Rosewood School for Boys

Chapter 17 - Locked

Sorry it took so long I've been having some writers block but were all good now and I should be able to update more often! I also made some of the longer chapters into two to make them easier to read hope this isn't too confusing. Thanks for reading and don't forget to comment! xxx

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The sound of the chirping birds greets my ears as I swim up to consciousness. I was cocooned tightly in the duvet and the sun was shining on my face, warming me to the core. In an instant I was transported back to my childhood, to when my parents were still alive. Times when I would play catch with my father, when my mother would kiss me goodnight. Then I realised I was pressed up against a body, a hard, hot, body. I suddenly realised it was Ace. His arm was thrown over me and I was surrounded by his solid form.

I tensed and the arm around my waist tightened, preventing me from moving away. Holding my breath, I tried to gently slip out of his grasp.

"Where are you off to little firecracker?" Ace rumbled, the vibrations of his voice rolling through the place we were still pressed together.

"Um, nowhere?" I answered timidly.

"Then would you stop wriggling please it's very...disturbing."

I lay back in my position pressed against him but kept shifting uncomfortably. Something hard was pressing into my lower back.

"Stop. Wriggling."

"I can't help it, your belt buckle is digging into me," I complained.

Ace chuckled, the sound low and throaty.

"I'm not wearing a belt Liss."

"Then what..."

I gasped as I realised what it was, heat racing up my neck. I leapt away like I was on fire and turned, pressing my back against the wall to face him.

"That's disgusting."

"Wowwww. Body shaming now are we?"

"No, nope, nope nope nope."

I dived off the bed and into the bathroom, locking the door behind me before slowly sliding down the wall until I was curled up in a little ball. The feel of the icy tiles through my threadbare pyjamas sent enough of a shock to my system to partially clear my head so I could think. So what if Ace saw me have a nightmare? So what if he held me while I cried and comforted me until I fell asleep. And maybe waking up in his arms was the most at peace I've felt in years but that doesn't mean anything, he's just being a good friend. Yes, that's all we are, just friends.

"Liss?" Ace calls through the door, "You all good in there?"

My breath catches in my throat and I freeze, not saying anything.

He sighs and his voice turns much softer, "Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean so make you uncomfortable. I know I crossed a boundary and I won't do it again it was just- you were so scared and I couldn't stand it."

He pauses and I hear rustling coming from where he is.

"I know what nightmares like that are like, how they feel so real they can take your breath away, how sometimes you're paralysed, unable to escape or even make a sound. I know how hard it can be to wake up, to come back to reality and that even when you do- it still feels like there's a monster hiding in the shadows, waiting to drag you back into the dark."

A tear slips down my cheek, Ace's words sinking deep into me, a glimmer of golden light in the blackest part of my soul.

"I guess what I'm trying to say, is that I'll always be here for you if you want to talk, or if you just want to be near someone."

He chuckles gently, "I also give great hugs you know,'

In one swift movement I unlock the door and throw myself on him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck.

"Wow taking me up on my offer so soon?"

"Thank you, Ace." I whisper into his neck.

"You have nothing to thank me for little firecracker."