I can't do this. I'm the worst at acting like everything's ok. I sit in my car for a while debating on whether to go home or not when my phone buzzes.

You can come in you know ;)

It's from Ace of course. Fine I have to do this. I can do this. It'll be fine. It was just an accident anyway no big deal. As I walk up to the door Ace opens it before I even get to it. Obviously he was waiting for me. What a stalker. I step inside as he closes the door then greets me with a hug from behind. Gosh I don't deserve this. He's so innocent and sweet and I just flipping kissed someone else. What now? We go up to Ace's room and I awkwardly take a seat on his bed. He sits close next to me and I scoot over. Ace follows. I scoot away more and Ace comes closer again. This keeps happening until I reach the end of the bed. I stand up.

"You know Ace this just isn't a good time I should just go home and think about some things," I say walking towards the door.

"Whoa babe wait," he grabs my arm pulling me back to him, "what's wrong?" He asks trying to read it in my eyes.

"Nothing I'm just Umm tired. Yeah tired that's all. Naomi and I stayed up pretty late last night," I say trying to release my arm from his grip.

"You're not just tired you said you needed to think about things. Think about what? What's wrong?"

"Things have just happened. Nothing too big I just need to sort it out," wow I'm like an open book. I can't keep anything inside. I need to get out of here before I tell him about the kiss. It's killing me and I feel the words of the kiss knocking on my lips begging to come out.

"That's what I'm here for. I'm here to comfort you. We can sort things out together," he replies pulling me down next to him and wrapping his arm around me in one smooth motion.

I'm overcome with love for him. He's so sweet and he doesn't deserve this. But all I can think is the pain I'll see as soon as I tell Ace. But if we're really meant to be we have to tell each other everything and work it out. Right?

"Yeah but how are you supposed to tell him you kissed someone," there is no way I just said that out loud. I can't believe it. No way. I mumbled so maybe he didn't hear or didn't quite catch it all so I can save myself.

"Tell him you what?!?" Ace asks looking a little angry. What do I do? I don't know how to answer that. So I don't. I just sit there quiet hopefully he'll forget even though I know he won't.

"Alani what happened?" Ace says sternly.

"I don't know," I say looking at the floor.

"How do you not know wh-" Ace cuts himself off I guess realizing he's getting a little ahead of himself in his anger.

"Alani please just tell me," he says this time very calm. I know I need to tell him.

"Ace please don't get mad at me. And please let me tell the whole story before you jump to anything. I don't want to hurt you. It was a freak thing," his mind is probably racing with what the heck happened and i don't even know how I can do this.

"Ok deal," Ace says backing up so he can look at me while I talk.

"Ok Nolen and I have been friends forever and we haven't seen each other in a while so we went out for lunch. You know we're just friends nothing like that then we were walking on the beach kicking a soccer ball around just hanging out and then we sat down to rest. Then we kissed.... But it didn't mean anything. I don't even know how it happened and it's scaring the life out of me that I might lose you. But I don't want to. You mean everything to me and I really hope you understand. If you're mad at me I get it. That was a real jerk move. But it was a freak thing. I don't know what happened." As I finish I look up at Ace. He just sits there soaking everything in and thinking about it forever.

"Ace I'm sorry. I'm so awful. I'll just go I'm really sorry about all this," I say getting up and walking towards his door secretly hoping he'll stop me. I get really close to the door and my heart sinks. I really did it now. I ruined the best relationship I've ever had. I open the door shakily.

"Alani stop," Ace says still looking at the floor. I turn around but stay in the same spot.

"Ace I don't know what to do," I say staring at him tears gathering in my eyes.

"Do you love him Alani?" Ace mutters still looking at the ground. What kind of question even is that? I'm in love with Ace.

"Of course not Ace I love you, and only you. That's why this whole thing has me such a wreck," I say my voice breaking and my tears come flowing out now. And I see one stream down Ace's face. That broke me. I've never felt this upset in my entire life. I'm pretty sure I just felt my heart shatter. I made him cry. What is wrong with me? Why am I such an idiot? I don't deserve him and he's better without the pain I cause him. Then I walk out. As I'm about to go down the stairs I try to shield my face from any unsuspecting family members I come across. I don't want them to see me like this.

As I go to take the first step I'm swept up and carried back into Ace's room. Why in the world is he still trying with me? He gently sets me down on his bed and kisses me. It was the best feeling in my entire life. I never wanted it to end. As we finally pull away I can't take my eyes off Ace and his gaze matches mine.

"Did you feel that?" Ace asks still looking at me. "That was true love,"