The Key to the Oleander

Chapter Twelve - Athena

My eyes shutter open and the first thing I notice is my unfamiliar surroundings. Where am I?

"You're safe now, Athena." I hear Ace's voice come from the doorway. I must've said that outloud, huh? I turn my head and watch as he closes the door behind himself.

I jump up, immediately noticing the soreness in my legs, which I choose to ignore as I pull my arms around him. He stiffens, but relaxes a few seconds later, hugging me back.

I pull away and slap his chest. He gives me a confused look as he pushes my hands away.

"What was that for?" He exclaims.

"How could you be so stupid? I could've escaped by myself." I say, folding my arms together.

"Um, your welcome?" I open my mouth to reply, but nothing comes out as I realize something. He risked his for me.

"Thank you." I mumble. He hums in response, turning around but instantly flinching. Worry sparks within me.

"Hey, are you okay?" I reach towards him.

"Yeah, I'm fine-" He stops once I pull his shirt up. I instantly gasp, pulling back my hands, slapping them on my mouth. A very infected cut covers him, from under his armpit to his hip.

"Why didn't you get that looked at?" I ask.

"I had the doctor look after you." He shrugs casually. I shake my head in disappointment as I head to his bathroom, looking around for bandage wrap.

Once I find one, I walk out and point to the bed for him to sit on. He obeys.

He takes the bottom of his shirt and pulls it up over his head, discarding it on the floor. My breath hitches and I can't stop but stare. He's absolutely gorgeous.

I shake my head, clear my throat and rip a fitting amount of bandage off of the roll.

The second my fingers touch his skin, his jaw clenches and my heart skips a beat. I've never been this turned on before. Focus, Athena!

I take a step closer, shortening the gap between us to see more clearly. When I attach the last side to the end of the cut, I look up at him to see him looking down at me, his eyes darken. Slowly, I straighten my back, I've never been this close to him before I-

The door opens and suddenly, I'm a good arm's length apart from him.

A curly brunette headed man I've never seen before stands at the doorway, eyes widened.

"Um, I- I was just, um- You know what? I was just going to make some pizza rolls! Hah, totally forgot. Bye now!" He slams the door behind him.

"Athena-" Ace begins, but I interrupt him, ignoring what had happened just before.

"I think I'm going to go home." I say. He frowns, the hope in his eyes disappearing.

"Athena, please. Can we talk?" He asks, almost begging. I sigh before hesitantly nodding.

"Do you not remember me?" He asks, almost carefully.

"We met when I was twelve, of course I remember." I chuckle. His eyes fill with sadness.

"Athena, we went to highschool together." He says softly.

"Oh? I didn't know that. So what?"

"We dated from freshman year all the way to senior year. And then..." He sighs, his breath shakens.

"I would've remembered." I shake my head, but deep down I realize I barely remember my highschool years.

He reaches for his back pocket, and holds out a picture for me to look at. Sure enough, it's me and him, kissing. Me in a deep blue dress with a fake crown on with the words, "Prom queen" written on them. And him wearing a black tuxedo.

"I haven't stopped loving you, Athena." I can sense this is hard for him, and I wish I could remember, but I just... can't.

"That's why I've felt so comfortable around you... that's why you were so familiar." I stand up, trying to process everything. He nods.

Thoughts race through my head, way too fast to my liking. I feel as if I might pass out.

"Athena? Are you okay?" Ace stands up, worry evident in his voice and face.

I nod, but I myself am uncertain if I am. "Yeah... I'm fine." I fake a small smile before turning around. Suddenly I notice my face getting closer and closer to the floor. At this point, I'm waiting for the impact... but it doesn't come. Arms have engulfed me. Ace.

"You need rest, love, rest." He whispers softly. That'll never get old, the way he calls me 'love'.

"I know." He says. My eyes widen and embarrassment flushes my cheeks when I realize I said that outloud. Before I can come up with an excuse, my eyes begin to feel heavy and eventually, they close on me. The last thing I feel is Ace's lips on my forehead.

FLASHBACK...

"Remember when Lydia said that I'd have you to myself for a week and then you'd leave me?" I feel the vibration of my voice as my face lays on Ace's chest. I look up to see him smiling as he plays with my hair.

"Yes, I do. Happy four years, love." He replies, kissing my forehead softly. I smile, butterflies fly inside me. I'm sure when we're on our deathbeds he would never fail to make me swoon for him.

"Can you tell me what we're doing tonight?" I sit up, holding the bedsheets over my breasts. He rolls his eyes, smiling.

"It's a surprise, for the millionth time." He chuckles, fixing my messy hair.

As I'm about to answer, his door flies open. I gasp at the sight of my father.

"Athena, what are you doing here?" He yells. I open my mouth, but silence is the only thing that I can let out.

"Sir-" Ace begins, sitting up slowly.

"Don't you talk. Athena, you know we can't associate with such a low of people- the Nethilors." He scorns, looking at us in disgust.

"Father-" I try, but he holds his hand up, silencing me.

"You know what, I know the perfect punishment, for both of you." He laughs humorlessly. My heartbeat quickens. Adrenaline pumps through my veins. This can't be happening.

"You will forget about him. You will forget everything and every memory you have with him," He then looks at Ace. "And you... you will live with the torture of Athena forgetting you." His eyes drift back to me. The way my own father is looking at me... it makes me sick.

"Get dressed. We're leaving." He slams the door behind him. I look at Ace and all I see is fear. I've known Ace almost my whole life yet I have never seen him this scared.

"Ace..." My voice cracks. And to think we'd be forever...

"I'll fix this, I promise." He cups my face into his hands. I want to believe him but I know my father. He always finds a way.

"If he really does do this, I want to make a promise to you, Ace." My heart is in my throat, I'm on the verge of tears. He looks at me, silently. But the pain in his eyes is loud enough.

"If I forget about you, I will love you again. I know no other world, life, or universe where I won't love you." I press my lips against his roughly, and once I pull away I know there is no going back. I am going to forget my first love.

FLASHBACK ENDED...